Leica Screw Lens for M3

[ajankelo]

I just got an M3 and was wondering what people thought about using a screw lens for an M3.


Is it worth it? How much do the adapter cost?

Anyone else use a screw lens for their M3?

Cheers,

Ari

[kknox]

I use one on my M3 they work great. Adapters are about $20.00 on ebay.

[colyn]

The screw mount lens will work fine on the M3 with the screw to M adapter. Buy only the original Leica adapter or a Voigtlander one from cameraquest. The Chinese made one seldom work properly..

[Al Kaplan]

You might run into some older Japanese adapters marketed under the Accura or Spiratone brands back in the 1950's up to at least the early 1970's. The ones I've had worked just fine.

[ravid905]

On my M3, I have used Voigtlander, Leica, Canon and Nikon screw mount lenses without any problem. So long as you have the right adapters, you should be fine.

[Paul C. Perkins, MD]

I've shot with an M2 and Canon/Voigtlander glass - the Canon stuff since 1971 or thereabouts - because bayonet M-series stuff costs way more than it's worth (to my one good eye). They've all worked fine. Be caareful about your adapters though.

Paul

[payasam]

I used an M3 for 17 years with five screw mount lenses, and for my M2 I now have four screw mount lenses. Another source of good adapters is www.fedka.com: though $52 is not all that much cheaper than Cameraquest's $55. It may be an advantage that, unlike the current CV adapters, they can take lenses with infinity locks.

[Roger Hicks]

No reason not to. When I got my first M3 (in 1974 or so) the only Leica lens I owned was a collapsible 50/3.5. Since then I've used literally dozens of screw-mount lenses on my Leicas and still use 15/4.5 Voigtländer, 21/2.8 Kobalux, 21/4 Voigtländer, 50/1.2 Canon and 90/2.2 Leitz Thambar screw-mount lenses alongside bayonet-mount (35-50-75-90-135).

Cheers,

Roger

[sleepyhead]

Hello

In general, I would stick to Leitz or Voigtlander adapters, and steer clear of cheap imitations.

I use a 1939 Summitar screw-mount lens with an adapter on my M3 and it gives lovely vintage-looking results. A 50mm f/1.5 Summarit would also be an interesting choice on the M3, but I've not tried one yet.

For a more modern look, a great screw mount lens to use with your M3 would be the Vouigtlander 50/1.5 Nokton.

[mabelsound]

unlike the current CV adapters, they can take lenses with infinity locks.

I have two Canon lenses with infinity locks that seem to work fine with CV adapters. My cheapo Chinese ones all work well too.

[John Lawrence]

As others say, it's best to steer clear of the chinese made adapters that appear on Ebay and use either the Voigtlander or Leica ones.

[mirrored]

Have you experience with brass colour chinese one? I bought serie of three for a different frames and I am waiting them. Just now I don't find any similar on Ebay and I think are they failed ones and stopped manufacturing that reason... if they tend to take root without chrome? :eek: Maybe I need vaseline.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y271/wenonah_gown/photo_gadget/BASINGSTOKE-CAMERA/leicamadapterset.jpg

The seller was in GB and the serie cost 35£ with posting. I supposed them chinese, because similar was in HK seller too.

[John Lawrence]

The one I got was chrome (possibly chrome over brass - but who knows???), but didn't bring up the frameline. Also the machining was dreadful, really rough but then I didn't pay much for it!

In the end I purchased a Leica one second hand which works perfectly.

[ravid905]

I also ordered the brass coloured Chinese set, and they seem to work fine. The 35-135 doesn't quite bring up the frameline cleanly on my Hexar, there is a little bit of the 50 framline, but it does the job. I think the truth is, if you can afford the Voigtlander or Leica versions, you will get ones that work properly. Any other maker, there is a certain amount of gambling.

[funkaoshi]

I also am quite happy with the adapter I ordered off ebay. I don't recall where it was made, but I think it was around $20. I'm not convinced you need to spend $50 bucks on some machined metal.

I use a J3 with my M2. The lens is phenomenal.

[mirrored]

I have seen most sheap ones too mentioned be brass with crome surface. I was not worried gambling with so little money when brass is easy machined if adapter don't work properly or are poor finished. Thus it need certain know-how with framelines.

I use a J3 with my M2. The lens is phenomenal.

My Industar 61 L/D is reason for my adapter in first. I have never tried it yet.

[payasam]

Mabelsound: "I have two Canon lenses with infinity locks that seem to work fine with CV adapters."

A quick trip to the Cameraquest web site will show that current CV adapters differ from earlier ones.

[dlove5]

Buying screwmount lenses for your M3 is a good idea, especially when you eventually break down and by a Leica screwmount body.

[furcafe]

How do the new CV LTM-M adapters not work w/infinity locks? I thought the only change is more metal (like the original Leitz adapters) to allow 6-bit coding. As far as the mount is concerned, there is no physical difference between a lens w/an infinity lock & 1 without.

Mabelsound: "I have two Canon lenses with infinity locks that seem to work fine with CV adapters."

A quick trip to the Cameraquest web site will show that current CV adapters differ from earlier ones.

