For a while, I was really considering buying an adapter for Leica M lenses to the Nikon Z mount. After all, I’ve got one for Sony E and Leica L mount. But I don’t know what was stopping me from doing it — especially when I’m an owner of the Funleader Contax 35mm f2 and 45mm f2. These are two lenses that are becoming more and more rare and while the originals are around, I should be appreciating and using them so much more. It was a conversation with a friend that made me realize that I should buy the adapter. Typically, I’ve always used the Urth adapter. And here’s where I say that I purchased one — and that Urth has never went ahead and worked with the Phoblographer in a press capacity for some odd reason. For just how affordable the lens adapters are though, that’s fine.
And so I’m typing this article up while filled up with meds and battling bronchitis in my office chair.
There has always been an allure to using Leica M lenses and manual focus lenses in general for me. From a very factual point of honesty, they require you to use more brainpower in the creation of your images. That means that you’re far less inclined to shoot in a more lackadaisical way that we’re all used to seeing these days. When we shoot in this otherwise brainless manner, we tend to create images like those in this Leica M ad.
I, for my entire career as a photographer, have been in love with Leica M lenses, cameras, etc. The day they make one with weather resistance is the day that I sell everything and hop on over to it in full. But the kinds of images shown in this ad are similar to ones that I could make with an iPhone for sure.
So then why adapt the lenses to a Nikon Z body? Well, that’s because the Nikon Zf is in some ways, more capable than a Leica M camera. For starters, it has in-camera multiple exposure mode. an EVF that helps me understand what I’m making better, and a far better supported flash system. On top of that, there’s focus peaking — which works surprisingly well but doesn’t even necessarily need it because the EVF is just so good.
What I’ve noticed the most, however, is that this adapter is doing something for me that I’ve wanted for years. I’ve wanted a way to easily just use a single camera system for both film and digital. And paired with my Leica M6, this pretty much does it. The only issue is that this is a dumb adapter, and so it doesn’t give me exposure communication or F-stop communication through the lens. I’ve searched online for some, but haven’t found many that match my wants and needs. However, I could totally see myself walking around the world with my Leica M6 on one shoulder and my Nikon Zf on the other with autofocus and having lots of fun.
As it is, I didn’t notice anything off or odd about the image quality. It worked perfectly the way that I’d expect it to. Any if anything, it just gave my Nikon Zf the ability to use Leica M mount lenses. And in effect, it just gave it more adaptability.
If you truly aren’t understanding this, then consider this. I shoot a lot of paid gigs on the side. And I can use my Nikon Zf with an adapter, Leica M mount lenses, and a flash like my Profoto B10. On my other shoulder, I can use the Leica M6. Sure, I’d have to develop and scan the film. But the process isn’t all that awful.
Still, I wish that I had autofocus and full exposure communication. And after more research, my writing this review lead me to go buy the Techart option instead. Ultimately, because I want the autofocus option and exposure communication, that might be better for me in the long run.