ferider
Veteran
Encouraged by Brian, I finally tried what we discussed several times in the past: modifying an LTM Nikkor 50/1.4 to focus down to .7m on an M.
Most Nikkor 50/2 and 50/1.4 LTM lenses focus down further, but decouple an M RF at around 3ft. The lens cam keeps moving, but the LTM mount of the lens stops the camera's RF cam. All you need to do to get closer focus is file a gap into the LTM mount.
Here are some pics:
0) remove the lens from the focus barrel by opening the spanner ring in the back.
1) put on your LTM/M adapter and mark with a Sharpy where the camera's cam will go.
2) remove the adapter, and file down a gap where you did the mark. Do this while the lens is set to the closest focus (to get the cam out of the file's way). You can check visually how much you have to file down, by moving the lens back to around 2.25 ft focus distance, where cam and mount ring should be parallel. The gap should have smooth corners so you can keep using the lens on LTM cameras.
Here is a Before/After picture:
Here with the M adapter on:
And here the new minimum focus position:
Cheers,
Roland.
PS: I put this post in the M section since I find it specific to M bodies.
Most Nikkor 50/2 and 50/1.4 LTM lenses focus down further, but decouple an M RF at around 3ft. The lens cam keeps moving, but the LTM mount of the lens stops the camera's RF cam. All you need to do to get closer focus is file a gap into the LTM mount.
Here are some pics:
0) remove the lens from the focus barrel by opening the spanner ring in the back.
1) put on your LTM/M adapter and mark with a Sharpy where the camera's cam will go.
2) remove the adapter, and file down a gap where you did the mark. Do this while the lens is set to the closest focus (to get the cam out of the file's way). You can check visually how much you have to file down, by moving the lens back to around 2.25 ft focus distance, where cam and mount ring should be parallel. The gap should have smooth corners so you can keep using the lens on LTM cameras.
Here is a Before/After picture:
Here with the M adapter on:
And here the new minimum focus position:
Cheers,
Roland.
PS: I put this post in the M section since I find it specific to M bodies.
Last edited:
Wow! I can see everyone pulling out their files for this!
Thanks for the detailed pictures.
Just to add- be very careful of filings getting into the Helical.
Thanks for the detailed pictures.
Just to add- be very careful of filings getting into the Helical.
ferider
Veteran
That's right. After using the file, blow away the filings with compressed air before moving the helical.
Cheers,
Roland.
foto_fool
Well-known
File hell - I'm clamping the shop vac next to the lens and getting out the Dremel with the tungsten bit! 
Roland and Brian - thanks for the tip.
Roland and Brian - thanks for the tip.
ferider
Veteran
Somebody asked me for a more detailed picture of what exactly I did. I changed the first picture in the original post. Best,
Roland.
Roland.
Excellent. Now I wish I hadn't sold my Nikkor!
Somebody sold a Nikkor! UNBELIEVABLE!
"You'll be sorry if you sell that Nikkor".
"You'll be sorry if you sell that Nikkor".
raid
Dad Photographer
I still have my Nikkor 5cm/2 LTM. It is a Sonnar, so it has to stay here with me.
The good news is that the sale went towards a Millenium Nikkor.
raid
Dad Photographer
Roland,
Do you offer such "services" to adjust Nikon lenses?
i just wonder.
Do you offer such "services" to adjust Nikon lenses?
i just wonder.
ferider
Veteran
Nope.
It's a curious world, Raid, isn't it ?
It's a curious world, Raid, isn't it ?
raid
Dad Photographer
Nope.
It's a curious world, Raid, isn't it ?
Roland,
Yes, this is a curious world. :bang:
It is OK to wonder though. :angel:
thomasw_
Well-known
haha, I just had an image of Roland getting numerous packages all from sonnar owners wanting this ,7 min. focus adjustment.
tbarker13
shooter of stuff
Just got my 50/1.4 Nikkor in the mail today. Going to try it out for a while. If I think it is one I'll keep for a long time, I plan to do this adjustment.
It's a beautiful lens, and actually smaller than I expected it to be.
It's a beautiful lens, and actually smaller than I expected it to be.
hans voralberg
Veteran
Sry if it's a naff question but, it focus correctly down to 0.7m after the mod ?
ferider
Veteran
Patch and focus scale match, I'll do some test photos on the week-end.
Roland.
Roland.
sanmich
Veteran
Wow!!
Great!
Now my guess would be that some old adapters are focusing only to 1m, while VC are down to 0.7m right?
Soooo, you just file the adapter.
And now, for the good stuff...
Try to adapt a DR summicron to a leica III and to get it focus correctly down to 0.5m
Thumbs up Roland!!
Great!
Now my guess would be that some old adapters are focusing only to 1m, while VC are down to 0.7m right?
Soooo, you just file the adapter.
And now, for the good stuff...
Try to adapt a DR summicron to a leica III and to get it focus correctly down to 0.5m
Thumbs up Roland!!
ferider
Veteran
Michael,
I can only recommend Leica adapters with the Nikkors. Always had problems with others, even CV adapters (do not align perfectly at infinity), I guess because the Nikkors have long throw. The Leica adapters don't need to be touched.
Best,
Roland.
I can only recommend Leica adapters with the Nikkors. Always had problems with others, even CV adapters (do not align perfectly at infinity), I guess because the Nikkors have long throw. The Leica adapters don't need to be touched.
Best,
Roland.
Roland, any photos yet? I've re-acquired a 50/2 Nikkor; thinking about this mod...
ferider
Veteran
Not yet, Robert. Tomorrow is my daughter's birthday, I might have some material then. I'll post as soon as I have something.
Roland.