Leica LTM to M mount adapters

[scautez]

Hi all,

I was wondering if someone out there might know if Leica ever produced the LTM to M mount adapters with the words "LEICA" on them rather than the "Leitz Wetzlar Germany DBP". I just want to ensure the one that just says "LEICA" is genuine before purchasing.

Thanks kindly,

Shane

 

[shimokita]

I have two original adapters and they both say "LEICA"... doesn't guarantee that they are original but in my case they were purchased at the Leica Boutique...

 

[scautez]

Thank you! Yes, they appear genuine, but just wanted to make sure. Thanks again 🙂

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Looks like it is very likelly:

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/ISBOO
1956-1999
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leica_Camera
1986. Leica.

Leica made usually sits tight. I have non-Leica made as well and in some cameras they are too loose.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,


Genuine Voightländer ones are good too, as are a lot of the well made copies but there are one or two things they often get wrong or overlook when copying; mainly the modified tab for the framelines and the flange thickness (1mm).



Regards, David


PS Written as a lot of people will find this thread when searching...

 

[RichC]

Additional to David’s post above...

The Chinese knock-offs can’t be trusted - most are poorly made: too tight, too loose, too thick, too thin... Some are fine, but it’s a case of how to recognise the wheat from the chaff!

When I used Leica screw lenses I made a point of either buying genuine Leica or Voigtlander (the latter are as good as Leica’s) or “vintage” off brands made in the pre-digital era - all in the last category that I found were well made, accurate and - worth noting - cheap! I always kept an eye out in the local camera shop or occasionally searched ebay for the off brands, which are recognisable as they look a bit knackered and most have bare brass on the rear, just like the genuine Leitz ones!

 

[enasniearth]

The leica or voigtlander adapter are the best

In response to the one marked Leica , there were a group of modern adapters marked Leica that had the new style lettering on the current lenses - they are so rarely encountered that’s it’s unlikely you will see one

 

[ckuwajima]

Japan made Rayqual adapters are also very good.

 

[David Hughes]

A lot of dealers have realised that some clones are good and now sell them. I have a set and don't regret it; it's the only way I can afford to buy new and the used ones have often been adapted for other focal lengths. I blame forums for that...

Regards, David

 

[DavidKKHansen]

Japan made Rayqual adapters are also very good.

+1

Rayqual adapters feels as if there is less play in the threads whilst screwing on an LTM lens, and CameraQuest sells them as well, quality stuff.

 

[enasniearth]

A lot of dealers have realised that some clones are good and now sell them. I have a set and don't regret it; it's the only way I can afford to buy new and the used ones have often been adapted for other focal lengths. I blame forums for that...

Regards, David

thats true , you adapt the longer focal length adapters to the 35 focal length ,
you can't adapt them back even though they retain their original markings .

 

[bluesun267]

Two other things to lookout for on the China made adapters is they may be cut slightly off so the camera's RF cam doesn't sit exactly in the indentation at the rear of the adapter, meaning your rangefinder stops at 10ft or 5ft or something like that.

Either that or the threads for the LTM lens start at the wrong point and your lens index mark (and infinity lock) won't be in the right position. (The index mark usually sits at about 1 o'clock when looking at the lens from the front.) This may or may not create a problem with the infinity lock bumping into the lens release button depending on the particular lens.

I've encountered both these issues on Chinese adapters. Never on a Leica or Voigtlander though.

 

[davidnewtonguitars]

I bought two of the Fotodiox brand adapters, 35 & 50, they snap in correctly and the lens centerline is at top-center or near.
I haven't actually measured the thickness of the flange, but pictures are in focus, generally.

 

[maigo]

I’ve got a Skopar Snapshot 25/4 and CV 15/4.5 both mounted to a R4M with generic adapters.
The body is newly purchased and I haven’t tried these lenses on it yet.

When using wide and ultra wide lenses like these does a perfectly fitting LTM-M adapter matter?


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[Sumarongi]

...Skopar Snapshot 25/4 and CV 15/4.5 both mounted to a R4M with generic adapters. ...
When using wide and ultra wide lenses like these does a perfectly fitting LTM-M adapter matter?

The lenses in question are *not* RF-coupled, I presume? Well, since the entire travel of a super wide angel lens's lens barrel from infinity to the nearest distance is very short, say 2 or 3mm, I'd say that an adapter thickness inaccuracy of a tenth or even a thirtieth of a millimetre does play quite a role.

 

[maigo]

The lenses in question are *not* RF-coupled, I presume? Well, since the entire travel of a super wide angel lens's lens barrel from infinity to the nearest distance is very short, say 2 or 3mm, I'd say that an adapter thickness inaccuracy of a tenth or even a thirtieth of a millimetre does play quite a role.

Thanks for the reply.
Yes, *not* RF coupled.
I’ll have to run some tests and determine if focus errors (if any) are mine or the adapter problem.


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[David Hughes]

Hi,

I imagine, and don't have any doubts about it, that there are dozens if not hundreds of small engineering firms in China turning these out; not one enormous factory.

So I think that they vary a lot and that was why I said some dealers have sorted out the good from the bad and sell them and they are OK. I bought a set of three (35; 50 & 90mm) and have no regrets and saved a fortune.

The worst of all are second hand ones which have been butchered to fit some other focal length to the one they were made for; these sometimes start out as the genuine Leitz or Voightländer and so the engraving can confuse the issue. Spotting a butchered one from a photograph is a bit difficult but the acid test is using it and in some cases you don't have to take a picture to see it is wrong from the framelines.

My solution is to measure the flange (1mm thick) and see if it clicks and what frameline comes up; then scribble on the adapter with a felt tip pen...

Regards, David