LSM to M adapter

[Yuhi]

Hi there, I've just recently ventured into rangefinders and I have gotten a M6 classic as my camera. I am looking for a good budget 35mm or 50mm beginner's lens (around 500USD) to pair it with my M6 as I'm still a student and so I could not afford the better crons or the luxes. I came across some interesting leica screw mount lenses (50mm summitar) and I wondered if I am able to mount them to my M6 with an adapter and still be able to focus using the viewfinder (similar to M lenses). I've tried looking around the web and most of them provide confusing explanations and I home the people here can explain it to me better. Thanks!

 

[Mr_Flibble]

In short: Yes.

There are a number of LTM-to-M adapters, for the M6 you would want to get one that brings up the 50mm VF lines, but it's not strictly necessary.

Some of the no-brand adapters are a little iffy concerning quality control I'm told. But they're cheap, and I did not have any problem with my after-market brass one.

You'll enjoy using the Summitar, I'm sure!

Regards,

 

[HoodedOne]

If it is a lens with rangefinder coupling it should work.
I would advise buying the Voigtlander adapters. The cheaper adapters from eBay might work. But I also read that they sometimes cause problems.

 

[Yuhi]

"In short: Yes."

What is the whole story? Do I need to know about them? Because I just went to a shop and the shop keeper told me that if I connect them using an adapter, I can't focus using the viewfinder. I'll be hoping to get one which will bring up the 50mm VF lines so which brands do you recommend? Thanks for the swift reply =]

 

[Yuhi]

If it is a lens with rangefinder coupling it should work.
I would advise buying the Voigtlander adapters. The cheaper adapters from eBay might work. But I also read that they sometimes cause problems.

Thanks for the advice, does the 50mm summitar comes with rangefinder coupling? I'll search for the Voigtlander adapters. Thanks a lot for your explanation!

 

[Mcary]

Yuhi

If you're interested in getting a 50mm lens as your first lens you'll want to ask for a 50/75mm LTM/Leica Screw mount to M adapter.

Focusing should work no matter what adapter you use but the wrong adapter will bring up the wrong frame lines example if you use a 35/135 to mount a 50mm lens it would bring up the 35 and 135mm frame lines rather then the 50/75mm ones.

Question have you looked at Voitlander lens, the reason I ask is the 35/2.5 Pancake II M MOUNT is well with in your budget and is an excellent lens for the money. Since its a 35mm it allow you to use more of the view finder then a 50mm, which is nice when you're just getting started with rangefinders also its very sharp even wide open.

 

[rogerzilla]

I have a few of the cheap adapters from eBay. Two are spot on; the third brings up part of the 90mm framelines (it's a 50/75 adapter) so I use it for the 21mm lens, where the framelines are irrelevant as the VF is only used for focusing (if I don't just use the DOF scale; how often do you really focus a 21mm?).

Optically they're all fine; as long as the flange is 1mm thick, the camera and lens will be in register.

 

[braver]

I use the Voigtlander adapters, a bit expensive for what they are but they come with front and rear caps so you can just leave them either on the lens or on the body and they're real quality products.

Get one of those old lenses, you'll enjoy them. Make sure you get one with excellent glass though, the front of the old lenses are softer and scratch easily. Many old lenses are scratched up.

Want to get a great deal? Look for a Canon 50mm, the 1.8 is dead cheap, the 1.4 is amazing. Their 35mm is also really really good. Compared to a Leica you lose a bit in fit and finish, smoothness of focusing and such, but optically their at least as good as any pre-asph Leica.

 

[Yuhi]

Yuhi

If you're interested in getting a 50mm lens as your first lens you'll want to ask for a 50/75mm LTM/Leica Screw mount to M adapter.

Focusing should work no matter what adapter you use but the wrong adapter will bring up the wrong frame lines example if you use a 35/135 to mount a 50mm lens it would bring up the 35 and 135mm frame lines rather then the 50/75mm ones.

Question have you looked at Voitlander lens, the reason I ask is the 35/2.5 Pancake II M MOUNT is well with in your budget and is an excellent lens for the money. Since its a 35mm it allow you to use more of the view finder then a 50mm, which is nice when you're just getting started with rangefinders also its very sharp even wide open.

I'll take a look at it. Many thanks! I see that there is also a CV 35mm f1.4 which is a little bit more expensive than the 35/2.5 you mentioned. Is that a better choice? I could save longer and buy that lens instead if it is significantly better than the 35/2.5.

 

[Yuhi]

I have a few of the cheap adapters from eBay. Two are spot on; the third brings up part of the 90mm framelines (it's a 50/75 adapter) so I use it for the 21mm lens, where the framelines are irrelevant as the VF is only used for focusing (if I don't just use the DOF scale; how often do you really focus a 21mm?).

Optically they're all fine; as long as the flange is 1mm thick, the camera and lens will be in register.

Sounds good! I've checked the voigtlander adapters on ebay and they cost around 5 to 6 times that of a normal adapter. Might check them out if I decide to get a LTM lens. Thanks!

Braver: I'll check the canon lenses out as well. Thanks!

 

[Mcary]

I'll take a look at it. Many thanks! I see that there is also a CV 35mm f1.4 which is a little bit more expensive than the 35/2.5 you mentioned. Is that a better choice? I could save longer and buy that lens instead if it is significantly better than the 35/2.5.

Quality wise both are about the same the extra $$ for the 35 F 1.4 gets you two extra stops which equals using ISO 400 instead of 1600, 800 instead of 3200 ext when shooting wide open... Some folks have mention issue with focus shift with the F 1.4 which doesn't seem to be an issue with the F 2.5

 

[BobYIL]

Yuhi, what's "better" for you?

With a limited budget and no risk, buy a Voigtlander 35/2.5 or a 35/1.4 if you want to spend more... If you are more inclined for a 50, then a Nokton 50/1.5 or if you are lucky also a Summarit 50/1.5 could be good choices. These are of the lower price class but you get your money back if you want to sell them for any reason. I would not recommend anything "fancier" for students who want to master 35mm photography, as they "grow" their inclinations may change. OTOH many of your elders are using these lenses with great satisfaction. Afterall the mastery is in the hands and eyes using these lenses and these lenses are certainly better than the ones used once by many photographers we call them masters today.

Bob