g_12 Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 <p>Hey there, I was just wondering if anyone has experience of using one of these on a Leica CL? I picked one up over the weekend (minus the goggles) but it doesn't function properly on any of my Bessas or my M8. My CL isn't with me at the moment... thanks.</p><p><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3621/3510306728_aa96056256_o.jpg" alt="" width="358" height="500" /></p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christopher_m Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 <p>Why doesn't it function on the Bessa? Are you talking about the close focusing part or normal photography?</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex_Es Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 <p>Lift up and turn. Lift down. You're fine.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g_12 Posted May 7, 2009 Author Share Posted May 7, 2009 <p>I'm talking about normal photography (and I do have it set in the right mode, as you can see from the image...), it mounts but won't turn all the way or properly on the R3A and R4M (gets to about 10m), it will not mount on the Ts at all.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob F. Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 <p>Graham: What, exactly, is the problem? You can't fit it to the camera? Or maybe it does not couple properly to the rangefinder? <br> @ Alex: Are you thinking the problem is switching in or out of the closeup range? I'm not sure that changing in or out of the closeup range is the problem. It looks like (from his picture) that it is in the normal range.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g_12 Posted May 7, 2009 Author Share Posted May 7, 2009 <p>It mounts at near focus (in normal mode) on the R3A/R4M but will not move to infinity focus. It does not mount at all on the Ts. Any idea on the CL?</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
will_wright1 Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 <p>the lens will mount sucessfully, but the goggles will not. The shutter dial blocks its full mounting on the lens and the window does not line up with the rangefinder window. So you have a fine normal 50mm but are denied the closeup capability. </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g_12 Posted May 7, 2009 Author Share Posted May 7, 2009 <p>Aha, thanks Will. I'm assuming it still functions and can shoot at closeup...? No goggles doesn't mean no images? I can always measure with a ruler :-)</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Blackwell Images Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 <p>IIRC, the DR Summicron will not work at all in "close-focus" mode without the eyes attached. There is a ball-baring in the center of where the eyes mount to the lens, which sets the close-focus on the lens.<br> <br> Also, FWIW, a DR Summicron will not work properly (unmodified) on an M6 (or later) because it binds against the inside of the camera housing (redesigned for the meter cell). I have no idea about any third-party camera bodies.</p> “When you come to a fork in the road, take it ...” – Yogi Berra Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g_12 Posted May 7, 2009 Author Share Posted May 7, 2009 <p>Bill, the ball bearing can be depressed very easily, enabling the lens to be focused all the way down. If this is the only mechanical reason then it should be fine to use...? Too be honest, I'm more interested if anyone has used or uses the lens regularly on a CL, this is the only body I own that can potentially handle it...</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ross_macdonald Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 <p>from Stephen Gandy's Cameraquest site: "The 50/2 DR will probably work fine on the M6, but you must remember to mount and dismount the lens focused at infinity. When focused near it's closest regular focusing distance, the lens will be difficult to mount OR unmount. I have reports of the DR not functioning in close up range on a M6. I am frankly unsure if these reports are due to variations with the bodies and the DR, or are the result of user error. More research will till. It seems prudent to try a DR on your M6 before you buy it. <br> <p>... reports difficulty using a 2nd series DR in close-up range on a M6 .85 # 2296539. While he could mount the lens, if it was not focused at it's closest regular focusing distance, the close up range was inoperative due to some sort of internal body restrictions. Whether this is true of all late M6's in general, or of just the .85 model is not clear at this time. In any case, it's a good idea to try it out to be sure on your own body/lens combination. <br> The 50/2 DR will NOT work on a Minolta CLE in my experience. Although the lens will mount, it will bind with the body just slightly from the infinity marking."</p> </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vilk_inc Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 <p>great info, gentlemen! thanks... i have this one in my closet, too, discouraged from getting a body for it by the conflicting--usually negative--compatibility reports :(<br /><br />so, what <em>will</em> it work on? it was made for the M3, no? how about M2? M4? (i don't have the goggles either, so i'm not worried about the close range)<br /><br />thanks again</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Blackwell Images Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 <p> <p>Graham: Sorry, but no. The eyes are there to correct the framing /parallax. The biggest issue though is the eyes also adjust the second image in the RF to focus down to 18 inches (or thereabouts). Therefore, if you try to use a camera with a DR Summicron in close-focus mode without the eyes, the result will be an image not framed properly and out of focus.<br> <br> And I can assure you it will NOT work properly (unmodified) on an M6 in any mode. Further, AFAIK, the only way to modify a DR Summicron to work on an M6 without binding on the inside of the camera housing is to shave off the close focus cam (then your DR Summicron will not operate in close-focus mode).<br> <br> It has been said by others that one could use a DR Summicron on an M8 ONLY on close focus mode (of course this means the stabilizing arm on the back of the eyes would have to be snapped off). But I have not tested this myself.</p> </p> “When you come to a fork in the road, take it ...” – Yogi Berra Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Blackwell Images Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 <p>Vilk: An unmodified DR Summicron (eyes included) will work properly on any Leica M camera produced prior to the M6. But the eyes require the stabilizing arm to be removed for use on an M5.</p> “When you come to a fork in the road, take it ...” – Yogi Berra Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex_Es Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 <p>Interesting. Will have to retest my DR 50/2.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_neuthaler Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 <p>I found, after early "playing around," I rarely used the "eyes" at all.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomas_vaehrmann Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 <ul> <li>Hi,</li> </ul> <p>on an occasion in a shop I tried to mount it on my Bessa T and it did't mount at all. As fas as I remember the rear part of the lens-mounting is too large for the Bessa.<br> kind regards<br> Thomas</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g_12 Posted May 8, 2009 Author Share Posted May 8, 2009 <p><em>Graham: Sorry, but no. The eyes are there to correct the framing /parallax.</em> <br /> <br /> I meant about there being no mechanical reason why one cannot take a photograph without the eyes, not one cannot focus or frame, those two are always guesswork on a rangefinder anyway ;-)<br> Actually, I very much enjoy using my Bessa L, and that isn't even a rangefinder!</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjlynx Posted May 9, 2009 Share Posted May 9, 2009 <p>I have used the DR Summicron in normal range on a Leitz-Minolta CL without any difficulty. </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g_12 Posted May 9, 2009 Author Share Posted May 9, 2009 <p>Thanks Glen, much appreciated... are you the footballer one? :-)</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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