Leitax "Almost-Auto-Aperture" adapter

[Calzone]

I own a Leica 50 R Lux "E60" that I just converted to Nikon F-mount using the newly available "Almost-Auto-Aperture" feature. Basically a lever allows one to stop down a Leica lens with the lens ring, but open the iris with an added lever to focus. The ergonomics of using stop down manual metering is suddenly a lot less awkward and is now kinda natural to anyone who ever shot with perspective control lenses that have diaphram switching.

I'm using this lens on a Nikon D3X and a F3P.

Anyways I wanted to share this recent development at Leitax that is very-very cool.

Cal

 

[Dwig]

...

Anyways I wanted to share this recent development at Leitax that is very-very cool.

Cal

Recent in terms of the new adapter only. The basic arrangement is properly referred to as "pre-set" and dates to the late '50s. The original such lenses had two rings, one to pre-set the desired f/stop and the other, the ring actually connected to the iris, to open and close the iris.

You get the same functionality when adapting any lens (e.g. Super-Takumars lenses, auto-diaphram Exakta mount lenses, ...) that has it's own auto/manual function. I have a 50mm f/1.8 Takumar that I use with an adapter on m4/3s. Being able to set the lens' switch to A to view and focus and the quickly slide it to M to shoot is a great improvement over a fully manual arrangement.

 

[Calzone]

Dwig,

I own an Olympus 24/3.5 shift lens that has a push button to either set or open the iris.

This development on a Leitax adapter is kinda brand new. Thanks for the added clarity. This switching diaphram certainly has been around for many decades.

Cal