Visoflex lenses - your recommendation?

Paul. Douglas Herr is an excellent wildlife photographer who uses the Viso lenses and can tell you authoritatively about the quality of specific Visoflex lenses. The 180/2.8 Tele-Elmarit-V is a very rare collectible to stay away from. In that range, the best choice would be the 200/4.0 Telyt-V (which is significantly better than the earlier 200/4.5 Telyt-V). I also believe that the 280/4.8 Telyt-V (especially the second version with the built in mount) is quite a good lens in its range, as is the 400/6.8 Telyt-V.

For close-up work, the 65/3.5 Elmar-V is the way to go. Either version (chrome or later black) has excellent optical quality and focusses from infinity to 1:3. You can get closer with extension tubes or a bellows II setup.

I'm one of the few crazy people who has and uses a Visoflex. I had a 280 Telyt for a bunch of years, finally sold it because I was no longer using it. It was a very sharp lens, nice bokeh, not as contrasty as more modern multi-coated designs. I assume the last model of the 280 was multicoated, though. The 180 Elmarit was one I should have bought when I had the chance for $100.00 mint used, but already had one on my Leicaflex SL-2. At the time I didn't realize that only 100 had been made in Visoflex mount. They're pricey today! I never tried any of the 400mm lenses. I have a 65mm Elmar and used the 90 Elmarit and 135 Tele-Elmar lensheads in the focussing mount. I also had a 150mm f/2.3 Astro Tachar in Visoflex II mount but it was stolen.

In the 60's and 70's there were a number of inexpensive under $40.00 400mm f/6.3 telephoto lenses marketed by Spiratone and others. These lenses were surprisingly sharp, better than many name brands selling for several times the price. There is a way to adapt most of these to the Visoflex II & III mount maintaining infinity focus. I did it to mine, still have it, and on rare occasions use it. Email me if you want the secret. A wide variety of lenses by Nikon, Canon, Komura, Astro, Novoflex, Zeiss and others were made for the original Visoflex, and easily adapted to the Visoflex II and III. Some of these were 2,000mm.

So, you want to do wildlife photography with a Visoflex III in the yellow position. You, do know this makes you eligible for committment in a metal institution? The 280mm f/4.8 Telyt-V should be OK and there are enough of them around, so it shouldn't be to expensive. Personally, I wouldn't try using the Viso/M7 combo on automatic, doing wildlife photography. You'll never get anything. Goor Luck....

I'm looking for the best combination of focal length, quality and portability.

First choice: 400mm f/6.8. the 280mm f/4.8 is also quite a good lens:

Mountain Bluebird - Leicaflex SL, 280mm f/4.8 Telyt

The biggest problem with the 280 is the helical focussing mount is long and limited to a close focus distance of a little more than 10 feet. I'm using the last version, which can be fitted to the Televit rapid-focus grip with adapter 14138. With the Televit, the minimum focus distance is about 6 feet - very handy. Unfortunately both the Televit and the adapter are scarce.

If your wildlife is reasonably stationary and you're using good support I don't see why you can't use the M7 + Viso. This photo would have worked with this setup:

Northern Goshawk - Leicaflex, 400mm f/6.8 Telyt
1/4 sec @ f/6.8

As I see it the biggest problem you'll have is the shallow DOF combined with the lag between "mirror down" and the shutter opening. Even a very small shift forward or backward by either you or the critter will move the plane of focus too much.

Really stunning shots, Mr. Herr! Looks like 3D.

I have and use the 280mm f.4.8 Telyt and find its' performance to be excellent. The 400mm and up are not easy lenses to use because of size and design. I like the Viso very much and feel that the unit (M-6 + Viso) is truly usefull but I have to admit, not the equal of a Nikon SLR! Regards, Bill

Another master shot. Doug! Were these shot with a viso or R lenses?

Thanks for your useful advice - and especially thanks to Doug for the examples, which, I'm afraid, I shall only be able to aspire to!

Another master shot. Doug! Were these shot with a viso or R lenses?

My 400 has an R mount. The 280 f/4.8 was never sold with an R helical mount, but could be used on the Televit-R (as mine is). The optics of either lens is identical whether R or Viso mount.