Novoflex adapters

[Peter H]

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I'm still waiting for my new M which should arrive in the next day or two, so please forgive a couple of questions that might seem obvious to you.

 

If you use a Novoflex adapter on an M to allow Nikor manual-focus F lenses or Zuiko MF OM lenses to be used, can you focus in the EVF just as you would with an M lens?

 

And I assume the meter reads the exposure via the working aperture without knowing what the aperture is, and so operates as it would with an M lens. Is this correct?

 

In other words, will an appropriate Novoflex (or similar) adapter allow Nikkor or Zuiko lenses to be used in the same way as R lenses on the M?

 

Thank you.

[mmradman]

Yes.

[A Sfeir]

I'm still waiting for my new M which should arrive in the next day or two, so please forgive a couple of questions that might seem obvious to you.

 

If you use a Novoflex adapter on an M to allow Nikor manual-focus F lenses or Zuiko MF OM lenses to be used, can you focus in the EVF just as you would with an M lens?

 

And I assume the meter reads the exposure via the working aperture without knowing what the aperture is, and so operates as it would with an M lens. Is this correct?

 

In other words, will an appropriate Novoflex (or similar) adapter allow Nikkor or Zuiko lenses to be used in the same way as R lenses on the M?

 

Thank you.

 

Yes but you will have to push the button on the front of the camera to zoom on on a focus point.

[hoppyman]

Peter, qualified yes with a couple of additional notes:

 

You could focus with the EVF or the LCD and you need to use the focus button on the front and choose 5x or 10x magnification.

 

As you noted you would want manual focus lenses with an aperture ring.

If you want to use the inbuilt menu options to set the lenses as R lenses from that menu, you would need an adaptor with the 6 BIT coding and that brings up the 28-90 frame-lines.

 

That coding is actually Leica Camera property, which is why makers of alternate brand M mount lenses do not include it on their (otherwise free to duplicate) M mounts. That is often not mentioned in discussions of lens coding.

[JuanLeon]

 

As you noted you would want manual focus lenses with an aperture ring.

 

You can use Nikon G lenses, w/o aperture ring, with the Novoflex Nikon G - M adapter.

[hoppyman]

Yes. However the manual focus lenses (which do have aperture rings) offer the best experience when focussing and the Original Poster was asking about using manual focus lenses.

[shard]

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Novoflex has some new adapters that have aperture control for those lenses without.

[gpwhite]

Yes, Peter, as others have posted here, you will be able to use a range of interesting lenses on your M240 in an almost SLR mode. I say almost because the cycle of pressing the shutter release to viewing through the lens again is a few seconds. It definitely feels awkward, but it is worth the functionality.

 

I have used my Noct-Nikkor 58mm and Zeiss ZF.2 25mm f/2 with the Novoflex adapter on M240. Focusing is precise, even if the EVF is a bit whimpy in image quality (forget about reading the lighting nuance of the composition). These lenses work perfectly on the M240, and closer focusing capability is a big plus!

 

For me, the OVF and RF focus with M lenses are both substantially superior to using the EVF. But you will appreciate the flexibility and quality the Novoflex system offers.

 

Peter

[Delcredere]

Yes, Peter, as others have posted here, you will be able to use a range of interesting lenses on your M240 in an almost SLR mode. I say almost because the cycle of pressing the shutter release to viewing through the lens again is a few seconds. It definitely feels awkward, but it is worth the functionality.

 

I have used my Noct-Nikkor 58mm and Zeiss ZF.2 25mm f/2 with the Novoflex adapter on M240. Focusing is precise, even if the EVF is a bit whimpy in image quality (forget about reading the lighting nuance of the composition). These lenses work perfectly on the M240, and closer focusing capability is a big plus!

 

For me, the OVF and RF focus with M lenses are both substantially superior to using the EVF. But you will appreciate the flexibility and quality the Novoflex system offers.

 

Peter

I received the Novoflex adaptors today for Zuiko and Nikkor lenses but am not clear what settings to use on the manual menu for each of the two lenses I am starting with. They are the Nikkor PC Micro 85mm f/2.8D and the OM 300mm F4.5. Is there a general principle that applies or is it pot luck? Either way I would be most grateful for any guidance. And sorry if this has been dealt with elsewhere.

