Stu W
Well-known
A year or so ago I remember reading that a bunch of you guys were putting together a project to use Kiev mounts adapted to Leica bodies? Whatever happened to that project? Stu
Contax to Leica Adapter Project?
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harry01562
Registered semi-lurker
I also inquired quite some time ago. At that time the project was on hold, and I guess it never got off the ground. They were talking about using SK Grimes, and I don't know if his death had an impact. His shop is still open, but I have not heard glowing remarks, as I did when he was alive.
The adapters are available from several sources, of course, but very expensive. Again, some are problematic in use. Much depends on the quality of the original mount used, but the final machining must be VERY precise. I'm not certain if it can be done at a reasonable cost. I'd love to use my 50/1.5's on my M3, but they may just live on Contax bodies in my lifetime.
If you know of a machinist/designer who could assist in the project, it would be a big obstacle overcome.
Harry
The adapters are available from several sources, of course, but very expensive. Again, some are problematic in use. Much depends on the quality of the original mount used, but the final machining must be VERY precise. I'm not certain if it can be done at a reasonable cost. I'd love to use my 50/1.5's on my M3, but they may just live on Contax bodies in my lifetime.
If you know of a machinist/designer who could assist in the project, it would be a big obstacle overcome.
Harry
Stu W
Well-known
I think JoeFriday purchased an adapter based on the Kiev mount recently, and he is very happy with it. As far as Grimes goes, I emailed them several times about a small machining project I needed done and they never returned my mail. I called them and got a voicemail. I too would like to use my Zeiss glass on the Leicas. Oh well. Stu
I believe the project is dead, or at best on a long term hold.
Good news is that there are a couple venders now offering adaptors on ebay and the closing prices of them have gone down a little.
Good news is that there are a couple venders now offering adaptors on ebay and the closing prices of them have gone down a little.
taffer
void
There are a couple sellers out there who have them regularly for auction, but for me the best part was that the original idea was to build a Contax to LTM adapter, while the ones you can find usually are Contax to M mount only.
There are too many good LTM Sonnar design lenses out there as to worry too much about the adapter. It sure was a great idea, but in the end, it couldn't be.
There are too many good LTM Sonnar design lenses out there as to worry too much about the adapter. It sure was a great idea, but in the end, it couldn't be.
Paul T.
Veteran
Unfortunately the gentleman who was making the prototype was ill - in fact i haven't heard from him for some time, I'll have to email to see how he is - and had to withdraw from the project. Since then, a number of sellers have used our idea, namely to make the adapters from Kiev parts. If anyone is prepared to loan us an adapter that we know to be good, it is still possible for us to get a quote from SK Grimes (or one of their competitors) to make up a limited run. We did have around 40 subscribers, which I'm sure would translate to at least 10 orders, which could bring the price down.
JoeFriday
Agent Provacateur
I'd probably be willing to loan my adapter in exchange for a reduced-price 'spare' once production began
