🔴 OBSESSED with this setup! (Converting Leica M10 into a SLR) | Leica Visoflex + EVF

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

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[@dlyon9673]

Thank you for this interesting well made video. Your photos look excellent -- I especially like the photos with the gulls flying up and around in front of the river and the cafe shot of woman photographing out the window. As a note, adapters are available to permit using visoflex lenses without the Visoflex box, which are relatively compact and inexpensive alternatives for cameras with live view.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks and thanks for the info. Good to know you can use adapters instead of the viso box to save weight.

[@watersignphotography]

Super interesting video, I’ve often seen these things but never understood how they worked - until now 👍

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks! Clunky but great fun.

[@davidselby8115]

Fascinating accessories- shows how adaptable the M camera system is. Love the Mr Wacko comment !

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks David! I think there might be a part 2 down the line.

[@andyvan5692]

matt one other point, if you want macro, but not via a visoflex, there is one option, the 90mm F4 which has 'goggles' and is designed specifically for this, and is compatible with modern digital m's .

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Andy, yes the Macro-Elmar not the normal Elmar. I used to own the Macro version. Now I just own the classic standard Elmar 9cm f4. (More viso stuff to come I think, I love it)

[@jeromearnould9940]

wow amazing video and this 65mm Elmar looks great ... Thanks for sharing

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Grom! Yes lots of fun

[@jeromearnould9940]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom And I discover how to mount a 200m on my M11-P 🤣😂

[@sunny16portraits]

Cool little toy :) I was surprised about the colors and bokeh, very nice. Many have tried to copy Nikon but Leica nailed it 🤣

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Ha Thomas! Nice isn't it :)

[@TSGEnt]

Thanks for highlighting the tool. Very cool. You lieca users have some pretty cool stuff.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks! Yes Leica certainly made us lots of nice toys over the years

[@XboxTheBeatboxer]

Sony A7C + Vogitlander M-to-E mount close focus adapter gets you this setup without the bulk. And all the M-mount lenses get close focus when you want. The flip up screen is like a ground glass setup (though to the side). I love that setup!

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Nice, yes with mirrorless life is so much easier now but somehow I appreciate the old fashioned way!

[@garethwatkins9326]

Cool video, I need to investigate the Visioflex in more detail. Were you in Prague last weekend? I’m sure I was sat opposite you in terminal 2 B gates at the airport on Sunday evening (19th).

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks, small world, yes that was likely me! See tonight vid soon for more from Prague. Hope you had a good trip.

[@David.G.P.]

Many thanks for this video. I'm fully aware this has nothing to do with the subject of this video, but may I say you made me laugh with the carving on the top of the camera at 9:45?

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks! Not my camera but you'll be seeing it again in a future video ;)

[@tommcdaniel7775]

Great video, really insightful

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks! Hopefully it will help a few people if they want to try this gear.

[@webersteve1547]

Just tested mine on my m11 :-) this is the most incredible toy from Leica

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Steve, great! Yes so much fun!

[@CGuitarist929]

Hello Matt! Loved this video! I just received a Leica visoflex iii as well as a 135mm tele Elmer f4, but was looking for answers to issues I have while looking through the prism/prism off hip shooting. I noticed your visoflex iii with the prism off is just as foggy as mine is( 4:08 ). I have an M8 and everything seems to be a blurry/foggy mess. Is this something that the OTZFO 16464 fixes or is there something wrong with my visoflex? Thanks again for the video and your time!

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

@@CGuitarist929 hi thanks! Congrats on your Visoflex! I think it should be ‘foggy’ not clear like a Hasselblad ground glass. I think it’s supposed to help focus. I need glass to use my finder to focus accurately. If it’s totally blur you might be missing a tube from your lens to get the correct length

[@CGuitarist929]

⁠@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom First off, thanks SO MUCH for the quick reply! The foggy glass still doesn’t make sense to me (maybe it’ll make more sense once I have this issue resolved), but confirming it’s supposed to be like that makes me more at ease. What is concerning to me is if my Tele Elmar is missing tubing. As far as I’m aware, it is only in two pieces (front removable element + long focusing ring).

