I'm surprised no one has mentioned this yet, but the Visioflex 2 is great for those of use with vision problems. As a new Leica M user, I found the VF significantly elevates my satisfaction when using the M. Yes, it can "take away" from the range finder experience, my hit rate for focus is 100% now.
I have the Visioflex 2 with my M11. I use it mainly with the 90. I also use it in low-light conditions and when I want to get low-down. When I use the Leica Elpro close-up🙂 lens, I like to use the Visioflex. I find the Visioflex useful.
For when "a rangefinder just isn't the right answer"...Yes, exactly! I agonised for ages about the Visoflex , but now I've got one for my M11, I find it invaluable for the extra flexibility it adds to the usual Leica experience. I use it for unconventional or very wide focal lengths; when I'm doing careful architectural or other geometric shots where the level and precise framing of the evf makes a difference; or with my Zeiss C-sonnar or other hard-to-focus lenses, eg to avoid the focus shift problems, or just to nail focus with the evf zoom. I don't use it for general walking around type shooting, where I much prefer the traditional RF focusing, but it's great to have in the bag for the specific times I need it.
VisoFlex for Portraits and up close critical focus is where is at for me. Great asset for street photography when you want to shot in the middle of the action pretending you are watching something inside your camera. :)
Two years ago I bought an almost new M-P typ 240 and shortly there after bought a Visoflex. I have a number of Leica R-mount lenses that are superb, particularly the Vario-Elmar 35-70. The results on my M-P are stunning and when I want to carry light that lens is the do everything ticket including the macro setting.
Another great video. Many thanks. I have the visoflex 2 and I use it with any 50mm or longer focal length (75mm and 90mm). It proved to be very useful. I took my M11-P with me to the zoo, and the EVF made my life easier there.
Hi Goughie, thanks for the video! I just bought a used M10-R which also came with a Visoflex (the old version) and I thought: okay, why not? I hoped your video might reveal what the white circle means that pops up in the weirdest places when I use the visoflex? Any ideas? Talking about tele lenses: I bought a 90mm Summicron along with the camera body and it turns out that, using the rangefinder, your framed field is not only extremely small, but you also see a pretty big deal of the lens within that small field. Not knowing this in advance was probably my only shot at a 90mm, haha! So if you got the chance, try the lens before deciding.
No idea at all, I used the older model too and can’t recall what you’re describing They seems really prone to issue with the contacts, might be worth checking / cleaning both on the camera and the Visoflex I also have a 90mm on loan as we speak!
Another fantastic video Goughie! Really enjoying the new format with the outdoors. That area is beautiful! Your knowledge and opinions on leica are serious mate, really captivates me, even though I don't see myself ever owning one :D Cheers mate! Have an epic weekend!
Great video! Thanks for making one - would have been awesome before I picked one up. Gotta love the comments and purest. I recently picked up a used VisioFlex2 at a great price and love it. It's not a IF or THAT. 1) I would ALWAYS rather have it in my bag than not. 2) The waist level and tillable EVF is a wonderful. 3) As some have commented - it doesn't replace the OVF and the rangefinder experience. The OVF/Rangefinder experience is far different from the EVF and I would HATE the EVF in most casual or street / documentary shooting situations. For portraits wide open it's excellent. Also when you have it mounted on the camera it doesn't prohibit you from using the OVF/rangefinder so you have the option for OVF/EVF/Rear LCD interchangeably.
I have a 90mm Voigtlander APO f2.8 - wonderful, sharp and I find it works well with the M11. I also use it on my Fuji with 135mm field of view. One of my favourite lenses.
Hello @goughie I’ve used most of the 75’s and 90’s and frankly the one I really adore is the 75mm 2.4 Summarit. Lightweight, super sharp, easiest to focus. Also with my M11P and M11M with 60mb and the cropping feature allows it to be roughly a 100mm at 40mb and a 135mm at 20mb. At this point the Visioflex comes in handy!! Pair it with a 28mm and that then also gives you 36mm lens at 40mb and a 50mm at roughly 20mb. People often overlook this but the M11’s 60mb means you need to take fewer lenses for a wider coverage than with the M10 series. For me I found the 90mm F2 APO irrelevant and too heavy once I had my M11’s. The 90mm 1.5 is stunning but it’s huge and doesn’t really work on an M series.
Aside from focus benefits, I found a possible use case--what you see is what you get. Meaning, when you look through the rangefinder window, it's slightly offset from what the sensor sees. I notice this especailly with film and architectural shots.
Voigtlander APO-Skopar 90mm = Great performer and fairly small/lightweight, on top comes with bayonet hood, unseen with Voigtlanders. Check Matt Osborne review.
