M2 & Summitar 50 f/2 (M39) with Fotodiox Adapter

[Dcanalogue]

Hi guys!

When I bought my Leica M2 a friend gave me an old "damaged" Summitar 50mm f/2 (M39 mount). I tested it on digital and film (on a Canon 7 Rf) and it worked very well, despite the bad spots on some lenses. I published the results here around.
But, to work with M2 the Summitar needsa an adapter. The Leica ones are rare and expensive so, I bought a cheap Fotodiox (for 50 & 70mm) and went to test it. I also used an Asian made lens hood.

Results were perfect! The adapter worked flawlessy, engaging the 50mm frame and Rf.
Film was Ilford Pan F+ rated @25 Iso and developen in FX39

Images speaks by themselves... 😉

More on my Film Blog

 

[scigeek]

The second shot is really very nice indeed.

 

[fer_fdi]

excellent results!!! very nice

It seems that adapters on 50mm lenses are very forgiving and that it is critical for the other focal lengths.
Can't find the (very interesting) thread were this was well explained.

I like the first one very much. It has an amazing volume.

 

[lxmike]

lovely shots, nice to see 'old' glass brought back to life

 

[Dcanalogue]

The second shot is really very nice indeed.

excellent results!!! very nice

It seems that adapters on 50mm lenses are very forgiving and that it is critical for the other focal lengths.
Can't find the (very interesting) thread were this was well explained.

I like the first one very much. It has an amazing volume.

lovely shots, nice to see 'old' glass brought back to life

Thanks guys!
It's really nice using these good, old lenses. Almost all have their "character"

 

[David Hughes]

excellent results!!! very nice

It seems that adapters on 50mm lenses are very forgiving and that it is critical for the other focal lengths.
Can't find the (very interesting) thread were this was well explained.

I like the first one very much. It has an amazing volume.

Hi,

There's not much that's critical on them. The flange has to be 1mm thick and that's it...

It helps, if the frame lines come up correctly but that doesn't affect the focus and the little lever will soon bring up the right frame.

Regards, David

 

[fer_fdi]

>There's not much that's critical on them. The flange has to be 1mm thick and that's it...

Some are not 1mm I guess then

BTOH you can find other inconveniences as I found adapting Summaron 35/3.5: on some adapters the lens wasn't positioned right and then coupling of the rangefinder arm didn't work at close distances. The length of the thread needed to be right, not just the thickness so the cut on the back ring of the lens was centered.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

To me focussing is critical and the rest is not so important and can be cured in the long term, if at all.

Regards, David

 

[Dcanalogue]

Hi,

To me focussing is critical and the rest is not so important and can be cured in the long term, if at all.

Regards, David

Yep... I wear glasses so the easiest way to focus is a Rangefinder.... and the M2 one is really great!. Had no problem using the Fotodiox adapter.... 😉

 

[Daryl J.]

Are there adapters to avoid?
I have two Kipon 50-70 M39/M rings and they each place the lens differently. Both are "to the left" of top-dead-center, one of which is more so and brings up other frame lines faintly.
Do I correctly presume this affects focus?
I just picked up a Summitar 2/50 and am hoping to avoid adapter ring surprises and annoyances.

 

[Dcanalogue]

Are there adapters to avoid?
I have two Kipon 50-70 M39/M rings and they each place the lens differently. Both are "to the left" of top-dead-center, one of which is more so and brings up other frame lines faintly.
Do I correctly presume this affects focus?
I just picked up a Summitar 2/50 and am hoping to avoid adapter ring surprises and annoyances.

Hi!
i don't know how other adapters work..... I just kept the Fotodiox one and it worked flawlessy with my Summitar... 😀
Btw. Check the blog post and judge by yourself.... 😉

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Do I correctly presume this affects focus?

Correct adapter should bring it to correct "flange range". I can't confirm it 100%, but I've had Ultron 35 1.7 on no-name adapter where it wasn't sitting right.
Once I adopted Leitz made adapter my f1.7 at 1 meter shots become slightly sharper. But I didn't run comparison tests to prove it, I have sold lens instead to get M-mount lens 🙂

 

[Daryl J.]

Thank you.