Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2007/08/14
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Peter, I'm with you and also enjoyed that LFI article. Jim's suggestion is certainly viable, but then you don't get the fun of the elegant meccano set that is the visoflex system. You can conveniently do a great deal of tasks with an SLR, but it's not embracing your Mness, now is it? I got a viso 2 & a 3 body, a couple of right-angle finders, the bellows and several adaptors for probably about USD600 over a number of buys on the Bay. Marc is of course correct that the 2 and 3 bodies will fit your M8, as long as you have a vertical finder. Please note that only the later style of right angle finder fits the taller M6TTL and M7 I haven't tried either an M8. BUT check if the shutter release lever will align with the height of your shutter release. My 2 does not on my M7. The 3 has some better features anyway, if not quite as elegant. I use the Elmar f4 135 as mentioned. Mine is all on an M7 and the viso's finder is superbly accurate on that. I would think that some testing and register on a copy stand would soon sort out the M8 image crop. The big key that makes them fun of course is the TTL metering. Keep us posted on your progress and don't forget to show us some pictures! Cheers Hoppy -----Original Message----- Subject: Re: [Leica] visoflex iii, or Wholly Macro! Jim, I like the M system for its simplicity, and it was a relief to get rid of my Pentax SLR film type for doing macro work -- trying to keep the equipment levels to a minimum. I just got rid of my focomat V35, and a whole bunch of other stuff, and life just got a little better -- fewer variable. I will look into the DSLR, that sounds interesting. The 5/07 issue of LFI magazine made a great case for using the old equipment, and I swallowed hook, line and sinker. The visoflex iii, and a macro lens, seems like a good alternative, even given the 1.33 factor -- might even be good to have in the Billingham out in the field. I am hoping to find someone out there who can share the enthusiasm I have with the LFI article -- this link gives a paragraph or two: http://www.lfi-online.de/ceemes/page/show/issue_5_07_3 Thanks. Pete O'Toole St Paul, MN On 8/14/07, Jim Shulman <jshul@comcast.net> wrote: > > 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 > > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more informati > _______________________________________________ Leica Users Group. See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information