Do you use a Leica Digital Visoflex finder?

[raid]

I wondered about the reliability of such a viewer. I have seen many online posts on users of the finder who reported it to be broken.

What has been your experience with the finder?
Is it worth its high cost?

 

[CameraQuest]

The digital Visoflex for the M10 family is a very valuable addition to your camera.

Frankly its a mediocre EVF, yet it adds so much to the camera's versatility that its invaluable, a MUST HAVE.

Shame on Leica for not giving the M10 a worthy EFV.

Stephen

 

[Ronald M]

I just use the ones I acquired in 1980`s. My son got some on the bay and every one was misused and broken.

I will probably get the current one.

 

[Deleted member 65559]

I wondered about the reliability of such a viewer. I have seen many online posts on users of the finder who reported it to be broken.

What has been your experience with the finder?
Is it worth its high cost?

Raid, The Visoflex is made with typical Leitz precision and German mechanical reliability. I've had a few over the years with never a problem. Come to think of it they've already outlasted many a digital Leica 😉
Check with Vince Lupo. He's done some wonderful stuff with a Visoflex and a 65mm.

 

[awilder]

If you mean the old reflex Visoflex III unit, I once owned when I had my M5. It was used, in good shape and I found it reliable. I know nothing about the type 20 version for their digital cameras if that's what your referring.

 

[raid]

The digital Visoflex for the M10 family is a very valuable addition to your camera.

Frankly its a mediocre EVF, yet it adds so much to the camera's versatility that its invaluable, a MUST HAVE.

Shame on Leica for not giving the M10 a worthy EFV.

Stephen

I agree with you, Stephen. If Oliver Kaltner had still been the Leica CEO, I would have contacted him about this issue.
It seems that people who most of the time keep this finder safely tucked away in its leather container had finders that stayed in good shape. It seems that it you keep this costly finder on the camera most of the time, it gets bumped around and it will break badly.

 

[raid]

I mean this one: Leica Visoflex (Typ 020) Electronic Viewfinder

 

[robert blu]

Hi Raid, I have one and very happy with it, but I do not use it very oft.
It must be used as an accessory finder, RF is still the main!
In a few cases with live view in summer I had a couple of overheating issues, I had to switch off the camera for a few minutes.
It is good when you try new “weird” lenses, I use it with a couple of Lomo lenses in Nikon mount (adapter necessary) focal length 64 and 80.5 !
I read somewhere the plastic crack with time, crossing fingers mine is still good!

 

[raid]

Hi Robert. I read today quite a few posts at the Leica cameras website, and they showed photos of completely destroyed finders. I have also read about the overheating of the M10 when used "too long" with this finder and LV. This is not good at all. I still have a very good eyesight and I can focus fast lenses easily.

 

[Beemermark]

I used to have 20/200 vision. Even without glasses I could accurately focus a Leica RF. Corrected with Lasik a few years ago but now I have cataracts. I still don't have too much problem focusing my Leica. It's easier to bring two images into alignment than focus on a ground glass. My 4x5 sets dormant until I get surgery (soon I hope).

 

[awilder]

I would expect the Visoflex to be most useful for critical focus on high speed 90s where RF accuracy is at it's limit or adapted non-M lenses without RF coupling. If that's the case and the unit is attached as an accessory rather than left on the camera, it should be okay.

 

[ellisson]

Raid, I agree with Stephen that it is expensive and not the best quality, but its an accessory that many including myself find essential. If you have non-RF-coupled lenses and lenses of focal lengths other than the standard ones, the 020 visoflex is needed. I use it for macro work together with a Leica-R 60mm macro lens and for telephoto work with longer lenses. The magnification view helps greatly with focus. I also use it on a TL-2 camera with M-lenses instead of the TL lenses. For $650 plus however much it will go for after April 1, it may not be critical to have if you are happy with the camera's OVF and won't be using non-RF-coupled lenses.

 

[raid]

What about the cameras heating up when using it?

 

[kangaroo2012]

I use mine instead of the Frankenfinder with the WATE.
Alternatively I have the Voigtlander multi finder (15-21 ?) which is
much more robust.
Cheers
Philip

 

[ellisson]

What about the cameras heating up when using it?

I've never had a heat problem with my M10 and 020. The most extreme situation I can recall is during a studio shoot during a recording session with the camera/020 on for at least 90 minutes continuously without "off" time. Perhaps continuous shooting with the camera on for longer periods of time would produce excessive heating. It would be worth getting more detailed information from others who have noted a heating problem: How long before heating was noted? Was it with continuous shooting? etc...

 

[Rayt]

I tried an SL2 for two weeks with the L adapter for M lenses. Compared to the Sony A7RII the Leica SL2’s EVF was in a different league. I could accurately focus a Noctilux at F1 on the Leica with peaking alone. It was sliced bread kind of good. Ultimately when I was able to get the M10M at a good price I opted for the M instead because at heart I just wanted to shoot b/W. And after 20 years as an M shooter I just felt comfortable with the optical finder. But of course one must accept the usual limitations - usable 35mm to 90mm framelines, viewfinder blockage. I can hardly see the 28mm framelines and sometimes I miss the SL2.

So I bought the 020 Viso. While it adds flexibility it isn’t nearly as good as the SL2 EVF and by that time I had to ask myself why would I use it? For lenses outside of 35mm and 50mm? For the wide angles? If I shot tons of wide angles then yes. For non coupled adapted lenses? Yes. But I think keeping a spare Sony for that would make more sense. When I decided to get the Thumbs Up for the much better ergonomics I had to decide because the M10 only had one hot shoe. The Viso was sold and in place the Thumbs Up. My opinion is that you should use the M for what it is if the limitations are acceptable. But I think I would have kept the 020 if it was better. After using the SL2 I am actually looking forward to an M sized EVF M mount body in the future. Or if Leica ever makes an SL2M I’ll be all over it.

 

[raid]

It seems that the EVF for the SL and SL2 is extra useful. The M bodies are different. The camera are less bulky. Using RF is a special feature that some users value. I do.

 

[Rayt]

And the 020 adds considerable bulk to a compact body.

 

[raid]

Use the finder only when needed. Keep the bulk down.

 

[Rayt]

I was thinking that but the thumbs up goes on tight and I really like it. There’s another type of thumb grip that uses double side tape to free the hot shoe. I’ll consider doing that if I miss the 21mm via EVF. But for the 21mm when critical focus isn’t mandatory I can just use the large screen on the back.