Visoflex II on an M8... just bought a new gizmo... what next?

robklurfield

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I just won a Visoflex II on evilBay for $75. Has the main housing and the prism housing. What do I need to get next? I would like to use this for telephoto, closeup and macro work, in no particular order. Can add on pieces as budget permits (read: when cheap goodies are available). So, which bellows should I be looking for? Which focus mounts and lens heads are the cheapest way to get started? Is there a good old thread on RFF that someone can point me to for more info, as I'm sure you've all spoken on this topic before. Also, was $75 a good price for a unit that looks unmolested? Thanks to all in advance. If I can't have fun with this, it will be available on RFF for someone else to have a go it.

Here's the item listing:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=300321456721
 
Congratulations! Welcome to the asylum. Accessories range from dirt cheap because nobody wants them to outrageouly expensive because they're so rare. Someplace out there are one hundred 180mm f/2.8 Leitz Tele-Elmarits with pre-set diaphragms, and I had my chance! But I blew it.

If you run into one of those el cheapo (but surprisingly good) 400mm f/6.3 telephotos from the sixties and seventies like the Sterling Howard Tele-Astranar (they sold for about $35 brand new back then) and you're feeling brave and are willing to spring for a LTM to M bayonet adapter (Spiratone was selling sets of three for ten bucks plus 35 cents shipping), I can tell you how to adapt it.

Anyway, about an hour with a hacksaw and file will put it on your Visoflex-II with perfect infinity focus.
 
dont own viso, but an adapter for Nikon SLR. Telyt-V 4.8/280 have been on my radar for a while, but not catch yet.
 
Thx folks.

More questions:

Is it true that the finder box from the V II is NOT compatible wtih the height of the M8 and that I either will have to go with the chimney finder or a V II finder box?

Which 90's can be unscrewed to mount on here? Can I use any M-mount lens directly on this (assuming the mirror won't hit the rear element) as a macro rig? Ditto with LTM's with M-adapters?

Which focus mount will I need?

Should I sell this and wait for a Visoflex III?

I've been trolling around older posts. If someone thinks one in particular is illuminating on this topic, please give a holler.

Thanks!
 
Do I need one of these to make this set-up work with a leica lens heads/
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Leica OUAGO 16467N M Helicoid Adapter

:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Leica-OUAGO-164...s=65:10|66:2|39:1|240:1318|301:1|293:2|294:50
 
Depends.
I use a Visoflex II Mirror Box on my M5 body, I've seen references, that it will also fit the M8. But you will need the Viso III Prism, which is taller. The Viso II Prism fits my M2 perfectly.

Viso adapters were made for specific lens heads/helicals. What lens do you want to use? I like the chrome Viso V1 90mm F2 Summicron, for that, you need a ZOOEP adapter. And I just bought a 400mm F5 Telyt (don't have it yet), which comes with an OUBIO adapter. That also fits my 200mm F4 Telyt. Dozens of other adapters were available. Kilfitt and other makers also made Viso- mountable lenses. So it depends.
 
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The Universal Focusing Mount fits the 65mm f/3.5 Elmar, the 90mm Elmarit head, and the 135mm Tele-Elmar head. It can be used with a dedicated extension tube for the 135mm Elmar and Hektor heads.

Their was a short focusing mount for the 90mm f/4 Elmar.

Also, a mount that would accept both the 135/2.8 and 90/2 lens heads.

EVERYTHING Leitz/Leica made was asigned a pronouncable five letter code name. These were later changed to five digit numbers. There are some accessories that were on the market long enough to have examples marked just one way or the other.

Then there were thread mount (we used to call them "screw" mount) extension tubes for the original Visoflex which later became known as the Visoflex I, and that was 22.5mm thicker than the II, II-A and III editions so Leitz made a 21.5mm screw mount tube which was used in combination with the one millimeter thick screw to M bayonet adapter, but the adapter was only five bucks back then and Spiratone would sell you a set of three for $10.

When the dedicated 22.5mm screw to bayonet adapter hit the market Leitz closed out the old screw to screw tubes for two bucks apiece. They were matte finish chrome while all the other screw mount tubes were black paint. Back then nobody worried "OH GAWD! What if somebody sees me with a chrome tube on a black lens?"

Then there was a little bayonet to bayonet tube, shiny chrome, and I think 7mm long. I don't remember why it was made but it was cute.

When I first got into Leica I was about 18, and the older guys hanging out at the camera shops would be babbling away in five letter code words like visitors from another planet. You weren't really accepted as one of the boys until you learned them all. You were also expected to know on sight all of the variations of every Rolleiflex model ever produced, what "f-synch" on a leaf shutter meant, and understand that the only difference between a #5 flash bulb and a #25 flash bulb was that GE made one while Sylvania made the other.
 
Thanks everyone. This is helpful, though I think I'll need to re-read it over and over not screw up more (ie, end up with another non-fitting prism).

Al, I would mind if I had a lime green plaid mirror box with a pink striped prism so long as I can use. You are breaking my heart with these references to $10 sets of anything, let alone ltm to m adapters. A pack of gum costs almost that much now. I am still in awe of people who are able to remember all the five letter codes. I wish I had been in the marketing or parts department in Wetzlar when they came up with them, as I think some of them are quite funny when you try to pronounce them as words, as in "I need to get a new OUBIO." Imagine an uninitiated, non-photog person overhearing that in bar. Gosh, that must hurt. Not sure where my oubio is, but it's got to be above the knees and below the neck somewhere. It must have been great fun to be in the department that got to conjure these up.

Anyway, I let everyone know if I figure this out. If not, one good condition Visoflex can be had what I paid.
 
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Sorry but the Viso II prism won't clear the M8. You need a Viso III prism.

So either get a Viso III kit or just the prism and still use your Viso II or get the 'chimney' finder.

Hours of endless fun.

As to lenses don't forget the 65mm Elmar which focussess from infinity to something quite close with some mount or other. Everything will need some mount or other but thankfully many appear for sale complete with mounts or adaptors.

Shame you are on the other side of the Atlantic. I'll shortly be 'moving on' 65mm 200mm 280mm all with appropriate adaptors/mounts.

Have fun.

Michael
(who fell out with his Viso when he discvered the SL.
 
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