Moving to M?

[varjag]

Okay, I've been Contax/Kiev user since my involvement with RFs began a couple of years ago, but suddenly find myself looking on that other system, you know, with lenses turning the wrong direction.

It started last week, when my Contax bounced down a stair flight, shortly followed by me. To its credit, camera had no major damage and rangefinder didn't went out of adjustment. Looking at the fresh dents, however, I started pondering on getting an extra body. After browsing ebay for nth time I actually realised that I want something different than essentially a clone of the same camera.

A moment of weakness I admit. Also, you guys here with all this Leica talk didn't help.

So, within a couple of months I plan getting an M3, M2, or M4 body (what our bartender refers to as "Plain Janes") in good mechanical and cosmetic condition, in sub-$900 range. But what I would like to know: those of you that have Contax-M adapters, do you find it hard to switch between "adapted" and native lenses?

 

[Rafael]

It started last week, when my Contax bounced down a stair flight, shortly followed by me... I started pondering on getting an extra body.

Camera or human?

Good luck with the search.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Rafael... you're wicked!

Sorry, Eugene... I can't be of much help here. Try playing with a Leica body and lens structure in a store. Either you'll get hooked, or you may resist (which happened to me the first time).

 

[davidbivins]

I can't answer your specific question about adaptation, but I can tell you that the transition from screwmount Leica-like bodies to the M series was very easy. I bought a couple of adapters and a 40mm CV lens for my CLE and was almost in heaven. Then I desired to be battery-less and bought a pair of M4s that I knew might need some work. I couldn't be happier. The M4 is so simple and elegant and its weight is perfect for hand-held photography for me.
I have to say, though, that a perfectly working Leica III just arrived and I can't put it down. If you want to get your feet wet with a much less expensive "system," you might want to try it. I buy what's cheap and I'm rarely disappointed. Having the patience to scour the Internet and wait can be worth it if money is an issue. And if you buy wisely, you can always sell anything you get and doesn't suit you with little to no loss on your end.

 

[ruben]

This thread is waiting for FERIDER, not the only expert Leica conouscieur here, but certainly one with elaborated skills on how to make the transition for a few cents.

In case he doesn't show by self determination, I propose you Eugene to track him via PM.

Just my 2 cents ( & not enough to go M)

 

[varjag]

Thanks for advices folks!

It's not that I haven't touched Ms yet. I played with MP, M8, M6 and M4 that I found locally. I definitely like how the cameras feel and operate. Looks-wise I liked the black MP most (no big news here), but surprisingly the silver M4 (first version I believe) was the smoothest and quietest in operation. Very nice exterior and clean finder, so if it stays around I might as well pick it for $800-something the seller asks.

But, I found that when they have lens mounted I inadverently attempt to focus it in the "wrong" direction. Now I wonder how long it might take to overcome the habit..

 

[ferider]

This thread is waiting for FERIDER, not the only expert Leica conouscieur here, but certainly one with elaborated skills on how to make the transition for a few cents.

In case he doesn't show by self determination, I propose you Eugene to track him via PM.

Just my 2 cents ( & not enough to go M)

Somebody called me ? My ears were ringing ...

Eugene, I think you will get used very quickly to the focusing direction. Plus it's nice to focus and have the aperture ring stay in place, which happens with most Leica mount lenses. Then there is the aperture direction as well, some
lenses (Nikkor, typically) are different from others.

WRT focusing adapter, it's a mixed bag. Most of the ones you can buy on ebay for US 200-250 will not work out of the box close up, wide-open, if you try to use a Sonnar 50/1.5 or 85/2, and they might not mount the Biogon at all. But you might be lucky, some work (check out Gabriel's 85/2 portraits, he sure has a good one). Also, the adapter will only bring up one frameline pair, typically the 50mm one.

One of my reasons to use Leica bodies is the large amount of lenses available in LTM. And you can get Lenses that behave very similarly to your Contax lenses. For example, a Canon 50/1.5 is a very good substitute for a Sonnar 50/1.5. Or the Nikkor 85/2 for a Sonnar 85/2. Or the J-12 for a Biogon.

You might also consider getting a ZI body, or a Bessa to start with. Most ZI users are very happy. There is no bad M-mount body out there ....

Or you could get a Contax mount Bessa and stay with your Contax lenses ...

The body is about usage comfort and lens compatibility. Nobody but you can decide what's best for you.

Best,

Roland.

 

[ruben]

Dear Roland,
kindly allow me to blur the issue a bit. For me, for my wallet which is uncontrolled by my personality, going M would be an updated version of Eve eating the apple of evil.
Cheap entry through Ferider's door, then unaffordable monthly rent after hooked. But you are right, this is just me.

Cheers,
Your friend.

 

[peter_n]

Eugene I moved from Nikon SLR to Leica M and it took awhile to get used to everything being reversed on the Leica lenses from Nikkor.

I would not like to use the two together however - too confusing (as least for me).

 

[ferider]

Dear Roland,
kindly allow me to blur the issue a bit. For me, for my wallet which is uncontrolled by my personality, going M would be an updated version of Eve eating the apple of evil. Cheap entry through Ferider's door, then unaffordable monthly rent after hooked. But you are right, this is just me.
Cheers,
Your friend.

Dear Ruben,

(not the snake talking): I agree with you. The sheer amount of LTM lenses available can become expensive. And I haven't even talked about Leitz lenses, I refer to Magus for that. And, even worse, it can distract from photography. But there are other apples, too, Zuikos, for instance

Roland.

 

[varjag]

Thanks for the info Roland.

Hmm, I was hoping for that HK adapter actually, bad news if it has focusing problems :bang:

I looked into Bessa bodies, but decided to go for Leica. The plan however was to gradually replace Contax mount glass with CV and Zeiss lenses, but if the adapter proves problematic I don't know

 

[Magus]

Post deleted by posters request

 

[furcafe]

I started w/Contax RFs & have used them, along w/Nikon RFs, together w/LTM & M Leicas (& Leica copies) for about 6 years. YMMV, but the difference in focus direction has never been a problem for me. It may help that I regularly use a variety of cameras, & so don't become too accustomed to 1 system or the other.

I have 3 Contax RF-Leica adapters: a modern copy of the Japanese Orion, which is Contax RF-LTM, a British Cook & Perkins internal mount adapter, which is 50mm Contax RF-LTM, & 1 of the new HK adapters, which is Contax RF-M mount (50mm frameline). Only the Cook & Perkins has the Leica focus direction. IME, which is contrary to what Roland has apparently experienced, the HK adapter appears to be calibrated to be accurate @ close focus only (I believe they are made from old Kiev helicals & are not adjusted for the difference in focal length between a Contax/Kiev "50mm" lens & a Leica "50mm"). However, in practice, this isn't a problem for me as I rarely shoot landscapes, etc. @ infinity & when I do, I tend to use small enough apertures that DoF covers any inaccuracy. For me, the biggest drawback to the HK adapters is that they are M-mount only & not LTM, which not only limits the number of bodies they can be mounted on, but also prevents you from choosing your own framelines.

But what I would like to know: those of you that have Contax-M adapters, do you find it hard to switch between "adapted" and native lenses?

 

[varjag]

Magus, unfortunately can't say the same. It's not that Contax direction feels natural to me, but more like a habit.

Furcafe, thanks for sharing your firsthand experience.. perhaps I'll give HK adapter a try after all. I too don't shoot for infinity (and wide open at that) all that often. Framelines is an issue, guess I should opt for a body with preview lever..