Screwmount Leica alongside and M2

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Hey guys,

My Leica gear seems to be getting a lot of regular use now, and it looks like my M2 needs a partner - I need a second body to mount a 21mm lens semi-permanently on, leaving my M2 with its arsenal of 35/50/90 lenses. Since I own a 21/4 SA, which is basically an LTM lens with a factory M adaptor (removable, or course), I'm toying with the idea of getting a user IIIf (or some other III series Leica) to mount it on.

My question concerns shooting ergonomics and going back and forth between an LTM and M camera during shoots. Has anyone used these two cameras at the same time? Is this a workable setup, or am I better off waiting for a user M2/M3 body to come my way?

Appreciate the help, and thanks in advance!

-- Badris (badris@mac.com), March 01, 2002

Answers

Hi

I think there is a difference in that like the Bessa T, there are 2 windows you need to look through - one to focus (and the focus window is tiny comapred to the M series) and one to compose. If you are shooting with an ultrawide with a separate viewfinder you need to do this in any case, but the small focusing window still remains.

Also the film wind-on lever is knob, and unless you get an accessory (or a Leicavit) this is another difference, as is the shutter speed dial, which requires two adjustments for lower speeds

You might want to consider a Bessa T, with similar features and metering, though I have to say the screwmount Leicas are simply beautiful to handle

-- Gregory Goh (gregorygoh@hotmail.com), March 01, 2002.


Badris, the screwmount Leica's are indeed wonderful but as an everyday practical camera you are probably much better off with a new Voigtlander Bessa. Even the basic Bessa L will be a perfect match for the 21 mm lens, although it would probably be a better idea to move up to the Bessa T (especially as you have the M mount 21) so your M lenses can be utilised.

Finding a screwmount in reliable working condition can be quite difficult and it will be far more expensive than a new Voigtlander body.

-- Giles Poilu (giles@monpoilu.icom43.net), March 01, 2002.


Hi Badis,

The Bessa T is an excellent camera but might not work with your lens. I just checked out S. Gandy's Cameraquet and got this information (the following is a block quote):

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What Lenses DON'T fit to a T

Due primarily to the possibility of hitting the Bessa T's outer shutter, these lenses are NOT recommended:

Leica Hologon 15mm F8 Leica Super Angulon 21mm F3.4 Leica Super Angulon 21mm F4 Leica Elmarit 28mm F2.8 (first model) Leica Summicron 35mm F2 (7 elements type, serial #2974251 or later) * 6 or 8 elements type and aspherical type OK Leica Summilux 35mm F1.4 * Aspherical type can be used Leica Dual range Summicron 50mm F2 -- it won't mount properly on the body.

The collapsible 50/2 Summicron fits fine on the T, and is able to collapse fully. The collapsible 50/2.8 Elmar will collapse, but not fully -- so don't push it that extra 3/32" or so. There are many collapsible lenses, and I have not tried all of them on the T, so be careful when collapsing a lens least you damage the shutter or meter.

I would also be very careful mounting any wide angle with deeply set rear elements, such as the 20, 28, or 35mm Russian lenses in Leica screw mount.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

-- Alex Shishin (shishin@pp.iij4-u.or.jp), March 01, 2002.


Hello Badris. I would opt for an M2 as a second body. Regards.

-- Sheridan Zantis (albada60@hotmail.com), March 01, 2002.

I don't think most of the differences are critical--as for the finder issue, you're using a 21 with a separate finder, anyway. The LTM cameras are a real pleasure to handle--I prefer my IIIa to my M cameras--but if you intend to do ANY lens switching whatsoever, get an M--juggling adapters and different back caps just is not worth the bother--that's the thing that keeps me from using my IIIa much.

-- Michael Darnton (mdarnton@hotmail.com), March 01, 2002.


I have a IIIc which I used a lot until I picked up a Canon-P. It is a screwmount but in a lot of ways (size,viewfinder,build) is comparable to a M2/3.It loads and rewinds a lot easier than an M. A nice one can be had for $300. Now the IIIc is my back up.

-- Gerry Widen (gwiden@alliancepartners.org), March 01, 2002.

Thanks for the responses everyone. I ask this because yesterday I managed to play around with a Canon screwmount copy (a IIb I believe), and thought of the idea of using it or a Leica LTM body with my lens. I guess I'll be exploring my optionsfor a while before I commit to anything. Thanks again.

-- Badris (badris@mac.com), March 01, 2002.

If you got a second M2, then you'd have the option of loading your cameras with different films with full lens interchangeability, on occasions where this might be more useful than having a dedicated platform for the 21mm. The same would be true if you got an M6.

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), March 01, 2002.

I would say get another M2/M3 user body to keep with the same lens mount(LTM lenses with adapter also). But, I do use my IIfRD alot with my 21/f4 Skopar lens. A very small,compact solution to go with a M. I use a M3 and a M6TTL for most of my work, and the IIf w/21f4 fits inbetween the M's in my bag.

-- chris a williams (LeicaChris@worldnet.att.net), March 04, 2002.

Badris. To my knowledge, ALL 21/4.0 SA bayonet mount (M) lenses were built as a screw mount chassis with a factory installed BM adapter. This adapter was attached in a very secure fashion and was never meant to be removed. I don't recommend removing it. You can do that, but it will leave an adhesive residue on the mount that is difficult if not impossible to remove.

Other early BM lenses for Leica M were also made with a factory installed screw to BM adapter. These include some early examples of the 35/2.8 Summarons, 35/2.0 Summicrons, and 90/2.0 Summicrons. If you have one of these lenses, I recommend you resist the temptation to remove the adapter and just use the lens on an M camera as it was intended.

-- Eliot (erosen@lij.edu), March 05, 2002.



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