Re: Lens limitations/restrictions with the Leica M5 body

[Tom Hodge <thodge@charweb.org>]

LUG'ers,

My constant guide and "bible" on Leica, "Leica M, the advanced school of
photography" by Gunter Osterloh, page 99 of the first English-language
edition dated 1987 cites:
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All lenses with Leica M bayonet mounts as well as older screw-mount 
lenses with corresponding bayonet adapters can be used on a Leica M-5.  
In general, they are suitable for full utilization of that camera's 
selective TTL exposure measurement feature.  However, there are some 
exceptions and limitations.

*  The amount of travel of the tubes of collapsible lenses must be 
restricted to the permissible depth by means of a protective band.  It is 
not necessary to send the lenses to Leitz to have this done.  The firm 
Dymo International manufactures appropriate self-adhesive tapes in a 
variety of widths, which are available in stationery supply and other 
stores.  The tape should go completely around the tube of the lens except 
for a gap of about 1mm or 1/32" inch.  To determine the correct length of 
tape, it is helpful to make a sample band out of paper first.

(T.H. note:  If you have access to a caliper-type measuring device, simply
gage the diameter of the tube and multiply x Pi {3.1416} and subtract 1mm or
0.03125 to get the EXACT length of tape needed.)

For the following bayonet and/or screwmount lenses, the tape (used) 
should be 9.5mm or 3/8" inch wide:

50mm f/3.5 Elmar

50mm f/2.8 Elmar

50mm f/2.0 Summar

50mm f/2.0 Summitar

50mm f/2.0 Summicron

90mm f/4.0 Elmar

A tape that is 12.7mm or 1/2" wide is required for:

50mm f/2.5 Hektor lens. 

*  Certain lenses have to be sent to the Technical Service Department at
Leitz or to the official distributor in a country or an authorized Leitz
Repair Service (facility) for adaptation.  Among them are early 21 and
28mm wide angle lenses whose rear body mounts extend too deeply into the
camera body.  By milling away a certain portion of the bayonet mount, the
arm with the CdS photoresistor is prevented from swinging into the light
path (T.H. NOTE:  ???  I don't think this translated properly.  Any hard
restriction to the movement of the metering arm - such as contacting the
back edge of a lens - could damage it, therefore this relief milling
actually ALLOWS the metering arm to swing freely, just not be used). 

After that, these lenses can be attached to a Leica M5, but the TTL
exposure measurement feature cannot be used.  The following are the
particular lenses that require modification: 

Screwmount 21mm f/4.0 Super-Angulon (only the bayonet adapter with former
catalog no. 14097 needs to be altered in this instance)  In this case,
please state "for 21mm f/4 Super-Angulon with M5" if sending in the 14097
adapter only. 

Bayonet mount 21mm f/4.0 Super-Angulon (all); bayonet mount 21mm f/3.4 
Super-Angulon (with serial numbers below 2473251); bayonet mount 28mm 
f/2.8 Elmarit (with serial numbers below 2314921) lenses also have to be 
sent to a Leitz Repair Service.

Lenses whose removable viewfinder attachments collide with the top cover
of the M5 must also be sent to one of the Service Departments mentioned
above in order to have their bayonet mounts and their viewfinder
attachments modified: 

35mm f/3.5 Summicron with removable viewfinder attachment
 
dual-range 50mm f/2.0 Summicron
--------------------------------------end--------------------------------

I believe similar restrictions apply to the Leica CL/CLE, however there's 
a separate section on those two cameras in Osterloh's excellent book.

I'll put the entire section on here about ALL lens fit restrictions 
unless someone protests...including the section on Leica R lenses on M 
camera bodies, other manufacturer's lenses on Leica M cameras, etc.

Regards,

Tom Hodge
thodge@charweb.org
North Carolina, USA