leica 135mm f4.5 hektor BM

[vroger]

I just picked up a leica 135mm f4.5 hektor BM.

My plan is to shoot this on Fuji. I grabbed a LM to FX adapter.

My question is as follows:

I would like to find a extension tube to shorten the minimum focal length of this lens. But, I am only Finding current Leica M tubes for crazy prices. What was made back in the day (1950-1960's) for the leica 135mm f4.5 hektor and other BM lenses to do close up shots?

[Oldhand]

Why not use a simple Fujifilm set. These are very cheap. Insert between the adapter and the camera body.
OH

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Macro-Extension-Adapter-Tube-Ring-for-Fujifilm-Finepix-X-Pro1-E1-FX-mount-camera-/401052496626?hash=item5d609772f2:g:tRcAAOxyFH1Ri3St

[vroger]

[scsambrook]

I got a PIXCO brand two-piece set (10mm and 16mm) that works fine. Both tubes lock up solid on the body and also hold the lens securely. They also have the electical contacts but I don't have any Fuji lenses so can't say if that part works okay.

A more flexible alternative would be to use the Hektor lens head on a bellows unit, which is what I've done. That way you can go right from infinity to a few inches. The Hektor works very well indeed as a close-up lens. The only snag is that you need an adaptor to put the head on to a Leica screw mount - Leitz made one (can't recall its designation) and so did Novoflex (code LEIHEK).

[tb_a]

To use the detachable Leitz 135mm Hector lens head on either a bellows (M39/LTM) or the Visoflex focusing tube (no. 16464k) you need following adapter (OTSRO):



The Visoflex tube looks like this:



If you then mount the Visoflex tube to any adapter to your camera both infinity and close focus are maintained. I am using a Visoflex to Nikon adapter (cheaply available from China) and add the respective Nikon to Camera adapter additionally. Works also with other Leica lenses with detachable lens head (e.g. 90/2.8 directly; i.e. without OTSRO).

[Nordentro]

You can build your own with a m42 focus helicoid + m42 to m39 ring + extension rings.
Detach the original tube and use only the head with your self built tube

http://www.ebay.com/itm/M42-to-M42-42mm-Screw-Mount-Adjustable-Macro-Focusing-Helicoid-17mm-31mm-/221970616502?hash=item33ae7ad0b6:g:XnUAAOSw1S9Wfz~M

[tb_a]

The advantage of the Visoflex solution over the other ones is that you can take close-up's and infinity shots without changing anything.
Here are some examples using the Elmar 135/4 lens head as explained before:

Setup:


Close-up (less than 1 m):




Infinity:



Especially for outside photography that gives you utmost flexibility without the need to exchange lenses.

[vroger]

I can't see anyway to detach my head unit.

[Ultrapix]

[scsambrook]

The lens head simply unscews - it's probably firmly seated after all these years. Grip the filter rim and the vulcanised portion of the lens barrel and apply a reasonable turning movement !

The Visoflex way is nice and elegant but not really needed on a Fuji X camera - With my BPM bellows + a Fuji adapter I can go from infinity to within a few inches of the lens head - Best on a tripod for close ups, but easily hand held for more distant shots. But you do need the correct adapter to allow the lens head to fit on either Leica or Pentax/Praktica screw mounts; the thread on the Hektor head is not M42.

[vroger]

got it! it was just stuck!

Ok, so if I want to use this for Macro, whats my best combo of adapters? rather not do billows.. I would rather use a existing adapter , but in these cases above I would need a new adapter?

[vroger]

Ok grabbed this.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/262242679954

What adapter do I need to use it on my Fuji? given I have adapters for the lenses in my sig. Oh and do I still need a focusing adapter?

Whats the difference between OTZFO , OTSRO and ZOOAN?

[scsambrook]

Looks like you've bought a (very long) set of extension tubes, without a focusing mount. If you Google the various Leitz designations you'll get their details alright.I think if you can find a 16464 focusing mount you'll be able to use the various tubes to go from infinity down to really close . . . But I think a bellows unit might be more flexible and possible less costly.

[vroger]

I grabbed a Leica Leitz ZOOAN Short Focusing mount 16495 for $32 shipped.

Thoughts on any other recommendations to add into the mix.

Thus far, three 16471J "OTRPO" adapters and one "OSTRO" 16472K adapter and a ZOOAN adapter.

[scsambrook]

Seems you might now be "wandering" (or maybe "wondering") in some sort of Leica maze, becoming increasingly confused or bemused by the plethora of Leitz names and numbers for focusing bits and pieces.

The ZOOAN focusing mount, if I remember correctly, lets you put a lens head on a Visoflex housing (possibly with yet another adapter) I can't recall if ZOOAN has a regular L39 thread at the back or some other fitting - once again Google is your friend. But whatever the rear mount, you'll need a suitable extension that's the same thickness as whichever model Visoflex the ZOOAN was meant to go on. Or maybe ZOOAN was meant to mate with PLOOT which (Ithink) was the predecessor of the Visoflex I, which was longer than eiither the Visoflex II or III. PLOOT and Visoflex I might be the same length. But with Leitz you can never be sure . . .

Morgan & Lester's Leica Manual in any post-1950 edition will probably give you the information to answer these questions.

[newst]

Roger,

On my Sony cameras I use an LTM to NEX adapter with a helicoid that gives me macro capabilities with my LTM lenses. I looked for something similar LTM to FX and couldn't find it. The closest I could come was a Leica M to FX helicoid. You could try matching that with an LTM to M ring.

Just another option. It won't require removing the lens head, or swimming through Leitz alphabet soup.

[vroger]

It's only extremely confusing ... Hence why I ordered a book on accessories..

[tb_a]