[jaapv]

I would switch lens detection off although if the screws of the mount are not over the detection strip, this will happen automatically. There is no need to correct these lenses in the camera.

The only problem you might encounter is that you get a "no lens attached"error. In that case you have a black mount and must put a thin silvery film on the mount to fool the detector strip.

[gpwhite]

I received the Novoflex adaptors today for Zuiko and Nikkor lenses but am not clear what settings to use on the manual menu for each of the two lenses I am starting with. They are the Nikkor PC Micro 85mm f/2.8D and the OM 300mm F4.5. Is there a general principle that applies or is it pot luck? Either way I would be most grateful for any guidance. And sorry if this has been dealt with elsewhere.

 

Hmm... that PC lens is going to offer an interesting learning curve for you and then info for the forum. The image circle transmitted by a PC lens is quite large, and then the shifts you make select that actual field that hits the imaging rectangle (CMOS sensor in M240). I have no idea how the innards of the Novoflex adapter + M240 lens box line up with the Nikon equivalents that were assumed in the design of your lens. There are likely experts on the forum who can comment on this point knowledgeably. Have fun and patience!

 

In terms of coordinating the adapter, lens aperture and M240 light meter, you need to rotate the blue Novoflex ring over to the small circle (clockwise full stop when looking down on lens from above) in order to release the diaphragm lever. Be sure that your lens is disengaged from its Nikon auto-everything setting so that you are able to manually select aperture value. I would also practice focusing wide open to get started. I imagine that you need to shoot a few stops down with the lenses you mention, but in order to assess possible focus shift at smaller apertures, i would get a good baseline at the easiest focus setting = wide open.

 

I look forward to reading about your results.

[Peter H]

I received the Novoflex adaptors today for Zuiko and Nikkor lenses .....................

 

Please let me know how you get on with the OM 300 4.5. Spectacularly, I hope!

[jaapv]

Peter, qualified yes with a couple of additional notes:

 

You could focus with the EVF or the LCD and you need to use the focus button on the front and choose 5x or 10x magnification.

 

As you noted you would want manual focus lenses with an aperture ring.

If you want to use the inbuilt menu options to set the lenses as R lenses from that menu, you would need an adaptor with the 6 BIT coding and that brings up the 28-90 frame-lines.

 

That coding is actually Leica Camera property, which is why makers of alternate brand M mount lenses do not include it on their (otherwise free to duplicate) M mounts. That is often not mentioned in discussions of lens coding.

To amend; you can toggle the magnification ( with the button pressed) with the thumbwheel

[Delcredere]

Hmm... that PC lens is going to offer an interesting learning curve for you and then info for the forum. The image circle transmitted by a PC lens is quite large, and then the shifts you make select that actual field that hits the imaging rectangle (CMOS sensor in M240). I have no idea how the innards of the Novoflex adapter + M240 lens box line up with the Nikon equivalents that were assumed in the design of your lens. There are likely experts on the forum who can comment on this point knowledgeably. Have fun and patience!

 

In terms of coordinating the adapter, lens aperture and M240 light meter, you need to rotate the blue Novoflex ring over to the small circle (clockwise full stop when looking down on lens from above) in order to release the diaphragm lever. Be sure that your lens is disengaged from its Nikon auto-everything setting so that you are able to manually select aperture value. I would also practice focusing wide open to get started. I imagine that you need to shoot a few stops down with the lenses you mention, but in order to assess possible focus shift at smaller apertures, i would get a good baseline at the easiest focus setting = wide open.

 

I look forward to reading about your results.

 

Thank you so much for this kind and generous advice - the Leica Forum at its best! There is indeed a lot to get my head around and I am a self taught amateur that has to puzzle over what to others on this Forum is second nature. So I am a bit wary of giving feedback into the Forum less it be a dazzling display of mis-comprehension. That said I will do my best to be helpful and give back to the Forum once I have had a good go. I do not yet have the EVF (awaiting the resolution of the VF-4 compatibility issue) so am trying to work with Live View. Incidentally I got this 85 PC lense on the advice given by Ming Thein in the Q&A following his review of the M240, as I said I was interested in taking photos of wild flowers. Oh yes, and I have set the Lens Detection Menu at 90 f/2.8 11807/11808. So if any one thinks this is a mistake please say.

