Cliff S Posted August 4, 2015 Share #1 Â Posted August 4, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) With the new 'M' on the horizon with a potential AF system, do you think the existing line of M lenses, of which I have more than a few, can be fitted with an AF motor or will they be forever manual? Â The Q viewfinder is so sharp I can focus manually much faster than the M240. So I'm assuming the new VF or LCD will be at least as sharp but I really love the speed and accuracy of AF on the Q. If my lenses can be fitted with an AF motor on a new model, I'd put my order in now to be #1 on the queue! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 4, 2015 Posted August 4, 2015 Hi Cliff S, Take a look here Converting M lenses to AF. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
jaapv Posted August 4, 2015 Share #2  Posted August 4, 2015 Very simply utterly impossible. And there is no indication that there will be an AF-M. There are just whisperings of a new full-frame AF camera system that may take existing M lenses, most probably through an adapter. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted August 4, 2015 Share #3  Posted August 4, 2015 Possibly, something along these lines could work - I'm not sure that it would very efficient or popular though....   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! 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/248580-converting-m-lenses-to-af/?do=findComment&comment=2866172'>More sharing options...
digitalfx Posted August 4, 2015 Share #4 Â Posted August 4, 2015 Possibly, something along these lines could work - I'm not sure that it would very efficient or popular though.... Â LOL. Its 1980 again. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
digitalfx Posted August 4, 2015 Share #5  Posted August 4, 2015 With the new 'M' on the horizon with a potential AF system, do you think the existing line of M lenses, of which I have more than a few, can be fitted with an AF motor or will they be forever manual?  The Q viewfinder is so sharp I can focus manually much faster than the M240. So I'm assuming the new VF or LCD will be at least as sharp but I really love the speed and accuracy of AF on the Q. If my lenses can be fitted with an AF motor on a new model, I'd put my order in now to be #1 on the queue!  Although anything is possible...this is a silly idea. The beauty of M lenses is the compactness. An AF motor attached would be hideous and far from desirable. A new lens would be required. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 5, 2015 Share #6  Posted August 5, 2015 Although anything is possible...this is a silly idea. The beauty of M lenses is the compactness. An AF motor attached would be hideous and far from desirable. A new lens would be required. This has to be attractive proposition to Leica. A complete set of Autofocus lenses to run alongside the existing manual lenses.For as long that is that manual lenses sold? If you listen hard the tills are already getting ready to ring. Lots of people inc myself are not keen on an autofocus M , but their will be plenty of buyers. Just had a thought, what it it I like about my LX100 other than it was half the price  of a d Lux 109, Thats right great results and just point and shoot. BrianP Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted August 5, 2015 Share #7 Â Posted August 5, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) I wish there was a really good manual focus on my digital Nikons. Â Sure I can do it, but it is painful. Â I was waiting on an M with hybred cpl rf & digital rf. Â Now I think the Q is the basis of an interchangeable lens machine on the same basic body. Â So now do I pick up an M or just give up? Â I have zero interest in electronic VF. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom0511 Posted August 5, 2015 Share #8 Â Posted August 5, 2015 With the new 'M' on the horizon with a potential AF system, do you think the existing line of M lenses, of which I have more than a few, can be fitted with an AF motor or will they be forever manual? Â The Q viewfinder is so sharp I can focus manually much faster than the M240. So I'm assuming the new VF or LCD will be at least as sharp but I really love the speed and accuracy of AF on the Q. If my lenses can be fitted with an AF motor on a new model, I'd put my order in now to be #1 on the queue! I dont think so and I prefer the rangefinder over EVF when focusing manually - at least for 50mm and wider. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjh Posted August 6, 2015 Share #9  Posted August 6, 2015 Now I think the Q is the basis of an interchangeable lens machine on the same basic body. Why would Leica base a camera with interchangeable lenses on a compact camera? The fixed lens is a key element in the design of the Q. Wouldn’t it be more logical if they did base it on one of the three existing systems/mounts (unless they decided to create something from scratch)? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeftyS Posted August 6, 2015 Share #10  Posted August 6, 2015 Why would Leica base a camera with interchangeable lenses on a compact camera? The fixed lens is a key element in the design of the Q. Wouldn’t it be more logical if they did base it on one of the three existing systems/mounts (unless they decided to create something from scratch)? First of all, the Leica-Q is NOT a compact camera, it is a Leica with a central shutter and a EVF. But is this central shutter part of the fixed optics or not ? If Leica could propose a body with an EVF and a central shutter built into the body + a M-mount, all M-optics could be used with manual focusing. And in my opinion this is what Leica affic are waiting for Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjh Posted August 6, 2015 Share #11  Posted August 6, 2015 First of all, the Leica-Q is NOT a compact camera, it is a Leica with a central shutter and a EVF. What has the shutter and the EVF got to do with anything? A compact camera is a camera with a fixed lens, i.e. ‘compact camera’ and ‘system camera’ are antonyms. The Q is a compact camera.  But is this central shutter part of the fixed optics or not ? It better should be. Decades ago there was the Pentax Auto 110 that featured a central shutter in the body but I rather doubt anyone would use such a design nowadays. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted August 7, 2015 Share #12  Posted August 7, 2015 I don't for one minute think we will see autofocus M lenses, as much as anything, the power required to move the heavy lens barrels rules it out.  The sole attraction of the Q to me is that it hints at the possibility in the future of a more compact M camera (and to avoid splitting hairs, I know M stands for Messsucher and such a camera wouldn't have one). So...  1. Take the Q, dump the lens, AF and shutter 2. Add an M lens mount and focal plane shutter  In effect, you have M240 functionality in a more compact form, losing the traditional viewfinder and rangefinder and relying instead on LiveView through an EVF or the rear LCD.  