Screw Mount Lens Question

[Eomund@go.com]

Good evening, This is my first post and I hope I put it in the correct thread.

I have just aquired a NIKKOR-P 10.5cm 1:2.5 Telephoto Screw Mount Lens. I have been researching this lens on the internet and have found some great info, but when I found this forum I noticed a post stating there are two different kinds of screw mounts.

I had come to the conclusion, that the lens I had was most likely made to fit the Leica Rangefinder Cameras, due to the fact, when Nikkon decided to make camera bodies, they chose to go with a bayonet mount.

Now a thread I found here, suggested there are in fact two different screw mounts, an S-mount and a Leica Thread Mount. I had also read online that, I believe, one camera body maker chose to use a slightly different threading dimention, making some lenses non compatible.

My, long winded, question is how do you tell the difference between the two different types of screw mounts. It is my intent to sell this lens, but I don't want to mis-lead potential buyers, by telling them it is a Leica mount lens, if it isn't.

Any help in this matter would be greatly apreciated. The person I got the lens from does not know what kind of camera it originally went on due to the fact it had belonged to his uncle and his uncle had given the camera away and has been decesed for some years now.

There was another piece, I believe, that went with the lens. It is some kind of eye piece with a brand name of Prazisa and the dial on the eyepiece says Pr'a'zisa I. It also says Germany on it which made me lean towards the Leica.

Again, Thanks for any help.

 

[bmattock]

The lens you have would fit a Leica LTM (screw mount) camera, I believe. Nikon never made any other kind of screw-mount lens that I am aware of. If you're referring to a recent discussion about Paxette lenses, which also have a 39mm screw mount, Nikon never made a lens for them. As you suspected, Nikon later made their own copy of a Contax camera with a modified Contax bayonet mount. If your lens has a screw mount on the back that is 39mm in width, that's what you have.

Another common type of screw mount is used for SLR cameras - but it is a wider 42mm width, commonly called M42. Not used for rangefinders, and Nikon never made one of those, either.

The device you refer to would be a 'rangefinder' made by Prazisa. It is oblong and has a thumbwheel on it, yes? You peer into the side with one optical outlet and point the side with two optical outlets towards your target. You should see a superimposed image in the middle of the view. You turn the thumbwheel and bring the images together - until one overlaps the other. Then you look at the wheel - it has a number pointed to by an indicator. That's how far away the object is from you. You set the focus on your non-rangefinder camera to that distance and badda-bing, you're good to go. It is a rangefinder for non-rangefinder cameras.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[Eomund@go.com]

The device you refer to would be a 'rangefinder' made by Prazisa. It is oblong and has a thumbwheel on it, yes? You peer into the side with one optical outlet and point the side with two optical outlets towards your target. You should see a superimposed image in the middle of the view. You turn the thumbwheel and bring the images together - until one overlaps the other. Then you look at the wheel - it has a number pointed to by an indicator. That's how far away the object is from you. You set the focus on your non-rangefinder camera to that distance and badda-bing, you're good to go. It is a rangefinder for non-rangefinder cameras.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

WOW....Thats awesome!!! It is EXACTLY like that...LOL..

Thanks VERY much for the info. I have been going crazy all week trying to figure this lens out. I just measured the screw on end and it is approx. 39mm. ( I was using a wooden ruler so it isn't a precise measurment).

I figured this lens was made for the Leica, due to the history following WWII, of Nikon Optics.

Thanks again!

 

[Skinny McGee]

I like Chicken

 

[kiev4a]

The lens you have would fit a Leica LTM (screw mount) camera, I believe. Nikon never made any other kind of screw-mount lens that I am aware of. If you're referring to a recent discussion about Paxette lenses, which also have a 39mm screw mount, Nikon never made a lens for them. As you suspected, Nikon later made their own copy of a Contax camera with a modified Contax bayonet mount. If your lens has a screw mount on the back that is 39mm in width, that's what you have.

Another common type of screw mount is used for SLR cameras - but it is a wider 42mm width, commonly called M42. Not used for rangefinders, and Nikon never made one of those, either.

