Leica Model 1 lens mount

[byRMS]

Hi everyone
I've got a Leica Model la and want to test the lesson my digital L-mount body.
Can anyone tell me what the thread size is that attaches the 'fixed' lens to the body and whether there is an adapter from that thread to M39 or M bayonet?
Many thanks

 

[Valkir1987]

The helical itself is no mount, it has a thread with multiple entries. If you really want to try this lens on a digital camera, you have to unscrew the mount from the body with the screws, and let someone machine a custom adapter for you. Why not leave the lens on its original body and test it with film?

 

[shawn]

That lens is not meant to be removed. If you take it off you risk throwing off the focus calibration on the body if the body covering is loose under the lens mount.

 

[byRMS]

Thanks for these comments. I don’t want to disturb the mount on the body as that would damage the vulcanite but i might try and find an old one to make into an adapter. I have tested the camera with film and although it focuses ok at close distances and results in an adequate image, it isn’t in focus at infinity. This is what i want to test on a digital body. I am fairly sure that the lens has previously been dismantled and incorrectly re-assembled in the past.
Has anyone got a spare body mount ring that they would part with?

 

[Coldkennels]

Has anyone got a spare body mount ring that they would part with?

Even if they did - which is unlikely, as these aren't usually parted with their lenses - it probably wouldn't do you any good.

The Leica I was totally non-standardised - each lens was calibrated to each body. Small variations in the flange to film distance would make your lens useless on another body, and vice-versa.

My guess is either someone has already swapped the lens on your camera, they've removed it for cleaning and reassembled it incorrectly, or they've lost some shims that were keeping it in the right position relative to the film.

The correct procedure for collimation would be to remove the plug in the back of the body so you can see through the lens and check its calibration. I'm not sure how you'd do it otherwise.

 

[Erik van Straten]

gelatin silver print (elmar 50mm f3.5) leica 1a

Amsterdam, 2018

 

[Dralowid]

Since there is no obvious way of working out if the problem lies with lens or camera you may need to have a go at something like this:

Mike Elek: Lens collimating

elekm.net

 

[byRMS]

Since there is no obvious way of working out if the problem lies with lens or camera you may need to have a go at something like this:

Mike Elek: Lens collimating

elekm.net

Thanks for this. I might just have a go.

 

[Nitroplait]

The lens on a Leica Ia was individually adjusted through a (sealed) hole on the back.

 

[Dralowid]

Thanks for this. I might just have a go.

Having re-read this I am not sure how it is going to work since the Leica's back doesn't open. Does your camera have the collimating plug and corresponding hole in the pressure plate?

 

[Nitroplait]

Does your camera have the collimating plug and corresponding hole in the pressure plate?

A Leica Ia would have that.

 

[byRMS]

A Leica Ia would have that.

👍🏻

 

[Erik van Straten]

gelatin silver print (elmar 50mm f3.5) leica 1a

KNSM-eiland, Amsterdam, 2022

 

[Erik van Straten]

leica mp, elmar 35mm f3.5, gelatin silver print

Utrecht, 2018