Leica Minilux to Leica M Conversion Adapter
- Thread starter kbg32
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raid
Dad Photographer
So you kill a Minilux, and you get an M lens.
jbielikowski
Jan Bielikowski
Miniluxes are known for suicidal tendencies.
kbg32
neo-romanticist
Something always gets sacrificed for art.......
manson_h
Member
The conversion is reversible, it don't need to kill a minilux
jsrockit
Moderator
While a cool idea, and Miniluxes are unrepairable these days for the most part, that's a lot of cash for a (decent) P&S lens.
ian_watts
Ian Watts
Supposedly the equal of a pre-aspherical Summicron so not bad if you already have a paperweight Minilux.
santino
FSU gear head
I like the idea. How much is the adapter?
raid
Dad Photographer
Over $300.
ulysses.o
Established
hmmmm, im listening 😛
i should've gotten MS Optical to convert mine last time i was in Tokyo, wont make that mistake again. but this sounds like a cool alternative!! im only worried about dust and stuff getting in while im making the trans
any tips?
i should've gotten MS Optical to convert mine last time i was in Tokyo, wont make that mistake again. but this sounds like a cool alternative!! im only worried about dust and stuff getting in while im making the trans
any tips?
santino
FSU gear head
Thanks raid. So a paperweight minilux plus adapter makes about 450 $. Depending on the lens quality the price seems to be OK.
Palaeoboy
Joel Matherson
Thanks so much for posting this you have made my day! I have been considering the conversion of another Japanese company (MS Optical) but they reluctantly deal with overseas clients and the lens looks plain weird. As a collector of 40mm lenses I have been wanting an M mount version of this lens for some time. While cheaper to get a 40mm Summicron, this will appeal to 40mm lovers looking for something different. I wonder if they have given it the standard 50mm mount or went with a 35 this time?
jsrockit
Moderator
I don't buy that, but I did also get confused on the price... it's not priced bad at all. And I loved the Minilux in the 90s!
kbg32
neo-romanticist
Too bad one can't do something with the zoom version...
maddoc
... likes film again.
I am too very interested in this since 40mm focal length seems to fit my vision best.
Palaeoboy
Joel Matherson
My Adapter arrived today so thought some would be interested in my initial impressions.
Ordering was simple and shipping fast and without dramas. Packed in solid envelope and within its own small plain box offering ample protection for international shipping. Communication wit MGR was good and they send you confirmations at every step (ordering/shipping/Tracking Number etc)
Overall its a solid and very well made adapter. Properly anodised from what I can tell it doesnt look thinly coated like you would get in some of the early brass Voigtlander lenses. (Although I will have to report back how well it wears with use) Its not all brass but a combination of brass and aluminium components. It weighs slightly more than a Summicron-C even before its glass is installed so by the time glass is added it will be up there with the RF Sonnar weight wise. Surprise is that the focus is really smooth and precise, combined with the concave focusing tab it really feels like a Leica lens in this respect which is pretty impressive and testimony to the thought and quality gone into that part it. Also a nice ten bladed aperture.
Its mount is the same of most 40mm lenses being that of a 50mm lens to bring up the 40mm framelines on a CLE. So sorry but its still a file job for those who prefer 35mm framelines sorry folks. It has a red painted spot for a lens mounting maker which is also indented to position a proper red plastic dimple to make it more Leica like should you so choose.
Things I didnt quite like about it - The aperture ring is quite thin and ill-defined with no wings or flanges that would aid locating it by touch or turning it. It is aluminium and has the usual small knurling but doesnt give you a solid feel or assurance when your turning the ring. Almost a rough feel to it. The closest comparison I could think of is that its reminiscent of the small aperture rings on the early screw mount Voigtlander lenses, the 21 f4 and the 35 f2.5. No half click stops and full click stops are not stand out but at least you can feel the click.
