I currently use a Leica M3 with the bellows and reflex housing attachment with a 135mm lens. My 1st question: is is it possible to mount the lens in reverse for greater magnification? My 2nd question: Does anyone know if you can mount a M3 to a Nikon Bellows or universal bellows unit? My bellows is vintage and starting to show it's age but I notice Leica does not any longer offer a bellows unit for the M line. Thankyou Paul M.Kuziel

-- Paul M.Kuziel (pkuziel@volt-telecom.com), May 29, 2001

Answers

There are many bellows units still available used for the M and LTM series. It is possible to do anything with the right adapters. A local machinist should be able to make up what you need. A friend of mine uses a Leica 65 on his Nikon bellows and he made up the adapters himself.

Cheers,

-- John Collier (jbcollier@powersurfr.com), May 29, 2001.

Basically, if camera A has a shorter mount to film plane distance than camera B, lenses designed for B can be used on A via an adaptor, but never vice versa (unless you're willing to lose infinity focus). Of course, the "communication" between lens and body you get with electronic contacts never passes an adaptor. (It's not technically impossible but requires much more than just machining brass or steel.) If you cannot find an adaptor in the U.S, Novoflex (Germany) makes the weirdest combinations, including ones allowing to mount 35mm lenses to M cameras. (Personal weirdness favorite: 3rd party 28-300mm/f:3.5-6.3 with plastic mount for Nikon AF on Leica R8. Never done it, but who says you can't run a Harley Davidson on a lawnmower motor?)

-- Oliver Schrinner (piraya@hispavista.com), May 30, 2001.