Noname Leica M-Sony FE/E close focus (helicoid) adapter

This is an adapter for Leica M mount lenses.

...for Sony FE/E mount cameras.

Its special feature is that it can change its length, acting as an extension ring. There is a kind of focusing ring on the adapter for this purpose.

I don't have a Leica M mount lens, but this mount is good because it has the shortest flange focal distance (27.8mm) among consumer film cameras for the 36x24 (mm) frame. This means that you can use other film lenses with an additional adapter, including, for example, the M39x1/28.8 (rangefinder) or SLR mounts.

When folded, the adapter is 9.8mm long. This corresponds to the difference between the flange focal distances of the Leica M and the Sony FE/E: 27.8 - 18 = 9.8 (mm). As I mentioned, I don't have any Leica M lenses to test, but with additional adapters infinity is achieved, there is even focusing beyond infinity (depends on the adapter).

The maximum extension length is 14.7mm, giving an analog of a 4.9mm (14.7 -  9.8) extension tube.

Not that much, of course, but that's the dimensional limit. Even this extension reduces the minimum focusing distance.

Installed lens does not rotate when adapter length is changed by rotating the ring.

Another aspect is that helicoid threads is open to the camera. You have to be very careful with the grease.

The main disadvantage of the adapter is that its construction is rather wobbly, there is a lot of play. My copy is used (I bought one to save money), but I think it's the same with new copies.

But this is one of the cheapest models of the Leica M-Sony FE/E close focus (helicoid) adapter. It is sufficient for my experiments.

See also related notes:

• Staeble-Lineogon 35/3.5: Samples [2] - FF - f/3.5 (2025-04-29)
• Takumar 105/2.8 (Pre-Set II): Samples [2] - FF + close focus (helicoid) adapter (2024-01-25)
• Staeble-Werk Choro R 35/4.5: My experience [2/3] (2023-12-11)
• Riconar/Rikenon 55/2.2: Two types of focusing and background blur (2023-11-27)
• Anastigmat Victar 50/2.9: With close focus (helicoid) adapter [2/2] (2023-10-16)
• Anastigmat Victar 50/2.9: With close focus (helicoid) adapter [1/2] (2023-10-14)
• Noname M39x1-Leica M adapter (2023-08-21)
• Mosler Photoguard 35/2.8: Samples [1] - FF + close focus (helicoid) adapter (2023-08-10)
• Noname Pentax K-Leica M adapter (2023-08-08)

Image albums:

• Lens accessories

Pentacon 30/3.5: My experience [1/5]

I liked the Pentacon 30/3.5 (M42x1) lens, although it has some weaknesses. I use this lens on the Sony a7c (24MP, FF).

The resolution in the center is good even at f/3.5 at infinity.

The edges, and especially the corners, don't have very good resolution even with the aperture closed.

Here and follow the f/9.5 aperture:

Of course, the simple optical design (5 elements in 5 groups) of a retrofocus wide-angle lens is no miracle. The Pentacon 30/3.5 also has a design flaw: decentering is often present. My copy is good, but it too has some decentering.

Overall, I like the image and the color rendition (for an old lens, especially compared to Soviet lenses).

10 blades make 10 sunstar rays.

The point of this lens is close-up photography (down to 30-35cm) at f/3.5. I will demonstrate this further. See part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5.

See also related notes:

• Pentacon 30/3.5: My experience [5/5] (2023-08-04)
• Pentacon 30/3.5: My experience [4/5] (2023-08-03)
• Pentacon 30/3.5: My experience [3/5] (2023-08-01)
• Pentacon 30/3.5: My experience [2/5] (2023-07-31)
• Pentacon 30/3.5 (M42x1) (2023-05-01)

Image albums:

• Pentacon 30/3.5

120cm sand ladders for Jimny

I bought aluminum sand ladders (aka sand tracks, aka recovery tracks/boards) for my Suzuki Jimny in 2010.

Two pieces, made by Автощит (AutoShield), part number 9112, length 120 cm.

Not very long, but uncomfortable to carry in the Jimny, so I carried them on the roof.

I didn't use them much on trips, but they helped a lot at competitions where you're not allowed to use a winch. Basic use: lifting the car (with the Hi-Lift jack), putting ladders under the wheels.

But I stopped competing a long time ago, and ladders take up a lot of storage space. That's why I sold them this year.

See also related notes:

• Соревнования (2009-2012) (2013-09-19)
• Один способ перевозки сэнд-траков на Jimny (2010-09-25)
• МайOFFка 2010: опыт выкапывания (2010-05-12)
• HiLift 485 (2009-01-23)

Image albums:

• Offroad

Cannondale Cujo 1 (2018): 27.5x3.0" and 27.5x2.8" tires simultaneously

After the chain came off my bike, the rear rim was damaged. Now the wheel is not centered (out of dish), the distance to the frame on one side of the wheel is too small. The 27.5x3.0" tire sometimes rubs against the frame.

I can't change the wheel/rim now (and I'd like to put 29" wheels), so I made a compromise solution to save the frame. I left the 27.5x3.0" tire on the front, and went back to the 27.5x2.8" tire on the rear, which is a little narrower, and that's enough.

The difference in diameter is almost imperceptible.

See also related notes:

• Cannondale Cujo 1 (2018): Five years (2023-09-26)

Angarsk: 10 photo card set from 1969 (and 2023)

A rare set of Angarsk photos from 1969: 10 photos and 2 covers. This set is related to the set of panoramic photos from the same time period.

(see also sets of 8 cards 1974, 12 cards 1974, 10 views 1956, 16 cards 1986)

And also my photos of the same places from the ground (July 2023).

