M3 with LTM 35mm summaron question

[stvn66]

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Hi,

I have just purchased a 35mm adapter to use a 35mm screw mount Summaron on my M3.

It will not focus at under 6ft, the focus remains the same.

Is this normal?

Thank you

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[wizard]

vor 3 Minuten schrieb stvn66:

It will not focus at under 6ft, the focus remains the same.

Is this normal?

On the M3, every lens should be rangefinder coupled to focus to about 1 m (3.3 ft), after that the rangefinder cam of the camera will lose contact with the cam on the lens (you may be able to focus closer with the lens if the lens so allows, but you will no longer see any reaction in the camera's rangefinder system). The only exception are goggled 35mm lenses (those were specially made for use with the M3). Those goggled lenses are focus coupld down to 0.65m (2.1 ft), but will focus correctly only with the goggles.

[TomB_tx]

This was found here also - see: 

 

[jankap]

Of course, this is not normal. LTM lenses can be used up to 1 meter.

Has your Summaron being serviced: CLA (Clean, Lubricated, Adjusted) or repaired?

[stvn66]

17 minutes ago, TomB_tx said:

This was found here also - see: 

 

This link shows the screw should be at the 1pm position, mine isn't and has been CLA'd twice by the same repairer 😔

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[TomB_tx]

The alignment problem is the adapter: threads are cut at wrong orientation for the cutout on the back . Get a better adaptor - Leitz or Rayqual.

Here's my copy of that lens mounted on a Leitz adapter. Notice how the cutout area of the lens mount aligns with the cutout on the adapter where the camera roller moves when focusing:

Now here's a cheap copy adapter, where the lens is not aligned so the cam can enter the cutout on the lens:

[stvn66]

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11 minutes ago, TomB_tx said:

The alignment problem is the adapter: threads are cut at wrong orientation for the cutout on the back . Get a better adaptor - Leitz or Rayqual.

Here's my copy of that lens mounted on a Leitz adapter. Notice how the cutout area of the lens mount aligns with the cutout on the adapter where the camera roller moves when focusing:

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Now here's a cheap copy adapter, where the lens is not aligned so the cam can enter the cutout on the lens:

I think you have hit the nail on the head, this is a brand new adapter from K & F Concept and they have such good reviews.

Edited June 14, 2024 by stvn66
Wrong spelling

[TomB_tx]

The Summaron is likely the only model where this alignment is so critical - the adapter would likely work fine with other lenses,

[stvn66]

Does anyone know the part code for the Leica / Leitz 35mm lens M3 adaptor, I cannot seem to find it?

The Leitz (ISOOZ) I believe is for a 135mm LTM lens on an M3.

Thank you

[UliWer]

Since the M3 has no 35mm frames you may use the ISOOZ/14099 - though you get the 135mm frames with it as well. With the IRZOO/14097 you only get the 50mm frames which are the largest ones and you may use an additional 35mm finder (probably the SBLOO/12010).

[Anbaric]

56 minutes ago, stvn66 said:

Does anyone know the part code for the Leica / Leitz 35mm lens M3 adaptor, I cannot seem to find it?

The Leitz (ISOOZ) I believe is for a 135mm LTM lens on an M3.

Thank you

There were at least two variants of the ISOOZ, an earlier one with short cutouts that was intended for 135mm lenses on the M3:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/145784426842

and a later one with a single longer cutout that was intended both for 135mm lenses on the M3 and 35mm lenses on the M2:

https://wiki.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/ISOOZ

On later Leicas that have the 35mm/135mm frameline pair, either adapter will bring up both framelines. On the M3, either adapter will bring up only the 135mm framelines, since the 35mm framelines are absent. The issue is whether it matters which version you use with the Summaron and its infinity lock - the later version should be fine, not sure about the earlier one. Can anyone comment?

However, as UliWer suggests, the IRZOO might actually be a better choice on the M3. Although it's a '50mm' adapter, and will bring up the 50mm framelines on cameras where they are optional, like the M2 (or the 50mm/75mm frameline pair on later cameras like the M6), the 50mm framelines are always visible in the M3 finder. And this adapter won't bring up the irrelevant 135mm framelines like the ISOOZ would. This may be why Leica engraved later versions of the IRZOO 'M2 50   M3 28-50':

https://wiki.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/IRZOO

This implies it was their recommended adapter for 35mm lenses on the M3. It can't bring up 35mm framelines on this camera (you can approximate using the entire VF field, or use an accessory finder), but it doesn't bring up any extraneous framelines either.

If you also have an M2 or later, of course, you may want an ISOOZ for that camera. For the digital Ms, a 'Type III' Rayqual may be the best choice:

https://shop.cameraquest.com/leica-screw-mount-adapters/rayqual-24/35/135-6-bit-coded-leica-screw-mount-type-iii-leica-screw-mount-lens-to-leica-m-body-adapt

[stvn66]

You guys are all amazing, thank you so much for all this information 👏🏻

Edited June 14, 2024 by stvn66
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