LTM/screw mount lensens on M cameras

[jtlns]

Hi,

I'm the owner of two nice collapsible Elmar screw mount (M39) lenses (f2.8 & f3.5). I use them on a Leica IIIf, but in the future I consider buying an M camera (because I think they are easier/faster to focus since everything is combined in 1 viewfinder).

Does it make sense to just buy an M body and use an adapter with the existing M39 lenses? Or would this bring some drawbacks?

Thanks!
Jan

 

[uhoh7]

It works great, Jan 🙂

 

[coelacanth]

I personally prefer to have my lenses in LTM so I can use on both. I even re-bought the LTM counterparts to some lenses I had in M mount. And there are lenses like Summaron 35/2.8 and Super-Angulon 21/4 that are designed to be M mount lens, but the M mount flange can come off and use as LTM. Only exception to this is that I have Pre-ASPH Summilux 50 that's exclusively native M mount.

A few downsides to this:

• Many lenses (but not all) originally made for LTM can focus down to only 1m, not 0.7m like many lenses (again not all) native M lenses.
• Fitment to the body would be depending on the LTM adapter. I personally use only made by known manufacturers (Leitz and Voigtlander for me), not $10 ebay ones.
•*There are a few lenses that are not compatible with M5 or CL due to swinging light meter cell.

That's about it. I really enjoy shooting older lenses on my M4-P and MDa, and share it with my IIIa. I've been buying a few wanted-to-have Voigtlander LTM lenses that are now discontinued. All of their re-issues are in M, and there are a quite few well hidden gems in their old LTM portfolio.

Good luck!

 

[ferider]

One more constraint: either Elmar will not collapse on M5 or CL. No problem on any other Leica though. I've used an LTM 50/2.8 on the M240 with great results.

Roland.

 

[madNbad]

Spend the money on good adapters. Leica or Voigtlander, if you can find them. The cheap ones may vary in thickness and can affect focusing.

 

[mdarnton]

Owner of an actual caliper speaking: In spite of internet rumors, I've had quite a few off-brand adapters and never had a thickness problem. These days you have to be pretty unskilled to mess that up. Of the adapters I've had, old Leica ones have been more inaccurate than new Chinese ones, but in really insignificant amounts.

However, I haven't been able to fit my 50 Elmar on my M4s. it's been a while, so I can't remember exactly, but the focus lock gets hung up on something on the camera, and won't depress enough to get to infinity. I wonder if it's just one run of Elmars that does that, or all.

 

[Livesteamer]

Some older lens with infinity lock require an adapter that has a semi circular cut out around the bottom to provide room for the infinity lock to function. Joe

 

[philipus]

Does it make sense to just buy an M body and use an adapter with the existing M39 lenses? Or would this bring some drawbacks?

I have one adapter, a Voigtländer which brings up the 50/75 framelines. I use it for all my LTM lenses (2,8cm to 13,5cm) and just use the frame preview lever as necessary. Some may feel the need to have specific adapters for specific lenses but I've never felt the need for that.