ironringer Posted January 10, 2014 Share #1 Posted January 10, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) Could the knowlegeable Leica users please explain the different sizes of adapter rings, for using screwmount lenses on M cameras? I believe there are 2 or 3 sizes of these M adapters and don't know why a single size is not OK for all screwmount lenses. Is it because screwmount lenses need to be mounted at slightly different distances (with different-thickness adapters) from the M body? And, are genuine Leica M adapters recommended (better) compared to generic adapters? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 10, 2014 Posted January 10, 2014 Hi ironringer, Take a look here Explain screwmount to M adapters?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
doubice Posted January 10, 2014 Share #2 Posted January 10, 2014 There are not 3 different ‘sizes’ of these adapters rather, there are adapters which activate different frame lines in Leica M bodies. One of the lens’ bayonet lugs mates with a lever in the Leica M body and as you lock the lens in place, the lug moves the lever to a position which brings the appropriate frame line(s) into view. The lug for the 35/135mm lines is the shortest, as that is the default position for the frame lines - when there is no lens attached to the camera, those two frames will display. The 50/75mm lug is slightly longer and the 28/90mm one is the longest. The adapters work the same way as Leica M lenses so, if you have 50mm thread lens, the correct adapter for it would be one for 50mm lenses. Theroretically, an adapter for a 35mm lens could be used as well - it would provide correct focus but, would not activate the correct frame line for the 50mm lens. A simple explanation - the adapter works the same way as a bayonet mount lens by activating the frame line for the lens it was designed for. Generally speaking, genuine Leica adapters are better than their generic Chinese or Japanese equivalents. However, with the advances in machining technology, a well-made generic adapter should work just as well as the original Leica one. Don't forget that the original Leica adapters have not been produced for close 40 years..... Cheers from an ex-Montrealer, Jan 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted January 10, 2014 Share #3 Posted January 10, 2014 Jan explanations are excellent as always... I add just an observation about Leica (Leitz, better to say) original adapters : they were very well made, and also engraved with the focals length they were made for, i.e., the frames they activate into Viewfinder ; this makes them the best to use for classic film M cameras : BUT, in the context of the modern line of Digital Leica Ms, the original Leitz adapters can have an important issue : most of them have a cutout along the external diameter (made to avoid interference with the focusing knob of some LTM lenses) , and this cutout is coincident, when adapter is mounted, with the area of the lens mount in which the digital Ms have the 6-bit code sensors : this definitely prevents the lens auto lens recognition on digital Ms... the adapter simply cannot be coded : on the contrary, most of the modern 3rd party adapters don't have this cutout (and many of them have also the milled recesses for 6 bit coding). On the Leica M 240 the "classic" adapters with cutout not only do prevent 6 bit coding, but also inhibit the usage of Live View functionality... the light leak caused by the cutout "fooles" the reading system and Liveview simply cannot be activated. In conclusion, to use LTM lenses on a digital M is generally better to have a well made 3rd party adapter. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc_braconi Posted January 10, 2014 Share #4 Posted January 10, 2014 .In conclusion, to use LTM lenses on a digital M is generally better to have a well made 3rd party adapter. And use the ones whith 6bit coding milling, after that for those lenses with the infinity locking just screw on the lens on the adapter in the unlocked position. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
UliWer Posted January 10, 2014 Share #5 Posted January 10, 2014 ....On the Leica M 240 the "classic" adapters with cutout not only do prevent 6 bit coding, but also inhibit the usage of Live View functionality... the light leak caused by the cutout "fooles" the reading system and Liveview simply cannot be activated.In conclusion, to use LTM lenses on a digital M is generally better to have a well made 3rd party adapter. Good advise to prevent that the versions of original Leitz adapters, which do not have the cutout, disappear completely because everybody wants them The original 9cm-adpater without cutout is not too difficult to find, because most did not have the cutout; here the version with cutout, which you need for the 1:5.6/2.8cm Summaron is rather hard to find. The original 3,5cm-version, which works for 13,5cm as well is rather rare without cutout, though it exists. But I have never seen the version for 50mm without cutout. Does it exist at all? I fear, it doesn't, for your needed the cutout to use the focussing knob for the 5cm Elmar. BTW: do you really use LiveView and/or coding for screw-mount lenses? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc_braconi Posted January 10, 2014 Share #6 Posted January 10, 2014 Some examples there but not exaustive, different shapes and engraving the first one in the second raw is engraved 21 - 35 for the M2 ! the last on the right of the first raw is specially fitted for a lens with the same s/n Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/219917-explain-screwmount-to-m-adapters/?do=findComment&comment=2506119'>More sharing options...
