Focal reducer for L39

[magnesi]

Hi all, I'm looking into focal reducer options and was wondering if it's possible to to use my Voigtlander 15mm with a focal reducer on the x system?

 

I've looked into it and discovered the following:

 

1) There doesn't seem to be any direct L39 to Fuji X reducers available. However I could get an M42 to Fuji X reducer and also get an L39 to M42 adapter.

 

2) I have read that with an L39 mount there could be issues as its a rangefinder lens and therefore has a short flange distance. What I couldn't clarify was wether this was an issue for DSLR cameras only or wether it applies to the Fuji X as well.

 

Anybody able to shed any light on this? It would be great to try my Voigtlander 15mm as a 15mm.

 

Thanks

[madmaxmedia]

A focal reducer isn't practically possible with rangefinder lenses, because there is not enough room for the focal reducer glass in between the sensor and the lens glass. The Metabones Speedbooster has 4 elements, and the other versions should be similar too.

http://www.metabones.com/assets/a/stories/Speed%20Booster%20White%20Paper.pdf

 

Also, the L39 to M42 adapter won't provide infinity focus when adapted via the L39 to M42/M42 focal reducer/adapter, as an L39 lens (which is Leica rangefinder screwmount) needs to be much closer to the image sensor than the M42 mount allows. I think it would essentially be like having a macro extender, and you could only take very close-up photos.

[magnesi]

That's a shame. Thanks for clarifying it.

[BlueRider]

Maybe I'm missing something but the way i use my L39 lens is with a leica L39 to L mount adapter. It then mounts up just fine in a megabones non speed booster L mount to fx adapter.