[@pdknyc1]

Matt what is the EVF for the Leica TL2?

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

The old M240 EVF2 from memory. It fits cameras with port under hotshoe.

[@nickm8134]

Another wonderful video, Matt - I see you couldn't resist the allure of the vintage Visoflex 🤣 While we are deep in geekdom of vintage Visoflex, just to extend slightly the info: - Before the Visoflex I (in 1951) came the PLOOT in 1935. The was a version of the Visoflex (not yet named) which had LTM on the camera and lens facing sides. The reflex body, was actually know as the PLOON. - The Visolfex I had a version with LTM mount on both camera and lens facing sides, and one with M on camera side and LTM on lens side. - There was a special microscope version of the Visoflex I called the IFLEX which was LTM / LTM but has a slide incorporated. - The Visoflex II was mostly made in M / M, but also had a version with LTM on the camera facing side, and M on the lens facing side - the opposite of the Visoflex I. - The Visoflex IIa was like the II, but had mirror lock-up like the III - available in both M / M and LTM / M - this is quite rare though. - The Visoflex III was M / M only. - There was a Visoflex III Micro with an interchangeable focussing screen. and we haven't even touched on the macro bellows yet! As I said - pure geekdom so feel free to ignore - apologies to those of us a bit more normal! - unless you love getting into the minutiae!!!

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Nick! Yes I tried to keep it simple here as I was already deep down a rabbit hole but thanks for sharing the extra details. Geekdom is a fun place!

[@TSGEnt]

Quite an interesting hotshoe cover you got there.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Ha yes, not mine, I'll explain in a future video!

[@pattymartin7707]

Coincidentally a Visoflex ii became available at a local camera shop at the same time your video was posted; however it doesn’t seem to fit my M6 TTL (we tried but didn’t want to force it in case it scratched the camera). Do you have any information/tips on which Visoflex might fit an M6 TTL?

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Sorry to hear, most recommend the III for digital as show on the video slides.

[@drewsaunders2531]

I have an M6TTL and a Visoflex III and can say that they work perfectly together. Sorry, I don’t know if the II will work, but the III certainly does.

[@pattymartin7707]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaComThanks so much.

[@pattymartin7707]

@@drewsaunders2531Very helpful - thank you.

[@danielbdbe]

hello Matt I am subscriber since few years . Have you ever released a video about leica Visoflex type 020 to be used with Leica M10 ? how performing is this EVF with M10 ? thanks in advance . regards . Daniel

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Hi no, but it works like any EVF, plug and play (better than M240 EVF)

[@danielbdbe]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom ok thanks but I read that the image in the 020 is smaller and with low resolution , have you noticed this with your Leica M10P ?

[@thomashilmersen711]

This is actually a fantastic idea. I have wanted a digital monochrom only SLR, and if I put the old Visoflex on my M246, that is just what I will get.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Thomas! Yes so good for these cameras without LV

[@Millicente]

This just makes me once again think about how much I wish the M12 has an evf. Either that or a Q that accepts M lenses or another third model: EVF equipped M size body with M mount.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

We'll have to wait and see what the M12 brings I guess!

[@gerryhardman9060]

Ahh yes I remember this Visoflex housing which I used to use on my M3 years ago. It was handy to make my 1.5 Summarit into a macro lens. But the way I used it mostly was to use a 125 2.5 Hector lens which made an 8 pound portrait package. The lens focussed like a big screw which made the set up even more front heavy. Then I used my friend’s Nikon F with a 135 f2.8 which was a joy to use in comparison. Although I applauded Leica’s adaptability After my M3 was stolen I sold the Visoflex and 125 Hector and never looked back. I didn’t know that the other telephotos had removable heads so thanks for sharing this info. Now that mirrorless is available the need for a Visoflex is negated. Regards Gerry

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Gerry! Yes I know this lens from my research, nice combo but as you say for easy the SLR cameras are much easier.

