Visoflex

The lens screwed in a cube shaped body of the reflex housing which in turn screwed into the camera. Optical thickness was 62.5mm.
The image was viewed through a 5x magnifier and for accurate focusing, a built in 30x magnifier could be swung in by the appropriate lever.
The 5x magnifier had to be removed to use the 30x one, but its socket, which was not removable in the earlier models, served as a light shied.
The ground glass screen had to be used upright, but vertical could be taken by loosening a locking lever at the side and rotating the camera 90°; at the same time the mask defining the picture format automatically rotated to show the correct image area.

Illustration of some PLOOT, reflex housings variations, during their production ran until 1951 :

PLOOT as was illustrated in early literature, see below, showing the housing complete with camera and lens.

The VISOFLEX I had the same optical depth as the original Mirror Reflex Housing - 62,5mm - so the same lens fitting applied.
Later in 1955 a version with a bayonet fitting for M cameras was available. The body shape differed from the PLOOT being cylindrical instead of a cube.

Illustration of some VISOFLEX I variations :

From the left three screw mount versions :
1st early model with front silver chrome flange with LVFOO 5x, vertical plain black paint viewfinder,
2nd without front silver chrome flange with LVFOO 5x, vertical cracked black paint viewfinder,
3rd scientific model IFLEX, with interchangeable focusing screen (clear or grinded).

Next three are bayonet mount versions with :
PEGOO 45°, 4x, viewfinder,
PAMOO 90°, 5x, viewfinder and
LVFOO, 5x, vertical cracked black paint viewfinder.

Illustrated under is a special Visoflex I where there is a mechanic build-in connecting system to synchronyze the mirror let up and the shutter release. Have to know who was the builder of this system.

In 1960 Leitz introduced a lighter and much more compact Visoflex II for both screw mount and M mount Leica.
The optical thickness reduced at 44mm to allow lenses of 65mm and above to be focused to infinity. It was suitable to be hand held. The whole assembly had to be turned for vertical pictures. The released lever at the side controlled the mirror and at the same time acted directly on the shutter release button of the LEICA. The mirror had to be reset by a small lever at the side. Available for crew and bayonet mount cameras.

First illustrated : a screw mount version with straight shutter lever,
second and others are M mounts and curved shutter levers.
Eye level 4x and vertical 5x magnifiers were available like the third illustrated.
A micro Visoflex II with interchangeable screen scientific/medical use was also available, fourth illustrated.
In 1962, E Leitz Inc. New York listed the Visoflex IIa, a Visoflex II with a rapid return, fifth illustrated.

Visoflex I lenses were useable on the Visoflex II by adding the OUBIO (16466) adapter.

An early model with the engraving of the trade mark in the middle of the body

The VISOFLEX III

The Visoflex III was announced in 1963 with the facility to be fitted to or removed from the Leica M as quickly as a lens.

It was no longer necessary to remove the 4x eye level viewfinder to attach or remove the housing
The new three position mirror action control was well received by photographers who had to work very quietly.
For some use facilities the 5x vertical viewfinder, OTVXO can be used, as on the Visoflex II.
In addition to the standard model Leitz supplied units for scientific/medical use. A rather unusual looking variant is the EndoVisoflex III with Compur shutter and Polaroid magazine back. Please note the red Leitz logo.
The 4x viewfinder has been raised to make free the rotation of the Polaroid magazine back.
A micro Visoflex III with interchangeable screen and special vertical viewfinder.
An another EndoVisoflex III with special 90° 4x viewfinder clear and glass focusing screen.

The Filter Turret / 14116 issued in 1963 for Visoflex II and III allowed the user to have a set of 3 filters available in between the Visoflex and the Tele Lens from 125mm to 400mm focal length, in place of the OUBIO adapter. The turret holding a double sized bushes tripod foot, the turret can be tilted 90° for vertical format auctioning a little lever.

Illustrated with a M3 Leica camera a Visoflex III and a Telyt 4/200mm lens, late model, "all black".

The Reflex Housing