Convert a Retina IIIc lens to Leica M mount

[Platinum RF]

Helped by a friend I have converted a Retina IIIc Schneider 50mm f2 lens to a M mount lens. The craftsmanship is excellent, parts are well made. It took me few months to find a Kodak Retina IIIc with good lens and few months on waiting list to get the lens converted.

 

[Livesteamer]

Lovely work. Will this give you a higher flash synchronization? Joe

 

[Jamie Pillers]

Love to see some pictures made with the lens when you get a chance. Thanks.

 

[Platinum RF]

Lovely work. Will this give you a higher flash synchronization? Joe

No the shutter has been removed

 

[flavio81]

Sacrilege!!

 

[xayraa33]

What a marvellous idea!

Now one can use those great Schneider lenses on a reliable camera.

 

[raid]

I have the much smaller Schneider 50/2.8 in M mount. The performance is wonderful.

 

[Platinum RF]

Here is s shot from Leica M6, retina Schneider 50mmf2 and Ilford HP5+

 

[scigeek]

As an exercise in ingenuity this is great.

For all practical purposes it's no better than some Leica glass, and it has destroyed another quite important lens (from a historical perspective) in the process.

It reminds me of the guy who wired up an old Leica thread mount camera and converted it to digital. He destroyed an old camera for the sake of very average digital shots - we would consider them poor by today's digital standards - to show it could be done.
Sorry to be harsh, but that's what I think.

 

[Platinum RF]

No need to worry about historic value, there are plenty of Kodak Retina IIIc on the market (ranged from $0-50 US dollars), the film advance rack parts is difficult to find (a common problem for Retina), so you either have a paper weight on your display cabinet or bring the lens back to life in this digital age.

As an exercise in ingenuity this is great.

For all practical purposes it's no better than some Leica glass, and it has destroyed another quite important lens (from a historical perspective) in the process.
Sorry to be harsh, but that's what I think.

 

[flavio81]

No need to worry about historic value, there are plenty of Kodak Retina IIIc on the market (ranged from $0-50 US dollars), the film advance rack parts is difficult to find (a common problem for Retina), so you either have a paper weight on your display cabinet or bring the lens back to life in this digital age.

But why?
There are plenty of very good 50mm lenses for the Leica.

The Kodak Retina IIIc is a unique animal, far more compact than a film leica (due to the collapsable design), and very refined. To junk a Kodak Retina to take out the lens is, in my view, rape, vandalism!!

 

[Platinum RF]

But why? When the Retina IIIc's cocking rack is broken the camera IS USELESS. No parts are available. In my view M conversion gives the dead Retina IIIc a new life for its lens.

But why?
There are plenty of very good 50mm lenses for the Leica.
The Kodak Retina IIIc is a unique animal, far more compact than a film leica (due to the collapsable design), and very refined. To junk a Kodak Retina to take out the lens is, in my view, rape, vandalism!!

 

[Fuchs]

As an exercise in ingenuity this is great.

For all practical purposes it's no better than some Leica glass, and it has destroyed another quite important lens (from a historical perspective) in the process.

It reminds me of the guy who wired up an old Leica thread mount camera and converted it to digital. He destroyed an old camera for the sake of very average digital shots - we would consider them poor by today's digital standards - to show it could be done.
Sorry to be harsh, but that's what I think.

I find this instead to be a viable option to reload my otherwise unusable advance-rack-impaired Retina IIc Xenon's life. Will give a try at it. Thanks to the OP for the inspiration.

 

[David Murphy]

Wow very nice work. The Retina lenses are far better than the Retina bodies themselves (consumer grade stuff that has not held up too well), and now you have an excellent and unique Leica lens!

 

[andrewmore]

Retina cocking rack is easily available from Micro Tools Europe at modest cost. I'd repair the Retina myself, especially if it has a good lens.

Regards

Andrew More

 

[Moto-Uno]

If camera flea markets around here are any indication, Retinas are
rather plentiful. Peter

 

[Fuchs]

For me, It gets down to usability. Changing ergonomics between bodies is a PITA, IMO. But sharing different lenses on the same camera body allows to take advantage of the lenses different characters without having to also switch 'mindsets' at the time to operate the cam body.

 

[raid]

I used the Schneider 50/2.8 with a Leica M9 here:

 

[Platinum RF]

Not available in USA Micro-tools website, only in European website

Retina cocking rack is easily available from Micro Tools Europe at modest cost. I'd repair the Retina myself, especially if it has a good lens.

Regards

Andrew More

 

[David Murphy]

I used the Schneider 50/2.8 with a Leica M9 here:

Lovely shot raid