Comments on using the Visoflex?

Nokton48

Nokton48

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Hi All,

I'm been recently looking at the Leitz Visoflex II system. I have a couple of Leitz lenses that will fit (with the proper short-mounts). Even picked up original Visoflex literature, and I've been studying it. Prices look attractive, and they seem to be plentiful. To get started, I'd like to find a Viso II with original Pentaprism, OUBIO adapter, and the 200mm Telyt. KEH happens to have just such an item, at a decent price, right now. Twenty-five years ago I wanted one for my M2, now it seems to be a real distinct possibility.

So, does anybody here still use the Visoflex II, and how do you like it? Any other Visoflex comments would be most welcome. Seems like a COOL usuable system. Any drawbacks?
 
I use a ltm Viso I. If you like slow contemplative image making or want to use a broad range of lenses , especially closeup, a Visoflex is low cost fun. The Kilfitt lenses are excellent bty.

yours
FPJ
 
Go for a IIa or III with the instant-return mirror if at all possible. I use a III with a 65/3.5 and OTZFO (I think -- the universal focus mount) and when I see some late Telyts at the right price I may buy them; I used to have the 280/4.8 and 400/5, though the latter was a monster. It's quite fun with the big old chrome 90/2, too.

Cheers,

R.
 
I use the Viso111 with 280 Telyt, also using adapters, with various lenses for macro work
I use mine on my Bessa T which gives me TTL metering, the external meter read out on the T makes this easier.
 
I have a Viso III, a IIa and several II's. I like the instant return mirror on the III and it is quicker to mount and remove than either the II or the IIa. The advantage of the II or IIa is that they are a little smaller. Also, once you get the hang of operating the non instant return on the II, it isn't too bad. I do prefer the prism of the II over the III since it has an adjustable eyepiece. My eyes need all the help they can get. So sometimes I will use a II prism on the III mirror reflex housing.

You are on a slippery slope. If your into tinkering, you'll have a lot of fun. For use on the Visos, I have a 65 Elmar, a 90 Summicron, a 135 Elmarit, a 135 Tele-Elmar, several 135 Hektors, a 4.5 200 Telyt, a 4.0 200 Telyt, a 280 Telyt and a Bellows II. Then there are all the various short-mounts, extensions and adapters. I also have found the right combination of adapters that allow me to use all of these lenses on my Pentax K10D.
 
Nokton48 said:
I took Roger's suggestion, and just won a Visoflex III: I guess the main difference between the II and the III is the instant-return mirror. That seems worth having. Roger's suggestion on the chrome 90mm f2 Summicron is exactly what I was thinking, since I have one of those. Should be fun........

So now, I'm looking for other stuff to go on it.
Click to expand...

That was quick!

The old Summicron is a wonderful lens for portraits, flowers and still lifes.

And as has already been pointed out, you can often bodge your Viso lenses onto other cameras -- or even have an adapter made by SRB to go straight from Viso to the SLR of your choice. There might even be one or two MF SLRs on which it's possible, given that the flange-to-film on a Viso is (from memory) 65mm.

Cheers,

R.
 
My Visoflex experience is strictly digital for the moment (with a Canon 1Ds). I use the long Elmarit 90, the 3-element Elmar 90, and the TE135. Crazy stuff!
 
Downloaded an Instruction Book for the Leitz Visoflex III, dated 1973, been studying that. Glad I went with the III versus the II, I think the III Mirror Box will be a better match to my M5, and I can still use it on my M2. Learned that the Viso was made up until 1984. I'm kind of hoping mine is a later one, it has now been shipped from the UK. Looks a little bit grungy, but I'm reasonably confident it should clean-up OK. Can Viso units be repaired if you are handy, or do you need to sent them to a repair shop? What can go wrong with them, what should I be checking to make sure it works properly; Spring tensions, etc?

So I think I will start with the 200 f4 Telyt w/OUBIO, and I'll still need the 4x Pentaprism from the II, since it has the adjustable ocular.
 
If you are handy, they aren't very difficult to work on. Its mainly a case of keeping track of any parts you remove and making sure they go back on the same way. Since I have several Viso IIs, I wasn't afraid to tear into one. The biggest nuisance item is making sure the adjusting screw on the shutter arm is set right. I remember practicing with the back door on my M2 or M3 open and making sure the mirror had flipped up before the shutter opened.

I have had a few Visos where the mirror linkage was a bit sticky, but that is easy to lube. Cleaning is usually the other thing they need.
 
Thanks dlove5.

It appears I might have an earlier VisoIII, because it dosen't have the Leitz logo as a stick-on badge, and dosen't have the meter pattern for the M5 on the groundglass. But those are very minor issues. Called KEH today and ordered a 200mm f4 Telyt with OUBIO adapter, in bargain condition, for $175. Seems like an OK price to me. So now I just need a Right-way round VisoII 4x observation magnifier (pentaprism) to get going with this.
 
When looking for a Viso II pentaprism, pay attention to the rubber around the eyepiece. Of the 5 that I have, only 1 or 2 of them have rubber that is in good shape. I have yet to find a good replacement, but I did find a rubber eyecup that should fit. Refitting the eyepiece collar can be a bit of a challange. I really need to put that together to see how well it works.

