Contax to M-Mount adapter

[Brian]

I have three "Contax" adapters, one for LTM and two for M-Mount. The "off-the-shelf" adapters did not correct for the difference between the Leica 51.6mm standard and the Contax standard. I found that one adapter was perfect for S-Mount lenses, so it has a 5005 series 5cm F1.4 on it. Focus is perfect wide-open. The LTM adapter needed some "tweeking", and has a CZO 50mm F1.5 Sonnar on it, with the variable stand-off ring adjusted to be optimized for close-up and wide-open.

And the third is one that Roland (Ferider) modified himself. He has posted this on RFF, here is a picture of the one that he gave to me.

[Brian]

A shot of the M2 with the adapter, with a very early Contax mount Tessar.

[Brian]

Cutting an arch in the cam is nothing new for M-Mount- here is a close-up of my 50mm F2 Summicron, same concept. This lens is probably closer to 52mm. Maybe I can convert it to Contax Mount.

[Brian]

And the problem that you run into trying to mount the 3.5cm F1.8 Nikkor on the set-up. That "thick" pickup wheel.

Now- if it were half as thick, it would still work with the adapter and the 3.5cm F1.8 would fit.

[digitalintrigue]

Now that would be a nice bit of surgery...as long as it didn't mess up focus with 'regular' lenses. :)

[Brian]

So I need to put the LTM to M adapter on, and take another picture. The Summarit has a very thin Cam. If the reduced size wheel worked with it, it would work with any.

[raid]

What is exactly the goal of this project?

[Brian]

Tom is making a Leica M2 in Nikon mount. He wants to use the Nikon Mount 3.5cm F1.8 on it. But I AM NOT filing down the RF pickup wheel on my M2! NO WAY....

[Trius]

Brian: For us plebians here, would a Contax or S mount adapter be a practical way to use Contax or S mount lenses on an M body? It appears to me that there's not a "one size fits all" solution for either mount type. My thinking is ... if I got a Contax or Kiev w/lens, then along with an M body I wouldn't be limited to using something like a J8, Meopta, Helios on the Contax/Kiev.

[digitalintrigue]

This is what I use.

http://www.rangefinderrestorations.com/photo_posts/adapters2.jpg

The adapters with helicals (Kiev) are M mount and Leica thread mount. These will work with internal or external mount lenses, as long as the rear element does not extend too deep into the camera body.

For M-mount bodies, there are different models for use with Contax RF lenses, and Nikon RF lenses, due to the slight difference between the two systems.

It's not visible but the M mount has engravings for M8 coding. The LTM model of course requires an LTM adapter for use on M-mount bodies; the advantage here, is by using the proper LTM adapter, the correct frameline will appear. The M-mount adapter defaults to 50mm frameline.

The helical models are $249 on ebay.

The adapter without a helical works with wide angle lenses with extended rear elements. The mount is offset slightly so the lens does not conflict with the RF cam in the M body. Since it is uncoupled, it is used with zone focus. $89 on ebay.

All three of these can be used on film M bodies, or the RD-1 or M8.

They can also be used with the Panasonic G1, mated to a G1-M adapter. (The uncoupled adapter actually can be focused on the G1, since the G1 uses live view. Also on the G1, both Contax RF and Nikon RF lenses can be used on the same adapter since live view eliminates focus differences between the two.)

The manufacturer/seller is 'amedeo.m'

http://www.rangefinderrestorations.com/photo_posts/adapters.jpg

[Brian]

It would be much cheaper to buy the J-3 or J-8 in LTM rather than buy the adapter. In fact, a collapsible Summicron-M is cheaper than these adapters.

If you have a favorite lens, such as the Zeiss Opton Sonnar or a Zeiss 8.5cm F2, the adapters are "cost-effective". They do not have the smooth operation of the native LTM lenses. I end up using the LTM converted pre-war SOnnars on the Leica's, rather than the CZO Sonnar and the adapter.

(did not see the above post when I put this up, I have one Amedeo adapter for LTM and the Hong Kong adapters for M-Mount. I prefer Amedeao's adapter, but it still needed the CZO 50/1.5 Sonnar to be custom-shimmed for exact focus)

[digitalintrigue]

Yes, there are cheaper ways, of course. ;) But everything is relative. If you want to use a Biogon 21/4.5 for example, the $89 adapter is not much compared to the lens cost.

[digitalintrigue]

Thought this might be of interest, 50/1.5 CZO Sonnar

http://www.rangefinderrestorations.com/photo_posts/sonnarg1.jpg

[enluxury0123]

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