Adapting M39 bellows...

fenris · Joined: 23 Oct 2008 Posts: 42

I have an old set of bellows that takes M39 lenses. Is there a good way to adapt the mount so that it takes other lenses like OM? I have been trying to locate an M39-something adapter, but I guess M39s are too uncommon to be worth the effort to make adapters for them. Does anyone have an idea for a relatively cost-effective way to adapt my M39 bellows? Thanks!

Screamin Scott · Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 2:44 pm Post subject:

You can use step up rings to larger sizes & the reverse mount your lens to the lens..Here's a link to an eBay listing of step up rings from 39mm to larger sizes. Or you can do as I did, use enlarger lenses which are M39 thread, on the bellows. They can be had for very little money anymore...
http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?sofocus=bs&sbrftog=1&catref=C6&from=R40&dfsp=32&satitle=step+up+ring+39mm&sacat=-1%26catref%3DC6&sargn=-1%26saslc%3D2&sadis=200&fpos=30132&sabfmts=1&ftrt=1&ftrv=1&saprclo=&saprchi=&fsop=32%26fsoo%3D2&coaction=compare&copagenum=1&coentrypage=search&fgtp=

fenris · Joined: 23 Oct 2008 Posts: 42

These appear to be filter ring step-ups, right? Unfortunately, I think the thread pitch will be different from the M39 threads...

Screamin Scott · Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2008 1:38 pm Post subject:

Then you can try to use this Leica M39 to Pentax M42 adapter. From there, you can use another adapter to adapt from OM to M42 ...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Leica-M39-screw-lens-to-Pentax-M42-screw-mount-adapter_W0QQitemZ110308467013QQihZ001QQcategoryZ30059QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

fenris · Joined: 23 Oct 2008 Posts: 42

Ah. I actually have one of those. But that's for the lens side. I'm trying to swap the mount on my bellows. It seems my best bet is actually to get a proper bellows unit...or something of the sort.

Screamin Scott · Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2008 4:22 pm Post subject:

I had the opposite problem. I have a T mount bellows that had a T mount fitting on the camera end & an M42 mount on the lens end. I'm getting a Leica M39 to Pentax M42 mount adapter so I can use a Rodagon 135 F5.6 enlarging lens on the bellows. Plus I need to get an M42 to 40.5mm step ring so that I can reverse mount it...

luisalegria · Expire: 2018-01-18

You need to convert the camera-side of the bellows ?

If on the camera-side you have a male M39 thread, you can buy a Russian/Ukrainian M39-M42 adapter ring (used for adapting old Zenit lenses). That will give you a male M42, and to that you can screw any M42-camera adapter.

This is the same problem with any Visoflex-type lens or accessory, and the same solution. I did this with all my old Visoflex-type Komura lenses.

Those M39-M42 rings are very useful !

fenris · Joined: 23 Oct 2008 Posts: 42

Ah! Now we're talkin. Say...any idea where I can get those at a reasonable price? 'coz I can't seem to find any, but maybe my search-fu just isn't good enough.

sichko · Joined: 20 Jun 2008 Posts: 2475 Location: South West UK

Carry out a search for "M39 M42 adapter" on ebay.

fenris · Joined: 23 Oct 2008 Posts: 42

I've gone over ebay multiple times before. The thing is that they always have the step up from m39-m42 on the lens side. That is, they're gona fit M39 lenses to M42 bodies. I'm trying to do the opposite, that is allow M42 (or other mount) lenses to work on an M39 body (the bellows).

luisalegria · Expire: 2018-01-18

Is this what you want ?

M42 lens -> M39 body adapter

http://cgi.ebay.com/LEICA-M39-BODY-PENTAX-M42-LENS-ADAPTER_W0QQitemZ130259368008QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLens_Accessories?hash=item130259368008&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1234%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

fenris · Joined: 23 Oct 2008 Posts: 42

Hmm yes! Very nice =p But then I'd have to consider how to add other types of manual lenses to the bellows.