Novoflex Leica R lens adapters :(

[dkCambridgeshire]

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During a recent late afternoon / early evening photo trip i.e. at 18.00hrs, when using an R 80-200/4 via a Novoflex LET/LER lens adapter on the SL 601, I immediately noticed severe flare on the monitor. I had previously noticed flare /ghosting, particularly during e.g. London West End nocturnal photo trips, but had assumed was maybe due to ineffective lens hoods. The more recent experience was due to the lowish Sun shining directly onto the LH side of the camera / lens. Wrapping a neoprene pouch around the Novoflex adapter and securing it with rubber bands remedied the flare - but rendered the camera/lens quite awkward to use.    On arriving home I tested the LET/LER 'light-tightness' by shining a torch onto the mating interfaces between several R lenses and the Novoflex adapter; it was immediately very noticeable that there was a light leak - i.e. flare/ghosting visible when moving the torch whilst observing the live view images seen on the monitor.  I then tested another Novoflex adapter i.e. the NEX/LER used with my Sony A7SII and Leica R lenses. Similar flare was again noticeable. Light is leaking through both the mating joins and the spring loaded securing nipple and button. I have other 'R' lens adapters i.e. Chinese manufacture, and the first one tested using torchlight also leaks light 'at the join' i.e. the interface between the R lens and the adapter. This torchlight test replicates what happens when the Sun is at 90º to the camera / lens .. and also e.g., in London's West End when adjacent bright street illuminations hit the camera / lens from the side.  When the flare / ghosting was very apparent a few days ago, the 80-200/4 plus SL 601 was mounted on a tripod / gimbal when photographing bank voles … when was necessary for the combination to be used at 90º (ish) to the Sun during a 2 hour observing / photo session. The light leak also explains previous incidences of low contrast images.  The 'torchlight' method is a quite severe test of an adapter's light-tightness. I'm now experimenting with various means of 'sealing' the adapter/lens join. Rubber bands offer only a partial solution. A light-tight strip of fabric (black velour) wrapped around the join and secured with rubber bands blocks/reduces the leak … but it's rather too awkward to secure and then remove. Internet research shows that other  photographers have also experienced light leaks when using adapters ( including Novoflex adapters)  … and that using elastic 'hair bands' can prevent leaks. It's now an ongoing 'project' to establish the best means of preventing the leaks. I have more early evening / low Sun, wildlife projects planned using R lenses on the SL and plan to buy a selection of elastic hair bands of various thicknesses / widths - and try and establish which (if any) are most effective as 'light baffles'. 

dunk  

Edited May 25, 2019 by dkCambridgeshire
typo

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[dkCambridgeshire]

A friend has suggested trying a narrow section of bicycle tyre 'inner tube' … thus another potential remedy. Whatever is tried, it must enable visible use of the lens' aperture ring. 

dunk

[bags27]

Thanks, Dunk. Good (if annoying) to hear, as I have one, and will be on the look out. I have recently gone to a cheap R-->M coupled with the Leica brand M-->L , and that seems fine with the same lens.

[dkCambridgeshire]

10 minutes ago, bags27 said:

Thanks, Dunk. Good (if annoying) to hear, as I have one, and will be on the look out. I have recently gone to a cheap R-->M coupled with the Leica brand M-->L , and that seems fine with the same lens.

The light leak was not apparent every time the lens was used … it's apparent in the more extreme situations i.e. when strong light is 'incident' to the join … rather than 'grazing' the join. And it happened with several different R lenses. 

dunk

Edited May 25, 2019 by dkCambridgeshire

[dkCambridgeshire]

Light leaks remedied by cutting 8mm widths , 23cm lengths of (1) self adhesive Velcro and (2)  self adhesive black Velour (as used for light baffling telescope interiors)  … and sticking them together to create a 23mm band … secured around the lens adapter circumference by adding to one end a shorter 6cm length, 8mm width of self adhesive Velcro velvet. Now back in business and planning to photograph a family of foxes using R 80-200/4 (with, and without, Leitz R 2x APO extender) on both the SL 601 and Sony A7SII cameras. The Velcro band fits both Novoflex adapters i.e. the LET / LER and NEX / LER … and the narrow 8mm width enables lens aperture ring operation.  

dunk 

Edited May 25, 2019 by dkCambridgeshire
typo

[cpclee]

Do you have an official Leica-made adapter to test?  Though I’m somehow under the impression that Novoflex make those on behalf of Leica.

[dkCambridgeshire]

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^^^ I only have the regular Novoflex adapters … without the ROM contacts. They are all made by Novoflex.   

dunk