[@Ybalrid]

Interesting accessories on the M9-P

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Ha yes! You'll see it again in a video & blog to come

[@frozenf8]

Thanks for this video, I was thinking about it for a while. Do you know the flange distance with the adapter? Did you try using an SLR lens with longer flange distance via adapter to see if it gives you the infinity focus? I think maybe a Pentax 645 lens adapted to M mount can do the job

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Nice! Your brain works like mine. Yes I can see me experimenting with MF lenses next. I'm sure I'll end up making a part 2 video.

[@frozenf8]

@ Awesome 👍👍

[@notaslav]

Ironically, the early Zenit cameras were essentially Leica bodies with mirrors in them. Similar design and use. They also use a varient of the m39 mount, but only a handful of lenses are available due to the flange distance being different. I love my Zenit C!!

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Ah great info, thanks for sharing!

[@dbkoala]

Have you tried using this with your 262? Obviously you can't use the EVF on it, but is it a workable option with the 262?

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Yes it's perfect for the M262 also (as it has no LV). I will likely make a part 2 video and do the same at some point.

[@andyvan5692]

Matt, one point with this video, that you may have, if not intentionally glossed over; the visoflex isn't designed for 'normal' focal lengths, aka 28-90 its designed primarily to work around the rangefinders' parallax issues with other lenses, 135 and 24,21mm lenses, so far distances is not an issue, you use the M in the normal fashion, so the issues you have, are inherent to this system, and shouldn't be a problem, you use the tool for its intended use, then its shortcomings won't show up, the key is the adaptability of the system, using lenses NOT masked in the bodies, so those focal lengths become usable, macro, portraiture, closeup detail shots, now become possible, NO parallax included!

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Andy, yes I'm using 65, 90, 135, 200 currently + including for macro. So much fun!

[@Odins.Valhall]

Hey Matt✌ It's going to be quite a hulk when the Visoflex is attached and certainly heavier😁However, it's certainly helpful for taking certain pictures, for example product photos and in your case normal pictures which you have shown with 65mm. Wouldn't be anything for me.😉 Sure for at home, but on the go hmm I have my Flektogon at least on the m240 ok rather light wide angle but with it I can also get very good close-ups. What I did yesterday, for example, with A36 filters, I discovered something that is not normal, an engraving with EL on one of my yellow filters 2 to attach (A36). Great video and mega content👍 But you know that yourself and always stay tuned👌 Two thumbs up and I'm already looking forward to the next video. Lg Anderl

[@nickm8134]

Yep - as a bit if a Visoflex geek - couldn't agree more. Not really practical for normal carry, may as well use an Leica SLR - you can get a special adapter to mount a Visoflex lens on an R series camera - known as a 14127. As a product / macro system though - makes a lot of sense with and M or LTM film body, even with digital bodies.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Odin!

[@barthonhoff5547]

I have been using the Visoflex II since the 80s. Combined with the first generation Summicron 90mm. A bit cumbersome, but I got really nice results from my cats. Even wide open.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Great! Yes I'd like to thing I'll still be using mine in 10 years too!

[@jlwilliams]

I always suspected you might like the 65mm Elmar… a bit longer than 50 for nicer perspective, but you can still work close to the model. It was a favorite of an American magazine photographer named John Loengard, who said “50 is too short, 90 is too long, 65 has a wonderful roundness.” For digital, couldn't you put the 65 on an extension tube to get the right thickness, focus with your EVF, and save that clunky reflex housing for your film camera?

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks James! Nice idea about the extension tube too, then I can keep the visoflex on a film body

[@SpencerLupul]

I was always under the impression it adapted Leica R lenses to the M system. Doh… of course it was created decades before the R mount existed. I’m a little sad 😢 but think… wouldn’t a Visoflex adapter for Nikon F/LR/ Canon EOS lenses be quite neat? Has anyone made one of these?