[Delcredere]

Please let me know how you get on with the OM 300 4.5. Spectacularly, I hope!

 

Subject to the caveat in my response on the PC, yes I will certainly give feedback on this Zuiko lens which I have held onto since 1984 when for one reason or another I stopped using my OM2 and a wide range of Zuiko OM system lenses that I acquired in the USA and still have, despite pressure on domestic space. I am so glad I did not let them go for the second hand pittance offered me!

[01af]

Please let me know how you get on with the OM 300 4.5. Spectacularly, I hope!

'Spectacular' is not the word I'd use ... but it's pretty good indeed.

 

I compared four 300 mm lenses on the M (Typ 240) via Novoflex adapters on a tripod at long subject distance (approx. 300 m/1,000 ft). The test candidates were Minolta MD Tele Rokkor 300 mm 1:5.6, Minolta MD Tele Rokkor 300 mm 1:4.5, Minolta MC Tele Rokkor 300 mm 1:4.5, and Olympus OM F.Zuiko Auto-T 300 mm 1:4.5.

 

At f/5.6, to my surprise the lowly MD 300/5.6 is the best of the bunch, very closely followed by the OM 300/4.5. Third is the MD 300/4.5, and fourth, clearly trailing far behind, the MC 300/4.5.

 

At f/4.5, the MD 300/5.6 obviously is out, and the ranking of the remaining three lenses is as before: OM 300/4.5 first, MD 300/4.5 second (and by a wider margin than at f/5.6, mostly due to pretty strong lateral chromatic aberrations). The old MC 300/4.5 brings up the rear again; it's rather soft, compared to the others (more spherical aberrations).

[Delcredere]

I would switch lens detection off although if the screws of the mount are not over the detection strip, this will happen automatically. There is no need to correct these lenses in the camera.

The only problem you might encounter is that you get a "no lens attached"error. In that case you have a black mount and must put a thin silvery film on the mount to fool the detector strip.

 

I am very sorry I have only just spotted this post!

[Delcredere]

In terms of coordinating the adapter, lens aperture and M240 light meter, you need to rotate the blue Novoflex ring over to the small circle (clockwise full stop when looking down on lens from above) in order to release the diaphragm lever. Be sure that your lens is disengaged from its Nikon auto-everything setting so that you are able to manually select aperture value. I would also practice focusing wide open to get started. I imagine that you need to shoot a few stops down with the lenses you mention, but in order to assess possible focus shift at smaller apertures, i would get a good baseline at the easiest focus setting = wide open.

 

I look forward to reading about your results.

 

Please could you spell out for me what you mean by "Be sure that your lens is disengaged from its Nikon auto-everything setting so that you are able to manually select aperture value."? Apologies if this falls into the category of the b.....y obvious!

[Peter H]

'Spectacular' is not the word I'd use ... but it's pretty good indeed.

 

........

 

It was said more in hope than expectation, but I'm encouraged by your findings.

 

There are some very expensive lenses around in that sort of focal-length range, and some apparent bargains like the OM and some Nikkors also. Any opinions and experiences you or anyone else can share concerning these and comparable lenses is very much appreciated.

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Hallo,

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[wlaidlaw]

I am using Contax lenses all the time on my M240. I have an Adriano Lolli Contax CX/Y to LTM adapter plus a 28/90 LTM/LM ring coded as 110111, so I can access the R lens menu. Other than the weight of the lenses, which takes a bit of getting used to (28-85/f3.3 Zeiss Vario Sonnar, 300/f4 Zeiss Tele Tessar plus Mutar 2X extenders type I and II), these lenses work very well on the 240. Once you have a neoprene dot on the zoom button, focusing becomes as much second nature as using the RF. I decided not to buy the 300/f2.8 Contax APO Tessar, which although a wonderful lens, is extremely heavy and expensive (over £5,000).

 

Wilson