[Leica] visoflex iii, or Wholly Macro!

[jshul at comcast.net (Jim Shulman)]

Pete,

First, welcome to the group!  You'll find it a terrific, frustrating,
rewarding place. 

My question: Why get a viso III and Leica lens for macro work with the M8?
Just because you CAN adapt a Leica for the work doesn't mean it's the best
option.

The Viso III was a clumsy work-around to adapt Leica rangefinder cameras for
long lenses and macrophotography.  At the time, it was a job really better
suited to a Nikon F, Contarex or other great SLRs. Obviously Leica also
thought so, with the introduction of the Leicaflex system. 

Which brings me to the heretical point: for macro work, why not get a
prosumer DSLR for the project?  You'll have accurate framing (not possible
with a Viso III setup, since the M8 sensor is not full-frame) and excellent
results, probably for less than what a Viso III and lens(es) would cost.
Best of all, you'd have a camera suited to the job.

Save the M8 for shooting where a rangefinder works best--out in the field,
when speed and immediacy count.

Jim Shulman
Bryn Mawr, PA
Who remembers some of the '30s Leica adaptor ads with glee--ever see the one
where the photographer (using a iiia) tries to photograph a cat close-up
using that thing with the sticks for distance-measurement?  


-----Original Message-----
From: lug-bounces+jshul=comcast.net@leica-users.org
[mailto:lug-bounces+jshul=comcast.net@leica-users.org] On Behalf Of Peter
O'Toole
Sent: Tuesday, August 14, 2007 8:07 PM
To: lug@leica-users.org
Subject: [Leica] visoflex iii

Hello,

This is my first letter to lug -- I joined the list serve last night. I need
to ask a favor. First a little about myself, I started shooting with an M6
in 1995, and I just got an M8 in April.  I am looking for a VisoFlex III, as
I sold my film-type photo copying system, and now I want to use my M8 for
copy work -- probably need a dedicated macro lense as well.  I tried ebay,
but the bidders are pretty cagey, and they appear to be collectors and
re-sellers.

Do any of you have this pieces, or do you know how I can get this macro
equipment?

Thanks.
Pete