However for closer work the greater 95mm extension of the Bellows II allows the 65mm lens to reach beyond a 1 :1 image to a larger 1.4:1, more conveniently taking the place of a set of extension tubes. The Bellows II also has another advantage — when fixed on a tripod its lower adjustment knob can move the entire camera and Visoflex and lens assembly two inches forward or back (with a locking lever on it), making it quicker and easier to get an accurate focus, while at the same time allowing an already pre-set extension to be kept on the bellows. The 65mm Elmar mounts directly onto the adapter plate 16558 supplied on the front flange of the Bellows II. Incidentally, infinity focus is also available with the 65mm Elmar mounted on the Bellows 11, but the smaller OTZFO focus mount might be preferable for handheld use or working outdoors. The best route, of course, would be to have both OTZFO and Bellows II to work with as needed. The Visoflex II was made in either SM or M mount.
The Visoflex III is in M mount only. The Visoflex III can accommodate the taller top plate of some M models such as the M6 TTL and some digital models, and may be a little quicker to operate due to its instant return mirror, but perhaps a bit slower in the extra action of raising the mirror to enable TTL metering. If an M camera is adapted to a Viso II the tripping arm will not reach the camera’s shutter button. In this case leave the tripping arm in the forward position to trip the mirror, and use a cable release on the camera. The OTZFO (16464) focus mount is available in either chrome or black. No difference between them other than outer finish. There is a small bellows inside to keep the interior of the lens mount free of reflections or dust or grease from the helical threads.
The 65mm f/3.5 Elmar-V lens first came in chrome, then black. Both have pre-set aperture rings for that quick and accurate setting of the aperture for exposure after wide open focus. The black model shown is the later version which has a different front filter thread. Instead of the E-41 thread of the chrome lens, which is difficult to find filters for, the black lens has a Series VI thread to which a series VI to VII step-up ring can be fitted to use the same series VII filters used on other Leica lenses. These filters are available from many manufacturers in common color correction, partial neutral density, Polarizer, etc.
The Visoflex II shown is a screw-thread model, on which is mounted a black dial Leica lllf which allows the use of flash if wanted. The Viso II can be adapted to an M mount camera with the use of a thread-mount to M adapter ring, leaving the tripping arm in the forward position, as mentioned above. Also, as mentioned above, the Viso II prism is not usable with an M6 TTL or other M cameras with higher top plates be- cause the Viso II prism is set lower, as seen here. The higher setting of the Viso III prism allows those models to be used, and the mirror arm can be adjusted to trip the newer cameras using a cable release on the Visoflex housing.