[januaryman]

I have four Chinese adapters and while they are rough, they work fine. I did have to send one back that wouldn't lock, but otherwise, they work like a charm. At $50 a pop for "good" ones, I have to take a pass.

[ferider]

How do the new CV LTM-M adapters not work w/infinity locks? I thought the only change is more metal (like the original Leitz adapters) to allow 6-bit coding. As far as the mount is concerned, there is no physical difference between a lens w/an infinity lock & 1 without.

Yes, there is George. I had a Nikkor 35/2.5 that only worked with adapters with a deep cut-out (from around 4 to 8 o'clock) due to the lock. Some Leica adapters have this, some don't. Not sure about CV. All my Canon lenses work on all adapters, the infinity lock has more distance from the adapter.

More issues due to infinity lock on some Nikkor wides:
- they do not work with some ER cases, like newer Zhou or Luigi cases because the leather is too thick.
- they only work on old Ms due to the frameline selector being in the way on newer ones (the shape is different) ....

Best,

Roland.

[furcafe]

My name isn't George, but I stand corrected. That certainly explains payasam's statement because the newer CV adapters can be 6-bit coded precisely because they don't have the deep cut-out. It also provides an explanation for having the cut-out in the 1st place (I was always thought it was just to save on materials).

AFAIK, none of my 1/2 dozen or so TM lenses w/infinity locks (including a few Nikkors, but none wider than 5cm) are different from those without & I have a mix of adapters with & without the deep cut-outs. Will have to take a closer look. ;)

Yes, there is George. I had a Nikkor 35/2.5 that only worked with adapters with a deep cut-out (from around 4 to 8 o'clock) due to the lock. Some Leica adapters have this, some don't. Not sure about CV. All my Canon lenses work on all adapters, the infinity lock has more distance from the adapter.

The Nikkor wide angles also do not work with some ER cases, like newer
Zhou or Luigi cases because the leather is too thick.

Best,

Roland.

[ferider]

My name isn't George, but I stand corrected. That certainly explains payasam's statement because the newer CV adapters can be 6-bit coded precisely because they don't have the deep cut-out. It also provides an explanation for having the cut-out in the 1st place (I was always thought it was just to save on materials).

AFAIK, none of my 1/2 dozen or so TM lenses w/infinity locks (including a few Nikkors, but none wider than 5cm) are different from those without & I have a mix of adapters with & without the deep cut-outs. Will have to take a closer look. ;)

Sorry for using the wrong name, furcafe anonymous :)

Cheers,

Roland.

[mirrored]

I must visited to local camerashop to buy an adapter, before my order arrived. There was japanese ones (new) and one Leitz (old). All was prised 39€. I shooce Leitz but now reqognice it have quite much loose towards the body (Bessa R3A). Is that usual to Leica M bayounet when old?

First film from Bessa is drying. I hurried becauce second hand Bessa seller need to know, will I keep that camera. ( Bessa is not weared, that's sure.)

[Roger Hicks]

Buying screwmount lenses for your M3 is a good idea, especially when you eventually break down and by a Leica screwmount body.

Can't agree. For taking pictures, an M is a vastly superior tool, and that's mostly what I buy cameras for.

I've had A, Standard, II, III, IIIa, IIIb, IIIc, IIIf, IIIg and the only screw-mount I still have I my first IIIa bought in about 1970; I bought my first M in about 1974 and never really looked back.

Then again I've ony felt the need of two new film Ms in the last 25+ years, an M4-P and an MP. I have kept both M2s from the 70s and bought and sold two M3s in that time (one a black paint body I swapped for the M4-P).

Cheers,

Roger

[Pherdinand]

I suggest you to get a canon 50/1.2 lens, one that is optically reliable and clean, with an adaptor, and be very happy.

[mirrored]

I must visited to local camerashop to buy an adapter, before my order arrived. There was japanese ones (new) and one Leitz (old). All was prised 39€. I shooce Leitz but now reqognice it have quite much loose towards the body (Bessa R3A). Is that usual to Leica M bayounet when old?

First film from Bessa is drying. I hurried becauce second hand Bessa seller need to know, will I keep that camera. ( Bessa is not weared, that's sure.)

False alarm! The loose point was in my Industar 61 L/D. :D

[David Murphy]

I like the Leitz adapters myself - their better quality is evident to me in the machine work and engraving. Voigtlander adapters are a serious effort as well. The Chinese adapters are probably OK, but the slightly noticeable roughness of machine finish would compel me to measure them carefully with a micrometer before I'd fully trust them (just a hassle).

[David Murphy]

I suggest you to get a canon 50/1.2 lens, one that is optically reliable and clean, with an adaptor, and be very happy.

I'd second that. I'm starting to rely on mine more and more. The 50/1.4 Canon is another superb beauty of that ilk.

[vieri]

I'd second that. I'm starting to rely on mine more and more. The 50/1.4 Canon is another superb beauty of that ilk.

...and I'd second the latter: the Canon 50 f1.4 is a great little lens which can be had for very little money (unusually so for fast lenses in Leicaland!). :D