new Contax RF/Nikon S adapters

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This translation covers the renowned lenses of the Contax RF and Nikon RF systems, their imaging characteristics, and the brands that adopted the RF mount system, emphasizing their significance in photographic history.

Leica M Mount RF Adapter: Compatible with Classic RF Lenses for Accurate Rangefinder Focusing
CA$95 · Harwood, Ontario

The Leica M mount RF adapter can be used to mount RF mount lenses from various manufacturers and supports accurate focusing with the rangefinder coupling. Here are some of the classic RF mount lenses that can be adapted with this adapter:
1. **Contax RF (Zeiss Ikon)**
Lenses from Zeiss Ikon’s Contax RF mount system, such as the renowned Zeiss Sonnar and Biogon series, can be adapted to Leica M bodies. These lenses can still utilize the Leica M’s rangefinder coupling mechanism for precise focusing after adaptation.
2. **Nikon RF**
Early RF mount lenses produced by Nikon, such as the Nikkor 50mm F1.4 and 85mm F2, can also be adapted to Leica M systems. These lenses are known for their excellent optical performance and can still be focused accurately using the rangefinder coupling when adapted.
3. **Kiev**
RF lenses produced by the Soviet Kiev factory, which are essentially copies of Contax RF lenses, can be adapted to Leica M bodies. These lenses continue to support rangefinder coupling for accurate focusing after adaptation.
4. **Canon RF**
RF mount lenses produced by Canon in the mid-20th century, such as the Canon 50mm F1.8, can also be adapted to Leica M systems. These lenses also support rangefinder coupling for precise focusing.
The design of these adapters is highly precise, ensuring that when adapting lenses from different RF mount brands, the Leica M body’s rangefinder system can function correctly, enabling accurate manual focusing. This allows photographers to fully utilize the unique optical characteristics of various classic lenses while enjoying the operational experience of the Leica M system.


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You cannot make one adapter that accurately focuses the lens using the rangefinder for both S-Mount and Contax RF mount.
The external mount lenses have a different rotation, and the internal mount lenses require a different transition from minimum to maximum focus. When you examine the Amedeo adapters, you see the Contax internal mount adapter uses an indexed cam.

I've bought several of the inexpensive Chinese mount adapters- varying degrees of error in them. I'd want to see this one tested before spending money on it. It looks like the M-Mount adapter I bought, only useful for mirrorless cameras- despite having an RF cam.
 
And I'm glad I jumped on an Amedeo Contax-to-LTM adapter when I saw they'd restarted production. Thing works beautifully, even at f/1.5 and the close focus stop. There's just too many variables at play to mess around with sloppy adapters.
 
I picked up a beautiful Carl Zeiss 50/1.5 this weekend- and bought another one of the inexpensive Chinese LTM adapters for it. $54.


Good for internal mount lenses. No index to the cam- so best for S-Mount. I set the shim on the Zeiss Sonnars for best use close-up/wide-open, focus shift at F2~F2.8 covers infinity.
 
@Sonnar Brian, still happy with this adapter? I'm guessing it is more versatile because (1) can be used on LTM bodies, and (2) with LTM to M adapter it can be rotated to align inf and aperture marks at top?
I decided I want to try one of these inexpensive adapters but I get confused so easily these days 😬.
 
@rfaspen The adapter arrived and was perfect focus with my S-Mount Nikkor 5cm F2 and Nikkor 5cm F1.4, no change required. I have two West German 50mm F1.5 Sonnars adapted already. So- yes, for the money it is a cheap way to adapt internal mount lenses to Leica. The RF coupling is accurate on the LTM adapter.
The sad thing- the first two adapters I bought could be rotated after loosening the set screws for use with external mount lenses. Someone cheapened the design.
 
Good to hear. I have internal mount 50's. Going to give the one you linked a try. I wanted to get one (adapter) with some real life experience....there's more than a few on the web that I just don't know if I trust....they don't give me much confidence from the descriptions.
 
@rfaspen The adapter arrived and was perfect focus with my S-Mount Nikkor 5cm F2 and Nikkor 5cm F1.4, no change required. I have two West German 50mm F1.5 Sonnars adapted already. So- yes, for the money it is a cheap way to adapt internal mount lenses to Leica. The RF coupling is accurate on the LTM adapter.
The sad thing- the first two adapters I bought could be rotated after loosening the set screws for use with external mount lenses. Someone cheapened the design.
Does the outer bayonet work well for lenses that will fit & clear Leica rf cam - do they couple focus to the rf?
I know some wide nikkors are not comparable as the rear group hits the rf roller mechanism
 
@enasniearth
Lenses using the Outer Bayonet can no longer be used on this adapter: the company originally made the adapter where the outer bayonet could be adjusted to be "in phase" with the rf coupling of the lens. The current design: it can no longer be moved, and they got the design wrong. Only buy this adapter for inner mount lenses.
 
is infinity focus ok on the outer bayonet -- in other words guess focus for distance
or will the lens simply not mount because of this change


I just compared the photos in the ad with an s2 focus mount looks like the 3 lugs are off by about 60 degrees
so I doubt outer bayonet lenses will mount at all
 
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