Helios 58/2 LTM on Leica M10 with a viewfinder?

[Alex Krasotkin]

Guys, shall I have focusing problems using Helios 58/2 LTM on Leica M10 with an LTM-M adaptor and viewfinder? Min focus distance would be shorter then 0.5, or the same?

many thanks,
Alex

 

[retinax]

Does such a thing exist? Maybe you're thinking of the M39 Zenit mount. That has a different register from ltm (focus would be way beyond infinity), and the lenses aren't rangefinder coupled anyway. So yes, big time focusing problems.

 

[p.giannakis]

I've never heard of a 58f/2 LTM version either. Please post some pics if possible.

 

[krusander8M]

For proper focusing, you would need an extension tube. There is a soviet m39 set of 4 macro extension tubes, one of them is for mounting m39 SLR lenses on rangefinder cameras

 

[Alex Krasotkin]

Guys, flange focal distance (FFD) is different. The FFD of old Helios-44 is the same as in all M42 bodies - 45.5 mm. Looks like there are 2 solutions how to use this type of Helios on Leica :
1) to use a M39 ring adapter 16,7mm thick - to compensate FFD length, as Grisha said above.
2) to use Leica M to M42 adaptor (I have one from Novoflex) + M39 to M42 adaptor.

 

[peterm1]

If you have the 39mm version of the Helios designed for old Russian SLR cameras such as the Zenit it has virtually the identical flange distance as an M42 lens (it is very slightly different). It needed this because the Zenit has a mirror box hence the lens must be mounted further forward than with Leica 39mm lenses do.

The best way forward in this instance is an M42 to Leica M mount adapter (these are available on eBay - https://www.ebay.com/itm/M42-to-LM-...021315?hash=item1ee2ad3643:g:becAAOSwfHJbF1Ua ) plus a 39mm to m42 mm adapter ring as per this eBay ad.https://www.ebay.com/itm/1PCS-M39-t...451e82fab690cf21ef1d|ampid:PL_CLK|clp:2334524

Mount the adapter ring on your lens and then mount the lens with that ring in place on your M42 to Leica M Mount adapter and then mount these on your camera. The lens you have will then behave almost exactly as if it is an M42 lens though it will be very slightly off at infinity. (This usually does not matter as if you are focused at infinity most times you will be stopped down somewhat and the depth of field makes up for the discrepancy.
Also this does not matter if you are using the Leica accessory electronic finder - of course the above does not work with rangefinder focusing.

 

[Alex Krasotkin]

Dear Peter, many thanks for your detailed advise. I will follow it!