Leica LTM 42x1 adapter for ltm cameras

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses

nico

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Hi,
I'd like to buy THIS adapter to mount 42x1 wide lenses on my BessaL, but I'd like to have your opinion about some doubts I have:
1. Is it worthwhile?
2. What are good lenses wider than 50mm in 42x1 mount?
3. what about viewfinders? I already have the one for the CV 21 and I like it except for the size that makes the camera unpocketable ... i like the 28/35 CV minifinder.
Suggestions and comments are welcome.
Many thanks.
Nico
 
I am not sure Leica thread is 39 x1. It is close, but not exactly. If I recall some Japanese tried to make 1 mm pitch mounts and they did not fit.

Sorry I don`t remember details, but this will jog somebody`s memory
 
To my knowlege anything that says "Pentax" is going to be pretty good. Likely there were exceptions, but that brand produced some excellent optics in M42 mount.
As for an adapter, maybe Cameraquest has one?
 
to the last of my knowledge, camera quest did not have one. I purchased one of these adapters on ebay a while back to use on my bessa L. my whole intent was to be able to use inexpensive wide angle lenses on the camera, instead of having to pay 250 and up for a single lens.

another thing of concern, aside from the pitch mentioned before, is that you have to make sure that the adapter is suited for allowing infinity focus (I can't read italian so I dont know what all of his details state.)

if the adapter doesnt allow for infinity focus, then dont bother, as the scale focusing will be off and you'll be guessing left and right.
 
First of all, the Leica screw mount has an unusual pitch of 26TPI, at first Canon thought it was 1mm and made cameras and lenses to that measurement, now known as the J mount, which of course did not play well with the genuine Leica items.

Then, looking at the item photograph, it seems like a reproduction of the same item by Novoflex; I have one, and it works well. I have one for fitting Minolta lenses too and I use it for fitting the Minolta 16/2.8 on the Bessa... very weird indeed!

Since the thickness of reflex cameras are greater than the standard Leica measurement there should be no hardship in reaching infinity.

But I do not see it a viable idea to spend money on one unless you have already got a number of suitable lenses in reflex mount.
 
Wide SLR lenses unfortunately tend to be larger and slower than RF lenses of the same focal length, and they're not RF coupled either. The retrofocus design also takes a toll on optical quality, with the only benefit as likely more even illumination of the whole film area. If the idea is to save money, it'll come at a price, and you might be better off shopping for older used RF lenses.
 
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