UliWer Posted January 10, 2014 Share #7 Posted January 10, 2014 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) It seems that your collection doesn't show one without cutout for 50mm (only for 9omm and 135mm). Edited January 10, 2014 by UliWer Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted January 10, 2014 Share #8 Posted January 10, 2014 ... BTW: do you really use LiveView and/or coding for screw-mount lenses? .... I love my Summarex 8,5 cm .... LV (not coding) is a good fit for it... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
UliWer Posted January 10, 2014 Share #9 Posted January 10, 2014 On a Summarex you can use the 90mm adapter - usually without cutout. Does Liveview or the electronic viewfinder help you to focus it more easily than by rangefinder? When I got the Summarex I was sure that i'd never be able to focus it wide opened with th M9. Though to my surprise I found it easier than with a 75mm Summicron - the very long focus throw is essential, even if it slows you down. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted January 10, 2014 Share #10 Posted January 10, 2014 (edited) On a Summarex you can use the 90mm adapter - usually without cutout. Does Liveview or the electronic viewfinder help you to focus it more easily than by rangefinder? When I got the Summarex I was sure that i'd never be able to focus it wide opened with th M9. Though to my surprise I found it easier than with a 75mm Summicron - the very long focus throw is essential, even if it slows you down. Hum... hard to give a definite answer, having M+EVF from December 30th (evening...) . but was one of the factors that intrigued me about M240... so made (or, batter to say, am making when time allows) some field test with Summicron 90 wide open (I haven't yet a LTM adapter for Summarex) : my feeling, at the moment, is that it is useful on static situations... if you have to act quickly, RF is still better... with usual difficulty to nail focus when you work with 90 at f 2... And, it is definitely better than Visoflex with 200 & over... provided that you don't use EVF magnification... 5x and moreover 10x give highly unstable image in the EVF, not surprisingly (and this applies to 90 and 135 too) Edited January 10, 2014 by luigi bertolotti 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironringer Posted January 11, 2014 Author Share #11 Posted January 11, 2014 Thank you Leica users for explaining to a new Leica user the LTM (lens) to M (body) adapters. The trigger of the correct viewfinder frames is obvious now that I see it written, but since I do not have an M body (only my IIIf), I have much to learn about the M family. You also provide good advice about future use of the old (but good quality) screwmount lenses on modern digital M cameras. My son (a documentary film maker in Berlin) uses an M8 for his photography, and at Christmas bought a lovely, black, little-used M9 that Montreal's Leica specialist dealer (Camtec Photo) had received on trade. So I will look for the most-useful M adapter rings for him to experiment with my lenses on his modern cameras, during his visits. My next equiry - about Leica cases - will come soon. I appreciate this Forum and the opportunity to learn from many Leica people around the world. Enjoy photography in 2014, some of it with film! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc_braconi Posted January 12, 2014 Share #12 Posted January 12, 2014 my feeling, at the moment, is that it is useful on static situations... if you have to act quickly, RF is still better... with usual difficulty to nail focus when you work with 90 at f 2...And, it is definitely better than Visoflex with 200 & over... provided that you don't use EVF magnification... 5x and moreover 10x give highly unstable image in the EVF, not surprisingly (and this applies to 90 and 135 too) I agree, use the TXBOO for the EVF Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/219917-explain-screwmount-to-m-adapters/?do=findComment&comment=2507418'>More sharing options...
ironringer Posted February 2, 2014 Author Share #13 Posted February 2, 2014 And use the ones whith 6bit coding milling, after that for those lenses with the infinity locking just screw on the lens on the adapter in the unlocked position. Could Mr. Braconi or others who have used 1950s screwmount lenses (specifically the 5 cm Elmar and Summitar, with infinity-focus knob) on a modern M8 or M9 camera, suggest the proper modern adapter rings (with 6-bit coding area, and allowing the LiveView to function) to purchase? Product ID, dealer or eBay seller names would be useful. Thank you for your suggestions. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc_braconi Posted February 2, 2014 Share #14 Posted February 2, 2014 You have a PM Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cridge Posted October 10, 2014 Share #15 Posted October 10, 2014 You have a PM Dear JC Braconi I too would appreciate your advice regarding the most appropriate LTM to M adapters for the M 240. Thanks in advance. DC Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Jim Posted September 22, 2023 Share #16 Posted September 22, 2023 Hi I know this is a very old thread but I have a related question. I have a Summitar mounted with an adapter on my M2. this results in the focus knob being set to infinity being at just past the 6 o’clock position (almost directly under the lens) and the middle arrow of the distance setting being slightly off center looking down at the lens. Is this normal ? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB_tx Posted September 22, 2023 Share #17 Posted September 22, 2023 (edited) 1 hour ago, Big Jim said: Hi I know this is a very old thread but I have a related question. I have a Summitar mounted with an adapter on my M2. this results in the focus knob being set to infinity being at just past the 6 o’clock position (almost directly under the lens) and the middle arrow of the distance setting being slightly off center looking down at the lens. Is this normal ? Sounds correct: ltm Summitars have the focus tab at the "7:00" position (clock face - looking at it from the front) and had the index at about the "1:00" location (left of top center as you hold for shooting) as many lenses were used with accessory viewfinders in the shoe over the lens, which would block view of the scale if it was directly on top. Older ltm lenses originally had the focus tab lock at the "11:00" position, but when the model III body came out it had the slow speed shutter dial on the front of the camera and would interfere with the tab, so they moved it to "7:00" on lenses after about 1932. Adapters may have a bit of variation on positioning, but should be close to these locations. I have a 1939 Summitar that came on a 1955 M3 a friend sold me, and though uncoated the lens gives nice images. I also have a 1948 Summitar from an aunt's IIIf that is an outstanding lens. Edited September 22, 2023 by TomB_tx 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pyrogallol Posted September 22, 2023 Share #18 Posted September 22, 2023 Sounds normal to me. Infinity catch at about 7 o’clock when viewed from the front. Centre line of depth of field/focussing mark offset to the left when looking down on the top of the camera from the normal shooting position. As said, so that something in the accessory shoe doesnot block the view of the focussing mark on the lens. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Jim Posted September 22, 2023 Share #19 Posted September 22, 2023 7 minutes ago, Pyrogallol said: Sounds normal to me. Infinity catch at about 7 o’clock when viewed from the front. Centre line of depth of field/focussing mark offset to the left when looking down on the top of the camera from the normal shooting position. As said, so that something in the accessory shoe doesnot block the view of the focussing mark on the lens. Thanks. I see 7 o’clock but the centre line is slightly on the right looking down. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB_tx Posted September 22, 2023 Share #20 Posted September 22, 2023 25 minutes ago, Big Jim said: Thanks. I see 7 o’clock but the centre line is slightly on the right looking down. Here is the normal orientation of a Summitar with adapter on an M3: Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/219917-explain-screwmount-to-m-adapters/?do=findComment&comment=4862453'>More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.