The device you refer to would be a 'rangefinder' made by Prazisa. It is oblong and has a thumbwheel on it, yes? You peer into the side with one optical outlet and point the side with two optical outlets towards your target. You should see a superimposed image in the middle of the view. You turn the thumbwheel and bring the images together - until one overlaps the other. Then you look at the wheel - it has a number pointed to by an indicator. That's how far away the object is from you. You set the focus on your non-rangefinder camera to that distance and badda-bing, you're good to go. It is a rangefinder for non-rangefinder cameras.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

The Soviets made 39mm screw mount lenses for some of their early SLRs but they won't work on a rangefinder body because the lens to film distance is incorrect.
Nikkor provided LTM lenses for at least a couple of Japanese Leica copies. Those lenses should work fine on just about any LTM camera (although the LTF distance may vary a few hundreths of a millimeter).

 

[bmattock]

The Soviets made 39mm screw mount lenses for some of their early SLRs but they won't work on a rangefinder body because the lens to film distance is incorrect.

Correct, the M39. I left that out of my explanation since Nikon never made a lens for that camera mount.

Nikkor provided LTM lenses for at least a couple of Japanese Leica copies. Those lenses should work fine on just about any LTM camera (although the LTF distance may vary a few hundreths of a millimeter).

I agree - there may be differences, but chances are they are negligible. I believe Nikon made RF lenses for Nicca, yes? I dunno who else that did LTM clones, but would appreciate learning! I have a Bronica MF SLR with Nikkor lenses.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[Kin Lau]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the Nikon S-mount is the Nikon version of the Contax mount, not a screw mount. Brian Sweeney probably knows best here.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Just saw this:

The S-Mount is the term for the Nikon RF Mount.

I have this lens in both S-Mount for the Nikon's, and in Screw mount for the Leica. I use the latter on the M3 with an M-Mount adapter. Nikon also made it in Contax mount, denoted by a 'c' on the lens barrel, near the mount.

First Class Lens.

Nikkor 10.5cm F2.5, M3, framed using the 90mm lines, equals almost 100% frame on 10.5cm.
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/data/3204/swing_105_5.jpg

 

[rover]

So Eo, what camera are you going to mount this nice lens on?

 

[Eomund@go.com]

So Eo, what camera are you going to mount this nice lens on?

Acctually I listed it on E-bay. I have a Canon A-1 SLR,( I know, I know- for shame)...lol. And obviously this lens wont fit.

The sad story on this lens is, it actually belongs to a co-worker who asked me to list it on E-Bay for him. When I first saw it, I had NO clue of what kind of camera it was for. I asked if he still had the camera, and he told me he had GIVEN it away because loading the film was a pain in the neck. Something about having to slide the film along a grove. Once I researched this lens on the internet, and found out what the lens was for, I nearly cried. He GAVE AWAY, a Leica Rangefinder!

I was fascinated by the history of this lens, though. It is a pretty cool thing to discover the history behind these cameras and actually hold a piece of this history.

 

[bmattock]

Nothing wrong with a Canon A-1. By the way - there is a 39mm to Canon FD adapter. I know, I have one. Works a treat. However, your typical FD glass is just as good and works better without the need to stop-down manually to stop-down and shoot, and you keep infinity focus. But just so you know...hehehe.

I hope you'll consider adding a nice rangefinder or two to your stable and come spend some time with us - many of us shoot SLRs and even (gasp) digital now and again, but RF's are something special - and RFF'ers are even more special.

If you're partial to Canons, a Canonet GIII QL-17 would be a lovely choice (hint, hint).

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[Eomund@go.com]

Well Bill, like I said, I have found the quest for Knowledge to be fascinating. This co-worker actually has a couple of old cameras. (which I have listed on E-Boy as you call them..lol)

A Kodak petite folding camera, not in working order though. Mechanically everything works, but the Bellows are deteriorated to the point where light filters through. But for a camera over 70 years old, it is REALY cool.

A Zeiss Ikon Ikonta 521/16, in working order. There is NO light leak in the bellows.
Again a really cool camera.

I have had a great time learning about photography history and until I researched these cameras, I had NO idea what a Rangefinder camera was.


And as fate would have it, I just won an auction, tonight, on E-Bay for 4 cameras. 3 pentax and one.....


Ready.....



