Time to ask some more (lens incompatibly)

[vha]

Once upon a time i read something somewhere about lenses an Leica M´s, about which lenses you shouldn´t use on which camera.

But now i don´t remember more that something about the M5 and the Cl because of the metering-cell, but i have a M6.

So what is there to know about it ?, or should i rather forget about it ? , mean there is mostly no good start looking for possible problems which might have to happen one day in 15 years from now .. . . .

Just wondering, might happen that i find some more glass for my M6, you never know what you find, always leave the credit-card at home I say

vha.

- - -
edit : are specially thinking of lenses like 21 mm Super Angulon - M f:3.4, looks tempting but luckily hard to find.

 

[FrankS]

There are no lens compatability problems that I know of with the M6. Buy it. The problem only occurs with some early wide angle lenses on the M5 and CL. Buy the M6.

 

[Ben Z]

The 21mm Super-Angulons (f/4 and f/3.4) and the 1st version 28mm Elmarit will fit and work on the M6 but their deep rear elements will block the meter cell from reading correctly. You'll need a handheld meter or meter first with another lens, if you buy any of those three. There is no reason you would have to buy them though, there are ample alternatives.

It is also said by some that the 40mm and 90mm lenses made for the CL will not focus correctly with the M rangefinders due to differences in camming. Physically that is undeniably true yet many people who use those lenses on M bodies find their results acceptible. Again, there are ample alternatives to the CL lenses.

 

[richard_l]

It seems like I've heard of some wide angle lenses (non-retrofocus designs?) that extend so far into the camera body that they can interfere with the meter, but they can be used without doing any damage.

Addendum: What Ben Z said.

 

[jaapv]

The early Angulons 21 and Elmarit 28 can be used (without internal metering) on the M5/Cl after modifying the rear flange, which Leica can do, to prevent the measuring cell from swinging into the active position. Care should be taken with the collapsible 50 and 90 mm lenses which must be modified by sticking Dymo Tape on the barrel (factory recommendation (!)) to prevent them from protruding too far into the body. With these restrictions all lenses can be used on the M5.

 

[JNewell]

I have heard reports of some M6s not accepting DR Summicrons. There's some discussion of this on a couple of Stephen Gandy's pages.

 

[rover]

I believe I am correct in saying that the DR will mount without problem on the M6 (mine does). The incompatibility is that the eyes will not mount as the camera is a few mm taller than the older Leicas.

 

[richard_l]

I believe I am correct in saying that the DR will mount without problem on the M6 (mine does). The incompatibility is that the eyes will not mount as the camera is a few mm taller than the older Leicas.

The problem might only be with the M6TTL. The Summaron goggles fit perfectly on my M6, so the DR goggles should also fit.

Richard

 

[JNewell]

Gandy says it's not only a TTL/body height issue (you can remove the stop on the goggles and use the DR on an M5, for example) but also an issue with the film chamber. Early M6s have a different design which he says may be the reason that some M6s won't accept a DR. Here's some quotes from his site.

The shroud has cut outs on four corners, corresponding to the four corners of the negative, apparently to allow the mounting of deeply recessed lenses. These cut outs may allow lens mounting that the earlier M6 bodies would not. Apparently this is why 50/2 Duel Range Summicrons will not mount properly on early M6 bodies.

Compatibility: Leica has confirmed that the DR will not mount on all M6, due to internal changes of the film chamber. Try the DR on your M6 before you buy it, if possible.

The 50/2 DR will probably work fine on the M6, but you must remember to mount and dismount the lens focused at infinity. When focused near it's closest regular focusing distance, the lens will be difficult to mount OR unmount. I have reports of the DR not functioning in close up range on a M6. I am frankly unsure if these reports are due to variations with the bodies and the DR, or are the result of user error. More research will till. It seems prudent to try a DR on your M6 before you buy it.

 

[rover]

Hmmm, I remeber reading that now.

Well, it spends most of it's time out on my M3 so perhaps I haven't seen any problems because I haven't used it a lot on my M6.