Coverage of "Handbook of the Leica System"

zerobuttons · 12-14-2009

Dear Tom,

you have shown us before that you know a good deal of all the Leica books around. Can you - or some of you other guys here - tell me which versions of the "Handbook of the Leica System" I should look for if I want coverage of these two topics?
1) Visoflex parts that make macro photography possible with my MP (2003 version), preferably II or III.
2) The Leica MP (2003 version).

I have asked this question in the "ordinary" M forum, but no-one answered me there. I hope it´s all right that I try here, now.

Tom A · 12-15-2009

Most of the later Leica Books does not cover the Visoflex system. For that you will need a 60's to 70" "Leica HandBook". These are fairly easy to find, either on the Big site - or ask on the forum.
There is a MP handbook out by Jonathan Eastland - covers just about everything you will need to know.
The Viso can be a bit bewildering - but apart from amassing the various rings, tubes etc - it is quite straight forward. I would recommend the Viso III as the "instant" return mirror is actually quite handy - though the definition of instant leaves a bit to be desired. It is more of a deliberate and "planned" return.
If you are getting into the Viso III - also look to pick up a Bellows II kit - now you are truly talking macro. I use mine with a variety of enlarging lenses for either 1:1 or up to 5:1 magnification. The MP works well, though your meter reading has to be done with the mirror up.

zerobuttons · 12-16-2009

Thank you so much for your input, Tom. I have actually already opted for a Visoflex III from mr. Ivor Cooper of Red Dot Camera in London. It´s in the mail. The specimens in the Photografica shop here in Copenhagen were priced too high. Could I trouble you for a year range regarding production years, if you know that? I have looked around on the internet, but I only seem to be able to find production years for cameras and lenses. If I know them for the Visoflex III, I will know which handbooks to look for.

Thank you for your advice regarding the bellows. I will certainly look into that. Can you recommend some litterature in that regard? Not so much about which Leica parts go together, but more about tips and tricks using bellows with macro photography (I am able to read about and understand technical issues). Please bear with me, I have not been "growing up" with this kind of equipment

You recommend mr. Eastland´s MP book. I do have his "Leica M Compendium", which I have found helpful. The handbook covering my MP would actually just be for fun. It would be nice to have the handbook covering the parts available for my camera. I assume those will not turn up the first couple of years.....
EDIT: ...and then I looked more thoroughly into eBay, and found a seller in the US, who has the 2002/2003 handbook for sale. I hope the MP will be represented in that. I have asked him now if he could be pursuaded to ship that to Copenhagen, Denmark.

Tom A · 12-16-2009

The Viso II is a 50's product - and into the early 60's. The Viso III came out in the mid- to late 60's and was actually in production until about 1980. To my knowledge there is no specific handbook on using the Viso. It is quite simple once you hold it in your hand and it is a bit of a Lego to it. Pieces fit in a logical sequence. If you are going to be using it as a SLR you need some other pieces, the focusing helicoil and the Viso-mount lens adapter.
Most of this stuff is reasonably easy to find, but it usually involves rummaging through boxes at stores.
One good place for things like this is Schonherr's Foto in Stockholm. They have been around a long time and that usually means they have stuff dating back to the 50's and 60's in their "back room".
The "Leica Handbook" to look for is one that is published in the 50's or 60's as that would have updated Viso information. I think it is the 11th or 12th edition. I used to gave them, but gave them away as I figured out I knew what to do with the various pieces anyway.
You can usually find Viso items at Camera swap meets. The trick is to buy anything that looks usable and sort it out later! Adapter tubes and bellows adapters are usually quite cheap.
The Viso specific lenses like the V-Elmar 65f3.5 are a bit pricey as they are not that plentiful. Particularly the black version.
Also try "Real Cameras" in Manchester. It is operated by Jem Kimes and he is a good guy to deal with. He can always keep an eye out for stuff for you and he knows about these minute details too.
Good luck,
Tom

ChrisLivsey · 12-16-2009

http://www.realcamera.co.uk/

To add to Tom's info, I'm an hour away from the guys at Real Camera. They don't have a large web presence but will talk on the 'phone re stock and are really good to deal with.

zerobuttons · 12-17-2009

Brilliant! Thank you Tom, for the boutique recommendations, and thank you Chris for the link.

Unfortunately the dealer with the 2002/2003 handbook is one of those guys who refuses to ship outside of US/Canada

Tom, I´m aware that there are no Viso specific handbooks, but I expect the Leica handbooks (I have not seen anything but the index section in any Leica handbook) to contain lists of part numbers and at least a short description of what each part number is and does. At some point I should get one of those handbooks in my little grubby hands, so I can see if I´m completely mistaken.

zerobuttons · 12-18-2009

Just one addition to this thread, for the benefit of others who are looking for Visoflex part numbers:
I found a Leitz catalogue from October 1976, with the title "General Catalogue of Photographic Equipment - complete with Special Programme". I have been told it contains the complete list of Visoflex parts. I have asked the dealer how much shipping to Denmark will be, and hopefully I will have it within a few weeks. I will return then, to tell whether or not it helped me.