Visoflex

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Visoflex Use with Leica M Cameras

Visoflex is a mirror housing which converts an M camera from a rangefinder into a reflex camera. Compared with modern (D)SLR it is basic and primitive, but it is functional. It seems to have taken a new lease of life on the M8. It consists of a housing containing the mirror and a slide-on pentaprism. The pentaprism can be replaced by the straight finder. This finder switches right and left.

The advantages of Visoflex III over II are a higher clearance for higher M cameras, specifically the M5, M6 TTL, M7 and M8, a more functional mount which does not need the removal of the prism and handgrip, and a quick return/flip mirror setting.

There are two types we need to consider, Type II (production era 1959-1963) and Type III (1963-1984). Type I (1951-1962) is for screw-mount Leicas.

On the M8 only the Visoflex III can be used without restriction. The Visoflex II may be used , but only with either the Visoflex III type of pentaprism or the straight finder.

The two main uses are macro-photography and enabling longer lenses.

The more leisurely use of the Visoflex compared to modern SLR cameras is no handicap in macro. There a several ways to use it.

The most simple way is to use a normal M lens and mount it on the Visoflex, the bayonet is the same. As the Visoflex extends the lens-sensor distance, this is an instant Macro rig. Virtually any M lens may be used, but some lenses must be used at the 1 m setting instead of infinity, like the 35mm f/2 ASPH Summicron-M, to enable the rear lens element to clear the mirror. Recommended lenses are the 50mm f/2.8 Elmar-M collapsible (uncollapsed!!), the Elmarit f= 9 cm 1:2.8 and the 135mm f/4 Tele-Elmar.

Leica used to offer a beautifully-made bellows for the Visoflex. This item is moderately rare on the used market. It uses various rings to connect with the lensheads of the Elmarit 90/2.8, Summicron 90/2.0, 135mm f/4 Tele-Elmar, Elmar 135/2.8, Macro-Elmar 100/4.0, or the Photar micro-lens series.

The Novoflex bellows can be used on the Visoflex with adapter VISA which is still in the Novoflex catalogue and provides entrance to the whole range of use offered by that system.

The shortest lens that can be used on the Visoflex at infinity is the 65 mm using the Universalschnecke (Universal Focussing Mount) 16464, which also serves for the lensheads of the Elmarit 90/2.8 and 135mm f/4 Tele-Elmar. The Schnecke for the Summicron 90/2.0 and Elmarit 135/2.8 is 16462.

There is a range of tele and long lenses. The most common ones are the 200/4.0 and 280/4.8, of which the latter is the most useful lens. They must be used with connecting ring 16466, except for the last version of the 280, which mounts directly.

Then there are the long lenses. There are a 400, 560 and 800 of which the 400 and 560 exist in various configurations. All are achromats, i.e just two (or three for the 800) kitted lenses in one element, real long lenses, not tele designs. The older 400 and 560 5.6 are more or less obsolete due to strong field curvature, the newer 6.3 versions exhibit this to a lesser, but still noticeable extent. Still, these are very good lenses for the purpose intended. They were offered in either a sliding mount, where focussing is obtained by sliding the lens barrel in and out and a Novoflex pistol mount, which could be squeezed for focus.

Novoflex themselves offered the Noflexar lenses in various lengths, 200, 240, 280 300, 400 and 600.Those are mainly three-element achromats of higher specification than the Leica offerings. The lens elements were made by Leica, and mounted in a barrel/grip made by Novoflex by an Agfa subsidiary.

There were three different pistol grips: Pigriff A, B and C.

They were mounted to the Visoflex through different rings. We need only concern us with Pigriff B and C. Pigriff B mounts through ring VISBA. Pigriff C is too long for the Visoflex and will not focus to infinity. However, Novoflex still offer a conversion service (2007) at a very reasonable price, after which the lens can be used fully with, again, ring VISA.

Although the use of the Visoflex for long lenses is more primitive and elaborate than a (D)SLR, it is, with practice, perfectly doable and gives excellent results.

Brightscreen offers a matte screen with Leica M8 markings engraved.

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