Using Canon lens FD on Leica M

k-vang · 08-31-2011

Hello all,

I just bought a Canon lens FD 17mm f4 with the mint condition, and try to get body Canon F-1 also. However this combo is very heavy and I feel it's not good to handle

As I know that we can use FD lens with Leica M with the combination is using Canon Adapter B with Canon FD lens to LTM camera adapter. Then, we input more Leica M - LTM adapter on Leica M. Is it correct or not? Kindly help to advise.

BR,
Khiem

Mackinaw · 08-31-2011

You've got it. The Canon Adapter B with a LTM-to-M adapter will allow you to mount your 17mm on your Leica M. You'll have to scale focus though. Just remember to put your FD 17mm in "manual mode" so you can set the correct aperture.

Jim B.

k-vang · 08-31-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mackinaw

You've got it. The Canon Adapter B with a LTM-to-M adapter will allow you to mount your 17mm on your Leica M. You'll have to scale focus though. Just remember to put your FD 17mm in "manual mode" so you can set the correct aperture.

Jim B.

Thanks so much for your advice - Jim B.

Btw, I would like to ask for put "manual mode" on FD 17mm. Could you help to explain more?

BR,
Khiem

ronnies · 08-31-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by k-vang

Thanks so much for your advice - Jim B.

Btw, I would like to ask for put "manual mode" on FD 17mm. Could you help to explain more?

BR,
Khiem

Don't have the aperture ring set to 'A' (sometimes a circle on older lenses).

Ronnie

Mackinaw · 08-31-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by k-vang

Btw, I would like to ask for put "manual mode" on FD 17mm. Could you help to explain more?

If you have the older breechlock FD lens (with the chrome lens mount ring), grab the big lever on the back of the lens (at the 6:00 position) and turn it counterclockwise as far as it goes (it will lock). Now, when you mount the lens, the aperture will move as you turn the aperture ring.

If you have a FDn lens (with the black lens mount ring), you'e going to have to jury-rig something to fit into the big lever slot so it will lock into the manual aperture position.

Maybe Raid will see your post. He came up with something that made it easy to adapt an FDn lens so you could set the aperture manually.

Jim B.

ronnies · 08-31-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mackinaw

If you have the older breechlock FD lens (with the chrome lens mount ring), grab the big lever on the back of the lens (at the 6:00 position) and turn it counterclockwise as far as it goes (it will lock). Now, when you mount the lens, the aperture will move as you turn the aperture ring.

If you have a FDn lens (with the black lens mount ring), you'e going to have to jury-rig something to fit into the big lever slot so it will lock into the manual aperture position.

Maybe Raid will see your post. He came up with something that made it easy to adapt an FDn lens so you could set the aperture manually.

Jim B.

Doh, I forgot about that requirement ! Sorry !

Ronnie

raid · 08-31-2011

I often use this great lens on a Leica M with Canon Adapter B plus a LTM-M adapter. I use a small piece of aluminum foil with FD lenses to allow me to change aperture settings. Breech lock lens don't have such a need. there,you just change the aperture. The 17mm lens has hardly any distortion.

pagpow · 08-31-2011

Can you say a bit more about how you achieve rigidity with the alum foil, Raid? Canon used to sell a small plastic piece to achieve that trick and the capacity is also built into the reverse mounting "hood" that Canon used to sell. I'll see if I can come up with the right reference.
Giorgio

pagpow · 08-31-2011

http://photo.net/nature-photography-forum/00BLfV

this may help, by illustrating the mechanism. The pictured solutions work when the lens is reverse-mounted, not the case here, but should get you started. Raid?

raid · 08-31-2011

Giorgio,
I tried to get the small plastic gadget, but I could not find anyone who sells it.
I roll up small piece of rigid aluminum, and then I turn the lens over to move the aperture lever at the back, then slip in the aluminum foil, and the lens becomes manual.

pagpow · 09-01-2011

Thanks, Raid, I haven't found one for sale either, and was wondering how you got the necessary rigidity.

Giorgio

raid · 09-01-2011

Tear off a small piece of aluminum foil and fold it several times until you have a small, but rigid, piece of "thingy" that you can insert into the lot where the aperture pin moves. It will stay there securely.

k-vang · 09-01-2011

Thanks Raid and all. It's very useful for me.

I will try, if can find an adaptor B.

BR,
Khiem

tungh · 09-01-2011

Go on and you can not use the yellow spot to focus. It means "scale focus" or "focus by believed" in Vietnameses spoken

k-vang · 09-03-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by tungh

Go on and you can not use the yellow spot to focus. It means "scale focus" or "focus by believed" in Vietnameses spoken

Nice to see you here!
Noted with thanks,

Khiem

jamriman · 12-18-2011

Sorry for my confusion but can someone please confirm that there is no focus coupling with any of these many FD to M adapters. The only way to focus is guestimating with scale focusing? Many thanks for clarification!!!

rlouzan · 12-18-2011

Hi,

No focus coupling, just scale focusing (zone focusing).

Regards,
Robert

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamriman

Sorry for my confusion but can someone please confirm that there is no focus coupling with any of these many FD to M adapters. The only way to focus is guestimating with scale focusing? Many thanks for clarification!!!

raid · 12-18-2011

There is no RF coupling possible unless you do some serious machining, such as Amedeo does with his adapters.

ottluuk · 12-19-2011

In case you can't find the Canon adapter B, uncoupled adapters for using various SLR lenses on a Leica M are available from Novoflex. They have Canon FD and a variety of other mechanical mounts.

These things make a lot of sense if you want to use symmetric "mirror lock-up" superwides of the old days or you have, say, a 19mm Elmarit-R lying around. They don't make as much sense when you're trying to save a ton of money since the combined cost for the adapter + a decent SLR wide can easily top the used value of a Voigtländer 15, 21 or 25. The SLR to M adapters are listed at €149 on the Novoflex website.

jamriman · 12-19-2011

Many thanks for replies!! Having read Putts review about the canon fd 55 1.2 aspherical lens, on a whim I bought one. I knew there are adapters out there for the FD to M mount to use on my M9. I didn't realize however that I would have to scale focus! Doesnt make sense to use scale focus with a normal lens. Thats how I got myself into this mess. I read a post somewhere that the rayquel adapter has a nice scale to help focus. Anyhow should I just sell the lens and move on? Thanks again for any advice!
John

ottluuk · 12-19-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamriman

Many thanks for replies!! Having read Putts review about the canon fd 55 1.2 aspherical lens, on a whim I bought one. I knew there are adapters out there for the FD to M mount to use on my M9. I didn't realize however that I would have to scale focus! Doesnt make sense to use scale focus with a normal lens. Thats how I got myself into this mess. I read a post somewhere that the rayquel adapter has a nice scale to help focus. Anyhow should I just sell the lens and move on? Thanks again for any advice!
John

You can buy a decent FD body pretty cheaply. Get one, shoot a couple of rolls to see if you like it... and if you end up loving it, you can probably find a specialist shop that can convert it to coupled M-mount for a bunch of $$$.

raid · 12-19-2011

Get a micro 4/3 camera or NEX and a cheap FD adapter. Your lens will make a terrific portrait lens.