Leica M4-P, cheap L39 adapter does not lock, incorrect focus.

[Sid836]

While saving for a Summicron, I have decided to have a go with the L39 lenses on my M4-P. For this I bought a cheap aluminum adapter, but...

1. The adapter does not lock tightly on the body. While focusing it easily gets off.
2. With the Jupiter-12 there are focusing issues. Besides being a bit more stiff to focus than usual, at 1-2 meters the rangefinder is way off. With the J-8 things are fine.

I guess that these are problems of the adapter. I have bought this one:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/151705129447?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Could you please recommend me a quality one?
Funny with that adapter that it has red marks almost all around it.

 

[Jerevan]

I've had no issues with the original Leica ones, or the Voigtländer ones - while a cheap one stuck on the camera so bad that I had to get the tools out ...

 

[Robert Lai]

The adapter has to be exactly 1mm thick, and it is surprising how poor the tolerances and machining are on these cheaper adapters. I use only Leica or Voigtlander adapters. Anything else is a risk.

 

[Vincent.G]

The Leica and Voigtlander LTM to M adapters are highly recommended. eBay seller Heavystar also sells generic ones which are relatively more affordable.

http://m.ebay.com/itm/361325634402?_mwBanner=1

 

[mdarnton]

First, it's not aluminum.

Second, if you're having focus problems with Russian lenses, it's more likely to be the lenses than the adapter. Many Russian lenses will work fine at infinity, becoming farther and farther out of focus the closer you get. Russian specifications were different, and unmodified lenses SHOULD back focus by about 3-5 inches at their closest distance. This will be more obvious on the long lenses; unimportant and maybe even unnoticable on the short ones because of their greater DOF.

It's pretty easy to make an adapter the correct thickness. Of the ones I've measured over the years, the Leica ones have seemed to be, if anything, less precise than new Asian ones in that regard. (What originally clued me in to this was that on off-brand adapters my Leica brand lenses consistently stopped at infinity identically; on Leica adapters they were all over the place, so I got out the calipers. . . .) Some of this could have been wear, or not.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Real quality ones are from Leica and Cosina.

Less quality, cheap and working one:
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/M39-LTM-LSM-...440110?hash=item3f57b550ae:g:N6AAAOxy5QtSBFmy

I have purchased from this supplier several times. Two or free times for Industars , Jupiters and Leitz old LTM 50mm lenses. Currently I have 35/135. All of adaptors I have from this supplier are locking and brining correct frame. I was able to shim Jupiters 8 and 3 to be sharp wide open.
The only downside I noticed with them is how frames sometimes aren't fully engaged. I have to re-lock it to make frameline perfect again. But I didn't find it as huge problem, just little imperfection.

 

[Dez]

I have bought a few of the cheapie Chinese adapters, and always mike them carefully. They have been bang on 1 mm, so I have never encountered a focus problem. Where I have found issues is in the accuracy of the edges of the slots that engage the lens mount, partly caused by burrs on the edges. Also, occasionally the frame line selection is marginal. A bit of work with a tiny file and 600 grit sandpaper and functionally they are indistinguishable from ones costing 30 times as much. I guess there may be some terrible ones out there, but this has been my experience.

Cheers,
Dez

 

[David Hughes]

I have bought a few of the cheapie Chinese adapters, and always mike them carefully. They have been bang on 1 mm, so I have never encountered a focus problem. Where I have found issues is in the accuracy of the edges of the slots that engage the lens mount, partly caused by burrs on the edges. Also, occasionally the frame line selection is marginal. A bit of work with a tiny file and 600 grit sandpaper and functionally they are indistinguishable from ones costing 30 times as much. I guess there may be some terrible ones out there, but this has been my experience.

Cheers,
Dez

Exactly what I was thinking.

As I see it the problem is explaining how the things work in words: a short film is needed but even so I can see people getting it wrong and wrecking things.

Regards, David

PS I'll recommend one thing; write the lens it's intended for on the flange because they are usually unmarked.

