M39 to M mount question

taskoni

taskoni

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

Remember to have fun!

best,
Alex
 
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
 
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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.
 
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
 
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