Screw mount lens on M2 which adapter?

[ericdan]

Hi,
I would like to use a 35mm screw mount Summicron on an M2. There are so many versions of this adapter and I’m confused.
Some say 28-50mm in the description but the photo shows M2 50 M3 28-50mm

 

[film_man]

28-50 doesn't make sense. The framelines are 28/90, 35/135, 50/75. So you want a 35/135 adapter. I've bought some adapters from urth.co, they show the various combinations.

In the end, whatever you get the only difference is that the framelines will be wrong, the lens will mount just fine and the photos will come out fine.

 

[madNbad]

Look for one marked 35/135. This will bring up the 35mm frame lines in your M2 and the 135mm lines in the M3. Spend a little more and get a good adapter, it really does make a difference.

 

[BradS]

28-50 doesn't make sense....

it does make sense for the M3 but not for any subsequent M (ie. M2, M4, M5, M6, etc...) because the M3 had frame lines for 50mm, 90mm and 135mm.

 

[BradS]

Hi,
I would like to use a 35mm screw mount Summicron on an M2. There are so many versions of this adapter and I’m confused.
Some say 28-50mm in the description but the photo shows M2 50 M3 28-50mm

Leice LTM-M mount adapters serve two functions: 1. physically adapt the screw mount to the M bayonet mount and 2. tell the camera to bring up a particular set of frame lines. SO, if you want to use the M2 with it's built in 35mm frame lines, you'll need a mount adapter that brings up those frame lines. If however, you're going to use an external, add-on accessory viewfinder then it does not matter - any LTM-M adapter will perform the first function, allow the lens to be mounted on the M camera body.

The one you mention (highlighted in bold) brings up the 50mm frame lines on the M2. Since the M3 only has frame lines for 50mm, 90mm and 135mm, an accessory view finder would be used with the 35mm lens on an M3 body - so, it really does not matter what frame lines the lens adapter brings up on the M3 (I think it brings up the 50mm frame there as well but am not sure).


EDIT:
lots of info on the subject at the following linked page....
https://www.cameraquest.com/adaptltm.htm


You need one like this...
https://www.kentfaith.com/m39-mount-adapters/KF06.276_leica-m39-35mm-135mm-to-leica-m-mount-adapter

 

[Huss]

I have the original Leica adapters, the ones made by Voigtlander, and cheap ones by Fotodiox. I recommend the Fotodiox ones because they all work the same, and I have seen zero difference in my images.
But I have seen a difference in my wallet.

Of note - some people will say there is a quality difference and they may not fit all the same. Well, I have noticed that with ALL my LTM adapters, no matter who makes them, there is a variance in fit depending on which M camera I am using!
This is because there is a slight margin of error in everything, and if the adapter and the camera that you are using are both "off" in the wrong direction it will compound things.

By buying a new Fotodiox adapter - if you have a probem you can just exchange it for another. However, I have only had problems with my original Leica adapters from camera to camera!

 

[mshchem]

I have the original Leica adapters, the ones made by Voigtlander, and cheap ones by Fotodiox. I recommend the Fotodiox ones because they all work the same, and I have seen zero difference in my images.
But I have seen a difference in my wallet.

Of note - some people will say there is a quality difference and they may not fit all the same. Well, I have noticed that with ALL my LTM adapters, no matter who makes them, there is a variance in fit depending on which M camera I am using!
This is because there is a slight margin of error in everything, and if the adapter and the camera that you are using are both "off" in the wrong direction it will compound things.

By buying a new Fotodiox adapter - if you have a probem you can just exchange it for another. However, I have only had problems with my original Leica adapters from camera to camera!

The only issue I had with a Fotodiox adapter was the focus index line was off by about 20 degrees. Just enough that it bugged me. So I spent 10 times the 13 bucks for a Leica original. Now it's straight, but not sure it's worth the Xtra 120 bucks and the original adapters are getting old!

