Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/01/08

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Subject: Re: [Leica] First impressions on a Telyt 400/6.8
From: Rei Shinozuka <shino@panix.com>
Date: Thu, 8 Jan 2004 07:39:32 -0500
References: <NEBBJDFBIKOBILIKPPBNAENIOIAA.red735i@earthlink.net>

the visoflex II and IIa were only designed for the classic bodies (using
"classic" to refer to '(M[PD1-4]|M6 classic)' bodies) and some viso IIs
were also made for LTM bodies.

on the viso II, the 90 degree prism sits nearly flush against the top deck 
of a classic (in fact, you need to be careful not to scratch the top of 
the camera when you mount it).

the III has more headroom under the prism, works with the M5, M6 TTL, and M7
(though i've never owned any of these latter cameras).

the viso II and viso III are 100% compatible with respect to lenses and
lens adaptors (the most famous being the OUBIO).

there's not much needed in the way of adjustment.  Both II and III allow
you to adjust the contact point of the shutter release arm to control
the relation of when the mirror goes up and the shutter goes off.  you
want them close, but if you have a metered body, it's handy to have the
mirror up and exposure points just far enough apart that you can 
snap up the mirror, switch your eye to the body's viewfinder, set your 
exposure, then reset the mirror, compose and shoot.  also, if you adjust
the mirror too close, the arm may push the button down enough to drain
your batteries in a metered body.  the viso III does also have an 
adjustment to square it precisely against a camera body (since it has
a rotating bayonet mount) but i've never had to use it.

the advantages of the viso III are that it has instant mirror return, 
(as does the IIa, but i've never used or seen one), mirror lockup and
"soft mirror release", that you can mount on any M, and that you can 
mount and dismount quickly on a body without needing to remove the
prism (as you do with the II).

the advantages of the II are that it is smaller and lighter, quieter,
has less shutter travel (since it doesn't need to charge a return spring),
has an adjustable diopter, and is cheaper.

i took about a million photos last summer of my son playing T ball with 
the 400 and 560 which i've simply been too lazy to scan in yet.

- -rei


On Wed, Jan 07, 2004 at 07:15:52PM -0800, Frank Filippone wrote:
> I received the lens just yesterday... and probably will not have a chance to
> really check it out for a week or so... but at first glance, through a Viso
> II, the image appeared very contrasty ( it was kind of sunset, and the image
> through the VF looked mnore contrasty than without the lens.... a bit weird
> in my opinion).....
> 
> Nice and light ( Duh... it IS a F6.8 after all.. and with 2 elements how
> heavy can it be?)
> 
> Anyone have any ideas on mating this to my M6TTL?  The Visoflex has never
> been adjusted to  my camera.  Is there a trick to this adjustment?  I think
> Rei had some ideas a while back....????
> 
> Yes, still looking for a Nikon mount for the rear of it......
> 
> 
> Frank Filippone
> red735i@earthlink.net
> 
> 
> --
> To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html

- -- 
Rei Shinozuka shino@panix.com
Ridgewood, New Jersey

- --
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In reply to: Message from "Frank Filippone" <red735i@earthlink.net> ([Leica] First impressions on a Telyt 400/6.8)