Comments on using the Visoflex?

[dlove5]

Dan,

The prism must be a Visoflex III type to fit the M5. You also are right about the release arm being slightly different on the Viso III made after the introduction of the M5. A good source on that information and possibly the right arm is Don Goldberg (DAG). He has a number of Visoflex parts. http://www.dagcamera.com
There was an article in an old LHSA Viewfinder that discussed the release arm issue on the earlier style Viso III and the M5. I will try to look it up.

Another thing I should mention about using the Viso II prism on the Viso III housing. You have to remove the prism when you mount and dismount the housing to the camera body. This is not necessary with the Viso III prism on the Viso III housing.

One thing about the Visoflex system, there is a combination that will work on all Leica LTM or M cameras. It just takes the right mount, housing, release arm, and prism. For example, a Viso II housing will work on a M6 TTL with a Viso III prism. Some modification maybe needed to the release arm or you use one of TomA's softies. For a Leica CL you just need to make or have someone make a release arm. Tom's softies help sometimes when there is a mis-alignment between the arm and the shutter button.

 

[eleskin]

I think the Visoflex 2 housing with a Visoflex 3 viewfinder should fit an M6TTL. It fits my M8, and the shutter arm hits the M8 shutter release without any problems. I have the equipment, and have tried it.

 

[Dralowid]

" I think the Visoflex 2 housing with a Visoflex 3 viewfinder should fit an M6TTL. "

I can confirm that it does.

The Viso II finder has a step in it's bottom that makes it fit earlier Ms snugly but prevents it clearing the top of the M6TTL etc.

The bottom of a Viso III is flat so it clears OK but is a little bulkier.

Both Viso II and III bodies are the same height as far as I can tell.

Michael

 

[Nokton48]

I talked to Marc at the Leitz Repair Dept today, at 1-800-222-0118 ext 217. There indeed is a special arm for the Visoflex III and the M5, it is part #042-717.001-185 and it is still in Marc's computer. Not in stock in New jersey, but can be ordered from Germany, cost is 70 US Bucks, and 4-7 week delivery time. So, there it is.

My M2 and M5 both have Silver TomA Softies, so I will have to experiment when VisoIII arrives. Thanks Guys for the info on the prism that fits the M5, I'll go for the Viso III Model.

 

[HuubL]

I just tried my viso III on my M5. In it's most upward screwed position the arm will release the mirror and trip the shutter. It's a perfect fit. I hadn't tried it before as I use the Viso on my MDa only, but it looks swell on the M5 too!

 

[Nokton48]

Hubbl,
Does it advance and reset for the next shot properly? From what I've read, -that- seems to be the -key- issue.

Yes, I think it looks COOL on the M5, too.

 

[HuubL]

Hubbl,
Does it advance and reset for the next shot properly? From what I've read, -that- seems to be the -key- issue.

Yes, I think it looks COOL on the M5, too.

Yes, no problem. Of course TTL lightmetering is only possible with the mirror locked up, but that's no problem either. So, 1. Lock up the mirror and set the shutter and check the proper disphragm, 2. Open up the diaphragm, focus and compose, 3, switch the diaphragm to the required f/ number, and 4. Trip the shutter.
Yes, an auto-everything DSLR is quicker 😉

 

[Nokton48]

Yes but M5 is more fun, to me.

 

[dadsm3]

I got great shots of my son in the batter's box with a Viso III and the 200 Telyt.
I have a couple of III's and a II (not sure what makes it a 'IIa'), but since I'm getting a Bessa L in a trade the conversion of my II into an LTM is very interesting....can anybody shed some more light on this?
I understand they did make version II's in threadmount but they're rare as hell....

 

[dlove5]

A Viso IIa is basically a II with a auto return mirror instead of having to re-cock the mirror after taking a picture. Another way to look at it is that a IIa has the mirror lockup and soft/slow auto return of the III.
A II in an LTM does tend to be either hard to find and/or pricey. There are two pieces you need to convert a bayonet mount Viso II to an LTM one: A Viso II LTM flange and a Viso II LTM shutter release. The Viso II LTM shutter release arm is straight compared to the "bent" one for the bayonet version. I'm not sure which arm works for the Bessa L. I could be totaly off base here, but I seem to recall that the "bent" arm works close enough if you use one of Tom A's softies. If you can locate the proper LTM flange, (DAG might have one) it is mainly loosening the set screws enough to remove the bayonet flange and then replace with the LTM flange.