 

[BradS]

The only issue I had with a Fotodiox adapter was the focus index line was off by about 20 degrees....!

Some of the Leitz brand do that too. It is intentional / by design and has some good but seemingly very obscure reason to be that way (which I do not remember at the moment).

The Leitz adapters are, as you observe, way over priced and since thay are all OLD now, they are also more likely to be worn and thus inaccurate.

 

[Huss]

The only issue I had with a Fotodiox adapter was the focus index line was off by about 20 degrees. Just enough that it bugged me. So I spent 10 times the 13 bucks for a Leica original. Now it's straight, but not sure it's worth the Xtra 120 bucks and the original adapters are getting old!

I've seen that with adapters of different makes. In that case I would see if it does that on all my Ms, if so, exchange for another.

A couple of my OEM Leica adapters do not even fully lock onto my Ms! They need just a tiny turn more to make the lock pin 'pop', but are unable to do so.
It's all about mfg tolerances.

The one brand for LTM adapters I do NOT recommend is Metabones. The one I had scratched my camera's mount as it has sharp edges.

 

[RDW]

Hi,
I would like to use a 35mm screw mount Summicron on an M2. There are so many versions of this adapter and I’m confused.
Some say 28-50mm in the description but the photo shows M2 50 M3 28-50mm

The correct original Leitz adapter, code ISOOZ, may be labelled 'M2 21-35 M3 135mm' or simply '13.5.cm'. The latter engraving is presumably from the early M3 era, when neither the M2 nor 35mm framelines existed, but the adapters are functionally equivalent - i.e., you'll get 35mm framelines on an M2, 135mm framelines on an M3, or both 35mm and 135mm framelines on cameras that display both together, like the M4 and later.

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/ISOOZ
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/leica-leitz-13-5cm-135mm-ltm-adapter-1787044151

The one you mention, code IRZOO, is different, and will bring up 50mm framelines on either the M2 or M3. On cameras like the M6 you'll also see the 75mm frameline, which is paired with the 50mm.

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/IRZOO

There's also a third adapter, ISBOO, that will bring up the 90mm frameline on either the M2 or M3. On cameras like the M6 you'll also see the 28mm frameline, which is paired with the 90mm.

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/ISBOO

 

[ericdan]

I found a Leitz 21-35 and Rayqual at a local camera store here. Rayqual was half the price and looked like it was good quality.
Kanto camera who will overhaul my lens recommended me getting the original one if I can find it. I bought the Leitz.
so far so good. Focusing works and the correct frame lines come up. Will need to develop the roll to see if it really focuses.

 

[Huss]

I found a Leitz 21-35 and Rayqual at a local camera store here. Rayqual was half the price and looked like it was good quality.
Kanto camera who will overhaul my lens recommended me getting the original one if I can find it. I bought the Leitz.
so far so good. Focusing works and the correct frame lines come up. Will need to develop the roll to see if it really focuses.

Get a $20 Fotodiox adapter as well. Just to compare. You'll find zero difference. Then you'll have a spare for any other lenses you may use.

I prefer to keep the adapter mounted to the lens, not the camera. So if you use a regular M mount lens, you don't have to struggle to remove the adapter that is on the camera.

 

[250swb]

Some of the Leitz brand do that too. It is intentional / by design and has some good but seemingly very obscure reason to be that way (which I do not remember at the moment).
.

The offset to the left (looking from the rear of the camera) is because the focus scale is very close to the body on many LTM lenses and would be obscured if an accessory finder or flash was also being used. So the lens is intentionally mounted offset so the photographer only needs to peer around to the side to see the focus scale. So offset adapters are correct and not simply badly made. Leica themselves made both types of adapter, one to maintain the offset on an M body (for the same reasons of obscured view), and one to square up the lens top dead centre.

If in future anybody is thinking of getting a Leica digital rangefinder body getting an LTM adapter with pre-cut coding rebates makes sense, but it needs to exactly match the focal length of the lens as coding only works in combination with the correct frameline being shown.