Disclaimer: My photographs are nothing more than a documentation of reality.

Cover-1: Ангарск (Angarsk)

Cover-2.

1. Улица Горького (Gorky Street)

The photo was taken at about the same time as the panoramic version.

2. Дом пионеров (A Young Pioneer House)

3. Железнодорожный вокзал (The railway station)

The original monument was lost in the 2000s. A modern made replica was installed in 2019.

4.Стадион "Ангара" (Stadium "Angara")

5. Площадь Ленина (Lenin Square)

6. Ул. Ленина (Lenin Street)

The photo was taken simultaneously with the panorama, or this is a cropped version of the panorama.

7. Улица Карла Маркса (Karl Marx Street)

8. Ул. Чайковского (Tchaikovsky Street)

9. Проспект Ворошилова (Voroshilov Prospect)

The photo was taken at about the same time as the panoramic version.

10. Дворец культуры "Современник" (Place of Culture "Sovremennik"/"Contemporary")

See also related notes:

• Angarsk: another set of 10 photo cards from 1969 (and 2024) (2024-06-15)
• Angarsk: 40 years of the Angarsk Construction Department (1948-1988) (2023-09-06)
• Angarsk: 12 photos from 1975 (and 2023) (2023-08-07)

Image albums:

• Angarsk

Toopre TL-311: Tool for Shimano PD-M530 pedals

The cheap Toopre TL-311 tool (wrench) for disassembling Shimano PD-M530 pedals, alternative to Shimano TL-PD40:

Looks like an adapter that allows a regular 24mm wrench to unscrew the pedal nut:

Tested it on my pedals, it all fit:

With the help of this tool I was able to disassemble the pedals, clean them and grease them.

See also related notes:

• Контактные педали Shimano PD-M530 (2018-09-24)

Image albums:

• Bicycle

Anastigmat Victar 50/2.9 (M40x1): Uncoated triplet from 1940s

My oldest and most unusual lens.

This German lens was made (by Optisches Werk Ernst Ludwig) for Exakta and Praktiflex SLRs as a low-cost standard lens. It had different names: 

• Victar 1:2,9 F=5cm Ludwig-Dresden
• Anastigmat Victar 1:2,9 F=5cm
• Victar 1:2,9 F=5cm
• Praktiflex Anastigmat 1:2,9 F=5cm (OEM for Praktiflex)
• Practicar 1:2,9 f=50mm (Export)

I have the Anastigmat Victar 1:2,9 F=5cm version for Praktiflex with the M40x1 mount from the 1940s. And there is no serial number at all.

There is a claim that the lens has 4 elements in 3 groups, but I don't think so. The 1939 price catalog lists 3 elements for the Praktiflex Anastigmat 50/2.9. The 50/2.9 successors of this lens, called Meritar and Peronar, also have only 3 elements. However, the f/2.9 is quite fast for the a triplet.

(the optical design is similar to this one)

This lens also had no optical coating, which makes it something special today.

The lens is tiny. It (on the right) is smaller than the Индустар-50 (Industar-50) 50/3.5 (on the left) and the Индустар 50-2 (Industar 50-2) 50/3.5 (in the middle):

There is a cutout for mirror movement.

The aperture has 13 blades. Almost an even circle, but you have to consider the age.

Note that the lenses are almost colorless (no coating).

The focusing mechanism is quite good. When focusing, the front part does not rotate, so you can change the aperture without fear of losing focus. The mentioned Industars are much worse in this aspect.

The M40x1 (that's right, not M39x1 or M42x1) mount with the 44mm flange focal length (smaller than the 45.5mm of M42x1) for the first Praktiflex SLRs is very rare, so it's not so easy to adapt it to modern cameras, although it's possible.

Of course, this lens is not suitable for general use now, but its own nature is interesting.

I've wanted a triplet lens for a long time. I already have the Riconar 55/2.2, but it's not a triplet. The Victar is now the first triplet I've ever owned. The copy is not perfect, but it is playable.

See also related notes:

• My triplet lenses (2024-08) (2024-08-27)
• Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 50/3.5 (M40x1): Uncoated (non-T) version (2024-05-30)
• ISCO Iscovitar 50/2.8 (M42x1/45.5): Triplet with simple focusing mechanism (2024-05-21)
• Anastigmat Victar 50/2.9: Samples [1] - FF (2024-04-16)
• Anastigmat Victar 50/2.9: Finding a cap (2024-01-17)
• Anastigmat Victar 50/2.9: With close focus (helicoid) adapter [2/2] (2023-10-16)
• Anastigmat Victar 50/2.9: With close focus (helicoid) adapter [1/2] (2023-10-14)
• Lenses without cemented elements (2023) (2023-10-12)
• Staeble-Werk Choro R 35/4.5 (M39x1/44): Very rare wide-angle triplet (2023-10-05)
• Anastigmat Victar 50/2.9: My experience [2/2] (2023-09-30)
• Anastigmat Victar 50/2.9: My experience [1/2] (2023-09-29)
• Anastigmat Victar 50/2.9: Old lenses and contrast (2023-09-14)
• Praktiflex M40x1 lenses on modern cameras (2023-08-25)

Image albums:

• ISCO-Göttingen Iscovitar 50/2.8
• Staeble-Werk Choro R 35/4.5
• Staeble-Kata E 45/2.8
• Victar 50/2.9

Near Lake Ilchir (August 2008)

Aircraft сontrails over one of the lakes near Lake Ilchir, August 2008.

Pentax K10D (10MP, 1.5x crop factor) + DA 18-55/3.5-5.6 AL (i.e. first version) @ 18mm (28mm equiv.)

Image albums:

• History