By the way, I applaud your choice of the 200mm f4 Telyt. Of all the lenses that I use on my Visos, I think that has been my most used and favorite. It makes a nice "small" package as far as Visoflex systems go. I shot a number of my daughter's soccer games with it.

My current favorite Viso is my IIa. I converted it from a bayonet mount to a screw mount. That way I can use it on one of my LTM Leicas or I can add a LTM to bayonet adapter and switch shutter arms to use it on my M3. There are all sorts of ways to have fun with Visos.
 
David,
Thanks again for all the tips. I'll be sure to check the condition of the eyepiece rubber. Some I've seen (advertised as new), the rubber looks de-formed. Does it get brittle and come off?
-Dan

Here's an excellent Visoflex site:
http://elshaw.tripod.com/Visoflex/Visoflex.html

I -think- I also need the 16474/ZOOEP, if I'm reading right, that's the 90mm F2 Summicron Short-Mount, with scale. Finding one of those will be sweet!
 
Dan,

Yes the rubber does get hard, brittle and then falls off.

The Visoflex site you cite is the best site I have seen for Viso information.

For the Summicron 90 you can use the ZOOEP /16453 or the 16462 that also fits the 135 F2.8 Elmarit. The OUEPO/16474 is a short extension for closeup work that fits between the lens head and the focusing mount. I should note that if you ever get the 135 Elmarit, the ZOOEP/16453 will not work with the Elmarit. There is a lip that prevents it from screwing all the way on.

Also if you ever need the short focus mounts OTZFO/16464 or OUAGO/16467, let me know. I have extra.
 
I still occasionally use a 65mm Elmar and a 560mm Telyt with Viso III. I also have, though rarely use 200 and 280 Telyts. The 200 seems better than the 280, certainly from a flare point of view.

Beware of where you are seen with a 560 Telyt, shoulder stock etc.....

When buying pentaprisms beware of what fits and what does not. The Viso II penatprism is nicer but doesn't fit M6TTL etc and other 'higher' cameras. I don't know about an M5.

Spots in a penatprism are not always dirt, they can be de-silvering or little sherds of glass broken off when the prism itself when it was dropped. Don't assume you can find correction lenses for the Viso III prism (same as SL and SLII), they are very hard to find.

To be honest, I have taken to doing the macro and long lens stuff with an SL (sacrilege I know), cheap as chips, solves an awful lot of bother and is still built like a tank!

Michael
 
I have and use a Viso II. There are 2 advantages to me. 1) It is smaller and lighter than the III and 2) it has a built in diopter adjustment which the III does not (I need this and it saves looking for add-on diopters. Last 3) it is cheaper than the III.

There are disadvantages of course 1) no instant return mirror (not an issue for me as I use this set-up for close-ups where speed is not of the essence). 2) While the II will work on all M’s up to and including the M6 (except the M5), it will not work on an M6TTL, M7 or M8 unlike the Viso III.

Have fun with whichever model you buy.
David.
 
I have the Viso II. Though I do not use it much, I did get some nice shots of my roses this past summer. The 90mm chrome Elmarit and OTZFO focusing mount is all i have for it. I understand that the original chrome 65mm is a little soft, and the later black version is better. But I don't have these to verify through personal experience. The 200mm sounds like fun! In fact i remember wanting one "way back when" myself. Hmm, maybe I sould look into that?
 
I have both the Visoflex 2 and 3 for my m8. I have alot of medium format SLR stuff (Pentax 645N) and wanted a decent telephoto capability for my M8. The first lens I had where I realized a Visoflex would be needed was my 135mm Elmarit 2.8 made in 1969. the issue was accurate focus at 2.8. the Visoflex helped alot. Then I got a sweet deal on a mint unused in the box 280mm Telyt ($200 bucks!!! WOW!!). Here is a pic of the blast furnaces in Bethlehem PA with my Visoflex 3 and 135mm Elmarit.
 

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I also have to say there is little difference between the Visoflex 1 and Visoflex 2. The M8 seems to like the Visoflex 3 better for automatic metering. If you get a prism, get the one for the Visoflex 3 in case you get an M8 (new or used). The Visoflex 2 is smaller, and easier to store in a bag because the shutter release arm folds back. One thing I would like would be an eyepiece magnifier for mine. That would be handy for detailed critical focus.
 
It sounds to me like the prism to fit my M5 needs to be the Visoflex III type. Can anybody confirm this, or can I also use the Visoflex II prism, on a III Mirror Box, on my M5?

I do like the meter in my M5 and would like to use it for Visoflex tele shooting, with the 90mm Summicron and 200mm Telyt. I have a Visoflex III coming from the UK right now. I have found out that Leitz made a special release arm, for the M5, on the Visoflex III. I'm going to call Leitz, to see if they still have the part in stock. Of course, my Viso III Mirror Box might have the M5 release arm on it already. I guess I'll just have to try it. Any other suggestions?
 
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