The main thing I found disappointing is the printing of numbers and details. It looks simple and legibly white in all the photos but in reality they are borderline grey and not that easy to read. They arent engraved so its not something you can easily touch up to make brighter either. My eyesight may not be as great as it once was but I still feel its barely adequate and I dont believe will wear well. (ie I suspect they will wear off in time)
The last thing I dont like is not being able to remember where I put my junker Minilux to finish the thing. Thats just frustrating! (I suspect its now a future archaeological find)
Conclusion - This is an expensive conversion. Its not for your first time entry to 40mm lenses. There are much better options out there if you want to dabble in this unique focal length. This adapter is for the 40mm enthusiasts who already have other 40's and punters who have the readies to have a play around with a different lens. Its also for the Minilux guys who love the lens but let down by the versatility of the original AF camera.
Unfortunately the MS Opitical conversion has been out of reach of most outside Japan so this is a great alternative. Its not as quirky as their conversion either and by an large has a very conventional Leica M lens layout. I have yet to see if the conversion is as "do it yourself" as advertised so will report back when I can either find my parts Minilux or source another.
Joel
Ordering was simple and shipping fast and without dramas. Packed in solid envelope and within its own small plain box offering ample protection for international shipping. Communication wit MGR was good and they send you confirmations at every step (ordering/shipping/Tracking Number etc)
Overall its a solid and very well made adapter. Properly anodised from what I can tell it doesnt look thinly coated like you would get in some of the early brass Voigtlander lenses. (Although I will have to report back how well it wears with use) Its not all brass but a combination of brass and aluminium components. It weighs slightly more than a Summicron-C even before its glass is installed so by the time glass is added it will be up there with the RF Sonnar weight wise. Surprise is that the focus is really smooth and precise, combined with the concave focusing tab it really feels like a Leica lens in this respect which is pretty impressive and testimony to the thought and quality gone into that part it. Also a nice ten bladed aperture.
Its mount is the same of most 40mm lenses being that of a 50mm lens to bring up the 40mm framelines on a CLE. So sorry but its still a file job for those who prefer 35mm framelines sorry folks. It has a red painted spot for a lens mounting maker which is also indented to position a proper red plastic dimple to make it more Leica like should you so choose.
Things I didnt quite like about it - The aperture ring is quite thin and ill-defined with no wings or flanges that would aid locating it by touch or turning it. It is aluminium and has the usual small knurling but doesnt give you a solid feel or assurance when your turning the ring. Almost a rough feel to it. The closest comparison I could think of is that its reminiscent of the small aperture rings on the early screw mount Voigtlander lenses, the 21 f4 and the 35 f2.5. No half click stops and full click stops are not stand out but at least you can feel the click.
The main thing I found disappointing is the printing of numbers and details. It looks simple and legibly white in all the photos but in reality they are borderline grey and not that easy to read. They arent engraved so its not something you can easily touch up to make brighter either. My eyesight may not be as great as it once was but I still feel its barely adequate and I dont believe will wear well. (ie I suspect they will wear off in time)
The last thing I dont like is not being able to remember where I put my junker Minilux to finish the thing. Thats just frustrating! (I suspect its now a future archaeological find)
Conclusion - This is an expensive conversion. Its not for your first time entry to 40mm lenses. There are much better options out there if you want to dabble in this unique focal length. This adapter is for the 40mm enthusiasts who already have other 40's and punters who have the readies to have a play around with a different lens. Its also for the Minilux guys who love the lens but let down by the versatility of the original AF camera.
Unfortunately the MS Opitical conversion has been out of reach of most outside Japan so this is a great alternative. Its not as quirky as their conversion either and by an large has a very conventional Leica M lens layout. I have yet to see if the conversion is as "do it yourself" as advertised so will report back when I can either find my parts Minilux or source another.
Joel
Ruhayat
Well-known
Hi. Thank you for your interesting post. Do you have any photos made with the lens that you can share?
EDIT: never mind, I just reread the part about your missing Minilux. Hope to see some pics when you find it and complete the conversion.
maitani
Well-known
very useful feedback, thanks a lot, I'll check back when you have the conversion done, if it's smooth and iq usable, i'm sorely tempted to hack the minilux, the classic minilux lens is an absolute favorite of mine.
