LTM to M Mount Adapter

[unclened]

Hi all,

After reading countless threads on this forum, I've fallen madly in love rangefinders! Which means I'm the proud owner of a Voigtlander R4M and a Canon P rangefinder.

I was wondering if it was possible to mount lens back and forth with the two cameras using adapters and whether the rangefinder would still remain coupled? I'd love a solution that allows me to use a 35mm lens on both from time to time.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Pete B]

Yes, the Leica and Voigtlander adapters are well thought of.
Pete

 

[ray*j*gun]

get a good LTM lens and an adapter as noted above and you will be able to do just what you describe. In fact I only have one M mount lens and I have an M2 and an M8. All my other glass is LTM versions so that I can use them interchangeably.

 

[Pete B]

Nice choice of bodies, too. Both very nice ramgefinders.
Pete

 

[unclened]

Nice choice of bodies, too. Both very nice ramgefinders.
Pete

you can tell, I'm going for the wide and long combo! 😀

 

[unclened]

get a good LTM lens and an adapter as noted above and you will be able to do just what you describe. In fact I only have one M mount lens and I have an M2 and an M8. All my other glass is LTM versions so that I can use them interchangeably.

Thank you. So just to clarify my understanding. If I buy an LTM to M mount adapter, my LTM lens will couple with the Rangefinder on my Bessa R4M to give me accurate focus? Also is there a particular type of adapter I should look for i.e. a particular make or model? I understand the benefit of the Bessa is that it has manual frameline selection, so it's only the rangefinder coupling that I need to think about when selecting an adapter?

 

[Filzkoeter]

LTM lenses are 100% compatible with the M mount. You basically can choose between cheap chinese adapters, Voigtländer adapters or Leitz adapters.
Voigtländer and Leitz are the highest quality (and the priciest). But I also had no problem with my cheap chinese one.
Every LTM to M adapter gives you RF coupling.

 

[unclened]

hi guys, I finally managed to buy an adapter. It's a fairly cheap generic version from China. It fits the Bessa ok and looks pretty solid. Even though the adapter is very thin, I do get the feeling that it throws the rangefinder off ever so slightly. I understand the rangefinder works on the rear element of the lens pressing on a lever in the camera and even a few millimeters could throw this off? I'm just wondering if this is normal and people just work around it? Im not sure if I am that determined and may switch to an M mount version, which sadly will neglect my Canon P 🙁

 

[Livesteamer]

Yes. the thickness of the adapter is critical. That is why many advise the Leica or Voigtlander adapters. Extreme accuracy in machining and cheapness are not always compatible. Give it a try and see how it works, it may be fine. Welcome to the forum and Enjoy. Joe

 

[unclened]

thank you, that's helpful.

Logically, wouldn't the thickness of any adapter interfere with the rangefinder?

 

[veraikon]

thank you, that's helpful.

Logically, wouldn't the thickness of any adapter interfere with the rangefinder?

The thickness of the adapter should be exact 1mm (that´s the difference in the flange LTM->M) Therefore look for a branded adapter (Leica, Novoflex, rayqual...) Voigtländer (Cosina) stopped his "production" last year. Only Voigtländer Germany (Ringfoto) still sells rebranded Novoflex adapters.

 

[unclened]

The thickness of the adapter should be exact 1mm (that´s the difference in the flange LTM->M) Therefore look for a branded adapter (Leica, Novoflex, rayqual...) Voigtländer (Cosina) stopped his "production" last year. Only Voigtländer Germany (Ringfoto) still sells rebranded Novoflex adapters.

Thank you, that's very helpful. I'll measure the thickness, but I think mine must be about 1mm because it looks very thin. I'll measure and update if I find out otherwise.

 

[kossi008]

...but I think mine must be about 1mm because it looks very thin...

The point is: all of the adapters are *about* 1 mm, but it needs to be *exactly* 1 mm.

Too thick, and you won't be able to focus at infinity. Too thin, and you will be able to go beyond infinity (meaning infinity will not be sharp at the mechanical infinity stop, but at some finite distance on the focusing scale).

 

[unclened]

The point is: all of the adapters are *about* 1 mm, but it needs to be *exactly* 1 mm.

Too thick, and you won't be able to focus at infinity. Too thin, and you will be able to go beyond infinity (meaning infinity will not be sharp at the mechanical infinity stop, but at some finite distance on the focusing scale).

Thank you sir. I will be sure to check and now appreciate the importance of mechanical accuracy in the adapter. This is very helpful.