Visio III on an M8.2

[daleeman]

I am looking at obtaining a Visoflex III and a 200mm f4 Leica rig for my M8.2. I wonder if anyone has some experience or horror stories about using this mix?

I realize it will be a slow process to set up, (I believe one must attach the Viso, then the finder, then the lens?) frame and shoot slow objects, mostly all from a tripod. This does not sound like a hand help experience. Then there is a 1.33 Crop.

So questions:
Do I need to mount the Viso III first without the finder? Then the finder and then the lens?
Are their longer lenses out there than the 200mm and are lens adapter to be found if using longer lenses that are “screw mount” for earlier Visos?
Is there a great resource for information on Viso use, (tele and macro)?

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Lee

 

[Roger Hicks]

Works fine, but you need to cut a mask to go on the screen, so the image is a bit small. Use transparent yellow acetate and you can see what's going on outside the frame. This deals with a Viso on an M9, but I also used it on an M8 and M8.2: http://www.rogerandfrances.com/subscription/worst dslr.html

Note to anyone else who couldn't read the post either: highlight it. Note to OP: don't use yellow, as lots of us use white screens.

Cheers,

R.

 

[JMQ]

I have used the Viso III extensively on an M9 for macro work, and it works perfectly, if not a little heavy. The Viso III has a quick release lever, i.e. you mount and unmount the Viso by turning a lever, and not the whole Viso itself. Therefore, you do not need to detach the finder to mount and unmount. This is not the case with the Viso II.

PM me if you are interested in a Viso III. I have an extra one.

 

[FPjohn]

http://elshaw.tripod.com/Visoflex/Visoflex.html

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/Visoflex

http://www.cameraquest.com/viso4.htm

The ultimate retro move; Kilfitt Lenses.

yours
FPJ

http://www.butkus.org/chinon/leica/leitz_visoflex_iii/leitz_visoflex_iii.htm

 

[presspass]

I use the Viso III on an M8 with good results. As to lenses, there is a 280 f 4.5 that's OK in the earlier models - I haven't tried the last one. I have also used the 400 and 580 (560? I don't have it with me). The 280 can be hand-held; the bigger ones work best on a monopod or a tripod but they're fine. I have the f 5.6 versions which are known for soft edges, but with the crop factor, that doesn't matter.

 

[daleeman]

I apreciate you alls comments. I am getting more and more interested in using one now.

Do you need to add a soft touch button to the shutter release to help with alignment of the funky mirror up/release button on the M8.2 or does it line up like it should on my M2?

 

[presspass]

The release arm of the Viso III lines up perfectly without a soft release but it also works with the soft release in place - you just have to adjust the screw that is on the end of the Viso III arm so it hits the shutter button JUST after the mirror goes up. The mirror can go up earlier, of course, but you lose a bit of view early. If, however, the mirror doesn't go up before the shutter fires, you don't get a photo, but that's easy to check with an M8. BTW, the 200 is a wonderful lens - light and very sharp. The focus throw is long, and the close focus distance isn't, but those are minor quibbles. I hope you like this combo.