M39 to M mount question

[taskoni]

Hi friends. I am about to obtain Leica M2 in a very close future and I was thinking to use one of my 50mm lenses with M39 mount on it with adapter.
I am not going to have enough cash to get a 50mm M lens for the time being and I have 2 x 5cm lenses (summar and elmar) for my loved leica IIIa and don't want to sell any of them :bang: Or it is a bad idea? All your help and advises are greatly appreciated!
Regards,
Bobby

 

[drewbarb]

As long as you have a good quality adapter that calls up the appropriate frame lines, thread mount lenses work great on M cameras. With a good adapter you will have no issues, and probably won't even notice that you are using a lens with an adapter at all.

 

[taskoni]

Sweet! Thank you for the reply Drew!
Regards,
Bobby

 

[drewbarb]

Leica was really smart when they designed the M-mount camera and used the same rangefinder mechanism they already had in place with the thread mount cameras. It's such a minor change in the mount, keeping the RF coupling perfectly intact. To this day, the use of thread mount lenses on M-cameras remains one the most seamless systems ever implemented to use lenses designed for one mount on cameras built with another.

BTW- I think it's a good idea not to sell any of your current lenses or body, as long as you like them. They won't bring enough money to make a huge difference in your gear, and you'll regret selling if you do. Better to just save up and add to your kit. Enjoy your M2!

 

[Roger Hicks]

Dear Bobby,

When I got my first M, I was in exactly the same situation as you, and used both Summar and Elmar perfectly happily, along with a 90/4 Elmar I also owned. In those days, the only adapters available were Leica, and they're still the best, but good-quality third-party adapters are perfectly good too. Just beware of ultra-cheap Chinese versions.

Cheers,

R.

 

[alexnotalex]

Selling and buying, then regretting it and telling the tale is an important part of this hobby, IMHO.

Remember to have fun!

best,
Alex

 

[taskoni]

Thank you guys for your replies! All sounds great and will look forward to hop on the M2 🙂
BTW, I forgot to ask the most important question - is it a problem to use collapsible lens with the M2?
Regards,
Bobby

 

[Roger Hicks]

Dear Bobby,

All the ones I've tried collapse without problems. I don't think there was ever any advice not to use any of them until the M5 came along.

Cheers,

R.

 

[LeicaTom]

Try to buy the Leitz M39 to M adapters, they work the best and are the best, they cost a little bit more, but you have piece of mind using them..........they are all I use on my M8, I don't have any M mount lenses, I use ONLY vintage screw mount lenses for my style of work in the business and the Leitz adapters are always there 🙂

Tom

 

[taskoni]

Cheers guys! I am on it 😉
Wish me luck!
Regards,
Bobby