39mm Mount Reflex Adapter (Vertical Viewfinder) for Vintage Leica, Canon 35mm Cameras

[UnivCam]

Hello,

I just purchased a Kilfitt Reflex Adapter with 39mm mount, made in Germany. I assume it was made for older Leicas and similar knock-offs.

What I was wondering about this adapter is how exactly it will affect the images the camera captures.
The adapter is 49mm "deep" (not including the rear threads). I just realized tonight that it might function like a 49mm extension tube and that it would limit light accordingly.

Can anyone comment on this aspect of this adapter? I've still got a lot to learn about photography, so I appreciate any insights.

Thanks!

 

[jochen]

Hello,
Leitz produced several similar accessories under the name "Visoflex" with M 39 and M bayonet. The Visoflex was used with the front lens group of longer tele lenses (90 or 135 mm or 200 mm) which could be screwed off the normal long barrel and a special helicoid called "Einstellschnecke". With this system you could shoot until infinity, but mostly it was used for macro work even with an additional bellows unit. A special 65 mm Elmar lens was produced for the Visoflex which was a good lens for macro. This accessory was a rather peculiar and uncomfortable way to convert a rangefinder into a SLR camera.

 

[UnivCam]

So the longer tele lenses were specially designed to be compatible and partially disassembled/shortened when used with the Visoflex? I've seen pics of the Visoflex, so I have an idea of what you're talking about.

Thanks for the information.

 

[gorbas]

Yes, you are right. Still remembering using Kilfitt 150 and 300mm lenses from our faculty equipment room. They were with with Arri original cine camera mount. You could take head of the lens (with iris and helicoid) off. Bottom thread was M39x1. Then I made stack with adapter from M39 to m42 + a few M42 extension tubes and finally M42 to Nikon ring adapter. Worked like charm! Most likely your Reflex Adapter will fit nicely with those lenses on Screw mount Leica. Kilfitt basically had some kind of adaptal lens system in '50 and '60, adaptable to cine, 35mm and even maybe 6x6cm. They also made amazing 90mm macro lens, Super expensive now.
Your regular lenses for M39 on this Reflex Adapter will be close to 1:1 macro.
Happy shooting!

 

[John Koehrer]

Definitely not for a normal FL. As you suspect it will have the same effect as extension tubes with a 50.
The Kilfit would be for 90mm or greater with a removable lens head..Longer lenses need extensions or have to be designed for the Kilfit.
A Visoflexll/lll are used with ltm andM mount lenses with about a jillion different adapter combinations. Viso l was for ltm only

 

[ph]

And , remember , for the lens heads you need a focussing helix.

I have never used the K. but the Visoflex gave a brighter view than the later SLRs launched by others.

p.

 

[UnivCam]

Thanks again for the information, everyone.