Canon GIII QL......LOL

I don't know if it is a QL 17, though, I don't see a 17 in the picture. My intent on this auction was to piece meal sell them, but I may just be keeping the canon for myself.

 

[bmattock]

Congrats and welcome to the wonderful world of rangefinders! The '17' in the designation refers to the f1.7 lens - QL means Quick Load and it is printed on the front of the camera - the label actually reads G-III QL. If it is not an f1.7, then that means it is probably an f2.8 - both are fine cameras, but the f1.7 (or QL17 as it is commonly known) is a hotrod. Nice sharp lens, decent well-made camera body, and not so rare as to be made of purest unobtanium. A classic you can actually take out and shoot with and have no fear of something unkind happening to it. Unless it is the uber-rare black one, of course...grin.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[Eomund@go.com]

Ahhhh, Well then guess what?





I am the owner, pending shipment, of a GIII-QL 17.....lol



Fate is a funny mistress!!!!

I just recently got into E-Bay on account of the Canon A-1. My wife had an A-1 that wasn't working. I sent it off to see if it was fixable but the main circut board was fried. So I found an A-1 package that included a Zoom Flash, 50mm lens, 80mm-200mm zoom lens, power winder, acton semi hard case, A-1 camera body and a decent camera bag. The camera body wasn't all that great. It worked but had the shutter squeak. I basically bought the package for the zoom lens so I sold most everything separatley including the A-1 body, and bought myself another A-1 body with a 50mm lens. So now I have my SLR set up.


I had such good success with the A-1 process, I thought I might try it again. So I found a package deal today and won. Two Pentax SP 1000, one honeywell Pentax Spotmatic and the Canon GIII. There are also about 20 different filters, 3 or 4 extra lenses and a whole bunch of accessories that go along with the cameras. I figured I would create 4 seperate camera set ups to re sell, but after the past couple of days in the Rangefinder world, maybe it is fated that I should have the canon rangefinder as well.


I guess I will be selling only 3 camera packs.....LOL.


I will, at least, put the GIII through it's paces to get some experience in the rangefinder world!

 

[rover]

I think we have to start the M3/Canon P timer on Eo.

Buying and selling on ebay, new found fascination with RF cameras starting with a Canonet....

He is just starting to feel the force, which path will he take?

I give him 11 months, 17 days. 😎

Welcome to the gang.

 

[bmattock]

Ahhhh, Well then guess what?
I am the owner, pending shipment, of a GIII-QL 17.....lol

Well, congrats again. I hope it is a good one, they aren't all perfect, due to age. But a surprising number of them survived more or less intact, they're durable boogers.

Things to look for would be a clean, clear viewfinder and sharp visible rangefinder patch, a back that has good light seals, and a reliable accurate shutter. Oh, and clean lens of course. But fewer Canonets had problems this way than many of their contemporaries, in my experience. Plus, if you should happen to have problems, there are a lot of helpful folks right here who will pitch in and help you out.

The QL stands for Quick-Load, and it's a Canon invention used in the FT series of cameras - I have no idea why they never kept using it. Works well, in my experience (I have old FT-series Canon SLRs). You just slap the film in, extend the leader, and close the back - it threads it and so on for you. Very nice.

And the lens is just an awesome little cracker, really it is. Stephen Gandy has a very nice write up on CameraQuest about it:

http://www.cameraquest.com/canql17.htm

So enjoy and have fun! We'll look forward to hearing your experiences!

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[dostacos]

Ahhhh, Well then guess what?

I am the owner, pending shipment, of a GIII-QL 17.....lol

SNIP

I will, at least, put the GIII through it's paces to get some experience in the rangefinder world!

well if it has issues look up Greyhoundman here. he does great repair work and upgrade the camera to use a 625 battery

he has done a CLA on 2 QL 17s and a 28 for me and they all work great

oh and welcome to the group

 

[bob cole]

edmund, the fast way to tell if your sm Nikkor will fit a sm Leica -- assuming you are close to a dealer with old Leicas -- is to take your lens to the store and ask to try it...As others have said the other major screw-mount lenses are for the Pentax and similar cameras with a 42mm screw mount...Since Nikon made screw mounts for the Leica, chances are 99.4% certain that you have a Leica-mount lens and can ask a very good price for it...regards, bob