LEICA M6 Rangefinder Camera - Manual (Page 19)

PREPARATION ▸ LENS 19
LENS
COMPATIBLE LENSES
LEICA M LENSES
Most Leica M lenses can be used with any lens equipment (with or
without 6-bit encoding in the bayonet).
Please read the following sections for details on the very few excep-
tions and limitations.
Notes
• Leica M lenses come with a control curve that mechanically trans-
fers the set distance to the camera to allow manual focusing via
the rangefinder of the Leica M camera. Please note the following
when using the rangefinder with wide-aperture lenses (≤ 1.4):
– The focusing mechanism of every camera and every lens is
adjusted individually at the Leica Camera AG factory in Wet-
zlar with the greatest possible precision. Extremely narrow
tolerances are adhered to in this process, which allow precise
focusing of every camera/lens combination in photography.
– If wide-aperture lenses (≤ 1.4) are used with an open aperture,
the then sometimes resulting very low depth of field, and inac-
curacies in focusing with the rangefinder may lead to setting
errors resulting from the (added) overall tolerance of the cam-
era and lens. It can therefore not be ruled out that a specific
camera/lens combination may result in systematic deviations.
– We recommend having the lens and camera checked by Leica
Customer Care if you notice a general deviation of the focal
position in a specific direction over time. Our technicians will
ensure that both products are calibrated within the permissible
overall tolerance. However, a 100% match of the focal position
cannot be achieved for all pairings of cameras and lenses.
LENSES WITH LIMITED COMPATIBILITY
COMPATIBLE, BUT MAY POSE RISK OF DAMAGE TO THE
CAMERA AND/OR LENS
– Lenses with retractable tube must only be used with the tube
extended, i.e. never attempt to retract the tube while the lens
is attached to the camera. This does not apply for the current
Makro-Elmar-M 90 f/4 model, as its tube will not retract into the
camera itself and can therefore be used without restriction.
– When using heavy lenses attached to a tripod-mounted camera,
e.g. Noctilux 50 f/0.95 or Leica R lenses with an adapter: Make
sure that the tilt of the tripod head cannot move inadvertently
when the camera is not held. A sudden tilt and impact could result
in damage to the lower edge of the camera bayonet. That is why
you should always use the tripod mount on relevantly equipped
lenses.
COMPATIBLE, BUT EXACT FOCUSING MAY BE LIMITED
Despite the high precision of the rangefinder on the camera, exact
focusing with 135 mm lenses with an open aperture cannot be guar-
anteed due to the very low depth of field. We therefore recommend
stopping down by at least 2 steps.
INCOMPATIBLE LENSES
– Hologon 15 f/8
– Summicron 50 f/2 with close-up function
– Elmar 90 f/4 with retractable tube (manufactured 1954-1968)
– Some examples of the Summilux-M 35 f/1.4 (non-aspherical,
manufactured 1961-1995, Made in Canada) cannot be attached to
the camera or cannot focus to infinity. Leica Customer Care can
modify these lenses for use with the camera.