LTM / M Adapter Question

[christopher t]

Recently I bought a 50mm f1.5 Summarit which, of course, is an LTM mount lens. Since I don't own a 50mm LTM / M adapter, I mounted the lens to my 35mm LTM / M adapter, which brings up 35mm frameline on my M5.

The issue I'm having is that when I screw the lens all the way in, the distance scale on the lens is not centred at all (ie. it's about 45 degrees off), and the focusing tab throws from just past the bottom of the lens (at infinity) all the way to close to the top, making focusing difficult.

My question: is the non-centred focusing scale so far off because I'm using a 35mm adapter? I thought the only difference with adapters is the framelines they bring up? How do I get the lens to mount securely with the focusing scale at the top - do I need a "CLA" to fix this?

Thanks,
Chris.

 

[Pirate]

It won't center. I asked this same question when I first did this. As long as the lens is good, it won't make any difference in shooting. I even have a Made-in-Japan adapter and Youxin checked it against a Leica adapter with the same results, so there are good adapters out there that don't have to be Leica, but most here prefer the Leitz stuff.

 

[christopher t]

Thanks for the reply...

Thanks for the reply...

...I'm happy to hear that! Mine's a CV adapter, so pretty good. And I'm getting used to focusing the tab with the thumb on my left hand... Works quite well, actually!

Anyways, thanks for your prompt reply. I appreciate it.

C.

 

[ferider]

They wont center but the infinity mark should be at around 1:30 o'clock, when seen from the front. Under the viewfinder. Like this:

When seen from the front, the focus tab at infinity should be around 8 o'clock or so. From what you say it sounds like it's on the other side.

Probably the wrong adapter - get either Leica or CV adapter, then you're safe. Plus having the right framelines helps 🙂. The only way to check if it will work is to see if you get infinity alignment, looking at the moon or a star. These lenses have hand-ground RF cams, you cann't just make them work accurately when rotated.

 

[Pirate]

ferider, that's a nice M3 ;-)

Here's the other side:

 

[venchka]

Until you have a 50mm adapter, you can use the preview lever to bring up the 50mm frame. That's what I do with my 8.5cm Nikkor with my 50mm adapter on my M5. I use the preview lever to bring up the 90mm frame.
I have a spare 35mm-135mm Leitz adapter. Anybody got a spare 90mm adapter to trade?

 

[tennis-joe]

Purchased two from Cambridge and they were off. When they were returned ,Cambridge said they on received one, it was a lie. I contacted my card company and they got me a credit for both. Later I purchased Leica adapters and they work beautifully.
J

 

[Mudman]

Venchka - KEH has the 90mm adapters for crazy low money, original Leitz.

 

[venchka]

Thanks. I'll look.

 

[Mudman]

No problem. I picked one up from them last year for $19, Leitz.

 

[paolo]

They wont center but the infinity mark should be at around 1:30 o'clock, when seen from the front. Under the viewfinder. When seen from the front, the focus tab at infinity should be around 8 o'clock or so. From what you say it sounds like it's on the other side.

This is true for Canon LTM lens. For them it is a standard position on original Canon rangefinders.
So I thik that LTM lenses should have the same orientation as on LTM cameras as well as on M-cameras with an adapter

 

[venchka]

No problem. I picked one up from them last year for $19, Leitz.

Got it today. +1 for KEH. Shipping was high. I forgot to include some M rear lens caps. Oh well.
The adapter comes just in time. Now I can take both Nikkors out and play in the dark with my new stash of p3200.

 

[Pirate]

I have an old box of 3200 something-or-other. I'm saving it 😉

 

[Erik van Straten]

It is not the adapter that causes this, it's the lens. Many Leica screwmount lenses behave like this on Leica screwmount bodies too. The reason is that the focusing index can still be seen when the VIDOM or Imarect finder is mounted on the camera.

Erik.

 

[Pirate]

It is not the adapter that causes this, it's the lens. Many Leica screwmount lenses behave like this on Leica screwmount bodies too. The reason is that the focusing index can still be seen when the VIDOM or Imarect finder is mounted on the camera.

Erik.

Wow, that makes sense.

 

[ironhorse]

I am glad to have found this thread. It always drove me crazy that my LTM Canon wouldn't center on my M3.

 

[venchka]

Got it today. +1 for KEH. Shipping was high. I forgot to include some M rear lens caps. Oh well.
The adapter comes just in time. Now I can take both Nikkors out and play in the dark with my new stash of p3200.

I finally have the adapter and the lens and the camera in the same place at the same time. Taking everything to the Texas Hill Country for some R&R.
I'll be back!