I have a Leica IIIa with a Summar 50/2 lens attached (given to me) and I don't know how to mount and dismount the screw mount lens. I've figured out how to operate the camera otherwise (through internet threads) and have taken some decent pictures with it. I was also given a 135/4 Leica lens that I would love to use.

-- Jerry Rogers (urolomaniac2000@yahoo.com), March 09, 2002

Answers

Jerry:

Grasp the lens by the barrel and turn counter-clockwise. It takes three complete revolutions for a thread mount Leica lens. When you mount a lens, snug it gently, but firmly. You should not be able to unthread the lens when you are focusing.

Enjoy your new toys.

-- Mark A. Johnson (logical1@catholic.org), March 09, 2002.

Hold it as close to the back (next to the camera) as you can while you're doing this. You might even see a knurled ring there to hold on to on some lenses. In the case of the Summar, lock it at infinity, and grab the back end as well as you can, not the front.

-- Michael Darnton (mdarnton@hotmail.com), March 09, 2002.

It also helps to hold the camera flat, and let gravity help you screw in the lens.

-- Michael Rivers (mrivers@mac.com), March 09, 2002.

How many photographers does it take to screw in a Leica lens?

-- Chris Chen (furcafe@NOSPAMcris.com), March 10, 2002.

I have the same combination. As well as being compact and nice to look at, it also takes pictures! For the 135 you will need an accessory finder. A nice leather ever-ready case is a good idea, as is a lenshood. The shutter/aperture combination takes a little getting used to. The Summar is a very individual lens, especially between f/2 and f/4.5, but well worth using. For more info, see www.ozdoba.net and www.lausch.com.

-- David Killick (dalex@inet.net.nz), March 10, 2002.

May be some more info for you; the complete manual for an i/ii/iiiF type ltm: http://members.fortunecity.com/canoneos/manuals/leicaf.html

Greetings from Germany

Joachim

-- Joachim Oberhauser (joachim.oberhauser@epost.de), April 06, 2002.