So, how do you like my bumps?

[jlw]

One mildly annoying thing about using L-mount lenses with an M-mount adapter, as compared to skookum M-mount lenses, is that the adapted ones don't have that handy little red "bump" that helps you line up the lens with the camera bayonet.

Well, today I had some liquid epoxy glue out to fix something else, and decided to try making my own bumps. I mixed in a couple of drops of red nail polish with the epoxy. The resulting mixture is viscous enough that it forms a fairly round dot on its own, with no shaping required. It doesn't stick up as far as the ones on M lenses, but it's still prominent enough for me to feel it with my thumb, so I think it should work about as well.

Whaddaya think?

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

That's a great idea. BTW, there are LTM-to-M mount adapters that have a rather visible red line to aid in the mounting. Some lenses cover these up, though.

 

[pvdhaar]

The Cosina adapters not only feature a red line, but the edge is indented as well for a tactile indication.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Go to the "Dollar Store" in the toy section and you will find sheets of "Stick on Jewels". The round Rubies are much like Leica Dots, maybe a little more sparkly. The self-stick glue is pretty good, but some real epoxy would hold them better.

On a humorous note, you would think that it would take a 5-year old in a hospital room more than 3 hours to go through 480 of those little gems.

 

[Pherdinand]

You guys just are addicted to red dots, aren't you 😀

 

[jlw]

The Cosina adapters not only feature a red line, but the edge is indented as well for a tactile indication.

The adapters I have are made like this, but unfortunately most of my lenses are a little too fat for me to feel the edge indent -- the diameter of the lens extends beyond the diameter of the adapter.

I like the idea of the stick-on jewels and will check it out next time I'm near a dollar store.

Incidentally, these dots aren't just a fashion thing -- they really do help you orient the lens when working in low light. I guess Leitz thought of them first, but Minolta and Canon SLRs have them, too.