Leica M6, Visoflex and Bellows...Sensational

[David Strachan]

Leica M6 (1997), Visoflex II (1962), Focusing Bellows II (1961), Elmar 90mm f4 lenshead (1957).

Works beautifully with focus from infinity to macro. Macro to 1.1:1, larger than lifesize.

A lovely egonomic rig very quick to use, immediacy gorgeous focusing on the ground glass screen.. Accurate exposure through the lens.



I also use my Canon EOS 60D (APSC sensor size) attached to the bellows only, and the same lens. Works a treat.



The lens is a beauty, with near zero chromatic abberation, and easy focusing across the field using the two bellows controls. Sharp corners at f8 particularly, but sharp wide open if focused for the part of the image.

The whole thing is a joy to use. As said very ergonomic...no slop or looseness anywhere...perfectly engineered. All clean optics and bright dioptre correcting prism viewfinder...much, much nicer than a digital camera screen.



The secret is the short telephoto lens...it allows me to be at least 20 cm away from the subject...room to move and fix lighting, and I can use the on-camera flash for very even lighting (when I use the 60D). The bellows are great having two rails...single rail bellows are a waste of time and very frustrating to use.

Thinking about trying my Hektor 135mm f4.5 lenshead, in the rig. But I need to get another attachment ring...again will focus infinity to macro. If I want to use Nikkor or other lenses the adapters are easy to get to srew onto the bellows front.



Anyone else using rigs like this?

Anyone using bellows?

Any other ideas...macro tubes...if you can be bothered??



Cheers Dave S 🙂

 

[Snowbuzz]

I was pricing such a setup for my M8. The prices, unfortunately, are kinda steep. I think Ming Thein uses such a setup on his blog (with some adaptation). His wristwatch macros are quite marvelous using it.

 

[David Strachan]

...need bellows

...need bellows

Hi Snowbuzz

You don't need the visoflex, as you can see through Live View on the M8.
If you did want to use the Visoflex, to enjoy the ground glass screen focusing, you'd need to get the Visoflex III...which are often quite expensive. You should be able to get bellows II for about $100, if you want to do some macro with a long focal length lens eg Elmar 90mm f4. Using that lens in the bellows will require the Visoflex if you want to focus on infinity.

I waited and hunted getting a good Visoflex II+ Bellows II paid and delivered for Aus$182...the prices vary hugely.

Good luck Dave S 🙂

 

[Snowbuzz]

Thanks, Dave!

 

[Tom A]

Dave, try to find the ring for the bellows that can take 39mm screw-mount. Then unearth all of those old enlarging lenses and put hem to use. They work very well, though they are optimized for flat field - they can be used with more "3D" subjects too.
I have both the Viso III and the Viso II (works better on TTL's with the "chimney" finder). It is a bt of a Meccano set - but well built and incredibly flexible. Usually Camera Swap meet can unearth a multitude of adapter rings and extension tubes. Most people have no idea what they are for - so often cheap. At one time I was trying to accumulate all the parts for Visoflex - but gave up. There are variations on variations - and often highly specialized - and I did not need those!!!!

 

[zerobuttons]

.....
Anyone else using rigs like this?
.....

Sure. Haven´t got a decent Visoflex lens yet, but I do get results with the lenses I have.


Leica_MP_Visoflex_III_Bellows_II by zerobuttons, on Flickr

 

[jasonhumor]

The below was my setup before using Visoflex for Telyt 200mm and Hektor 135mm. Very practical if you don't have any SLR 🙂

Visoflex, Telyt 200mm and MOOSP(14020) with LEICA M3

Visoflex, Hektor 135mm, OTZFO (16464K) and OTSRO(16472K) for closeups upto 66cm on Leica M3 (1:2.5)

 

[presspass]

It's good to see others using the Visoflex. I prefer the II because of the adjustable eyepiece - the focusing is easier than any manual focus SLR and the lenses are wonderful. I haven't tried any of the shorter lens heads, just the 200 and 280 as well as the 65 Elmar. Slower than an SLR, but the additional time seems worth it.

 

[Dralowid]

Oh folks don't...I've sold it all!!!

The killer lens for me (and not expensive) was the 65mm Elmar. Absolute stunner and easy to use with presets etc.

 

[Harry Lime]

Hi Snowbuzz

You don't need the visoflex, as you can see through Live View on the M8.

There is no live view on the M8, M8.2, M9, M9-P, M-E or Monochrome. None of the CCD based bodies have it.

The upcoming M 240 will have live view.

But the Visoflex system is really great.

 

[Nokton48]

I used to have the Visoflex II, which I used on my M2 and M4-2. I also had the Visoflex III, which worked well on my M5, with the proper M5 trigger arm. And it had very nice through the lens metering. I loved the ergonomics of the Visoflex, it was -fun- to use. I had the 90mm F2 V1 in short mount, the 135mm F2.8 Elmarit (minus the eyes), the 200mm F4 telyt, and the 400mm F5.

The focusing screens are oflen oily, and need to be replaced. DAG offered replacements for $20, and I switched them myself, in about twenty minutes time.