+1 I actually use it on my Fuji X-H1. It's incredibly sharp adapted on the Fuji. The only issue I have with it is the bad flaring when shooting into the sun.
The cheapest usable telphoto-like has to be the 90/4 Elmar-c. I picked on up recently for $165 USD from KEH. I think they average around $250 USD. So far, I love it. Maybe it's just what I shoot, but the performance has been shockingly good. For a proper new budget lens, the Voigtlander 75/1.5 Nokton is king of the hill, for sure. What a spectacular lens. I'll probably pick up the EVF eventually though, as I like to shoot against the sun quite a bit- and the OVF means instant blinding ha. I'm on the M240 though, so I can get the cheap old olympus.
I have the Voigtlander 75, 90 and the Leica 135 (1962 version). Of the 3, the 90 I use the most, followed by the 75, ten there are those times the the 135 gives me the reach. Of the 3, a used 135 (Leica) can be had cheaper than the other 2.
I believe that the Visoflex expands the possibility of the M11 cameras while not true to the pure rangefinder experience. It does however when used wisely give you options that would not exist otherwise.
I think it depends on the lenses used. Some modern M lenses with close focus need it for that function on M cameras. Of course, the other better option for long lenses is to switch over to SL cameras.
Sorry but the visoflex is a must with the M11. The rangefinder experience really frustrated me (m10 and m11) due to the fact it is so easy to upset the calibration if you jolt the camera (drop your bag etc) and now a 7month wait to get it back. I really wish there was a full frame version of the CL the Leica that introduced me to the brand so I could use my extensive Len’s collection on a native m mount camera. Rant over. Cheers for the vid!
Ok I’ve changed my mind. Got in the time tunnel and went back to 2015. Anyways it turns out the (bright line)rangefinder is still the same! But the camera (M240/M246) is 4k cheaper. Unless I’m printing on the side of a skyscraper I don’t need 60mp, so rant over; GAS fed. Time to sleep. PS Have 3 Leicas that feed the 60MP desire . I just don’t think you need it on an M…..discuss……😊
Well the, if you have the 50mm and you are ok with 18mp, by using the "digital zoom" you can get excellent images that are like 65 and 90mm images. So then I would go to the 135 which is an excellent lens...
My 75MM SUMMARIT f/2.4 is one of my favourites! Quality and was a reasonable price (for a Leica). I had a 90mm Summicron and hated. Heavy and hardly made a difference in length compared to the 75mm.
I bought a used Silver anodized Leica Summarit-M 75 mm f/2.4 and love it. Nice design, excellent image quality, reasonably lightweight, and reversible screw lens shield. I have two other 75 mm M lenses (Leica Noctilux f/1.25 and Voigtländer Nokton f/1.5), and the Summarit complements them nicely.
It's a tool, and it might tarnish the "rangefinder" purist perspective, but honestly, it's perfect for composing with my 18SEM and 75APO especially at night or low light. I've really been enjoying the 75 it's not a 90 so it's a bit more forgiving. I'm tried the Voigtlander 75 Nokton which was fantastic but ended up selling it. The 75APO is great for portraits, travel and can do some light macro work with its 1:7 magnification ratio. Great video as always!
*EVF for a camera that costs as much as a camera. 😅 3.7MP is also awfully low if you consider that flagship EVFs from sony are around 9MP. It think 75 is too close to 50, also 90 is cheaper most of the times.
Your criticisms are really interesting when you consider the high importance Leica claims to place on design and user experience. Cheap plastic against your eye?? No zero marker? Odd.
I'm surprised no one has mentioned this yet, but the Visioflex 2 is great for those of use with vision problems. As a new Leica M user, I found the VF significantly elevates my satisfaction when using the M. Yes, it can "take away" from the range finder experience, my hit rate for focus is 100% now.
I have the Visioflex 2 with my M11. I use it mainly with the 90. I also use it in low-light conditions and when I want to get low-down. When I use the Leica Elpro close-up🙂 lens, I like to use the Visioflex. I find the Visioflex useful.
For when "a rangefinder just isn't the right answer"...Yes, exactly! I agonised for ages about the Visoflex , but now I've got one for my M11, I find it invaluable for the extra flexibility it adds to the usual Leica experience. I use it for unconventional or very wide focal lengths; when I'm doing careful architectural or other geometric shots where the level and precise framing of the evf makes a difference; or with my Zeiss C-sonnar or other hard-to-focus lenses, eg to avoid the focus shift problems, or just to nail focus with the evf zoom. I don't use it for general walking around type shooting, where I much prefer the traditional RF focusing, but it's great to have in the bag for the specific times I need it.
