LTM lenses, adapters and focus range

[sanmich]

Hi all

One of my only problems with my canon lenses is that even when adapted to my M's, they are not focusing down 1m.

I know Nikon lenses are getting much closer but are they keeping their RF coupling untill 0.7m?

Incidentally, I was thinking of getting a Nikon 50mm f/2 so if any of you have an opinion on this lens, please do share...

Thanks

 

[Vincenzo Maielli]

The focusing range until 0.7 m, in the Leica M3, work only with some M lenses (35 or 50 mm, generally).
The all original Leitz LTM lenses, equipped with proper adapters, focus until 1 m and don't go down to 0.7 m (obviously).
With the LTM lenses Canon or Nikon happen the same thing.
Ciao.
Vincenzo

 

[VictorM.]

The Nikkor 50/2 is a nice lens. On my IIIf, it focuses to less than 3 feet-about 30 inches before the rangefinder mechanism disengages. The focusing mount on the lens allows it to focus to 18 inches, but I don't know any rf camera that works in that close. With an ltm-M adapter, it only focuses to 3 feet on both an M2 or M4-2.

 

[former member]

The Zorki 3M works down to 2ft with the Nikkor lens. I'll try it on my M2 and an m-Mount adapter. Ir might be necessary to cut part of the 39mm thread mount and the m adapter to get closest focus. The RF wheel might hang up on the inner portion of the thread mount.

 

[ferider]

By default (without Brian's modification) the Nikkor 50/2 and 50/1.4 will go down to 3 feet or so and then the coupling disengages. I've always been tempted to try your mod, Brian - but am scared to ruin a working lens ....

Some newer LTM lenses focus closer though. For example the CV 28 Ultron and Color Skopar.

Roland.

 

[Rafael]

The Nikkor 50/2 is a very fine lens, one of the few that I have ever had some regrets about selling (mine now lives with Brian 🙂 ).

 

[sanmich]

Thanks a lot for your answers gentlemen!

Sooo...

If I got it right, if I machine a small portion of the screwing mount down to the flange (the area whetre the camera cam engages the lens pushing ring), I should be able to focus this lens down to 0.7m on an M camera.

Right?

Thanks

Michael

 

[ferider]

That's the theory, Michael. Don't think you need to go all the way to the flange.
Not sure if the RF coupling stays accurate. AFAIK, nobody has tried it yet, so
please document and post your results 🙂

Roland.

 

[sanmich]

That's the theory, Michael. Don't think you need to go all the way to the flange.
Not sure if the RF coupling stays accurate. AFAIK, nobody has tried it yet, so
please document and post your results 🙂

Roland.

I just need to ... buy the lens 😀

I'll let you know if I try it.

BTW, Roland, I don't fear any focus discrepancy as it is the same thread with the same pitch, just like regular M lenses focusing down to 0.7m.

 

[sanmich]

Forgot to ask:

Is dismantling the nikkor 50mm f/2 mount as easy as dismantling the mount of the Canon lenses?

Thanks

 

[ferider]

Basically yes.

Roland.

 

[sanmich]

Basically yes.

Roland.

Cool

THX Roland!

 

[former member]

Dismantling- front module unscrews using a rubber gromet, optics module comes out of the focus mount with the retaining ring. As stated on the other thread, the 5cm f2 used with an M-Mount adapter makes it to 3ft.

 

[laptoprob]

adapter difference

adapter difference

my Steinheil Quinon 50/2 focusses down to around 60cm. Sorry folks, I'm metric. Must be around 2 feet. This works fine on my M4-2, but not if I use a Leitz adapter. At least one of them. I could try others. It does work with a Voigtlander adapter. There must be a little more room for the rf wheel to follow the cam.
I took some brass off the screw thread to make room for the rf wheel to reach the cam at closest focus.
And in my IIf I made a little room for the rf cam to stick out far enough to close focus.
I don't dare to adapt my CLE to do the same. The focus on the CLE stops around 80cm IIRC.