LTM vs bayonet

[tredlie]

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Dear All

 

I am considering getting a Voigtländer Color Skopar 21mm f4 for my M9  to find out if 21mm is really something I would like.

This would also require getting a 21mm optical viewfinder. The older Skopars were sold along with a viewfinder and are

to be had and rather low prices, however, they come as LTM (skrew mount). But bayonet adapters seem to be readily available.

 

My question is about the disadvantages of the adapter vs the current fixed bayonet. Is there a disadvantage in handling or anything else?

 

Maybe it is even an advantage as some of these adapters have the 6 recesses for coding?

 

any comments would be highly appreciated.

 

cheers

 

Tred

 

 

[TomB_tx]

The M mount handles more like Leica lenses, and feels right at home on the M9. I decided on that version a few years ago, and have been very happy with it on my M9. Coded as a 21 f2.8 minimizes the "red edge" tendency on the M9, especially at low ISO settings where the corrections are more effective. In real pictures the color edges are not noticed, but can be slightly seen if shooting blank grey eyes.

It's also so tiny it is easy to carry in a kit.

I don't use a 21 enough to justify Leica prices, but this lens has great performance for the price. I also use it on film with great results. I hear it is even better on the M10 than the M9.

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[tredlie]

The M mount handles more like Leica lenses, and feels right at home on the M9. I decided on that version a few years ago, and have been very happy with it on my M9. Coded as a 21 f2.8 minimizes the "red edge" tendency on the M9, especially at low ISO settings where the corrections are more effective. In real pictures the color edges are not noticed, but can be slightly seen if shooting blank grey eyes.

It's also so tiny it is easy to carry in a kit.

I don't use a 21 enough to justify Leica prices, but this lens has great performance for the price. I also use it on film with great results. I hear it is even better on the M10 than the M9.

Thanx TomB

then going for adapter that can easily be coded seems to make sense.

Tred

[Jean-Michel]

I have the ltm version. Purchased it some year ago to use with my film M's. The reason was simple: the VC and its plastic finder cost less than the Leica finder alone. The adapter for the M mount never showed a problem, I screwed it on and have never given it any more thought. None of my lenses are coded, I just select the lens manually on my M9 and MP.

 

The image quality of the VC is fine – you do need to make adjustments in LR and perhaps Cornefix.

 

Jean-Michel

[lct]

I would think twice before buying the LTM version for digital bodies. I seem to recall that it produces more color shifts than the bayonet version but i may be wrong.

[Jean-Michel]

I would think twice before buying the LTM version for digital bodies. I seem to recall that it produces more color shifts than the bayonet version but i may be wrong.

 

I understand that both the ltm and M mount lenses have exactly the same optics, according to Cameraquest.

[lct]

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I'm afraid i cannot offer any evidence but when i bought my M version sample variation was said to have improved so my feeling comes perhaps from that but again i may be wrong... 

[cp995]

I understand that both the ltm and M mount lenses have exactly the same optics, according to Cameraquest.

 

Yes!

Same with my Skopar 2,5/35, also on an digital sensor.

I owned both and actually have the LTM Version since I got a Leica IIIf.

Great small lenses

[microview]

The one possible problem can be that removing the lens can leave the bayonet adapter behind on the camera and difficult to detach. Ivor at Red Dot showed me (some years ago) that Voigtländer's end cap has three plastic pins which engage with the adapter to help in releasing it. Sadly, I believe that Voigtländer no longer makes LTM adapters – and they were machined to the highest tolerances.