Novoflex PRALEI adaptor: What is the 'PRA'?

This (see photo) Novoflex adaptor obviously makes it possible to

attach Leica screw mount lenses on something -but what? It is not in

the current line of Novoflex adaptors, and a Google search did not

come up with something useful. Does anyone know?<div></div>

Perhaps PRA means Praktica ??

Praktica was my first thought, but the only Practica models I know of are SLR's with a distance from mount to film which is far greater than that of LTM. This would convert the LTM lens to a macro lens, but maybe that is the intention?

I guess, yes. Novoflex makes, and made, all kinds of wild accessories, so an adapter to use M39 lenses and lens heads on a Practica bellows wouldn't surprise me. Did you consider e-mailing Novoflex to learn more about it? And please tell us what they say!</p>And weren't there those Russian <i>SLR</i> lenses that connected to the camera via an M39x1 thread?

Measure the diameter of the *male* threads. Leica screw is 39mm. Praktica is the same as Pentax, also referred to as Universal Thread: 42mm. It was standard for Novoflex that the 1st part of the code referred to the body type and the second part to the lens (eg. LEINIK=Nikon lens on Leica body) so it should be in this case PRALEI=Leica lens on Praktica body. Your point about the back-focus is valid; however LTM 39mm is also very common for enlarging lenses and these were used frequently as macro lenses on a bellows with 35mm SLR's, so it is possible that's what this adaptor is for. Actual Leica LTM lenses are not really that well corrected for the macro range.

Good suggestions, thanks. I mailed Novoflex the question, and I'll update the thread if they answer.

Actually it has a bajonet male part! There seem to be something called a 'Praktica Bajonet'. A google search did give some hits this, but nothing useful in English. The bajonet hole should be around 48.5 mm diameter -could it be medium format perhaps?.

<br>I haven't got an answer from Novoflex yet.

If I knew how to spell, I would find that 'Praktica Bayonet' gives many hits in english!<br>

Like this one, if you are interested:<br>

http://www.geocities.com/RodeoDrive/Mall/2536/Lenses.html

If you own a camera w. Praktica Bayonet, and if you could find use for the adaptor, I'll mail it to you. Drop me a line if you are interested.

The adaptor has found a new home.

Yesterday I recived the following answer from Novoflex:<p>

<i>The PRALEI-Adaptor was used to mount an old Novoflex bellow (BAL-U) to a Follow focus unit, for using it with Leica-thread-lenses.</i>