Kipon Contax RF to M39 Adapter

[das]

Is anyone using this? How do you like it? Is there any advantage to these other than being M39 over the Amedeo?

https://new.kipon.com/u/product_details/50

As a side question -- I imagine that it would not, but has anyone tried the OG 21mm 4.5 Biogon on it? As is well-known, the current Amedeo adapter cannot adapt the Biogon to Leica M.

 

[retinax]

This isn't rangefinder coupled. Wouldn't be a problem for the 21 of course, if it works.

 

[hap]

This adapter interests me. I could use my contax lenses on the Bessa R and have a great finder and , if necessary, meter. Amadeo i've never tried, and they are not available anyway. this is the only alternative unless very patient or maybe never. Pricey but isn't every thing Leica.

 

[splitimageview]

This Kipon CRF-L39 adapter is listed here at $338 and appears to be rf coupled: ebay 110976307522

I bought an Amedeo a couple of months ago, he's still getting them manufactured in Venezuela and they are shipped to him in Florida where he now resides.

Message him directly and he'll let you know when he has more.

They are significantly less than $338!

 

[Sonnar Brian]

The Kipon is Rangefinder Coupled.

I bought this very inexpensive Adapter, which is also rangefinder coupled. I attempted to use the adapter with external mount lenses: found the external mount did not line up with the lens. The mechanism was about 60degrees out of phase. Then- saw the three set screws on the side of the mount. This allows the external flanges to be moved relative to the helical. I set the mount in a Zeiss 135/4 lens, aligned it all- fastened the screws back down. The person that designed the mount: A+. Assembling it: D-; Selling it for under $70: A. Conservation of inconience: 20minutes is worth the $200 saved over comparable adapters. Anyone using only internal mount lenses would not notice the difference.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/FOTOFOX-RF...o-Leica-Mount-SM-M39-L39-Adapter/283341769316

It will work fine with Contax External Mount lenses as it is designed to rotate ~270degrees from 0.9m to infinity and translate that motion to the RF cam of the Leica.

For Internal Mount lenses: it works well with Nikon S-Mount lenses.

ALSO: With a Zeiss Triotar I had horrible reflections caused by the shiny surfaces inside the adapter, I see the Kipon is the same. I used Black Sharpie to fix the problem.

I have four Amedeo Adapters. They are the best made. The Amedeo adapters dedicated to inner mount lenses are the best of all: the focus direction is Leica standard, and the adapters close-focus to ~0.7m.

 

[xayraa33]

338 dollars for the Kipon adapter ...yikes !

I remember turning down a vintage Cook & Perkins Contax lens to LTM adapter in the late 1980s that was selling for 60 dollars because I had only very few lenses in Contax RF bayonet mount and felt it was a waste of money to buy that adapter.

 

[fbf]

second the amedeo adapters. I have bought a bunch from him over the years (both nikon and contax). All of them are top quality

 

[das]

I have the current Amedeo Nikon S to Leica M adapter. It is amazing, and I would definitely recommend it. However, I kind of wish that it was a Nikon S to M39 adapter as the fact that it is permanently geared to the 50mm Leica M frameline limits its usefulness on OEM Leicas. And, like many other people, I so want for an adapter to be developed that can utilize and rangefinder couple the Nikon S 35mm f/1.8 W-Nikkor and the 21mm f/4.5 Biogon. Maybe it's impossible from a design standpoint given the size of the rear element housings of the Nikkor and Biogon, but gosh darn it!

 

[splitimageview]

I have four Amedeo Adapters. They are the best made. The Amedeo adapters dedicated to inner mount lenses are the best of all: the focus direction is Leica standard, and the adapters close-focus to ~0.7m.