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

You can put these M lenses on R bodies so you were almost right. For macro you can mount Nikon etc too.

[@ofeykalakar1]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaComyou can get M to F adapters and mount F mount lenses

[@TobiasSpranger]

I'm still surprised by the rendering for portraits. This thing was literally glued to your camera. That says all. 🙂

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Tobi! (People are spotting your camera at the 9:45 - I said I will share again in a future video) :)

[@Ron-j5m]

Hey Matt This video will make the visoflex 111 and the 65mm lens sold out on eBay for them next 12 months😅

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Haha, sorry. I'd completely missed them myself until now

[@bobbyneedle]

Leicaflex SL II …used 450€ with 50mm f2 would be a option too

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Bobby, yes a Flex or R body with 60 Macro lens is easier, I have those but I love experimenting (and seemingly making things as difficult as possible ha)

[@Mamo878]

Or you can just use an SLR camera instead. That Nikon FE2 works a treat. That's why Nikon and Canon abandoned rangefinders and switched to SLRs. Because they're far better for close-ups - and pretty much everything else too. :P

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Yes that's the obvious answer (or Leica R system that I have) but it's fun goofing around with the various gear.

[@physiocrat7143]

Tallinn?

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Pilsen & Prague 👍🏻

[@timothyplatt6053]

Ok.. I have questions regarding the 9:45 mark. And how am I the only one noticing this?

[@timothyplatt6053]

AND.. I have a 560 Telyt. F/5.6 it's insane.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Others noticed too, not my camera but you'll see it in a future video properly!

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Ha nice!!

[@ironmonkey1512]

If you really want to go down the Leitz rabbit hole start looking at microscopes and accessories.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Ha thanks! I feel I live down a Leica rabbit hole.

[@LieutenantLights]

I've got one

[@FourIntoOne]

Given the. inherent cost of this Leica SLR workaround, I think on balance I would rather just buy a decent slr.......😆

[@nickm8134]

If you really want to use the Leica Visoflex glass, you can adapt to the Leica R cameras using a 14127 (that's a Leica part number). Doesn't save that much but avoids the mirror housing. Gives infinity focus with the right parts / setup. Alternatively you can just use the Visoflex glass with M or LTM adapters on a SLR, DSLR or mirror-less, but then your'e more likely to be in macro / close focussing.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Ha yes very too! The visoflex kit can be very cheap but then you need a camera and a lens etc, by which time you can buy many Nikon/ Minolta etc!

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Nick, yes. I have R bodies but I just love the fun factor of using on Ms

[@joerg_koeln]

Excellent video. It shows where Leica lost its leadership because they sticked to their existing rangefinder cameras. Nikon took over the leadership in the pro camera market for decades, whereas Leica focused on a niche market (rich dentists a.k.a. „Leicamen“). When you compare the Nikon F2 with the Leicaflex SL2, it becomes obvious, that Nikon understood the advantage of a modular camera body in combination with a huge eco-system around. I love the Leicaflex SL2, but the Nikon F2 with its eco-system is outperforming Leica by far.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks, yes the Leicaflex is nice but Nikon are often easier.

[@jasongold6751]

I did this crap when I was working with Leica-M3. Early sixties! A friend asked me to snap his family. I used his cheapish SLR! I remember the wonderful, beautiful image right way round! I soon had a Pentax!, (like Ernst Hass Sam Haskins, Vic De la Porte!) A year later Everybody voted SLR, Nikon, Pentax, Minolta .etc I used Visoflex 2 and 3! Latter sold with some lenses, enough for 1/2 my 1st car! My M kit is 50mm, gogles 35, 135mm Tele Elmarit. Lenses like deams in my bags! Pentax Takumars and Nikon Nikkors!

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Jason! I’m happy it evokes memories (good or bad!)