 

[Sid836]

It is really strange. When I mount a Jupiter-8, or an Industar-26 on the adapter, the focusing is smooth and precise all the way from near to infinity.
When mounting the J-12 far focusing is correct and the rangefinder movement in the viewfinder stops somewhere at 5 meters as if the cam is not following the lens all the way, as it is being blocked by something.
I have opened the pressure plate of the camera and at B I have tried to see what is going on in there, but the rear element of the J12 blocks everything. I can see the rear of the lens rotating as I focus it, but I cannot see what is going on with the rangefinder arm.
Funny the lens does it perfectly on my Zorky-4.

 

[Dez]

It sounds like some part of the rear of the lens is fouling the rangefinder follower cam. Maybe the follower is bent down toward the centre of the mount a bit?

Cheers,
Dez

 

[Sid836]

Can that be adjusted by means of fiddling with screws? Considering I am preparing for an M-mount lens should I try bending the follower up, or that could damage it?

 

[mdarnton]

If I were going to start bending and chopping things it would be on the cheap lens, not the expensive camera that seems to work fine with other lenses.

 

[Dez]

If I were going to start bending and chopping things it would be on the cheap lens, not the expensive camera that seems to work fine with other lenses.

Yes indeed. The possibilities for screwing things up are very real. If you know all about the follower and how to readjust it, go for it, but otherwise.......

Cheers,
Dez

 

[muser53]

Nikos, In the long run it would probably be a better (and cheaper) idea just to purchase a good adapter rather than alter the camera to work with what seems to be a poorly designer lens adapter.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

A simple solution might be to measure the thickness of the adapter front to rear, rather than just the flange. Then tell us and we'll all go and measure ours (and worry afterwards as no two will be the same). My money's on the adapter being wrong, not the lens or camera body.

Regards, David

 

[Sid836]

Hi,

A simple solution might be to measure the thickness of the adapter front to rear, rather than just the flange. Then tell us and we'll all go and measure ours (and worry afterwards as no two will be the same). My money's on the adapter being wrong, not the lens or camera body.

Regards, David

Hi David,
Once again you have proven to be correct. I have bought a voigtlander 35-135 adapter and it works perfectly! The lens also goes into the adapter smoothly and not with that crunchy feel of the cheap aluminum one.
I have also bought an Elmar 50mm 2.8 with M mount. I love the compactness of the M4-P with that lens.
Finally, after a month or so, I can use my M4-P! 🙂

Also, as everybody had advised me, I did not touch the rangefinder of the camera at all.
Another lesson learned about cheap things on expensive equipment.

Thank you All!

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

It's all part of the (free after sales) service.

By the way, in fairness to our Chinese friends I have found a lot of good and cheap adapters. Usually the better dealers stock them and they can be relied on and, of course, they are nowhere near the dreadful prices charged on ebay for the real article.

I guess that, by the time they've bought the lathe, tools and milling machine the cost of a Leica or two and some lenses to test with is just too much, so we can't really blame them but it's a pity they don't look at the adapters and wonder why things are the way they are...

Regards, David

 

[Ronald M]

Just like computers, garbage in, garbage out.

China is the culprit.

Russian lenses are different. They need rework.

Leitz of CV (Voitlander) seem well made.

I have had to rework many codeable lens mounts from E Bay. They tend to be .001" too thick. No luck at all just just replacing and painting. When I got to the long lenses, I just did not bother.

 

[MihaiMalaimareJr]

hi,

I just got a Summitar 5cm and I was really excited to use it on my Sony a7m2 and Voigtlander Bessa R3M. I have 2 Leica M adapters for the Sony a7m2, one Fotodiox and one Voigtlander. The Fotodiox Pro LM - NEX is a decent adapter but I got the Voigtlander for it's close focus capabilities. It's really awesome to be able to focus that close with M lenses.
With the Summitar I ordered a fotodiox M39 to Leica M. Here is the crazy part. The fotodiox M39 to Leica M will lock on the fotodiox LM - NEX but not on the Voigtlander adapter, nor on my R3M. Focus seams ok but it feels weird that the lens is not locked onto the camera. Anybody knows where can I find a Voigtlander M39 to Leica M adapter?

thanks,

Mihai

www.malaimarejr.com
https://www.flickr.com/photos/misu_1975/

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

Welcome aboard.

I'm not sure what you mean by lock on to the adapter. They will lock on to a Leica M body because there is a little peg that fits into the lens or adapter but how one could be put on to an adapter escapes me. So I'll wish you luck finding what you need. Perhaps others can help.

Regards, David