Leica 50mm and FF issue

[Arnold F.]

I'll try to describe this problem I'm having correctly. On my Leica R Summicron, the distance between the flange and the focus ring is too short to accomodate the gearbox of the RR follow focus. I can flip the gearbox, but then the distance between the focus ring and the mattebox is to short! Any thoughts by similarly afflicted users appreciated.

 

[Andreas Mendritzki]

Very common issue with small lenses, especially cine-moded photo lenses.

Unless you're interested in changing MBs and FFs, the simplest solution I've come across is to add screw on hoods. For example, on our Leica 50 we have a step up ring to 80mm (which has a 77mm inner thread), and then have about 3 80mm rings (you know, like a filter ring without a filter in it) screwed one into the other. This lets your MB sit further away from the lens.

A

 

[Doug Beatty]

I use an O-Connor CFF-1 with my Leicas and it helps somewhat with this problem with its detachable gear arm giving you the ability to mount gears on either side of the gearbox.

However, I still have problems getting the matte box close on the shorter lenses because the swing away bracket butts up against the bridge clamp. In those cases, I use a flexible donut to cover the distance and it works fairly well.