Re: M lenses for 120 format Mamiya 645

[Tom Hodge <thodge@charweb.org>]

Michael,

Thanks for the note.  I just reviewed TK Chan's original posting and there
is no reference to M lenses with removable heads ONLY being used.  He just
says M series lenses.  That's the confusion.  Not owning any removable
head Leica M optics, I see I'm excluded from the incredible pictures he
describes, and, Michael, can envision how the "adaptation"  can be made. 
With your excellent information, my scepticism is now reduced to pure
disappointment! 

My apology as well to Mr Chan for doubting his information.  Missing the
key ingredient, here, the removable head versions, I hope everyone
understands my quick reply and air of doubt.

"For the want of a nail, the horseshoe was lost; for need of a shoe, the
horse was lost".........and so on and so on. 

Regards,

Tom Hodge

On Thu, 11 Apr 1996, Michael Reichmann wrote:

> I think what people are missing here is that the original poster of this
> idea referred only to lenses with removable heads.  I'm now at home and
> seeing your meessage below took the head off my 135mm f/4.0 Tele-Elmar and
> held it in front of the lens opening of my Mamyia 645 Pro.  The image forms
> beatifully holding the lens head with the rear element just about even with
> the lens opening on the body.
> 
> Holding it this way, unmounted, I can't comment on the issue of coverage,
> but visually I was able to see an image right across the field of view.
> 
> I'm very curious to learn what was kudged (or designed) to perform a proper
> mounting.  Probably a bellow unit with a bag.
> 
> Michael
> 
> 
> 
> At 06:59 PM 11/04/96 -0400, you wrote:
> >LUG,
> >
> >Given the film plane to rear element distances of these vastly different 
> >systems......I can't see how this "adaptation" can occur.
> >
> >I simply tried to hold an M lens in place over the gaping opening of a 
> >Mamiya 645 body to see if there was a shred of focus......not a bit!  
> >Whether focused on infinity or the closest distance.....nada.  Zip.
> >
> >Of course if I want to rip the reflex mirror out, there is a ray of hope 
> >as the tiny M lens would be required, essentially, to mount INSIDE the 
> >645 body.
> >
> >I then tried it with a reflex lens instead of a rangefinder lens - 
> >thinking the similar longer distances of a 35mm SLR lens might be a 
> >better match.  Again, not a whole lot to call anywhere near focused.
> >
> >What's going on here?  Is someone pulling our collective legs?  My doubts 
> >will be impossible to erase until I fit an M lens on >MY< Mamiya 645!  
> >(Sounds like the posting of this amazing discovery is about 10 days 
> >late)  :):)
> >
> >Rgds to all,
> >
> >Tom Hodge
> > 
> >
> >
> 
>