Pentax K lens on Leica M body

[anitasanger]

Greetings,

I've been wanting to use all of my old Pentax K lenses on my Leica. After doing some research, I found that there is a product called the Novoflex LEM/PENT. It is an adapter that allows one to mount a pentax K onto a Leica M body.

Perhaps it's blasphemous to put Japanese glass on a German camera, but I am really found of some of my Pentax lenses. So, has anyone here ever done this? Is there anything I should know? ANy problems I should anticipate? The adapter is really expensive, so If I buy it, I hope it works properly!

Also, would this allow my Leica to focus at closer distances as the lens does on my K1000?

Thank you, Luke

 

[mooge]

It won't be coupled to the rangefinder- basically, there's no focus confirmation. scale focus only. Works okay with wides, not so hot with fast lenses...

cheers.

 

[anitasanger]

Oh man, what an absolute drag! Is there any way to couple it to the rangefinder? With no focus confirmation, why do they even make such an adapter? It seems pretty pointless.

 

[Phil_F_NM]

Perhaps it's blasphemous to put Japanese glass on a German camera, but I am really found of some of my Pentax lenses.

It's not blasphemous at all. Nikkors, Canons, Komuras, Acalls and many more were made in Japan. Some of the nicest RF lenses ever.

back on topic: I want to do the same thing with a manual focus 300mm lens on my M8. Not for close focus. stopped down and closer to infinity, it would be usable.

Phil Forrest

 

[mooge]

Wider SLR lenses would work okay on a RF because they would be easy to scale focus (the 15mm f/ 4,5 that Voigtlander makes in LTM for example, does not have RF coupling... because it's kind of unnecessary).
But anything wider than your widest frameline would need a finder (~$150) or you'd be guess-framing too.
I don't really get the appeal of SLR-> RF adapters either.

I think you can RF couple non-RF lenses, MS optical has done it with Contax G lenses. but it's pretty pricy too.

 

[anitasanger]

Ugh. Well thank you for informing me. If I can't use it for exact focusing, it's usesless for what I do. Thanks! I'm glad I hadn't bought it yet!

Luek

 

[tedwhite]

I'm not sure why you want to do this in the first place. I've got 12 Super Takumar lenses and four Spotmatic bodies, plus an MX and two lenses for it. I've also got an RF body with a couple of lenses.

If I want to use a Takumar lens I just put it on a Pentax body. I don't see the point of trying to bolt it onto an RF body. I see nothing gained and much lost.

 

[mooge]

no problem.

you know, Pentax did make a rangefinder lens: a 43mm f/1.9 in LTM...

cheers.

 

[anitasanger]

Really? Wow, I didn't know that. Did they happen to make a f1.4?

 

[mooge]

I think that was the only RF lens Pentax made. They've never made a rangefinder camera, so it's really odd that a Pentax RF lens was made at all.

 

[anitasanger]

Indeed, that is very odd!

 

[Freakscene]

Really? Wow, I didn't know that. Did they happen to make a f1.4?

No 1.4; the 43/1.9 is the only Pentax RF lens. I have it and I read your other post - it doesn't do what you want - it has very high contrast, like the six element 50/2 Summicrons.

Marty

 

[ChrisN]

What are you seeking in a Leica M body that is not available in the Pentax body you have? Perhaps there is a better body that might have the features you want?

 

[bizarrius]

i would love that limited 31mm in my hands once again 🙁
the only thing i sold and shouldn't. My 3 pentax limited lenses.

 

[Spyro]

no problem.

you know, Pentax did make a rangefinder lens: a 43mm f/1.9 in LTM...

cheers.

43? Is there even an RF body with 43mm framelines?

 

[ChrisN]

43? Is there even an RF body with 43mm framelines?

It was sold (mainly in the Japanese market) with a dedicated accessory viewfinder.

 

[anitasanger]

What are you seeking in a Leica M body that is not available in the Pentax body you have? Perhaps there is a better body that might have the features you want?

Because I hate lens slap and enjoy taking exposures in low light/ low shutter speed.

 

[ChrisN]

Because I hate lens slap and enjoy taking exposures in low light/ low shutter speed.

One of the more modern bodies might be suitable. Last week I tested a MZ-5n alongside a Hexar RF, to compare the 35 Summicron ASPH to the FA 35/2 ED AL in real world conditions, shooting the same pictures with the same apertures alternately with the two different cameras. The comparison of the images is quite enlightening, but that is another story. 😉 What became apparent is that the MZ-5n has a very gentle mirror movement, with no more vibration felt than was felt from the Hexar.

If you have the opportunity, try your favorite lens on a MZ-5 or 5n. For low-light I'd still prefer the LX, MX or one of the K2 models, for the brighter viewfinder and better focusing screen for manual-focus lenses. The auto-focus bodies will however give you a focus-confirmation beep, even in light levels lower than I can focus in manually.

 

[anitasanger]

Oh thank you for the tips! It may be more feasible for me to take the route you have suggested. I appreciate the advice.

 

[David Hughes]

As the Pentax lens is not RF coupled you would have to focus using the scale on it. And measure the distance of the subject using a tape measure or else an accessory range-finder in the accessory shoe. It's not impossible, many of us have been doing it with the none RF Leicas, or any non CRF cameras for many years.

Regards, David