VisoFlex for Portraits and up close critical focus is where is at for me. Great asset for street photography when you want to shot in the middle of the action pretending you are watching something inside your camera. :)
long lens recommendation - Voigtlander 90mm f2.8 vm apo-skopar - awsome lens,
+1, one of the best lenses I've ever used full stop, so compact yet great reach, and even at 2.8 it's plenty capable of blurry backgrounds
You both can’t be wrong right??
Two years ago I bought an almost new M-P typ 240 and shortly there after bought a Visoflex. I have a number of Leica R-mount lenses that are superb, particularly the Vario-Elmar 35-70. The results on my M-P are stunning and when I want to carry light that lens is the do everything ticket including the macro setting.
Another great video. Many thanks. I have the visoflex 2 and I use it with any 50mm or longer focal length (75mm and 90mm). It proved to be very useful. I took my M11-P with me to the zoo, and the EVF made my life easier there.
Loving the outdoor videos my man, this was great to watch.
Cheers mate! Glad you’re back in team Leica!
Hi Goughie, thanks for the video! I just bought a used M10-R which also came with a Visoflex (the old version) and I thought: okay, why not? I hoped your video might reveal what the white circle means that pops up in the weirdest places when I use the visoflex? Any ideas?
Talking about tele lenses: I bought a 90mm Summicron along with the camera body and it turns out that, using the rangefinder, your framed field is not only extremely small, but you also see a pretty big deal of the lens within that small field. Not knowing this in advance was probably my only shot at a 90mm, haha! So if you got the chance, try the lens before deciding.
No idea at all, I used the older model too and can’t recall what you’re describing
They seems really prone to issue with the contacts, might be worth checking / cleaning both on the camera and the Visoflex
I also have a 90mm on loan as we speak!
@@Goughie Haha! And? How do you like it?
Another fantastic video Goughie!
Really enjoying the new format with the outdoors. That area is beautiful!
Your knowledge and opinions on leica are serious mate, really captivates me, even though I don't see myself ever owning one :D
Cheers mate! Have an epic weekend!
So glad you’re enjoying the new format! I’m enjoying creating them!
Great video! Thanks for making one - would have been awesome before I picked one up.
Gotta love the comments and purest. I recently picked up a used VisioFlex2 at a great price and love it. It's not a IF or THAT. 1) I would ALWAYS rather have it in my bag than not. 2) The waist level and tillable EVF is a wonderful. 3) As some have commented - it doesn't replace the OVF and the rangefinder experience. The OVF/Rangefinder experience is far different from the EVF and I would HATE the EVF in most casual or street / documentary shooting situations. For portraits wide open it's excellent. Also when you have it mounted on the camera it doesn't prohibit you from using the OVF/rangefinder so you have the option for OVF/EVF/Rear LCD interchangeably.
I have a 90mm Voigtlander APO f2.8 - wonderful, sharp and I find it works well with the M11. I also use it on my Fuji with 135mm field of view. One of my favourite lenses.
Hello @goughie I’ve used most of the 75’s and 90’s and frankly the one I really adore is the 75mm 2.4 Summarit. Lightweight, super sharp, easiest to focus. Also with my M11P and M11M with 60mb and the cropping feature allows it to be roughly a 100mm at 40mb and a 135mm at 20mb. At this point the Visioflex comes in handy!! Pair it with a 28mm and that then also gives you 36mm lens at 40mb and a 50mm at roughly 20mb. People often overlook this but the M11’s 60mb means you need to take fewer lenses for a wider coverage than with the M10 series. For me I found the 90mm F2 APO irrelevant and too heavy once I had my M11’s. The 90mm 1.5 is stunning but it’s huge and doesn’t really work on an M series.
I use the Visoflex 2 only when necessary for the new Summilux 35 and 50 mm focus at 40cm. I love it.
It’s super handy in the right situations! 👌🏻
Aside from focus benefits, I found a possible use case--what you see is what you get. Meaning, when you look through the rangefinder window, it's slightly offset from what the sensor sees. I notice this especailly with film and architectural shots.
A worthwhile alternative is the magnifying diopter. I got a third party 1.4x magnifyer from light lens labs
This is a great shout too for the longer lenses
Voigtlander APO-Skopar 90mm = Great performer and fairly small/lightweight, on top comes with bayonet hood, unseen with Voigtlanders. Check Matt Osborne review.
I think this makes it 3 recommendations for this lens already!!
I recommend the Minolta 90 mm f4. Decent price, good size, looks good, and sharp outcomes. Well worth the purchase in my opinion.
+1 I actually use it on my Fuji X-H1. It's incredibly sharp adapted on the Fuji. The only issue I have with it is the bad flaring when shooting into the sun.