I did this type of conversion with my Viso IIa. An LTM mount Viso IIa seems almost impossible to find. I managed to locate a bayonet Viso IIa and swapped parts with an LTM Viso II. I think my IIIg looks cool with the Viso IIa.😉

 

[David Murphy]

I've toyed around with Visoflexes and various other more primitive vintage Japanese-made reflex adapters for screw mount LTM cameras - I still own some. They can all be made to work in some form or fashion, and it is a nice retro sort of hobby if you have time to kill. The Visoflex II which you own is close to best of these, but the Visoflex III is the pinnacle of this technology (although I've not used the Canon Mirror box too rare and expensive).

 

[fotobiblios]

Interesting thread.

Anyone using Hexar RF with Viso iii?

Also any interesting lens heads? -- for high quality at low price my suggestion is late model enlarger lenses 75mm, 105mm in LTM (I especially recommend Nikkor, Fujinon and Kowa/Computar pro ranges). I really regret having got rid of an Apo Kilar 150mm and a late Taylor Hobson of similar focal - both for Viso.

 

[Nokton48]

Here's M5 with my new Viso III, with the M5 release arm, which arrived today from DAG. I've also ordered (today) from Don a new Viso focusing screen, this one has oil on the frosted side. I removed and cleaned it, but to no avail. He says it's nearly impossible to clean a screen that been oiled on the frosted side. Sherry Krauter has finished my 200mm f4 black Canadian Telyt, so I'm about ready to start using this:

 

[Nokton48]

Just finished installing my new Visoflex focusing screen from Don Goldberg, which I just successfully installed into my Viso III mirror box. The oily scrungy one that came out went into the trash. The new screen is perfect, not a speck on it. I'm totally pleased. While I was at it, I took my Viso II prism apart, and dusted it out. It has a few teeny divits in the bottom of the optical magnifier, but real nice to look through, has an excellent condition vulcanite eyepiece cover on it, and I only paid Eleven Bucks for it with the original box 😀.

Only thing holding me back from using all this, is that I can't find my OUBIO adapter! It's around here somewhere, though. Took it off when I sent my 200mm f4 to Sherry Krauter for a bath.

Here's my Viso stuff so far. I wanted to be able to use it with my M2, and M5 without any difficulties:

 

[HuubL]

Just finished installing my new Visoflex focusing screen from Don Goldberg, which I just successfully installed into my Viso III mirror box. The oily scrungy one that came out went into the trash...

Hi Nokton,
Couldn't you just wash the dirt off? I did that with my screen. A little dishwasher detergent and warm water removed all the gunk and it's perfectly clean now.

 

[Nokton48]

I tried exactly what you described, with warm water and dishwashing detergent. Oil from the mirror box had migrated onto the frosted side of the Viso screen. Don Goldberg says, when that happens, it's nearly impossible to completely remove the oil from the frosted side. He's right, of course. It looked worse after I cleaned it! So, I ended up replacing the screen, $20 from DAG.

 

[Nokton48]

AT LAST I am in Viso III business 😀😀😀

I just put it all together with M5, and it's -sweet- to look through, and I love the feel and handling of the black Canadian 200 F4 Telyt. Sherry Krauter did her usual great job. Do want an original black Leitz cap for it though.

 

[Nokton48]

I've been searching high and low for a Leitz ZOOEP 16463 Visoflex adapter in -chrome-, for my V2 Canadian 90mm F2 Summicron. Finally found one at www.leicashop.com in Vienna, Austria, for 150 Euros, and it comes with the correct Leitz extension tube. And I bought a second Canadian extension tube, as luck would have it, from another source (earlier). So now I'm waiting for that to arrive, can't wait to play with it.

Took some great 200mm Telyt photos (tight head-closeups of whitetail deer in our backyard, raiding our birdfeeder) from about ten feet away, with Tri-X and M2. That roll will be posted here, when I develop it. Visoflex photography is FUN.

 

[Tom A]

In 1982 I went to the 50th running of the Le Mans 24hour race in France. As I was walking along the "phototrack" I did run into a british photographer, draped with 4 or 5 M's (M4 and M2's), all with Viosflex IIIs and a variety of lenses, ranging from 90f2 all the way up to a 280f4.8 - and a 400/6.8 dangling on its own. he did admit that you really had to prefocus on a spot, rather than "follow focus" with the Viso. He did not think that the new fangled SLR's were any improvement either!
Oh, he was severely bent over too from the weight of all the "bits" clanking and bashing into each other.

 

[Roger Hicks]

In 1982 I went to the 50th running of the Le Mans 24hour race in France.

Dear Tom.

Hey! Frances and I were there too! About a week before we were married!

(But I had a Nikon and one or two Leicas, not Visos).

Cheers,

R.