Newbie questions M6

[mrtoml]

I just got my first Leica (an M6 classic) in mint condition, but I have a couple of questions. Apologies if these have been asked before, searching didn't find any definitive answers.

First I have been using a Bessa R with LTM lenses which I am now going to keep as a backup body. All my lenses therefore are LTM so I bought Voigtlander adapters. I just put the 50 Nokton on the camera and the lens does not appear to line up properly (i.e. the dot at the top of the lens is rotated a little further than 12 o'clock which it doesn't do on my Bessa). Is this normal or will it cause any kind of focus problems? I got the .85 specifically to allow accurate focussing at wide apertures so I don't want this to be an issue.

Second does the camera take LR44 batteries. I have a batch of these, but they are not on the list in the camera's manual.

Thanks in advance.

 

[markinlondon]

This is not uncommon with CV lenses on M adapters, my 35 Ultron never lined up properly. The other adapters I used were spot on.
You can use LR44, SR44 or 1/3N batteries.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

I don't think the lens rotation may affect focusing at all. Probably the only way to cause some focusing problem would be if the rear element of the lens ended up either too close or too far from the film. If the base turns, as you describe it, on the adaptor... it shouldn't be a reason for concern.

Have fun shooting!

 

[SDK]

LTM lenses often don't line up in M-mount adapters. This is normal. I have a Nikkor 135mm that indexes at about 1 O'clock on M bodies, and a 85mm Jupiter-9 that is not as far off.

M6 cameras can take two LR44 batteries, or one 1/3N battery that is twice as thick.

 

[mrtoml]

Thanks everyone. That's good to know. I wasn't planning on having to buy more M mount lenses just yet. I'm going to test the camera out tomorrow.

Cheers.

 

[Steve Bellayr]

Good Luck...Great camera. I think it is the best. Keep us posted on the outcome with the LTM voigtlander lenses. I' thinking of getting one myself.

 

[peter_n]

Good luck with the cam! Some older Leitz lenses were designed to screw in to 1 o'clock so the user could see the focusing scale easily with a VF in the shoe on the top plate.

 

[maddoc]

Good luck with your camera and congrats to your purchase ! I just recently bought myself a M6 and like it a lot

About the misaligned CV lens, my Nokton 50mm f/1.5 (a nice combo with the M6 !) is spot on aligned but my Heliar 15mm f/4.5 is way off. Somewhere in this forum is a very nice "How-to-self-align" description (with pictures !) for the Heliar. It doesn't look to difficult but I didn't try it so far .. Anyway, here is the link: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30918

Cheers,

Gabor

PS: SR44 / LR44 batteries do the job.

 

[mrtoml]

Thanks, Maddoc. I think this seems to be a fairly common issue and most people say it makes no difference. I certainly don't want to start messing about with the screws on the lens. The lens is fine on my Bessa R.

I will try it out as is and see what happens. Maybe more lens focus tests will follow (sigh:bang.

 

[Leica Geek]

I have the same set up and the lenses work great.

 

[mrtoml]

seems OK so far

seems OK so far

Good Luck...Great camera. I think it is the best. Keep us posted on the outcome with the LTM voigtlander lenses. I' thinking of getting one myself.

The weather is not ideal for testing the camera. Heavy snow now for 2 days. My Heliar 75mm arrived today with another M adapter (thanks MCTuomey). I tried the Nokton on this adapter and it lines up perfectly (as does the Heliar) so there must be slight differences in the adapters even though they are both 50/75s and both by the same manufacturer.

Anyway here are some test shots. There are no problems so far with either lens or either adapter.

First two are Nokton 50 with Tri X rated 400ISO. Third is the Heliar 75 with Fomapan 200 rated 200ISO. Both developed in Prescysol EF.