The cheapest usable telphoto-like has to be the 90/4 Elmar-c. I picked on up recently for $165 USD from KEH. I think they average around $250 USD. So far, I love it. Maybe it's just what I shoot, but the performance has been shockingly good. For a proper new budget lens, the Voigtlander 75/1.5 Nokton is king of the hill, for sure. What a spectacular lens.
I'll probably pick up the EVF eventually though, as I like to shoot against the sun quite a bit- and the OVF means instant blinding ha. I'm on the M240 though, so I can get the cheap old olympus.
I have the Voigtlander 75, 90 and the Leica 135 (1962 version). Of the 3, the 90 I use the most, followed by the 75, ten there are those times the the 135 gives me the reach. Of the 3, a used 135 (Leica) can be had cheaper than the other 2.
I believe that the Visoflex expands the possibility of the M11 cameras while not true to the pure rangefinder experience. It does however when used wisely give you options that would not exist otherwise.
@@michaelwplant exactly that!
In other words: A built-in EVF insted of that range finder would be so much better! ;-)
I hope not.
I hope that will never happen.
no, there's 100's of other cameras with an evf
Hey bud, long time. Love the 90 Elmar f4, it's the same size as our 50 lux. Sub $400 USD anywhere.
It’s been a while!! But I’m glad you’re still here!!! It’s between this and the voigtlander at the moment by the looks of it.
Try the 90mm summicron (pre-app), with practice you might surprise yourself
I think it depends on the lenses used. Some modern M lenses with close focus need it for that function on M cameras. Of course, the other better option for long lenses is to switch over to SL cameras.
Sorry but the visoflex is a must with the M11. The rangefinder experience really frustrated me (m10 and m11) due to the fact it is so easy to upset the calibration if you jolt the camera (drop your bag etc) and now a 7month wait to get it back. I really wish there was a full frame version of the CL the Leica that introduced me to the brand so I could use my extensive Len’s collection on a native m mount camera. Rant over. Cheers for the vid!
Ok I’ve changed my mind. Got in the time tunnel and went back to 2015. Anyways it turns out the (bright line)rangefinder is still the same! But the camera (M240/M246) is 4k cheaper. Unless I’m printing on the side of a skyscraper I don’t need 60mp, so rant over; GAS fed. Time to sleep. PS Have 3 Leicas that feed the 60MP desire . I just don’t think you need it on an M…..discuss……😊
90mm Summarit is what I pair with my 50. The 70 when with a 35.
If you want perfect framing for certain occasions, this is the tool. Same for close work.
Well the, if you have the 50mm and you are ok with 18mp, by using the "digital zoom" you can get excellent images that are like 65 and 90mm images. So then I would go to the 135 which is an excellent lens...
My 75MM SUMMARIT f/2.4 is one of my favourites! Quality and was a reasonable price (for a Leica). I had a 90mm Summicron and hated. Heavy and hardly made a difference in length compared to the 75mm.
I bought a used Silver anodized Leica Summarit-M 75 mm f/2.4 and love it. Nice design, excellent image quality, reasonably lightweight, and reversible screw lens shield. I have two other 75 mm M lenses (Leica Noctilux f/1.25 and Voigtländer Nokton f/1.5), and the Summarit complements them nicely.
Thanks. I am very happy with my voightländer 75 and 90 mm. About as good or better than Leica, lighter and smaller at 1/3 of the price.
90mm Summicron pre ASPH is a great lens and is affordable.
90mm Konica 2.8 is a good option
Oooo this wasn’t even on my radar!
It's a tool, and it might tarnish the "rangefinder" purist perspective, but honestly, it's perfect for composing with my 18SEM and 75APO especially at night or low light. I've really been enjoying the 75 it's not a 90 so it's a bit more forgiving. I'm tried the Voigtlander 75 Nokton which was fantastic but ended up selling it. The 75APO is great for portraits, travel and can do some light macro work with its 1:7 magnification ratio. Great video as always!
*EVF for a camera that costs as much as a camera. 😅 3.7MP is also awfully low if you consider that flagship EVFs from sony are around 9MP. It think 75 is too close to 50, also 90 is cheaper most of the times.
But it’s a Leica 😂
35mm/75mm, or 28mm/50mm/90mm
@@bitemedea I’m swaying towards the latter! 28 + 50 covers just about everything then 90mm when I need/want it for something
Your criticisms are really interesting when you consider the high importance Leica claims to place on design and user experience. Cheap plastic against your eye?? No zero marker? Odd.
It’s the least feeling Leica product they make, gut feels says it’s outsourced 😂
The Tri-Elmer stays on my M11 90% 0f the time so the Visoflex is a necessacity.