Visoflex

Visoflex:

This is a mirror housing which converts the M8 from a rangefinder into a reflex camera. Compared with modern (D)SLR it is basic and primitive, but it is functional. 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, 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 and Type III. Other types are for screwmount 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 straght finder.

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

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

The most simple way is to use a normal M lens and mount it on the Visoflex (the banjonet 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 Summicron 35/2.0 asph,to enable the rear lens element to clear the mirror. Recommended lenses are the Elmar-M 50/2.8 collapsible (uncollapsed!!) The Elmarit 90/28 and the Tele-Elmarit 135/4.0.

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 either the lens-heads of the Elmar/Elmarit 90, Tele-Elmar 135/2.8, Tele-Elmarit 135/4.0, Macro-Elmarit 100/4.0 and the dedicated Visoflex lenses, 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), which also serves for the lensheads mentioned above.

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 16464, 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.Al are achomats, i.e just two (or three for the 800) kitted lenses in one elemen, real long lenses, not tele designs. The older 400 and 560 4.8 are more or less obsolete due to strong field curvature, the newer 6.3 versions exhibit this to a lesser, but still noticable 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, 300, 400 and 560.Those are 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 grip: 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 VISA. 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 that a (D)SLR, it is, with practice, perfectly doable and gives excellent results.

Brightscreen offer a matte screen with Leica M8 markings engraved.