The Q shows Leica is getting better at making compact (not in Michael's defnition of the word) cameras and removing the rangefinder and lens coupling allows the lens mount to be mounted a few mm further forward from the camera body and reduce the thickness of it.  [background: one of the challenges with the Digital M has always been maintaining the precise relationship between focussing roller position relative to the lens mount plane and the consequent distance at which the rangefinder becomes coincident. Remove the need to do that - or at least simply sense the cam is moving for focus assist activation - and you lift a design constraint which could lead to a more compact M.]  Still Michael's more in the know than I am so we will wait and see. The deep discounting of the 240 may be partly due to the depreciation of the Euro but may also point to a new camera around the corner. An M camera in the form factor of the Q? Yes please. A Leica CL in all but name... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaques Posted August 7, 2015 Share #13 Â Posted August 7, 2015 how about if you had a camera where the sensor moves to achieve focus? I guess would work best the old infinity lock lenses... this seems to be about the only way M lenses could become AF. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted August 7, 2015 Share #14 Â Posted August 7, 2015 I think moving the sensor would be a major problem, not least keeping it square to the optical axis and the distance it would need to move for close focussing. Besides, some Leica lenses change their configuration as focussing distance is changed which would not then happen. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bernie.lcf Posted August 7, 2015 Share #15  Posted August 7, 2015 Moving the body (film) rather than the lens for focusing is a concept used in large format photography and implemented by Contax in the Contax AX 35mm SLR camera. The Contax AX was introduced in 1996 and based on my memory, the focusing actually worked surprisingly well as in: surprisingly fast. Similar to the Minolta SLR I was using during those days.  The key challenge in the AX was the requirement to move the entire mirror assembly together with the film. Consequently there is only about 10mm of moving distance available. Normally, a Contax lens would be focused to infinity and then you'd let the AX do its magic. With longer lenses (> 180mm) you'd need to prefocus manually (on the lens) and only then let the AX do what it does - otherwise the amount of movement available in the camera body (film) will not be enough for the camera to focus. On other issue are floating elements as used in the 11663 Leica Summilux 35. These take care of sharpness at close distance and they'll move based on the distance set during manual focus. In the case of a Contax AX, they'd be ineffective as the lens is set to infinity. The floating elements would not kick in. Consequently, as with longer lenses you will need to pre focus floating element lenses before engaging the Contax AX focusing mechanism in order to make use of the positive effect of floating elements.  For a potential future Leica, the concept might be worth investigating. As we don't deal with an SLR camera, we don't have a mirror and mirror box to move together with the sensor. Only the sensor needs to be moved on one axis (not including any desired stabilization). Precision should not be an issue as modern in-body stabilizer solutions move the sensor around in multiple axis and we still get excellent results. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Photon42 Posted August 7, 2015 Share #16  Posted August 7, 2015 I can see the Q becoming the start of a new interchange lens camera line from Leica. Whether or not that will be the end of the M digital line as we know it today, remains to be seen. They still produce film cameras, obviously due to some demand. Even my local Leica head shop did actually sell some M-As.  New AF lenses, and an adapter to use M legacy glass. Someone told me that the T-Mount could fit a full-frame sensor. Maybe that's an option. Leica would be able to sell lots of new lenses.  The body form factor of the Q for me is just perfect, along with the weight, by the way. The film Ms were about right in size, M8/9 were stretching it, M 240 still a tad more. I think this is the wrong direction. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
prk60091 Posted August 7, 2015 Share #17  Posted August 7, 2015 Moving the body (film) rather than the lens for focusing is a concept used in large format photography and implemented by Contax in the Contax AX 35mm SLR camera. The Contax AX was introduced in 1996 and based on my memory, the focusing actually worked surprisingly well as in: surprisingly fast. Similar to the Minolta SLR I was using during those days.  The key challenge in the AX was the requirement to move the entire mirror assembly together with the film. Consequently there is only about 10mm of moving distance available. Normally, a Contax lens would be focused to infinity and then you'd let the AX do its magic. With longer lenses (> 180mm) you'd need to prefocus manually (on the lens) and only then let the AX do what it does - otherwise the amount of movement available in the camera body (film) will not be enough for the camera to focus. On other issue are floating elements as used in the 11663 Leica Summilux 35. These take care of sharpness at close distance and they'll move based on the distance set during manual focus. In the case of a Contax AX, they'd be ineffective as the lens is set to infinity. The floating elements would not kick in. Consequently, as with longer lenses you will need to pre focus floating element lenses before engaging the Contax AX focusing mechanism in order to make use of the positive effect of floating elements.  For a potential future Leica, the concept might be worth investigating. As we don't deal with an SLR camera, we don't have a mirror and mirror box to move together with the sensor. Only the sensor needs to be moved on one axis (not including any desired stabilization). Precision should not be an issue as modern in-body stabilizer solutions move the sensor around in multiple axis and we still get excellent results. i do not recall the minolta you are referring to... do you remember the model i would be interested in finding one to play with (i have some old minolta glass stored away) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted August 8, 2015 Share #18 Â Posted August 8, 2015 how about if you had a camera where the sensor moves to achieve focus? I guess would work best the old infinity lock lenses... this seems to be about the only way M lenses could become AF. For a 50 mm lens you would need 12 mm extra thickness, for longer lenses much more. I can hear the screams of outrage... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.