Leica LTM Kipon CRF Lens to LTM Adapter?

[raining_macondo]

Hello, RFFers,


I am trying to explore the practice of using Contax IIa/IIIa Biogons 21mm and 35mm(post-war) on my iiif, has anyone used this adapter? I sincerely need your real opinions about the drawbacks of it. Also, how is the quality, how is the rangefinder coupling? Will we need to shim it?

http://www.kipon-usa.com/contax/kipon-contax-rf-lens-to-leica-l39-camera-body-adapter.html

 

[das]

The 21mm f/4.5 definitely does not work with the Amedeo CRF to Leica M adapter, so I imagine it would not work with the Kipon one. The lens physically fits on the adapter but will not mount correctly to a Leica M body as the rear element of the Biogon is too large, interferes with the Leica RF cam, and would need to modified for it to work. I know that Skylanney Optics https://skyllaney.com/shop/ had converted a 21mm Biogon to Leica M. It probably can do it to LTM. I believe it just needs the lens and the adapter.

 

[Bingley]

I have a Kipon Contax RF to LTM adapter, and have used it on my Leica IIIc quite a bit. I have good news and bad news. The good news is that it works well with 50mm Contax lenses, such as the Sonnar 5cm f1.5 and f2.0. I’ve shot those lenses on my Leica IIIc without any problem.

Now the bad news: it will not work with the Biogon 35/2.8. I tried, bc that’s one of my absolute favorite lenses…. But, alas, no luck. I have no experience with the Biogon 21mm but I own the Biogon 35mm and shoot it a lot on both Contax IIa and Nikon S2 cameras. But there is no adapter I’m aware of that will allow the Biogon 35mm to be mounted on a Barnack Leica. I wish it weren’t so, but there it is.

My suggested solution: use the Biogon 21 and 35 lenses on a Contax or Nikon rangefinder body; use the Kipon adapter for your Contax 50mm lens on your IIIf.

 

[raining_macondo]

The 21mm f/4.5 definitely does not work with the Amedeo CRF to Leica M adapter, so I imagine it would not work with the Kipon one. The lens physically fits on the adapter but will not mount correctly to a Leica M body as the rear element of the Biogon is too large, interferes with the Leica RF cam, and would need to modified for it to work. I know that Skylanney Optics https://skyllaney.com/shop/ had converted a 21mm Biogon to Leica M. It probably can do it to LTM. I believe it just needs the lens and the adapter.

Thanks for the information, too bad a lens like Biogon 21/4.5 can't be adapted to a M-mount, I am so very disappointed, I would rather buy a ZM lens than modify a classic lens though.

 

[raining_macondo]

I have a Kipon Contax RF to LTM adapter, and have used it on my Leica IIIc quite a bit. I have good news and bad news. The good news is that it works well with 50mm Contax lenses, such as the Sonnar 5cm f1.5 and f2.0. I’ve shot those lenses on my Leica IIIc without any problem.

Now the bad news: it will not work with the Biogon 35/2.8. I tried, bc that’s one of my absolute favorite lenses…. But, alas, no luck. I have no experience with the Biogon 21mm but I own the Biogon 35mm and shoot it a lot on both Contax IIa and Nikon S2 cameras. But there is no adapter I’m aware of that will allow the Biogon 35mm to be mounted on a Barnack Leica. I wish it weren’t so, but there it is.

My suggested solution: use the Biogon 21 and 35 lenses on a Contax or Nikon rangefinder body; use the Kipon adapter for your Contax 50mm lens on your IIIf.

Thanks, but I didn't know even Biogon 35/2.8 can't be adapted, then the adapter is totally pointless to me... how do you think the quality and the coupling? Did you shim it?

 

[das]

More than the 21mm Biogon, the fact that the W-Nikkor 35mn f/1.8 won't work with these adapters is really what bums me out. Not the adapters fault, obviously. The rear element designs make it impossible with RF coupling.

 

[Bingley]

Thanks, but I didn't know even Biogon 35/2.8 can't be adapted, then the adapter is totally pointless to me... how do you think the quality and the coupling? Did you shim it?

I don’t think shimming will help. The problem seems to be with the diameter of the rear of the Biogon 35/2.8; I may not be describing the problem properly, but it seems that the rear adapter is too wide in diameter to work on the Kipon adapter. This seems to be a general problem for that lens. To best of my knowledge, there is NO Contax RF to Leica adapter, either LTM or M, that will work with it. I know, it sucks, but there you are. My “workaround” has been to get a Nikon S2 body, which will correctly mount and focus the Biogon 35… I’ve also acquired a Bessa R2S for the same purpose. If you want to shoot a Biogon 35/2.8 in Contax RF mount on a Leica camera… you simply can’t, unless you somehow convert it to LTM or M-mount.

As far as the quality of the Kipon adapter goes, it’s not bad, but not nearly up to the quality of Amedeo adapters… As indicated above, I have used the Kipon Contax RF to LTM adapter on my Leica IIIc cameras successfully with 50mm Contax RF lenses, and with no focusing issues. The prices of Kipon adapters on the ‘bay these days are sky high though…