Nikon lenses on M Monochrom

[Unkei]

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I saw this info in the thread for posting photos from M Mono

 

(Tried the first time favorite Nikon lens on the M Mono - 5cm ƒ1.4 Nikkor)

 

So, can Nikon lenses be used with this camera? If so does it require some sort of adapter. Also, can Cannon lenses be used? And would that require an adaptor. If adapters are required, where would I find them?

 

Sorry to post so many questions, but while I am thinking of purchasing that camera, I could begin using it sooner, if I could use some of my Nikon or Canon lenses. Otherwise, I will have to wait awhile longer, if only the Leica lenses can be used.

Thanks,

Unkei

[jaapv]

There are adapters on the market, however you can only focus manually, which rather defeats the purpose,as the maximum sharpness which characterizes MM images can only be obtained with perfect focus. Why don't you get a CV lens? No real need to start off with a new Noctilux... My favorite lenses on the MM, being vintage Canon LTM lenses, cost me less than 500 Euro together for a 35 and 50.

Edited January 13, 2013 by jaapv

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[theno23]

The Nokkor he's referring to will be a historic LTM Nikkor, not a modern F-mount one.

 

http://www.dantestella.com/technical/nikoleic.html

As Jaapv said, if you can't afford Leica glass, Vougtlander M-mount stuff is quite reasonable, and many of them are good lenses.

I particularly like the 35mm 1.7 and 1.2. I think I paid under €300 (used) for the 1.7, but it was a few years ago.

- Steve

[jaapv]

Well, any LTM lens can be used with an LTM-M adapter. There are plenty on the market. Camera quest sells the CV ones, Kipon are pre-coded and widely available and there are dozens on ebay.

[AB007]

I do not have a MM however I use my various Nikkor LTMs on my M9, M3 and IIIfs.

 

The Nikkor 50/1.4LTM and Nikkor 105/2.5 LTM are my favorites among them. The Nikkor 50/2 LTM is superb as well and relatively cheaper (half the price of 1.4).

 

If weight is no issue try the 105. I would highly recommend the 50/1.4LTM. Yes, as Jaapv pointed out please do not forget the LTM to M adaptor.

[michali]

Unkei may also be referring to the Nikon RF lenses with the S mount made for Nikon RF Cameras.

 

Among these the 35mm f1.5 & f1.8 are reputed to be among the best 35mm lenses around.

They were made from about 1957 onwards until the early 1970s.

Pacific Rim Camera : Nikon Historical Society Journal: 35/1.8 Nikkor

 

You need a special adapter to make these lenses work on a Leica M.

Contax Nikon S leica adapter amedeo muscelli nikkor s2 m8 m9 m3 m4 m5 m6 m7 Rangefinder rangefinderforum

 

AFAIK these adapters only allow for rangefinder coupling with lenses with focal lengths of 50mm upwards.

 

The LTM equivalents of these lenses are extremely rare.

[philipus]

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I am using a Nippon Kogaku Nikkor-P.C 8.5cm f/2 with my cameras (M and Barnack) and I find that it produces pleasing results. I use a Voigtländer adapter, which actually brings up the 50mm frame, but that doesn't bother me since I use the preview lever and bring up the 75mm frame which works well enough for me.

 

I believe Dirk (menos | M6) has a Nikkor 50 1.4 which he is very pleased with (examples in the "view through older glass" thread).

 

I previously used a Canon 135 f3.5 with the same adapter but I have sold it. A great lens for very little money.

 

Here's an example of the Nikkor:

Tender moment | Flickr

Edited January 14, 2013 by philipus

[menos I M6]

I advice anybody with a weakness for classic lenses, to at least try some of the classic Japanese rangefinder lenses on their modern Leica M.

 

Some of these lenses are simply so good, that I largely prefer them over the newest Leica lenses.

I am especially fond of Japanese Sonnar design lenses, as the Nikkor 50/1.4 LTM, 85/1.5 LTM, Canon 100/2 LTM and others.

 

Vintage lenses on Leica M cameras can develop into a serious addiction.

 

My name is menos. I am a vintage lens addict.

 

Nikkor-S.C 5cm ƒ1.4 LTM:

portrait - Nikkor-S.C 5cm f1.4 - contrast handling by teknopunk.com, on Flickr

 

Nikkor 8.5cm ƒ1.5 LTM:

portrait - JC - table - color by teknopunk.com, on Flickr

 

W-Nikkor 3.5cm ƒ1.8 LTM:

Lamborghini Gallardo - side by teknopunk.com, on Flickr

 

…

[menos I M6]

… and some Canon lenses:

 

Canon 100 ƒ2 LTM:

Le Mans 24h 2012 - no.79 Flying Lizard Motorsports - Porsche 911 GT3 RSR by teknopunk.com, on Flickr

 

Le Mans 24h 2012 - no.2 Audi Sport Team Joest - Audi R18 e-tron Quattro by teknopunk.com, on Flickr

 

Canon 50 ƒ0.95 "dreamlens":

The Bund at f0.95 | portrait - muscle by teknopunk.com, on Flickr

 

Canon 50 f0.95 vs Leitz 5cm f3.5 Elmar - size comparison by teknopunk.com, on Flickr

 

 

If you should stumble into this vintage LTM lens game on a Leica M, do yourself a big, big favour and buy only either good condition (not scratched and bent) Leitz adapters or Voigtlander branded adapters.

