Inexpensive Chinese Contax Mount to LTM- Maybe a little work required.

I have bought 3 from this seller:


and 2 from this one:


I suspect the latter are "seconds", I had to polish down the RF cam on one of them "slightly". I did not mind- meant I could adjust the Cam and not the lens.
The other one- perfect for my Nikon 5cm F2 on the Leica.
That’s great. Although weird they say that it doesn’t activate the focus cam on the bodies. I guess maybe they just say this incase it doesn’t.

Another to add to the watch basket 🤣
 
I have bought 3 from this seller:


and 2 from this one:


I suspect the latter are "seconds", I had to polish down the RF cam on one of them "slightly". I did not mind- meant I could adjust the Cam and not the lens.
The other one- perfect for my Nikon 5cm F2 on the Leica.
Hey there @Sonnar Brian ! I am on the hunt for an adapter that will adapt my Nikkor H.C. 5cm f/2 Nikon S lens to my Leica M240. I noticed you might have the same lens and camera - what exactly do I need to make this happen? I am familiar with the Amadeo adapter, but would like to spend less if possible! Thank you in advance!
 
I hate to say it, but I bought the more expensive Amedeo adapter for my S mount lenses on my M 240 because the cheaper ones just don't work and can't be adjusted.

But it really really is worth it. View attachment 4836519

Leica M 240 w-nikkor 28/3.5
Ah. This is good to know... also have an m240 and want to adapt the Nikkor H.C. 5cm f/2 lens to it. Sounds like I just need to fork out the cash for the amadeo.
 
Hello Brian, I'm Kelvin from Thailand.
Thank you so much for this post, very useful with all detail that I was looking for.
I bought 'Laina'; also Chinese made Contax rf to ltm adapter in chrome, to use with my Leotax model f, Canon IVSb, and Leica M2.
Using with Nikkor-S•C 5cm f/1.4 and 5cm f/2, I got accurate focus from infinity to close focus, also agree with camera's rangefinder patch. It's great!

Using with external mount need 60 degree turn to correct the position. And some filing the part that catch with lens' locking tab.
For Jupiter-12 35mm f/2.8, both adapter and collar ring of the lens need some filing to allow the fully catching inside the adapter and avoid interferring with camera's rf arm.
For Nikkor-W•C 3.5cm f/2.5, nothing to do with the lens, but the adapter need the work that I done for J12.
I also got everything accurate for both lenses.
I noticed that J12 need more rotation degree to reach pass 0.9m than Nik that stop at 3ft.

Nikon S2 is my new member and now I'm looking for Nikkor-P•C 8.5cm f/2.
May I ask for your suggestion which version should I get, Contax or Nikon?
I prefer to use the lens on both Nikon S2 and LTM/M camera with the adapter. I will use it mostly for portrait, close distance, full aperture.

If I go with 'C' version, it will fully compatible (correct rf&focus) with the adapter but need rear group shimming to make it work correcrly with S2, is this correct?

How about 8.5cm Nikon version? What should be done to make it work correctly with the adapter?

Thank you so much for kind advices in advance.
Kelvin

Hi Kelvin,

I've just received a copy of the Laina adapter, and was hoping for some guidance from Your successful modifications.

By 60 degree rotation, You meant taking the adapter apart, o fix the internal/external bayonet alignment, or just rotating the lens bayonet, or the adapter bayonet 60°?
The 3 set screws around the adapter don't seem to release anything to be taken apart, or maybe I'm being too cautious?

Also some information of what exactly needs filing would be great, I too am trying to use the adapter with a Jupiter-12

Did You get the rangefinder to match with this lens, or just the full rotation?

Joris
 
@Sonnar Brian Do the choices change if you only need to mount external bayonet lenses? I have a 1.5 Sonnar, but I'm far more interested in using the 21mm and 35mm biogons. The Contax II isn't the most ergonomic thing, anyway, but the lenses are stunning.

Also, I heard varying things about whether the lenses that protrude into the mount will be adaptable to Leica (or others) at all because of limited space or hitting the focus arm. Anyone know what is and isn't compatible?
 
The original Chinese Adapter could be used for external mount lenses, but the design was cheapened and those available for the last few years Cannot be used with external mount lenses.

The Amedeo Adapters are the best.
 
The original Chinese Adapter could be used for external mount lenses, but the design was cheapened and those available for the last few years Cannot be used with external mount lenses.

The Amedeo Adapters are the best.
I saw you mentioned it looks exactly the same but that the screws now don't do anything? Is there really no small identifying feature to distinguish them so I can maybe get the original one used? Or any modification that could be done to the current version?
 
By the time you get done searching, buying used ones that maybe don't work, trying to make them work, etc... It's just a better use of your time and money to buy an Amedeo to begin with. That's what I did.

It. Just. Works.

That's more than worth it to me.
 
I saw you mentioned it looks exactly the same but that the screws now don't do anything? Is there really no small identifying feature to distinguish them so I can maybe get the original one used? Or any modification that could be done to the current version?
I cannot see any external difference, and only noted this after getting a newer one and attempting to reposition the outer flange as I did with the first two I bought. Screws out, mechanism frozen in place. Frustrating as they had a good design.
 
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