question about flash adapter for Leica m (m2/m3)

Leica All Day

Leica All Day

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Hello everybody....I am going to be using my studio lights again and I am in sort of a bind....My m6ttl is with Sherry K getting fixed now....

my problem is, I can't use my strobes with my m2/m3 because I need a flash adapter( the plug thing that goes in the back of the camera so I can attach my sync cord)...I asked the local Leica guy (Eddie) if he has one and he told me that he would pick me up one in Hong Kong, well I just found out that there isn't any in Hong Kong (that or he forgot to get me one)....

I realize that I can order one from the states from B&H or another store... but I thought that I would ask here first...is there another way around it...maybe use something different like an additional hot shoe on the camera and then plug my sync cord into that...

any suggestions besides the obvious of ordering one from the states......If all else fails, I can use my Nikon FM but I only have 2 lenses for it (50mm and 135mm)...or/ and I can use my Hasselblad...but I prefer to use my Leica because of the lenses that I already have for it....thanks in advance for any suggestions...

just to be clear..the plug on my sync cord is smaller than the hole on the back of my m2/m3....

cheers, michael
 
Michael,

Instead of the M3/2 socket adapter, have your local camera repair technician change the M3/2 socket over to the standard M4 PC type.

He must unscrew the old M3/2 socket and cut the center tip (shown in the following image):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/utoutokumasan/2436798370/

and install M4/6 parts:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=82826

A trick learned from Bob Shell.

Regards,
RLouzan

--------------------------------------------------------------------
WTB: 35mm f3.5 W Komura, W Acall Kyoei, Telesar or Accura ltm lens.
Please send PM with details. 😀
--------------------------------------------------------------------


 
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thanks guys for the info....it looks like I am out of luck for the time being.....I am going to ask Sherry K. if she has an adapter that she can send me along with my m6ttl that she is fixing at the moment.....(save on shipping)

Thanks Rlouzan for the the tip about changing the socket over but I am not sure that someone here in Bangkok can do that.....also, I think the adapter might suit me better because I can then use it on my m2 and my m3 if need be.....as for now, I am going to use my Nikon in the studio and just work with what I have....

thanks again.....cheers, michael
 
If you ever get work done on the camera it's a good idea to get the X socket changed. No need to change both because flash bulbs are rarely used anymore.
 
thanks Al....that is a good tip.. I wish I would of thought about that before....my m2 has been to Youxin twice this year so far....I would of had him done it...but like I said, it didn't cross my mind.....I sometimes use a flash on my m6ttl and well, the m2 and m3 are pretty new to me (I got them both 11 months ago, a week before we met in Miami).....

well, hopefully, I won't have to send my cameras for any more repairs anytime soon (it's been a bad year for camera repairs for me), but if I do, I will have the socket changed.....

cheers, michael
 
Hello Payasam....thanks a lot for the offer.....

fortunately, RLouzan emailed me earlier today and told me that he has an extra one and is willing to ship it to me here in Bangkok..very cool of him and very cool of you for the offer......

Guys like you guys make this site so awsome......

on another note...I might be headed to Delhi/Calcutta (Kolkata) in 3 weeks....I have 2 weeks off during the Christmas/New Year holiday and I decided not to go back to the states and visit the family and (drink coffee with Al in Miami)....I am searching now for tickets to India....2 weeks is awfully short for a trip to India but I wanted to shoot (finish) a project....if I get everything organized, I will send you a PM...maybe we can hang out in Delhi if you have time...

A big thanks to you and RLouzan for helping me out....

cheers, michael
 
That's cool, Michael. Go check out India and visit with Mukul. I'll manage to keep busy through the holidays without you. One interesting thing I'm looking forward to doing over the holidays is photographing a woman that I last photographed back in 1968 and haven't seen since! Her husband was googling her maiden name and ran across some pictures on my blog.
 
Michael, I did not make an offer: I meant to tell you where you could get an adapter.

I am +91 9873553167 and uthappam AT gmail DOT com. If you are averse to adolescent canines, please do not visit.
 
Hello Payasam......sorry, my mistake about that......I have been to Delhi 7 or 8 times in the last ten years...I love it....if I go, I will send you a PM and see what's up....

cheers, michael
 
If you're willing to spend some money, straight cables are better than cords with adapters. Paramount will build you one with the M2/3 plug on one end and any sort of connection you want on the other end. You can even specify the length, from a short 18" cord to one 15' feet or longer.

You might be able to find an original (or old after-market) cord made for the Leica M2/3 connection, either on-line or in a real honest-to-goodness camera store. If you are really lucky, you could find one with the right kind of connection you need on the other end. Over the last three years, I've found three cords with "household" plugs on the other end, each for less than $20. These are a good solid connection, and they plug directly into some strobe packs- and with cheap adapters, they'll work with just about any other flash unit.

Modifying your camera to PC sync isn't a bad option, especially if you are sending the camera in for service anyway, but the original plug as it was designed is still a better flash connection, and even a custom cord might be a cheaper way to go.
 
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[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica]Step-by-Step Modification: [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica](No need to remove the top plate😎)[/FONT]

[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica]1) Remove old M3/2 PC outlet with a rubber jar opener 😉 or homemade plexiglass flexiclamps (Diameter: 10mm and 8mm). [/FONT]

2) Use some painters tape to fill the hole,except the brass center post.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jon_pritchard/3369077502/
(Just the PC outlet)

[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica]3) Use a scalpel or Dremel Tool😱 ,at the lowest possible speed, to cut the old M/2 brass center post - so it is flush or nearly flush with the base of the cavity.[/FONT]

[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica]4) Remove tape and clean thoroughly.[/FONT]

[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica]5) Screw in the new M4 PC outlet🙂.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica]http://www.dagcamera.com/leica_m.htm[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica]Item N. DAG[/FONT]M145 PC outlet complete for M4 $30

6) Test camera with standard PC cord😀 .

Please use eye protection if you do this.


-------------------------------------------------------------------
WTB: 35mm f3.5 W Komura, W Acall Kyoei, Telesar or Accura ltm lens.
Please send PM with details. 😀
--------------------------------------------------------------------


 
Last edited:
Leicaflex synch covers are the same as the M4 and later rangefinder covers, except they come in pairs molded in one piece, a thin strand of plastic seperating them. I'm not sure about now but the pair of Leicaflex covers and the single M4 cover used to be the same price. Of course that thin strand isn't quite long enough to use on an M. Just cut the covers apart flush with the plugs.
 
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