These have the most consistent quality and you will have one worry less.

Many of these older lenses need CLA and most do need a fine calibration, if you plan, to use very fast lenses, very precise on a digital M - factor those costs in.

 

Good luck … and again - this is seriously addictive!

[michali]

I advice anybody with a weakness for classic lenses, to at least try some of the classic Japanese rangefinder lenses on their modern Leica M.

 

Some of these lenses are simply so good, that I largely prefer them over the newest Leica lenses.

I am especially fond of Japanese Sonnar design lenses, as the Nikkor 50/1.4 LTM, 85/1.5 LTM, Canon 100/2 LTM and others.

 

Vintage lenses on Leica M cameras can develop into a serious addiction.

 

My name is menos. I am a vintage lens addict.

…

 

+1 I'm also so addicted to vintage lenses, I need serious help!

[menos I M6]

Mike, there is one medicine, that seems to help - get as many lenses you like, as possible.

It seems, only saturation can heal this addiction.

[michali]

You're almost right Menos, saturation does help a little, but then I always find another old lens that I want to try out! I really love the look that the older lenses deliver on the M9 & MM.

 

I just yesterday found a mint Nikkor RF 10.5 cm f2.5 PC lens with original hood & case and snapped it up for a couple of hundred $. I also ordered an Amedeo "Nikon S to Leica M" adapter, the adapter costs almost as much as the lens...!

 

Here's a brief history:

Dante Stella

[menos I M6]

Congrats on the 105 Nikkor !

This is a fantastic lens indeed!

 

I have one of these in LTM mount and they are surprisingly modern looking - high contrast, very high resolution right from wide open on!

Your post reminds me, that I have to use mine more ;-)

 

The Amedeo adapters have a very good reputation - remember, these are massive brass adapters, recently made, so the really have to cost, what they cost.

[Ecar]

+1 for both the Amedeo adapter and the 105/2.5.

The combo is a heavy beast though - hence the fact that it sees little use.

Unless it was already used on and adjusted for digital (and the previous owner knew what he was doing...) the 105/2.5 is likely to need focus adjustment given the shallow dof wide open. Mine was way off when I bought it a couple of years ago.

Edited January 23, 2013 by Ecar

[michali]

+1 for both the Amedeo adapter and the 105/2.5.

The combo is a heavy beast though - hence the fact that it sees little use.

Unless it was already used on and adjusted for digital (and the previous owner knew what he was doing...) the 105/2.5 is likely to need focus adjustment given the shallow dof wide open. Mine was way off when I bought it a couple of years ago.

 

I have the same issue with my two Jupiter3 f1.5 50mm lenses- my first one front-focuses ever so slightly, nothing serious but it's noticeable, when I focus on the subject's eyes, the nose is in perfect focus. At under $150.00 I figured it was far easier to buy another one rather than go through the hassle of having the first lens adjusted; I then found another Jupiter3 in absolutely mint condition and now that one back-focuses by a mile....

[Ecar]

Mike,

Same with my copy of the J-3. I had to have mine adjusted.

All J-3's seem to require focus adjustment (typically by adding shims).

Some lenses are easier to adjust than others, depending on type/date of production.

[k-hawinkler]

I have the same issue with my two Jupiter3 f1.5 50mm lenses- my first one front-focuses ever so slightly, nothing serious but it's noticeable, when I focus on the subject's eyes, the nose is in perfect focus. At under $150.00 I figured it was far easier to buy another one rather than go through the hassle of having the first lens adjusted; I then found another Jupiter3 in absolutely mint condition and now that one back-focuses by a mile....

 

 

Mike,

 

That shouldn't be a problem with the M240 if you get along with the EVF.

[maddoc2003jp]

Leica M7 35/2.5 W-Nikkor (S-mount) Amedeo S - LTM adapter Leitz LTM - M adapter Delta400

 

[billo101]

Stunning!

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[l9magen]

Dredging up an old thread here on my first post to the forum, but I have a question as I recently became the happy owner of a Contax-mount version of the Nikkor 105mm.

I was not just being awkward when I bought this version, as I already had an Amedeo Contax >> Leica-M adapter; optically the lens itself is in good condition.

However, it appears to back-focus just slightly - and since others have previously mentioned getting the focus recalibrated, can someone tell me this can be done? I assume I need to send in the Typ-246 too....I checked against all my other lenses, and the other tewo that share this adapter, and it is definitely this lens that is "off".

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Lochlann