Universal screw mount adapter

[WPCello]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I have an MDa that I use with a Visoflex.  I would like to mount a couple of my screw mount lenses from time to time using my Nikon (sorry) multifocal finder.  Is there  a universal adapter available?  I see most adapters for sale listed for specific lens, e.g., 90mm.  I assume that has to do with rangefinder coupling.

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[romanus53]

You are right, the adapter is important for selecting the right lines in a rangfinder. As the MD has no such you can use any adapter but watch out if you need some space for unlocking the infinity-tab on the older screw-mount lenses.

[luigi bertolotti]

I have a Cosina Voigtlander adapter which has the cutout for SM lenses with infinity lock : it's very fine and well built : I am not sure it is still available as new (Cameraquest lists only  Rayqual adapters - no cutout but with indents for 6 bit coding) ; anyway, also the old original Leitz adapters can be found searching around.

 

 

[earleygallery]

The adaptors are marked for pairs on lenses, i.e. 35/90 and will bring up the relevant viewfinder frame lines (if appropriate for the camera in question). Otherwise they’re all the same and have nothing to do with the rangefinder mechanism. 

Edited February 22, 2019 by earleygallery

[farnz]

On 2/22/2019 at 10:51 PM, earleygallery said:

The adaptors are marked for pairs on lenses, i.e. 35/90 and will bring up the relevant viewfinder frame lines (if appropriate for the camera in question). Otherwise they’re all the same and have nothing to do with the rangefinder mechanism. 

35/90?  Typo?  Not a Leica rangefinder pairing as far as I know, James.🙂   For the OP's benefit, the RF frame line couplings are:

28/90

35/135

50/75

Pete.

[Stein K S]

A question on the side... I have an old original screw mount adapter... with a cut out that makes the adapter only partially cover the lens detection sensor in the M- mount. Do I need to worry about the sensor?

[romanus53]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

vor 17 Minuten schrieb Stein K S:

A question on the side... I have an old original screw mount adapter... with a cut out that makes the adapter only partially cover the lens detection sensor in the M- mount. Do I need to worry about the sensor?

No, the adapter will do his job and lens-detection is off. If you don't need the cut-out for infinity-lock you may use one with 6-bit-coding (as I do). Some cheap ones are not useable due to raw aluminium or missing the right position for rf-coupeling and proper read-out of the 6-bit-coding depends on the color you use, the sensor for this doesn't accept all.

[Ecar]

2 hours ago, romanus53 said:

No, the adapter will do his job and lens-detection is off. If you don't need the cut-out for infinity-lock you may use one with 6-bit-coding (as I do). Some cheap ones are not useable due to raw aluminium or missing the right position for rf-coupeling and proper read-out of the 6-bit-coding depends on the color you use, the sensor for this doesn't accept all.

Indeed.

If you use an M10, worth mentioning as well is the fact that, if the 6-bit sensor is not covered (ie, the adapter has a cut-out), you will get a "no lens mounted" message that will prevent you from using LV/EVF.

Also, Kenko makes LTM to M adapters with a smaller cut-out than the original Leitz (or Voigtlander) ones, but they are not cheap and are hard to find.

[Stein K S]

11 hours ago, Ecar said:

Indeed.

If you use an M10, worth mentioning as well is the fact that, if the 6-bit sensor is not covered (ie, the adapter has a cut-out), you will get a "no lens mounted" message that will prevent you from using LV/EVF.

Also, Kenko makes LTM to M adapters with a smaller cut-out than the original Leitz (or Voigtlander) ones, but they are not cheap and are hard to find.

Hi and thanks!

I do use an M10. And I will use a lens with infinity lock. It should be added that I rarely use LV and I do not own an EVF. So these two drawbacks represents no issue for me ;-)

So my initial question was more about the consequence of the M10 sensor getting very dirty or ¨damaged¨ by being exposed over time? It seems that no worry about this has been expressed in this thread, but thanks for all feedback anyway.

 

Regards, Stein

[romanus53]

vor einer Stunde schrieb Stein K S:

So my initial question was more about the consequence of the M10 sensor getting very dirty or ¨damaged¨ by being exposed over time? 

My experience with digital Leica is that you can not avoid some dust on the sensor anyhow. Worst was using some old Telyt with focusing-grip and Visoflex. A rocket-blower will become your best friend or at least your camera's😉

[Ecar]

3 hours ago, Stein K S said:

Hi and thanks!

I do use an M10. And I will use a lens with infinity lock. It should be added that I rarely use LV and I do not own an EVF. So these two drawbacks represents no issue for me 😉

So my initial question was more about the consequence of the M10 sensor getting very dirty or ¨damaged¨ by being exposed over time? It seems that no worry about this has been expressed in this thread, but thanks for all feedback anyway.

 

Regards, Stein

You are welcome.

Actually, not all lenses with infinity lock require the LTM->M adapter to feature a cut-out. It all depends on how low the focus ring and the lock are positioned on the lens barrel - I have a few that easily clear the edge of the adapter ring.

Never had an issue with the 6-bit sensor itself getting damaged or dirty on any of my digital M's. Sometimes (very rarely), I clean them with a piece of clean cloth - typically the corner of my shirt...