Yes, although he doesn't make an LTM version that is dedicated to the internal mount. 🙁

 

[splitimageview]

I bought this very inexpensive Adapter, which is also rangefinder coupled. I attempted to use the adapter with external mount lenses: found the external mount did not line up with the lens. The mechanism was about 60degrees out of phase. Then- saw the three set screws on the side of the mount. This allows the external flanges to be moved relative to the helical. I set the mount in a Zeiss 135/4 lens, aligned it all- fastened the screws back down. The person that designed the mount: A+. Assembling it: D-; Selling it for under $70: A. Conservation of inconience: 20minutes is worth the $200 saved over comparable adapters. Anyone using only internal mount lenses would not notice the difference.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/FOTOFOX-RF...o-Leica-Mount-SM-M39-L39-Adapter/283341769316

It will work fine with Contax External Mount lenses as it is designed to rotate ~270degrees from 0.9m to infinity and translate that motion to the RF cam of the Leica.

For Internal Mount lenses: it works well with Nikon S-Mount lenses.

ALSO: With a Zeiss Triotar I had horrible reflections caused by the shiny surfaces inside the adapter, I see the Kipon is the same. I used Black Sharpie to fix the problem.

I've been eyeing this one, thanks for the report...it's focus calibrated for Contax but works with Nikon as well?

 

[hap]

This Fotofox is probably worth the try. but the linkage for focus is calibrated to 50mm. I guess if I want to to use another FL then I have get the screwdriver out. I have a Zeiss tessar 50. Presumably that "counts" Everybody else on this thread has two or more CZJ sonnars.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

This may seem "counter-intuitive" but...The Contax External Mount lenses move ~270degrees from min focus to infinity, the Nikon S-Mount lenses move ~260 degrees from the same min focus to infinity. The adapter's helical that translates rotational motion of the lens to movement of the RF Cam is calibrated for the 270degree rotation of the Contax external mount lens. But- the internal mount lens does not have this translation of rotation to movement of the optics, it is just 1:1 with the RF cam of the adapter. That RF Cam's linear motion is designed with the 51.6mm standard of the Leica. Best advice: adjust the shim of the 5cm/50mm F1.5 and F2 Contax lens to move slightly farther out, about 0.1mm or so.

Wide-Angle lenses made for Nikon S-Mount and Contax mount also benefit from adjusting the Shim of the lens. I've adapted J-12 Contax mount lenses to the Nikon, and a 3.5cm F2.5 Nikkor for the Contax.

As I remember- Tom A looked at adapting the 3.5cm F1.8 S-Mount to a Leica, wanted a Dedicated camera. I suggested that he cut down the size of the RF roller of the camera to contact the back of the adapter, but clear the lens. Personally: buying the Nikkor 3.5cm F2.5 in LTM is the best choice. I have the 3.5cm F1.8 in S-Mount, and the 3.5cm F2.5 in S-Mount and LTM.

 

[das]

Wasn't Tom A. instrumental in getting the R2C and R2S to production? I like the 2.5 Nikkor but it is not really competitive anymore from a purely technical standpoint with modern 35s.

 

[kotokot21]

This may seem "counter-intuitive" but...The Contax External Mount lenses move ~270degrees from min focus to infinity, the Nikon S-Mount lenses move ~260 degrees from the same min focus to infinity. The adapter's helical that translates rotational motion of the lens to movement of the RF Cam is calibrated for the 270degree rotation of the Contax external mount lens. But- the internal mount lens does not have this translation of rotation to movement of the optics, it is just 1:1 with the RF cam of the adapter. That RF Cam's linear motion is designed with the 51.6mm standard of the Leica. Best advice: adjust the shim of the 5cm/50mm F1.5 and F2 Contax lens to move slightly farther out, about 0.1mm or so.

Wide-Angle lenses made for Nikon S-Mount and Contax mount also benefit from adjusting the Shim of the lens. I've adapted J-12 Contax mount lenses to the Nikon, and a 3.5cm F2.5 Nikkor for the Contax.

As I remember- Tom A looked at adapting the 3.5cm F1.8 S-Mount to a Leica, wanted a Dedicated camera. I suggested that he cut down the size of the RF roller of the camera to contact the back of the adapter, but clear the lens. Personally: buying the Nikkor 3.5cm F2.5 in LTM is the best choice. I have the 3.5cm F1.8 in S-Mount, and the 3.5cm F2.5 in S-Mount and LTM.

Does that mean that a fotofox adapter mounted on a Zorki or a FED will focus correctly with Kiev/Contax 50mm lenses?