Too cheap to be a good deal?

[jamiewakeham]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/m39-lens-adap...1QQihZ007QQcategoryZ30070QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Good deal? Seems a bit too cheap to be true.

With the M3 on its way and not much cash for M-mount lenses this seems to be just what I need!

Jamie

 

[colyn]

It's a Chinese made kit and like most Chinese made junk won't bring up the proper framelines..

 

[payasam]

There are good products, Colyn, and there are bad ones, but I don't know if it is proper to generalise in this way. It's of course possible that you speak from experience.

 

[Krosya]

I think they work fine, no matter where they are made. I think ones with Voigtlander name is also made in China. I have a Leica Original adapter that had to be adjusted as it didn't fit right on M6, while was Ok on M3. So, go figure. Anyway, what I was going to say - I have seen this same set cheaper. About 40-42 $ USD, not UK pounds. So look around.

 

[photogdave]

That seems to work out to the same price as the Voigtlander ones here.

 

[Didier]

As Payasam says, you can't generalise that much about China made products. The Voigtlander adapter are likely made there, too. Bringing up the right framelines is one thing, and bringing the focus barrel's index point at 12 o'clock is another. Buy it, try it. If it doesn't work out, sell it.
Didier

 

[colyn]

It's of course possible that you speak from experience.

I do...

I've tried several of these Chinese adapters and all failed.. Everyone of them brought up the 35/135mm framelines..

 

[ISO]

bringing the focus barrel's index point at 12 o'clock

I am new to adapters. Bought two, one Zeiss for $80 and a Chinese $20 one. Well, on both with two lenses (35 UC-Hexanon and Jupiter 8) the focus barrel's index point is at 12:03 with the Hexanon and 12:07 with J8. On my test the focus on short distance seemed fine. But normally should the focus barrel's index point at 12 o'clock, to guarantee proper focus ?

 

[colyn]

The Voigtlander adapter are likely made there, too.

All of my Voigtlander adapters are marked made in Japan.

The adapter should be approx 1mm thick but my Chinese examples are nearly 2mm with one being 0.72mm

 

[Platinum RF]

All of my Voigtlander adapters are marked made in Japan.

The adapter should be approx 1mm thick but my Chinese examples are nearly 2mm with one being 0.72mm

I have some Made in China adapters, they all measure 1mm as well as these Voigtlander's I have. Voigtlander is bit bettter in term of finish, but all these Made in China adapters are work very well. I have no idea when do you buy these adaptors and where. Not all Made in China are junk, just like the Japanese goods in 50-60's. Some are junk or chapio, some are really good. they made tripod for Adorama, they are good.

 

[Platinum RF]

It's a Chinese made kit and like most Chinese made junk won't bring up the proper framelines..

This is totally BS

 

[markinlondon]

All of my Voigtlander adapters are marked made in Japan.

The adapter should be approx 1mm thick but my Chinese examples are nearly 2mm with one being 0.72mm

0.8mm is the required thickness. If your Chinese adapters are this far out, Colyn, then you're right in saying that they're junk.

 

[back alley]

i've read both...that some chinese made adapters work great and some don't.
it might be a question of quality control .

joe

 

[Tom A]

The screw to bayonet adapter has to be 1mm thick. The lens flange to film distance on a screw mount leica is 28,8mm and to mount a screw mount lens on a m mount camera (with its 27,8 flange distance) you need a 1mm thick adapter.
I have adapters made in Germany,japan and China and they all work well. I did get a "no-name" adapter some years ago that was 1.1 mm thick, but I suspect that the chrome on it was simply too thick and ground of 0.1mm and it works very well.
As for Cosina adapters being made in China. Not so, as I have been drooling at that machine several times while visiting Cosina/Voigtlander. Nice CNC machine that quietly stands there and "spits" out adapters. I think I would like one of these at home! Just dial in what you need and the turning center will make you a 28 or 35 or a 50 adapter. No more having to look for one in my cabinet! Kind of big machine though and not that simple to operate as it has to be pre-programmed.

 

[jamiewakeham]

Crikey - didn't mean to stir up trouble!

As there's a month to go till a friend couriers my M3 across the atlantic (avoiding postage and customs charges), I'll wait. If they're still available I might try a set and send 'em straight back if they don't work.

Thanks for opinions
Jamie

 

[Spider67]

As there's a month to go till a friend couriers my M3 across the atlantic (avoiding postage and customs charges),

That certainly adds a very romantic streak to it....I also expect a Rangefinder from the US by personal courier...

 

[varjag]

I have two LTM>M adapters, Leitz 50 and the cheapest ($18 with shipping) Chinese made 35-135. When measured with micrometer, both are fairly close in thickness.

Chinese one has engravings as well, but lenses screw in with index mark a bit off 12 o'clock, unlike with Leitz adapter. Leitz has finer cut&polish, is made of chrome-plated brass, which makes it inherently more costly. Chinese seems to be aluminium alloy, which will expand and contract more with temperature variations than brass, although it wouldn't perhaps matter that much in typical use.

 

[Didier]

Bought two, one Zeiss for $80 and a Chinese $20 one. Well, on both with two lenses (35 UC-Hexanon and Jupiter 8) the focus barrel's index point is at 12:03 with the Hexanon and 12:07 with J8. On my test the focus on short distance seemed fine. But normally should the focus barrel's index point at 12 o'clock, to guarantee proper focus ?

As long as its between 11 and 1, or even 10 and 2, it's abolutely no matter, thats only a 1/12th of a millimeter tolerance compared to 12. The tolerance can come from both the lens and the adapter. I have seen index points at 8 and 5, then it's becoming an issue. A third of a millimetre can make a focus difference wide open close up.

Didier

 

[Didier]

I have two LTM>M adapters, Leitz 50 and the cheapest ($18 with shipping) Chinese made 35-135. When measured with micrometer, both are fairly close in thickness.

The thickness should be 1.00mm as this is the difference in the base flange distance of the LTM and M specs. But it is not the difference from let's say 1.01 to 0.99mm that could be an issue. It's the position and precision of the screwmount, and the exactness of the bayonet and the frameline selection shape that make a much bigger impact if an adapter works well or not.
Didier

 

[Platinum RF]

Chinese seems to be aluminium alloy, which will expand and contract more with temperature variations than brass, although it wouldn't perhaps matter that much in typical use.

All the Made in China adapters I bought are brass and chrome plated, I have not see an aluminium alloy one. any one care post a picture?