Minimum Focusing Distance for 50mm LTM

drgoose · Aug 25, 2014

Hello everyone, I am relatively new to RF cameras. I have been using a Leica IIIf with a 50mm F2 Collapsible Summitar. I am frequently finding myself trying to get closer to my subjects than the minimum focusing distance of 1 meter for this lens. Are there any lenses that have a shorter focusing distance in 50mm screwmount?

Thanks in advance.

illumiquest · Aug 25, 2014

you're going to be limited by your rangefinder as well, it only goes so close...

summicron1 · Aug 26, 2014

Leica made a close-up device called a nooky (cute!) that worked so-so -- it combined a spacer with a parallax compensation mechanism for the viewfinder consisting of a blind that was set outside the camera's viewfinder window and shifted down.

It worked, sort of. Sad truth is that screw mount Leicas aren't really best for close-up work. For that, the well-equiped photographer in the 50s either used a macro lens on a Visoflex reflex housing that attached to the front of the leica (a normal 50 made a great micro-lens on them), or reached for his Exakta.

Xmas · Aug 26, 2014

The LTM Nikkor H /2 5cm goes down to 0.5 m but Leica rangefinders or Canons stop way earlier.

It has a click detention at 1m... to warn...

My Canon P works to 0.7 or so with it.

Cult lens with cult $.

An Exakta in street today is a conversation piece

Dr Croubie · Aug 26, 2014

There are some RF lenses that go down to 70cm, besides the DR 'Cron that is M-mount only.
But also check your rangefinder can go that close, some bodies only go to 1m as well. Easiest way to tell is to take the lens off so the RF cam springs out, then move the camera until it's focussed on something and measure how far away that it. Then don't forget the parallax errors that you're going to get.

There are some things that SLRs are just way better at than RFs, and macro is top of the list.

darkosaric · Aug 26, 2014

As already stated: rangefinders are not designed for closeup work. Get some cheap nikon FG20 or FM and cheap micro nikkor 50mm f3.5 - and you will be happy .

jochen · Aug 26, 2014

Hello,
a rangefinder camera is not the best for close distance photography. The manufacturers knew this very well and designed the "Spiegelkasten" = mirror-box who converted a rangefinder camera into a SLR. From some lenses (13,5 cm, 9 cm) you can screw off the lens group from the barrel and shoot with it on the mirror-box with an additional bellows, a shorter barrel or a helicoid from close to infinity. Since the mirror box had a LTM thread you can use enlarger lenses for close distance work.

Xmas · Aug 26, 2014

Most LTM cam rangefinders stop at 1m.
Early M3 (pre 57) only focus to 1m but some can be altered easily to go closer, M2 and later M's will focus to 0.7m.
As will later lenses.
Most of the single viewfinder cams have auto parrallex correction, the Canon Vx series had it for accessory shoe finders as well.
Some of the Canon LTM will go closer then 1m the closest distance dependent on individual cameras adjustment setting.

bdial · Aug 26, 2014

My LTM Nikkor 50 is marked down to 1.5 feet (.46m).
Haven't tried to use it that close though.

Jim Jones · Aug 26, 2014

Many lenses for rangefinder cameras, especially fast ones, perform poorly at close focusing distances. The four-legged copy device for Leica permitted very fast and convenient copy capability for my Summicron, but it had to be well stopped down for acceptable results.

drgoose · Aug 26, 2014

Thanks to everyone. I guess I will stick to my nikon for close up work

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

snapguy · Aug 26, 2014

Exacta

Before the advent of the Nikon F, the Exacta was the finest 35mm SLR system on the planet. Yes, it is a little awkward to use these days but it had great lenses and you could use it for scientific work, too. I have a Exacta with several lenses and it still takes great photos. Lefties love it and I don't mean Bert Brecht.

Minimum Focusing Distance for 50mm LTM

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