Which M/39 adapter should I buy?

[Daniel Unkefer]

Hi All,

Just received a black Bessa-T today, new in the box. Bought a generic M/39 adapter, and it fits tightly, but dosen't "click" or lock on. I wonder if I might drop or lose a lens this way. What adapter would you recommend, and why? Are the Leitz adapters really any better than those made by Voigtlander?

Thanks for your responses!

 

[David H. Bebbington]

In order of preference, I would say:
1) Genuine Leitz/Leica
2) Novoflex, or srb from www.srbfilm.co.uk, or Voigtländer (first two same price as Leica, Voigtländer cheaper - you might find Novoflex a bit cheaper, because they are not so well known)
3) Chinese
The Chinese are good (but not perfect), I personally have not experienced an adapter that won't lock but it can always happen.

 

[Ole]

I got an adapter along with the camera, I think the adapter is Voigtländer too. Before putting film in the camera I checked the focus with a 135mm f:4.5 Hektor, and it's spot on. I don't demand more than that.

Next week I'll check again with a 85mm f:2 Jupiter-9.

 

[Daniel Unkefer]

OK,

Thanks David for that. Just bit the proverbial bullet, and bought from a reliable ebay dealer a genuine Leitz 21-35 M2 adapter. Not cheap at 75$US, but that will nicely solve my lens mounting problem.

 

[ElrodCod]

Hi All,

Just received a black Bessa-T today, new in the box. Bought a generic M/39 adapter, and it fits tightly, but dosen't "click" or lock on. I wonder if I might drop or lose a lens this way. What adapter would you recommend, and why? Are the Leitz adapters really any better than those made by Voigtlander?

Thanks for your responses!

No more likely to fall out than a screw mount lens. Like a lens, the adapter just screws in...it won't "click" or lock in. The "click" happens when you put your "m" mount lens to the adapter. The CV adapters are fine.

 

[Daniel Unkefer]

Not sure what you mean.

A right-hand quarter twist of the bayonet mount will cause the lens to drop off the body. Not good, especially with a heavy lens like my Canon 1.2

This adapter has a slot cut into it to "catch" the spring-loaded switch on the body. Except that it isn't set up right...........

I'm pretty sure the VC adapters work OK, but for $20 more, I'll go for the Leitz

 

[Joe Brugger]

The Voigtlander and Bower adapters work well, as do Leitz. Some of the no-names are of dubious quality. Spin the adapter on to the back of the lens, then mount on the body and twist until it clicks. If there's no click, you have a problem. Couple passes with a file might fix it.

 

[Daniel Unkefer]

OK,
Yesterday, my Leitz M2 35mm M39/M Adapter arrived from Mark Hama, in Atlanta. The Adapter is quite a bit heavier metal than the Generic one I purchased previously. The chromed inner surface has been machined off, nearly down to the brass underneath. This is a good thing: I presume that at the factory (It's marked Wetzlar), they machined the chrome on each adapter to Leitz tolerances, and then they TESTED them. It's worth the extra money, to me.

My 35mm 1.7 CV Ultron mounts perfectly at 12 o'clock, straight on. Interestingly, my new Canon 1.2 mounts at about 2 o'clock, with either adapter! I guess it's just Canon vs Leitz differences. Anyway, I love my new Bessa-T, and I'm glad I went with the good Leitz Adapter. And if I find an M2 body later on, this adapter works with 21-35mm lenses, so I am set in that regard.

The problem with the generic adapter not locking on can be solved with a dremel tool and/or jewelers file. If I can fix it properly, I'll have two adapters to switch between all my lenses.