THE LEICA VISOFLEX 2 ON THE M10

This article is not intended to be a how-to, nor an in depth look at the ins and outs of use of the Visoflexes on M10’s. There already exists a lengthy, truly exhaustive, and indeed-awe-inspiring presentation of the uses of the EVF 1 (Typ 020) by Thorsten Overgaard. At the time of this writing, Thorsten’s piece can be accessed at https://www.overgaard.dk/Leica-M10-digital-rangefinder-camera-page-08-How-to-Focus-a-Leica-M10-with-electronic-viewfinder.html This author learned quite a bit from reading Thorsten’s text, and no longer looks down his nose at this rather humble and clunky / chunky Leica add-on. It is truly a clever and useful device, not merely a make-shift for close-ups, the use of non-M-coupled lenses, and when there is a question of accurate focus. It is true that using the Viso adds shutter lag, but the advantages of this device are such that it should have a definite place in the M-shooter’s armamentarium.

Rather, this article has to do with how the new Visoflex 2 fits, feels, and performs on M10s vis-à-vis the older Typ 020. In early May 2022 the firmware upgrades finally arrived for using the new device on our M10s. Visoflex 2’s were thin on the ground at that moment, but not surprisingly various persons online offered their opinions about it, both from trying it out at Leica stores, or having actually purchased and received one and used it on an M11. The opinions vary. Of course, no one had yet tried it out on an M10, as the firmware was lacking. And we are told definitely and in advance that full performance with the device in not possible with an M10.

On the actual day of the firmware release David Farkas had this to say on line: “I had the chance to compare the live view experience between the original Visoflex (Typ 020) and the new Visoflex 2 on an M10-R. Contrast, brightness, color fidelity and sharpness were certainly improved when using the newer OLED-based Visoflex 2 – reasons for many to want to upgrade. But there are two trade-offs versus the older EVF. First, the live view image is smaller in the new EVF when compared to the same viewfinder on the M11 or using the previous Visoflex 020 on the M10. Without a side-by-side comparison, you may not notice, but switching between the two, the difference is clear. Because the M10 is limited to 2.4MP video output, the active image area is reduced versus the full 3.68MP displayed from the M11. Given the perfect blacks of the OLED display, there is no visible or distracting unused area so it's perfectly usable and might be worth the overall increase in image quality. The second drawback is that you will lose GPS geotagging functionality when switching from the Visoflex 020 to the new Visoflex 2. For some, this might be a deal breaker. For others, not so much. If you're wondering what geotagging is, you probably fall into the latter category”.

David’s remarks certainly had the juices flowing, but one did not yet have access to the accessory. Never fear: about a week later the one the author had purchased arrived for testing and use.

Here are images of the two Viso’s on two M10’s, both horizontal position, and 90° position. In use, the two versions function similarly. However, there are several cosmetic, ergonomic, and aesthetic differences.

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Perhaps folks here will remember the author’s previous article about items in Leica M’s shoes or hot shoes being precarious as to falling out unexpectedly. That possibility seems less likely with the new Visoflex 2, as this one clicks better into place. And although the height of the new Visoflex 2 is only slightly less than that of the older version, its shape of the gives the impression of being rather integral to the camera, making it feel much less precarious. So also does the fact that it is metal. It impresses the senses as also being less likely to hit something and be damaged, true or not. The aesthetics also may matter: the Visoflex 2 is somewhat boxy, but Typ 020 is bulbous and may be of less visual appeal to some.

The older Typ 020 covered up the M10’s body marking for the speed dial, but the new Visoflex 2 has its own marking for this. The diopter adjustment on the Visoflex 2 is much stiffer and without position markings. One is much less likely to inadvertently move the internal focus setting on the new product, but its adjustment by the user could be more difficult on the fly.

This author is a right-eye shooter. In the old days he attempted to switch to his left eye because his nose fouled the main eyepiece when looking through external finders. The Visoflex 2 unfortunately retains such a liability; the Typ 020 less so since its eyepoint is higher. Since our noses and ears grow larger as we grow older, or so the author has read, younger users may have this issue to look forward to.

David Farkas is on target when he describes the increase in brightness for the newer Viso. This makes its use a pleasure shooting museum pieces (like through this dollhouse window), and easily finding focus when looking downwards into the 90° finder for a somewhat surreptitious (here cropped) portrait. The older Typ 020 can do these things almost equally well, of course.

For this reviewer, the bottom line is that:

• The Visoflex 2 looks and feels like an actual part of the camera when attached, especially with black M10’s, where it blends in visually.

• Its metal body gives confidence and is likely more durable.

• The view through the new Viso is brighter and crisper.

• Battery life could possibly be a bit extended versus using the Typ 020 because of less power needed for the OLED versus the Typ 020’s regular LED – the author did not test this, nor could he find such information on line at the time of writing.

Geotagging is indeed missing, apparently due to the metal construction on the Visoflex 2. Be advised, and make a concurrent image with your mobile phone if you need this.

The resulting M10 / Visoflex 2 chimera does not look or feel exactly M-ish, but the new Visoflex 2 feels less like an addon than a well-designed accessory such as a grip or a thumb support. And of course one can simply take it off when the point is to shoot pure “Rangefinder-M”. The author would not probably keep either Viso on the camera if street shooting -- yet the special ability of the Viso to reactivate old Rolleiflex TLR skills via the 90° viewing position can indeed tempt one to use its unobtrusiveness when shooting in public. Perhaps with an M12, live-view and RF focus will somehow be integrated, but one cannot then expect that a 90° view could be possible, except by an articulated rear viewing screen.

But one should not let one’s imagination run wild. The author feels that just as Leica finally got a digital RF camera “right” with the M10 (especially the later variants with their quieter shutter), that this new Visoflex 2 is “right” for the current state of technology.

While quite decent framing can be done with the M10's frame lines on 35-50-90 lenses, having the Visoflex 2 really lets you know what is within the frame.

The four images here taken with the Visoflex 2- All of these make use of a Viso's particular advantages and would have been more difficult using only the RF focus.

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