Hi everyone,

I'm interested in using Leica M- or Leicaflex or R- series lens for a Nikon AI/AF mount and was wondering where I would get such an adapter or whether they exist. How much are they? Where can I order some?

sincerely, Alfie

-- Alfie Wang (Albert.Wang@ibx.com), October 19, 2001

Answers

I don't think such an adapter exists due to technical problems. But check out www.cameraquest.com for other types of adapters. It is possible to use Leica R lenses on Canon EOS cameras, with some restrictions.

-- Muhammad Chishty (applemac97@aol.com), October 19, 2001.

The flange-to-film distance on a Nikon SLR is too long to permit any kind of adaptor to be placed between it and a Leica R lens that wouldn't prevent it from focusing to infinity. In the case of M lenses (other than the lenses and setups for the Visoflex), their back-focus is way too short for normal use on any SLR. The Leicaflex and R bodies aren't *that* horrible--if you really want to use Leica R lenses, you should really consider an R body.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), October 19, 2001.

Jay is correct but you could have a R bayonet mount put on your Nikon. You would lose your automatic diaphram and would have to view, meter and shoot at working aperture. Look here for more info:

http://nemeng.com/equipment/f2ar.html

Having said all that, it would be much less expensive and much more convienent just to buy an R body. The Leicaflex SL camera is very capable and very reasonably priced. I just bought and CLAed a beater SL2 and I am very happy with it.

Cheers,

-- John Collier (jbcollier@powersurfr.com), October 19, 2001.

And it is even less expensive and more convenient to use the Nikkors already made for the Nikon SLR. Having used All three systems, I feel it is safe to say that the small collection of some of Nikon's best lenses I have used (20mm f2.8, 28 f2.8, 35mm f2.0, 55 f3.5 macro, 50mm f1.8, 100 f2.8 E, 300 ED f4.0)are close enough in quality to the equivalent Leica lenses for it not to be worth the bother. If Leica actually made The R lenses in a Nikon AI mount,I might be tempted to pick up a 35MM Elmarit or Summicron, but they don't and they never will. About adapters, I have never seen any that really work "just as good as" the lenses already designed for a camera, the only exception being the Leica screw to M mount adapters.

-- Andrew Schank (aschank@flash.net), October 19, 2001.

Alfie:

I have an adapter to put Visoflex II and III lenses on a Nikon AI mount camera body. This adapter allows focusing to infinity with Viso lenses on a Nikon body. I used to use it with my Visoflex lenses mounted on a Nikon F body. The adapter was made by Professional Camera Repair in New York in the late 60's. The adapter is 22.2 mm thick from flange to flange. Using Visoflex lenses you must use stop down metering and focus at the working aperature or else focus and then REMEMBER to stop down the lens prior to shooting. The adapter works great with the 400 f:6.8 telyt. My adapter is a combination of a Leica adapter of some kind mated to a Nikon flanged adapter. If you would like I can e-mail you pictures of it. Mine is not for sale. My children can use my Viso lenses on their Nikon's.

I hope this helps you.

Mark J.

-- Mark A. Johnson (logic@gci.net), October 19, 2001.