Uncommon & Unconventional Lenses on the M9 & M 240?

[bobby_novatron]

Hi everyone, I just thought I'd start a thread regarding the use of uncommon lenses on digital Leica bodies.

What exactly do I mean by "uncommon" or "unconventional"?

1. Contax lenses with Amadeo adapter
2. classic LTM lenses with M-adapter
3. FSU lenses with necessary adapter
4. Uncommon Leica glass, limited edition lenses, etc.
5. Leica R lenses on the digital M bodies
6. Pinhole or other contraptions

Please feel free to interpret this list with a large dollop of artistic license. My only goal is to get people to share a photo or two that they enjoyed creating while using a unique lens set-up. We can also discuss the pros/cons of using different glass on digital bodies.

Colour or B&W is fine, no content restrictions (apart from nudity) and the image must have been created using an M9 / Monochrom / M-E / M 240.

If possible please include a short description of the lens+camera combo used in the photo.

Kind regards and happy shooting! 🙂

 

[bobby_novatron]

I thought I'd get the ball rolling here -- this is an image I took last month with my Leica M 240.

I recently purchased a Contax-to-M "Amadeo" adapter and have enjoyed trying out different Contax-mount lenses on my M 240. This particular image was shot into the evening sun, using a Helios-103 53mm F1.8 that I borrowed from an old Kiev 4 that I have sitting around.

I have to say that the Helios-103 is no slouch. Sure, it ain't no Summilux ASPH, but it has a pleasant softness to it.

 

[bobby_novatron]

Of course, some Leicaphiles may object to the idea of putting FSU lenses on a Leica body. Somewhat akin to draping Giselle Bundchen in a polyester leisure suit... 😉

 

[Ronald M]

I have tried a 3.5 Red Scale Elmar and thinking about a Summitar.

I think I will continue to use my R lenses on D800E Nikon. 100 2.8 is wonderful.

 

[Godfrey]

I have tested Elmarit-R 19/2.8, Elmar-R 180/4, Summicron-R 90/2, Micro-Nikkor 55/3.5, Micro-Nikkor 105/2.8 AI-S, Nikkor 18/3.5 AI-S, Skink Pinhole M, Hektor-M 135/4.5 (1960 version), and am awaiting a Holga toy lens (25mm) in Nikon F mount that I can use on the M-P (and MM246 when it arrives).

G

 

[Richard G]

My 11 o'clock 50 Elmar needs to be moved off infinity before mounting or the locked lens fouls the lens lock button.

 

[stitchohana]

Tried pinhole "lens" cap on my M9 previously


182/365 - Pin Hole Body Cover by Ricky Lai, on Flickr

Output :


183/365 - Pinhole Shot by Ricky Lai, on Flickr

 

[bobby_novatron]

Another shot to keep this thread alive! 🙂

Took this one a few days ago near my house. Late afternoon sun. This time, it's the venerable Jupiter-8, Contax mount, on my M 240.

Flare was deliberate, I wanted to see how well the J-8 reacted to oblique sun.

Typical for the J-8 series, the image is a little soft, so I applied a bit more contrast to the image in Adobe.

 

[uhoh7]

No platform can shoot more interesting, unique glass than M. Shoot it well, I mean. The Sonys will mount anything of course.


DSC08945 by unoh7, on Flickr


DSC02414 by unoh7, on Flickr


1951 50/1.5 by unoh7, on Flickr


DSC06958 by unoh7, on Flickr


DSC00169 by unoh7, on Flickr

 

[FrozenInTime]

M9-P + MS Optical Sonnetar 50/1.1 @1.1 with ND filter showing the lens glow and bokeh.

Taken a couple of hours ago this morning in Petaluma:

 

[bobby_novatron]

Now THAT'S what I'm talking about! Great posts everyone. Nice to see some adventurous Leica owners out there. I'm currently waiting for a Jupiter-3 50/1.5 to arrive from eBay, I'm going to try that out with my Amadeo adapter when it arrives.

 

[bobby_novatron]

A couple more shots taken with the Helios-103 53mm F1.8 and the Leica M 240.

No adjustments made besides cropping in Adobe.

You can see the swirly painterly-style bokeh in the wide-open shot of the tree leaves. The Helios-103 is a pretty good performer.

Photo #1: Spring Across the River

Photo #2: New Growth

 

[Godfrey]

Leica M-P typ 240 + Hektor 135mm f/4.5
ISO 640 @ f/16 @ 1/250​

enjoy!

G

 

[raid]

M9 with custom adapted Schneider Xenon 50/2.8 LTM.

 

[raid]

Canon FD 7.5mm fisheye on M9

 

[Doug]

Pinholes, fisheyes, FSU, all fine! Here's a couple with the uncommon Voigtlander 50mm f/3.5 collapsible, the 2009 special nickel finish version...

M9

M240

 

[Chris Bail]

Nikkor-S 5cm f1.4 and Amedeo adapter

Ellie and Mr. Rabbit by Chris Bail, on Flickr

W-Nikkor.C 3.5cm f2.5 with Amedeo adapter

L1009781 bw by Chris Bail, on Flickr

MS-Optical Sonnetar 50mm f1.1

L1010413 by Chris Bail, on Flickr

 

[uhoh7]

Sonnetar:


Coffee Baron by unoh7, on Flickr

 

[bob338]

A couple more shots taken with the Helios-103 53mm F1.8 and the Leica M 240.

No adjustments made besides cropping in Adobe.

You can see the swirly painterly-style bokeh in the wide-open shot of the tree leaves. The Helios-103 is a pretty good performer.

Photo #1: Spring Across the River

This picture just caused me to buy this lens on ebay. Thanks!
Now if I can just find an Amedeo adapter cheap...

 

[ferider]

Nikkor 5005 on 240:

and Nikkor 35/1.8 LTM

Roland.