Leica M8 as a macro camera!

In another harebrained attempt at using the Leica M8 for something other than that for which it was designed, I

attached a Visiflex II with Leitz 90/2.8 Elmarit head from 1959 using a universal focusing mount (#16464K) to

attempt some macro work. The viewfinder housing won't fit on the Visiflex due to the taller-than-traditional-M

dimension of the camera, so I used a loupe instead to gain focus. These are chunks of aluminum turned on a small

metal lathe that might've eventually become chess set pieces but for now make interesting photographic subjects.

 

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<a href="http://www.photo.net/photo/8300503"><img

src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/8300503-sm.jpg"></a>

<br>(click image for larger version)

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I didn't bother removing orange gels from the flashes thus the brass color of the aluminum. The in-focus piece

is a tad taller than 1 inch.

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Lighting: Vivitar 285HV camera left, 1/16th power, 3/4 CTO gel, through a sheet of tracing paper; Nikon SB-26

camera right, 1/32 power, full CTO gel, through a sheet of tracing paper, a setup very similar to <a

href="http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/08/on-assignment-shoot-your-shiny-new.html">this Strobist "On Assignment"

post</a>.

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<b>Forum maintenance question:</b> We have the category "Leica in a Digital World" and a "Leica M" category, but

where do Leica M8 posts belong? Should we have a dedicated category for those?

I like how you keep finding ways to push the M8, Tony. I'm still messing around with the pinhole.

I haven't got one to try, but would hope the Viso III would clear the M8 dimensions ok. Add a 65mm macro and you'd have

a pretty nice 87mm (effective) macro set up.

 

BTW, don't forget the existing M Digital category.

Sorry - I meant "Leica Digital" category.

Ah, thanks, Ken. That would've been a better category for this post, I guess. I think we almost have too many categories.

The Panasonic G1 obviates the use of visoflex and related (reflex) accessories. There is a lot of potential to use Leica lenses (extension, bellows) for close-ups, macros (even the dedicated Leica macro lenses like the Summars, Milars and the Photars).

 

BTW, whether the M8 was designed for non-close-up work or not, the Visoflexes were certainly made for such work! :)

 

Did you try the Viso III?

Ken,

 

Are you still gainfully employed or are you happily retired out there in the parallel universe of Brentwood? I'm still contracting mainframe IT but not for much longer.

I don't have a Viso III, but supposedly all I'd need for my Viso II is that one finder that sticks straight up

(hard to find and/or expensive). That might even allow me to focus without having to remove the pocket wizard

I'm using for the speed lights.

 

About 80% of my photographic objectives the M8 fits perfectly. The problem is, 10% of what I want to do is macro

work, the other 10% is some long focus stuff. (*ahem* I know what you're thinking... please don't say it... not

within ear-shot of my wife...)

 

By the way, this morning, rummaging through my rings/adapters/extensions drawer, I was able to mount a Canon FD

mount 200/f4 onto the M8, or the Visi if I wanted an actual preview.

Tony - that's the "simple" or "chimney" magnifier. That would do the trick alright - although the image is reversed if that

doesn't bother you. Next time I'm in Camera West I'll take a look at the fit of the Viso III and check the availability of the

chimney magnifier for the Viso II.

 

Hi, Gil. Still working in Walnut Creek and living in Clayton. My retirement dreams have been knocked back twice now - first

by the .com bust, now this mess. Still doing infrastructure, mainframe and distributed. I have to to feed my gear habit

somehow. :-)

That would be great, Ken, thanks.

Ken beat me to it. There are two possibilities, the one mentioned by you, Tony, is the rare type.

Cheaper to get a Viso III! The other possibility is the more readily available chimney (although, as Ken wonders, it may not fit).

 

BTW, take a look here ( I put in a Milar shot):

 

http://forum.getdpi.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4194

The 5x chimney magnifier is coded OTVXO and/or 16461. It fits both the Viso II and III. One sold on eBay recently for

$115. I'll let you know if I find one.

Thanks, Ken! I'd previously seen one or two sell for somewhat more than that, so your report is good news. I'll keep an eye out myself. Thanks for looking! Now, of course, Vivek's got me enthused about a III !