[Leica] OT or not: dilemma

[Frank.Dernie at btinternet.com (Frank Dernie)]

Bruce,
PMFJI but the problem mounting M lenses on SLR bodies is  
insurmountable. Since the M has no mirror the lenses can, and are,  
designed with less compromise and the rearmost elements are nearer to  
the film than would be possible in a reflex camera. The lens mount to  
film plane distance on the M (and any other viewfinder or rangefinder  
system camera) is much less than any reflex camera. In order for a M  
lens to be fitted to an EOS, or other reflex camera and achieve  
infinity focus it would have to mount inside the camera and the  
mirror would be in the way. This rules out any M or screw mount lens  
of less than 90mm focal length (or 65mm for the viso only lens) If  
you want to use an old visoflex mounting telephoto or macro lens on  
an EOS there is an adapter available to mount these on a R camera  
which could be used in conjunction with the readily available EOS to  
R adapter. I don't see why one would do this unless for a bit of  
anachronistic fun, as the results would be unlikely to be all that  
good. Modern lenses match or beat the older viso mount lenses.
Frank

On 18 Dec, 2005, at 15:58, bruce wrote:

> Douglas,
>
> Thanks for the tip/lead.
>
> Only Canon and Olympus digital bodies are apparently able to offer  
> the link to other brands of lenses. And, I have a number of very  
> good Leica M lenses (screw and bayonet) which I wish to use on a  
> digital camera. Plus Zeiss lenses for the Contax,
>
> The auto- this, that and the other are of much less import to me.
>
> Greetings,
> B.
> The Hague, The Netherlands.