Making a Nikon F to LTM adapter?

drumminor2nd · Aug 2, 2011

Hi, all. I have a Leica IIIf on which I would like to mount a Nikon F-mount wide angle lens. I figure a Tamron or Tokina 17mm will cost, what, $2700 less than a new Leica 18mm, it seems like a good idea.

I've seen F-Leica M adapters for sale on eBay, but I can't use that. The Novoflex adapter is almost $300 and a special order.

I found THIS ONE for 53 Euros, or, like, $100 plus shipping.

Do you think I could cut down a Nikon M2 extension tube to the required 17mm and put a LTM mount on the back? How difficult could it be? ... Are there cheaper pre-made adapters available somewhere else?

Thanks,
--Bob

erikg · Aug 2, 2011

Interesting. You don't just want to spring for a CV lens? They have a bunch of focal lengths to choose from already in LTM.

drumminor2nd · Aug 2, 2011

Not really interested in CV lenses right now. I already have a ton of Nikon lenses, and would use the 17mm on my FM and FE as well. The 15mm and the 21mm do look interesting, however, and for $400-$460 for either one with finder, would be about the same as buying a Nikon-mount lens, viewfinder and adapter. The only real plus to a Nikon is a 20/2.8 would make it more hand-holdable at night with fast film.

Ole · Aug 2, 2011

Try a Russar first - that's what I did. And then I got a CV...

Mustafa Umut Sarac · Aug 2, 2011

Russar costs 700 if I am not wrong .

Dan Fromm · Aug 2, 2011

Bob, if you have the lenses in F mount that you want to use, the adapter you linked to seems like a good bet.

If you don't have the lenses and can live with what's around in T-mount, there are female T-to-male LTM adapters. I have a Vivitar (TA-11) and a nameless. I found the TA-11 on eBay, the nameless was at the front of a string of mainly ELNY LTM tubes at a camera show. Both adapters preserve infinity focus and allow guess focusing with the lens' own distance scale.

Happy hunting!

domaz · Aug 2, 2011

It might be worth mentioning you won't get Rangefinder focusing with this adapter. Nikon lenses don't have a focusing cam obviously so no adapter will give you that.

ic-racer · Aug 2, 2011

USED Voigtlander15/4.5 Black Screw Mt with Viewfinder Mint
$399

With that pair, not only will you not need an adapter, you will be able to focus and frame also
Listed on Cameraquest.com

2F/2F · Aug 2, 2011

Check out the CameraQuest Website. The author has information on adapters that can be most useful.

drumminor2nd · Aug 2, 2011

Thank you all for your comments.

I hadn't checked the price on a Russar lately. Jeeze, I didn't think anyone would spend $700 on a FSU lens . C'est la vie.

Seems like $400 could get me a CV lens (either 15mm or 21mm) with finder, but the only downside is they would only work on my rangefinder. Not that its necessarily a bad thing, as the thing seems like it would be best for an UWA lens. I think a chrome lens would look best on the Leica, what do you think?

I've seen some reports on the adapter maker I posted the link to, and everyone says good things about him. I'll have to sleep on the decision of the adapter/lens/viewfinder or the CV lens.

domaz said:
It might be worth mentioning you won't get Rangefinder focusing with this adapter. Nikon lenses don't have a focusing cam obviously so no adapter will give you that.

I'm talking about a 17mm/3.8 lens. The DOF wide open is from 4.5 feet to infinity. At f/11, it's from 1.5 feet to infinity, and f/22 it's 0.75 feet to infinity. I think I can handle scale focusing, hehe. I know what you are talking about, you know what you're talking about, but I'm sure plenty of other people in the world won't, so for the archive's sake, thanks for your comment.

Jim Jones · Aug 3, 2011

Bob, rather than butcher a good M2 extension tube, look for a cheap tele-extender to cut down.

Making a Nikon F to LTM adapter?

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