Visoflex III w/ 200 MM Telyt GAS Attack

[JeffGreene]

I recently had the opportunity to purchase a Visoflex III with 200MM Telyt. I am currently on the fence, and was hoping that those of you with some more Leica M experience could provide me some information to help me in my decision process. The Visoflex seems almost unnatural and contrary to the M camera spirit, but I wanted to ask anyway. I can understand its use for certain kinds of photography, but why would I want to use it in place of my Nikon F and comparable lens for those circumstances. I do like gadgets, but other than that, would you consider it a useful acquisition for my M6? I'm sure there may be some issues I have overlooked, but please as I struggle with my GAS affliction 😱 , help me arrive at a justifiable rationalization to either purchase or not purchase. Thanks in advance.

Respectfully,

 

[Ronald M]

Well when you use either the lock up or soft release and get absolutely no vibration, you will understand. There is a normal fast up also. Adjust to 1mm above the shutter release so the mirror has time to move up.

The focus screen allows focusing at small stops like 8 with no problem making seeing the image at shooting aperture with debth of field defined a breeze.

This is not like any reflex camera.

The only downside is accessories to mount different lenses are increasingly harder to obtain.

Black, not chrome, 65mm Elmars are killer lenses. All the glass that attaches will stay sharp in close up work too. various 90 and 135 lenses in addition to the 280 400 560 800 all fit.

But if macro or tele is not your bag, don`t buy it.

 

[colyn]

One of the advantages of the Visoflex is it lets you shoot vibration free macro with your screw mount or M-series Leicas. The Nikon or other SLR's can't make that claim..
I've also used the Visoflex with bellows II for extreme close-up work..
And as Ronald pointed out the 65mm Elmar is an excellent lens for macro/close-up work. The 90mm f/4 Elmar with bellows makes an excellent close-up lens too

 

[Dralowid]

I've been using a Viso III on an M6 with 65 (silver) 200, 280 and 560 Telyts for quite a while now and I find the whole system fascinating, beautifully made and quite unique in use. It gives you a chance to do things that other cameras can't.

However, I've recently given up and put the Viso away. I have been seduced by an old black Leicaflex SL MOT and the relevant adaptors. It fufills my macro and tele requirements. The M does the rest.

I can now use my old and much loved glass on a big cheap chunk of almost military engineering that balances some of the larger lenses well. Indeed the 560mm with shoulder stock seems a far better balanced lens on the SL than the Viso. The SL's viewfinder is wonderfully bright also.

The Viso system is something very special and part of the Leica culture, but life is just a bit too short...

Michael

 

[x-ray]

I shot the viso II and 200 back in the 60's and 70's and even shot football and sports for newspapers. It worked but I don't think I could stand using one today. I absolutely hated the viso III and could never get comfortable with it.

Why would I ever go back to the stone age? The answer is I would'nt. The 200 is good and so are the other viso lenses including the 65 which I had. That said the lenses have nothing over the Nikkors in particular the 180 ED, 50 Micro, 105 micro not to mention great fast glass like the 300 f2.8 ED, 400 3.5 ED and 600 f4 ED. All of these manual focus lenses are a bargain now and stunning quality that is a fine as available. From personal experience Leica has never had exceptional long glass for the viso.

 

[JeffGreene]

Thanks to all of you for your knowledgeable replies, but particularly to Don (X-ray). I think I will be passing on this opportunity. I have all of the Nikon glass you mentioned and am very happy with it. I think I'll pass on this one.

 

[x-ray]

The prices on viso gear is so cheap now I've actually given thought to buying some but always stop short when I think whether i would use it or not and if I would be happy with the results. The lenses aren't terrible but just not up to current glass. My primary film SLR's are vintage Nikons. I shoot the F, F2 (my personal favorite SLR of all time) and a Nikkormat FTN. I have a great system of my favorite glass and just can't bring myself to take a step backward.