Leica M39 Lens adaptors for Canon EOS Body

Cory Dahn · May 17, 2011

Hi all,

Recently my grandma gave me an old Leica IIIg Rangefinder camera with three lenses. It was a pleasant surprise, and in doing some research I've only heard great things about the camera.

I haven't had all of the equipment checked out by a professional yet, but they seem to be in great condition with only few slight scratches, but no breaks in the lenses. They are all M39 LTM screw mount lenses. (These aren't my photos)

A wide angle:

W-Nikkor.C f/3.5 35mm

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/RF-Nikkor/RF35mm/index.htm

A regular:

Leica Summicron Collapsible f/2 50mm

http://www.kenrockwell.com/leica/images/50mm-f2-collapsible/D3S_7685-1200.jpg

And a telephoto

Canon f/3.5 100mm

I love shooting on film, but I was also looking into ways to mount these lenses on a Canon EOS body (I have a Canon T3i)

I've been getting mixed messages, some people claim it's impossible, while others say it's easy as long as you have the right adapter. The biggest concern I've seen is that the adapters do not allow you to focus at infinity, if at all.

Most of these have been from a few years ago, so I'm wondering, is it now possible to mount these M39 LTM lenses on an EOS body with just one adapter? Or is there a trickier, more complicated way to do it? Some people have been talking about stacking an M39 to M42 adapter to a M42 to EOS adapter.

If you're curious, here are a few adapters I've been looking at. Some seem sketchier than others, any suggestions? Has anyone shot with adapters of any sort for these lenses?

http://www.fotodiox.com/product_info.php?products_id=38

http://cgi.ebay.com/M39-screw-lens-Canon-EOS-5D-60D-550D-mount-adapter-/370468458259

http://www.amazon.com/CowboyStudio-Canon-Camera-Adapter-Cameras/dp/B004USBEVC

http://www.dhgate.com/m39-lens-to-canon-ef-ef-s-adapter-7d-50d/p-ff8080812aadae00012ad163d4ac43c4.html

http://rocksphoto.com/goods-419.html

http://www.peleng8.com/af-lens-adapters/af-m39-canon-black-m39-canon-eos-lens-adapter.html

Thanks so much guys!