adapting slr lenses to an RF

[Peter^]

I've just noticed that NOVOFLEX offers adapter rings for e.g. Olympus OM lenses on a Leica M body:
http://www.novoflex.com/de/produkte/objektiv-adapter/adapterfinder/

Can this be done? I've got a couple of old OM1 lenses around, and would love to use them on my RF. But how does the focusing work?

- Peter

 

[Roger Hicks]

Dear Peter,

Scale focus only, except (allegedly) with a very few designs where the mount is coupled and you transfer the reading from the mount to the lens. I've never seen one of the latter.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Peter^]

Roger, thanks. That's what I suspected.

 

[M like Leica M6]

For wide angle lenses this works fine. I used an 18mm Nikkor on my M6 for a while.

May I come in with one more question?

Someone sold me a lens for a low price.... an offer I could not resist. It has a Rollei QBM mount.

It's a Voigtländer Color-Skoparex AR 1:4/21 mm, also known as Rolleinar MC 1:4/21 mm alias Auto Mamiya Sekor SX 4/21mm, a viable 21mm lens.

There are lots of adapters to use these lenses on EOS and (micro) fourthirds cameras.

Are there any adapters to use this on a Leica M? Focussing will not be a big deal, I will use the guess-o-meter ;-)

 

[Roger Hicks]

SRB-Griturn will make you one. Go for that mount to Leica screw (a lot cheaper) and then add an adapter.

Cheers,

R.

 

[jarski]

Scale-focus wide open (1.4) pretty hard with this kit, but its fun toy 😛

 

[ferider]

Dear Peter,

Scale focus only, except (allegedly) with a very few designs where the mount is coupled and you transfer the reading from the mount to the lens. I've never seen one of the latter.

Cheers,

R.

The bartender used to sell the latter type. I still own the M->OM version:

Still hoping to use it with a 21/2 one day ....

Roland.

 

[Roger Hicks]

The bartender used to sell the latter type. I still own the M->OM version:

Still hoping to use it with a 21/2 one day ....

Roland.

Dear Roland,

Ah, I thought I remembered that. Thanks for the information and the illustration. I only heard of Stephen's version after I 'invented' it independently and (unsuccessfullly) tried to persuade SRB to make them. Wish I'd bought a Nikon F version when they were available, though I guess it's just as easy (and a lot cheaper) to use my 'non-coupled' version and either guess or use a separate RF.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Bobbo]

Roger's right on the scale focusing (That's a "duh" comment if I've ever made one...).

I've seen some for Nikon F to Leica M on eBay. I just wish I could find a Nikon F to LTM for my IIIf. A 17mm Tamron or Tokina in Nikon F-mountis what I have my eye on for an UWA lens. Even with an $800 Leica finder, you still come out, what, about $2k ahead 🙂. One of the Zenitar Russian fisheye lenses could be fun, too.

EDIT: If you find the Voigtlander RD-1 finder for the 12mm lens, that will work for a finder, so I could come out, what, $2700 ahead over a Leica lens? Heheh...

 

[M like Leica M6]

I just wish I could find a Nikon F to LTM for my IIIf.

You probably look for a Novoflex LEINIK adapter: Nikon F lens on M39 body, I think this is what it does. I have the Nikon F lens on M body version. They are very good.

 

[jarski]

M8 & Nikkor 50/1.2 test shot. wide open, focus @ 1 meter 🙂

 

[Sonnar Brian]

The Nikkor 50mm lens is close to the Leica standard, at 51.4mm or so. Many 50mm SLR lenses are closer to 51.6mm than 50mm.

It would be possible to build an RF cam onto the Nikkor lens and use it coupled with the RF.

 

[Bobbo]

You probably look for a Novoflex LEINIK adapter: Nikon F lens on M39 body, I think this is what it does. I have the Nikon F lens on M body version. They are very good.

That is exactly what I was looking for, until I looked at the price at B&H ... 😱 $300 to attach a $100 lens to a $150 camera. $300 will buy an awful lot of Tri-X.

Looks like I'm making one out of an old Nikon extension tube... 😀

 

[Tom A]

I have the "transfer" version of the Leica SLR and Nikkor SLR lenses to Leica Rf. Not that fast to use - but the 180f3.4 Apo-Telyt on a M and focussed at infinity is rather spectacular.
I have used a 28f3.5 Nikkor SLR lens on my M's with good results - just stop down and estimate the distance - some misses - but also some good, sharp images.
tried the Nikkor f1.2 - mostly misses, I have to admit! Not much depth of field there to cover up the mis-judgements!
You can use the Micro-Nikkors on the M's by simply measuring distance and use it @ f22. Kind of nice macro set up. I have also stuck the 55f3.5 Micro Nikkor on a Leica Bellows/Visoflex III rig for some truly close-ups!

 

[Livesteamer]

Don't forget that many of the slr lenses are big enough to block part of the finder when mounted with an adapter. Joe

 

[Sonnar Brian]

The Nikkor 24/2.8 adapted to the M8 using an non-coupled adapter.

http://rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=91783&highlight=nikkor

 

[L. M. Tu]

I have the old Canon-made rings needed to mount Nikon and Pentax M42 lenses on Canon FD bodies, as well as the one needed to mount FD lenses to Leica screw bodies, so that gives me a tremendous choice of lenses to put on Leicas. Wide-angle optics only, of course, considering the requirement for zone focusing, but still plenty of fun, and many of those old Nikon, Canon and Pentax lenses are both good and cheap. Now I just need a collection of VC viewfinders for focal lengths from 15mm through 35mm!

 

[jarski]

my photo project for weekend. M8 & Nikkor 24/2.8 (probably similar to Brian's in link above)!

M8 viewfinder covers pretty much 24mm lens, judging from widest frame lines in the finder + focusing should be easier with such lens...