Olympus OM lenses on Leica M bodies

[alandash]

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I noticed that someone is selling a converter for using the Olympus OM lenses on M3/M4, etc. They go for about $42.90 on Ebay. These are the lenses I used on the OM1, OM2, and OM4 film SLR. They seem to be made in China.

 

I wonder if they are safe to use, without damaging the M body, and if the focusing will still work. I also have the Olympus bellows and focusing rail, etc.

 

The device looks something like the Leica LTM to Bayonet converter.

 

Will appreciate comments.

Alan

[menos I M6]

I use a KIPON adapter for my 16mm OM fisheye to use on Leica M.

It works as advertised for such super wide-angle lenses.

I do not know, how precise they are in regards of retaining perfect infinity focus capability with lenses not as wide.

 

You will have to scale focus or use the EVF to focus, as there is no mechanical focus coupling.

 

first shots with 16 f3.5 Zuiko fisheye - shopping carts by teknopunk.com, on Flickr

 

first shots with 16 f3.5 Zuiko fisheye - cowboy hat by teknopunk.com, on Flickr

 

Many of the eBay prices for these are hopelessly overpriced - do your research before buying.

[plewislambert]

I paid about £25 ($37) for an adapter from China to fit Olympus mount lenses to my M9. I use it with a Tokina 17mm ultrawide in OM mount and it works very well. I mostly leave the focus on infinity and the aperture at f5.6 or f8. Depth of field is considerable. The resultant images are comparable to a Voigtlander 15mm, slightly less wide and without the need for Cornerfix or coding the lens as a Leica-equivalent. The viewfinder is from the CV15mm. The only disadvantage is that this lens plus adapter is quite big in the bag.

Leica lenses of this sort of focal length are sharper but the price is a deterrent.

 

I did try a 21mm f3.5 Olympus but could never get a sharp image (not usually a problem) and I sent it back to the dealer. I shall keep experimenting. Sadly I was outbid on a 19mm Leica R.

 

Philip

[exile]

I also use an OM->M adapter for a Zuiko 16/3.5 fisheye on M9. Scale focussing only, but it works once you get the hang of it.

[John Black]

If looking for a higher grade adapter, Novoflex makes ones, but it is pricey.

[alandash]

I paid about £25 ($37) for an adapter from China to fit Olympus mount lenses to my M9. I use it with a Tokina 17mm ultrawide in OM mount and it works very well. I mostly leave the focus on infinity and the aperture at f5.6 or f8. Depth of field is considerable. The resultant images are comparable to a Voigtlander 15mm, slightly less wide and without the need for Cornerfix or coding the lens as a Leica-equivalent. The viewfinder is from the CV15mm. The only disadvantage is that this lens plus adapter is quite big in the bag.

Leica lenses of this sort of focal length are sharper but the price is a deterrent.

 

I did try a 21mm f3.5 Olympus but could never get a sharp image (not usually a problem) and I sent it back to the dealer. I shall keep experimenting. Sadly I was outbid on a 19mm Leica R.

 

Philip

 

If I use this with early mechanical M cameras, like M3, M4 at normal focal lengths, such as 35mm and 50mm, will the native rangefinder still work accurately, or do I have to guess and use scale focusing?

Alan

[menos I M6]

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You will have to scale focus or use the EVF to focus, as there is no mechanical focus coupling.

 

 

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[plewislambert]

Lenses from slr cameras won't couple with a rangefinder as they don't have the cam the rangefinder needs. The adapter-mounts simply provide the spacing and the correct bayonet for the slr lens chosen. If you are using slr lenses on a digital camera having live-view on the rear screen or viewfinder you are in a much better position for getting correct focus.

Recently I bought a second Nikon to Leica adapter which was much too thin to focus. My first such adapter works very well on an M9 with my 28mm Nikkor PC lens. This provides up to 11mm shift in any direction. You need to stop well down if using shift.

Wide-angle slr lenses are easily focused by scale/guess but this is not the case with 35mm focal length lenses or longer unless you are very good at estimating distances or work only at small apertures. Try it.

Philip:)

[jankap]

If I use this with early mechanical M cameras, like M3, M4 at normal focal lengths, such as 35mm and 50mm, will the native rangefinder still work accurately, or do I have to guess and use scale focusing?

Alan

 

In that case it does not make sense. Adapters do not fit to your rangefinder.

Quessing and scale focussing will not make you happy.

 

If you have an M(240) ok, also with NEX, Ricoh-Mount etc.

Important in case of adapters is, that the infinity mark is reached.

I bought some from Rainbow-Imaging (fast delivery even to Germany!).

Jan