Leica M compatibility with LTM adapter

[Nick De Marco]

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I received my Leica M last friday afternoon and I am very, very happy. My only gripe is with myself for being in a big trial and unable to use it much until Saturday's Leica User meet up in London....

After all that I promise a nice review on my Rangefinder Chronicle site

 

In the meantime I have discovered one minor issue I wonder if anyone else has encountered and whether it can be resolved (either now by some setting unknown to me or in the future by a software update).

 

I like using LTM lenses sometimes (as many know). If i put an LTM lens on the M with an LTM to M adapter of course I can use it as normal, like on the M9 or M6, but what it cannot do is let me use live view/evf. When I turn that on it says 'undetectable lens' or something sinister.

 

I don't have the problem when using the third party Leica R to M or Contax to M adapter I have for other lenses (all worked with LV and EVF)

 

The reason I want to be able to use use LV/EVF for the LTM lenses is for when I am using a 21mm and an 85mm or above. Or indeed if I wanted to make an LTM movie (which might be vintage fun). Thus, whilst not a huge issue, it would be nice to resolve it one day....

 

Nick

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[jaapv]

Is this an adapter with a cutout? It might help using one that covers the LEDs.

[wlaidlaw]

It is the same thing if you use an adapter covered in matt black paint, which does not reflect the coding sensor LED's IR light. I had to scrape the paint off my M42 to M adapter, before the M would recognise that a lens was mounted and allow LV to fire up.

 

Wilson

[Nick De Marco]

Thanks for the replies. I am using (amongst others) the offical Voigtlander adapters. Is there a way to adapt the adapters to make LV work?

 

Nick

[jaapv]

Stick a piece of white paper on the place that is seen by the LEDs.

[helged]

It is the same thing if you use an adapter covered in matt black paint, which does not reflect the coding sensor LED's IR light. I had to scrape the paint off my M42 to M adapter, before the M would recognise that a lens was mounted and allow LV to fire up.

 

Wilson

 

Hi Wilson,

which M42 to M adapter do you use (I am looking for one myself...).

 

Helge

[wlaidlaw]

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Hi Wilson,

which M42 to M adapter do you use (I am looking for one myself...).

 

Helge

 

Helge,

 

I am using an Elephoto M42 to M, which when I got it some 7 years ago, was the only game in town (The Photo Village :: Manufacturers :: Shimada-san/Elephoto). However, now everyone and his uncle are making them: Novoflex, Fotodiox, Lolli and Mr. Chinese "no-name". The Elephoto has an irritating short coming. It lacks a cam to depress an auto aperture stop down pin, if there is one fitted on the M42 lens (both my M42's have this). I have got round this by cutting a piece of flat black rubber vacuum cleaner drive belt to exactly the correct size, so that it slots into the inside of the adapter and depresses the pin. It is held in place with a small amount of Blu-Tak mastic but can be easily removed. Some of the later adapters e.g. the Novoflex, incorporate some sort of cam or device to depress an auto aperture pin.

 

Wilson

[wlaidlaw]

My Lolli Contax to M adapter arrived this morning. It is actually a Contax to LTM adapter plus an LTM to M adapter ring. I guessed that was what it was going to be and therefore had specified to Lolli which LTM to M adapter ring I needed, even quoting their part number for a 28/90 ring with coding grooves. Guess what - they have sent me a type one LTM to M adapter ring with cut away portion, which will not even fire up on the M240 + Live View, let alone allow coding, as the LED's are uncovered. Really, really dim on their part as they knew which camera I wanted it for. I think there must be a major language barrier, although Silvia seems to speak reasonable English. After waiting two weeks only for the wrong adapter to arrive, this is really irritating. :mad::mad:

 

Wilson

[tobey bilek]

Jinfinance on Ebay sells screw to bayonet adapters with coding pit milled in. For $16 @ , no other solution is worth considering.

 

Just be sure to order one with proper frame line keying. I use 3 myself , and they are perfect.

 

I measured flange thickness and they are exactly the same as Leitz ones.

[wlaidlaw]

Jinfinance stuff is just fine and I am waiting for some other bits and pieces to arrive from them (Contax W1 lens hood and matching cap) but they always seem to take the slow boat from China. I am hoping that Lolli will have the correct bit in stock and will agree to just put one in express post to me pronto and we can sort out any payment in due course, as it is totally their error.

 

Wilson