Any interesting lenses you adapted to your CL?

[Guest]

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I have quite some fun adapting all kind of manual lenses to my CL. Here is my latest project:

I bought a brand new Schneider-Kreuznach M-Componon 4/80mm a few years ago in the bay for 50 Euro (!). This is a dedicated macro lens for magnifications beyond life-size that covers a large format negative. I finally adapted it to my Leica CL. The setup below consists of the following:

• Leica CL
• Leica adapter: Leica M to Leica L
• K&F adapter: Nikon F to Leica M
• K&F adapter: Pentax 67 to Nikon F
• Two Pentax 67 helicoids (32.2-52mm each)
• Adapter M39 to Pentax 67
• Adapter M29.5x0.5 to M39
• Schneider-Kreuznach M-Componon 4/80mm

I first tried a cheap M42 35-90mm focusing helicoid from ebay. However, the quality was not great, I got internal reflections from the sensor and the helicoid became too wobbly at full extension. Then I remembered the helicoids for the Pentax 67 system, which are extremely well made and prevent internal reflections. Luckily, I still had two of them in my Pentax 67 bagback. The resulting setup is very sturdy, nothing wobbles anymore. It works like a bellows made of metal. The setup is also much lighter than it looks. The Pentax 67 to Nikon F adapter has a useful tripod mount, which I used for the pictures below. 

The setup roughly yields magnifications from 1.1:1 to 1.4:1 depending on whether both helicoids are contracted or extended. I can achieve larger extensions using the M39 extension rings that come with the Leitz BEOON set.

Unfortunately, it is deepest winter here and we are in complete lockdown again. Outdoor pictures with this setup will have to wait. But I will take some pictures of stamps in the meantime in the coming days. Curious what kind of image quality I can achieve with this lens.

Here are two pictures of the setup in contracted and extended position. Sorry for the dust!

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Please show us your wildest adaptions.

[Guest]

Here is a quick shot of a stylus: 30 seconds at aperture 5.6, magnification exceeds 2:1 (about 1.1 cm in real life).

I added a Nikon PN-11 extension ring with tripod adapter. It turns out the tripod mount at the K&F adapter is rubbish (loose).

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Certainly not yet the best I can do.

And yes, I need to clean the stylus...

[ramarren]

That's a cool looking extension setup. I can get just shy of 3:1 (about 2.8:1 actually) with a setup using the CL + M Adapter L + R Adapter M + Focusing Bellows-R + Summicron-R 50mm. Here's the setup I use with that configuration to capture Minox 8x11mm negatives to digital: 

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At just short of 2:1 magnification (about 1.8:1 in this instance) this is what the neg looks like on the LCD of the CL:

That renders out to this after inversion and adjustment in Lightroom Classic: 

Another setup on the CL for close up work that I've used a bit is CL + M Adapter L + R Adapter M + 2x Extender-R + Elmarit-R 135mm. I can add extension tubes, or ELPRO series VII close up lenses, or the bellows to this too. For this shot, I used the 2x telextender and the 135mm lens only: 

That model is 1:43 scale and about 4" long (call it 105mm) so that's about 1:4.4 magnification.

I've been doing some macro work with the Hasselblad 907x recently as well. The big sensor allows for more coverage in the near 1:1 range, and more working distance using longer focal length lenses. I often use it with a Fotodiox Pro Leica R to X mount adapter, fitted with the Macro-Elmarit-R 60mm or the Focusing Bellows-R + one of several different R lenses. I made this photo 

using the 907x + XV Adapter + 21 + 55mm extension tubes + Planar 80mm lens . Here's a detail of the flower up against a mm scale: 

And a quick shot of the Hasselblad in this configuration for your entertainment: 

I've since added a couple more 32mm extension tubes to that kit, am considering a variable length extension tube, and would like to get a Hasselblad to Leica R or M mount adapter so I can use these same lenses with the CL body behind them. I find the Hasselblad V system lenses (80, 120, and 150 mm) make splendid close up lenses with excellent flatness of field and beautiful out of focus rendering off the critical focus plane. 

It's all fun stuff! `

[Einst_Stein]

There are much simpler solutions. You can get M39 to LL helicoid. Get the right max extension for your macro works.

I use Apo-Rodagon D 75mm f4 on Leica M240 to digitize films, but there is no helicoid with enough extension, so I use M39 to R adapter and R to M adapter with R bellows in between. 

 

 

[tommonego@gmail.com]

I have been having fun with this, sometimes I think to the detriment of my photography skills, too many options.

My current favorite adapted 105 Micro Nikkor f2.8

Another Makro (with the K) 40mm Makro Kilar f 2.8 Canon FD mount

11-16 Tokina f2.8, Nikon mount, big but a constant f2.8, adapter is a bit of a pain. 

Kodak Retina Schneider 28 f4 Curtagon (also use this on my M cameras) Retina to M mount then M to L mount

Kodak Retina Schneider 50 f1.9 Xenon (usually use my 50 Summicron) Retina to M mount M to L Mount

Schneider Componon 80 f4 on a slide duplicator to photograph negatives

From Leica:

200 f4 Telyt with TZOOn and M to L adapter

400 f5.6 Telyt Televit generally with just an M to L adapter but can focus closer by putting in a Visoflex head

Stuff I have tried: Nikon 55mm f2.8 Macro, Nikon 70-210 f4 zoom, both of these are early Nikon autofocus and their focusing rings are very narrow difficult to use manually, 200 f4 Canon FD, its OK by itself, Telyt is better, has tons of CA with a 2X adapter, Retina Schneider 135 f4, Ok but its closest focus is 12 ft, 400 Fern Kilar, works with TZOOn adapter but not as good as the 400 Telyt and no where as easy to use.

 

Edited July 8, 2020 by tommonego@gmail.com

[Guest]

8 hours ago, Einst_Stein said:

There are much simpler solutions. You can get M39 to LL helicoid.

Where can I get such a device in high quality? The cheap ones on ebay are pretty bad and none of them seems to go from M39 to LL. I guess I stay with the Pentax helicoids which are top quality.

[Einst_Stein]

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21 minutes ago, Joachim_I said:

Where can I get such a device in high quality? The cheap ones on ebay are pretty bad and none of them seems to go from M39 to LL. I guess I stay with the Pentax helicoids which are top quality.

As long as you are happy with it, there is no need to change.

I got mine from eBay. They work excellent to me. Try search with key words “m39 Leica l helicoid”

But you need to select the one with the proper extension according to your lens and need.

 

 

 

Edited July 9, 2020 by Einst_Stein