[Leica] V2.0 Fitting R lenses on M bodies..... Especially the 3 Cam and ROM versions.

[Doug Herr]

A note about fitting 3-cam lenses to the 22228 adapter: these lenses don’t have the raised collar that prevents their use on Leicaflexes or the 22228.  It’s the 3rd-cam-only lenses that have this collar, and even then they don’t always have it.  My 3rd-cam 50 Summicron-R was one example.

Doug Herr
Birdman of Sacramento
http://www.wildlightphoto.com


> On Apr 27, 2021, at 7:38 AM, Frank Filippone via LUG <lug at leica-users.org> wrote:
> 
> A few additional bits of info....
> 
> The Novoflex adapter was/is offered with both NO 6 bit coding and WITH 6 bit coding.
> 
> If you are buying this adapter, get the one WITH 6 bit coding. This is the adapter, with code provided, that will bring up the Flex lens list.  The other one will not.
> 
> I have confirmed that the DAG mods to the 22228 REFLEX LENS TO m BODY ADAPTER WORK AND ALLOW THE USE OF ROM LENSES ON THE M BODY.
> 
> The DAG mods do not contain mods for 6 bit coding.  The DAG mods will not bring up the special menu in the M10 to choose which R lens is mounted.  (Novoflex or Leica models only will work... or maybe the Chinese cheapo ($20 or so)  adapter will work???I have one on order and will add to this info pool once it has been received and tested. )
> 
> 
> 
> -------- Forwarded Message --------
> Subject: 	Fitting R lenses on M bodies..... Especially the 3 Cam and ROM versions.
> Date: 	Sun, 4 Apr 2021 17:13:51 -0700
> From: 	Frank Filippone <bmwred735i at gmail.com>
> To: 	Leica-Users-Group <lug at leica-users.org>
> 
> 
> 
> I am writing this so no one has to do repeat my research.
> 
> The idea is to use Leica R (Leicaflex) lenses on a Leica M body.
> 
> With the advent of an EVF ( sometimes called a Visoflex ) and the digital Leicas ( M240, M10  and later models and variants) it is more practical to use these legacy lenses on a modern body.
> 
> Yes, there is NO electrical connections between lens and body.
> 
> Yes, there is NO MECHANICAL CONNECTIONS.  You pretty much must use the EVF or back LCD or zone focus to get correct focus. Setting the F-Stop is a manual process.
> 
> Yes, there is NO AF.
> 
> So how do you accurately  focus?  Through the camera onto the digital sensor and through the EVF or LCD.
> 
> Now how do you adapt your R lenses to fit on  your M body?
> 
> There are cheap Chinese adapters.  They probably work.  But I have some reservations about ROM lenses.
> 
> There is a Novoflex adapter.  I do not have this adapter to answer the obvious question.  Does this fit 3 Cam and ROM Lenses?......
> 
> There was a Leica 22228 and 22228/500934 adapter that was made for the Leicina movie camera.  This will work with comments and exceptions.
> 
>     All NON ROM lenses, with 1 or 2 cams will fit and work and focus to infinity.  Some lenses will vignette ( or so goes the online info.) Which Lenses?  Mostly the LONG lenses.
> 
>     Why? Because the throat inside the 22228 adapter is not very  large in diameter.  Long lenses will cause vignetting with these lenses as the light rays come in almost parallel to the sensor plane..... And thus, vignette.   The adapter would work
> 
>     fine with the same lenses on a Super 8mm film movie camera because the film is so small.  (roughly 4x6 mm.)
> 
> See this for some additional info:
> 
>      " A note about the Leica #22228 R-M rings: they were all made prior to the introduction of 3rd cam lenses, so they do not work with 3rd-cam only R lenses! The reason? Recent R lenses, because they only have the 3rd cam, have a small collar
> 
>       added to the lens mount ring to prevent you from trying to mount them onto older (1st cam) SL and (1 & 2 cam) SL2 R bodies. The presence of this "collar" unfortunately also prevents you from mounting these lenses onto the #22228 adapter ring
> 
>      as well! The only work-around it to machine a flange into the front of the #22228 lens-mount ring (not too hard or expensive to do)."
> 
>      3 Cam and  ROM lenses will NOT WORK.  They will NOT FIT. No, the ROM is not the problem.  The 3 cam and ROM lenses have a step towards the center of the the mounting ring that prevents these lenses from fitting.
> 
>    You need to have both a ROM lens and a non ROM lens  next to each other to notice this.
> 
> So now what?
> 
> In the supplied description of the problem is part of the solution.... The 22228 adapter can be modified to accept 3 Cam and ROM lenses. Don Goldberg does the mods, and charges a very reasonable $35 fee for the work and return shipping. Today is Spring 2021,  and I have sent my 22228 to him for the mods.
> 
> ( It took me over 2 hours to figure this story out)
> 
> Finally, and made for the job is the adapter called the *R-Adapter M* model # 14642 that was meant for this job, and has a 6 bit code ( BBWBBB ) that brings up a special list of R lenses that will allow you to manually key in the lens for the EXIF file.  It is not terribly expensive, about $450.  It SHOULD take all R lenses.  Any number of Cams, ROM or not.  ( There will be exceptions.)
> 
> This was written for those who ask the question of what works with what, and to save folks the problem of buying the wrong part.
> 
> 
> -- 
> 
> Frank Filippone
> BMWRed735i at gmail.com
> 
> 
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