EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE LEITAX ADAPTER

Earlier this spring I got the itch to try a Leica 50mm Summilux-R E60 on a Sony A900 dSLR. Part of the Sony research included emails with David Lladó at Leitax. One thing led to another, the Leica 50mm Summilux-R cost a small fortune, the Sony A900 did not happen and the 50 Lux was destine for the Canon 1Ds Mark III. The Leitax adapters looked nice, so I decided to try one. David was quite helpful and with his guidance I ordered:

1. 1)Canon EOS Bayonet for Leica-R Lenses (6 Holes)
   

2. 2)Dandelion Chip for Canon, Pre-Installed on the Adapter
   

3. 3)Irazola Screwdriver
   

4. 4)Silicone Grease
   

5. 5)The Plastic Tool shown on the Nikon page
   

With shipping the total was around $125. About two weeks later the Leitax kit arrived from the U.K. The 50 Lux R had been delivered about a week prior, so everything was in place.

INSTALLING THE LEITAX ADAPTER

With the lens in hand and a couple lens cloths on the table, I turned over the 50 Lux-R and started removing the bayonet screws. After awhile I realized it might be a good idea of review the instructions, so a quick trip to the Leitax web-site and then back to the dining room table. More screws, a protective metal shield, the Leica bayonet removed and it was time for the Leitax bayonet. Looking at the Leitax bayonet, there were no divots for the aperture ball-bearing. I emailed David saying the adapter had not been fully completed, and he kindly replied, “you’re looking at the Nikon page... look at the Canon page...” Sure enough, in my haste I followed the Nikon instructions, not the Canon instructions.

So reverse course and within a couple minutes then lens was back to the way it started. Within another two or three minutes the Leitax adapter was securely in place and the 50 Lux-R was ready. But alas another snafu - the shutter would not fire. Oddly it worked in Live View, but in normal shooting nothing happened. Another quick email to David asking if this was the right adapter for a Canon 1Ds Mark III (the Leitax site mentioned something about slightly different adapter for the Canon 1-series). David replied, saying to check the Dandelion chip instructions and try setting a parameter to manual focus. Dandelion instructions? Feeling really stupid for the second time, I followed the link to the Dandelion instructions - click here.

“Dismount lens, turn off camera, turn on camera, remount lens, half press shutter, within 3 seconds kiss your dog.”  What the #$%^&...?... I am used to the Optix V5 focus confirmation chips, in comparison the Dandelion programming process is cumbersome. As crazy as it is, it works. Mea culpa. After setting the chip to manual focus, the 1Ds Mark III worked as expected. Before changing the parameter, it turns out that the lens (chip) did work in auto-focus mode, but for the shutter to fire, the subject had to be in focus. If no beep, no shot. Obviously the default setting could lead to lots of missed shots. My recommendation, set the value to manual focus.

One other note - when all six screws are removed, the Leica mount will want to rotate because of the springs in the aperture mechanism. If the ball bearing for the aperture comes unseated, the Leica bayonet needs to be removed and the ball bearing reseated. It is an easy process and there pictures on Leitax’s website. The installation is actually very easy, my stupidity complicated and lengthened the process.

ADAPTER PERFORMANCE

The Leitax adapter is one piece, so it is rock solid. It screws to the Leica lens just like the original Leica bayonet. There is no flex, no shifting, no rotation. There are no flanges that need spreading to ensure a tight fit between the adapter and lens because the lens is SCREWED to the adapter. Likewise, the fit on the Canon 1Ds Mark III is perfect. It mounts as smoothly as a Canon lens, and when locked into place, there is barely any rotational play.

The adapter’s fit finish is equally good. The adapter is cupped and its sides slip over the original Leica bayonet, so the finished result looks like a Leica / Canon made product. The metal used appears to be nice quality with a satin nickel finish look. In short - everything lines up perfectly, clicks in place soundly and feels solid. I rank the fit and finish equal to Bo-ming’s work (Conurus) on the Contax N conversions.

It was difficult to measure the actual adapter thickness; it appears to be 3mm (see the last picture) - which is right on target. The 50mm Summilux-R reaches infinity without any problems (checked with Live View). The Dandelion chip works as well as the Optix V5 chip, but I do prefer how the Optix V5 programming (set-up) process. The Dandelion chip installation on the adapter itself  looks pristine - especially compared to some of the other adapters I have seen with dried glue oozing from the edges.

PARTING COMMENTS

I recently had a lens spin off its (non-Leitax) adapter and almost fall. Fortunately I caught the lens and no harm was done. Based on that experience I am very hesitant to use adapters with the conventional locking pin or tab. In comparison, Leitax’s solution uses 6 or 10 screws (depends on the lens) to secure the lens to the adapter. This solution is infinity better. Leitax has a great product at a good price (given the quality). This one is a no-brainer --- a big thumbs up for Leitax. To find out which lenses can work on a Canon dSLR, refer to the PebblePlace Leica Database. For more information Leitax about their adapters, visit Leitax.com.