p.2 #1 · New Hawk’s Contax G to Leica M Conversion Kit?
Thanks for the photos Sebboh! I know you used a Minolta 55mm F1.7 for your 45 conversion. I happen to have a 50mm F1.7 laying around, is there any reason that wouldn’t work? Have you posted anything with the steps for doing the 45mm?
Also, I just noticed that Minolta used to make an MD 45mm f/2. Looks more compact than the 55. The front filter thread is 49mm. I like that the apertures and focus scale would be accurate. Super cheap. Since it’s the same focal length do you think it would be easier to mod?
p.2 #3 · New Hawk’s Contax G to Leica M Conversion Kit?
NateWeatherly wrote:
Thanks for the photos Sebboh! I know you used a Minolta 55mm F1.7 for your 45 conversion. I happen to have a 50mm F1.7 laying around, is there any reason that wouldn’t work? Have you posted anything with the steps for doing the 45mm?
Also, I just noticed that Minolta used to make an MD 45mm f/2. Looks more compact than the 55. The front filter thread is 49mm. I like that the apertures and focus scale would be accurate. Super cheap. Since it’s the same focal length do you think it would be easier to mod?
i think Jim Buchanan did a MD 50/1.7 conversion. it's a plastic fantastic lens so i don't like it's helicoid or focus ring as much as the nice all metal 55/1.7 with the knurled focus ring. the 45/2 is a piece of crap from the build quality perspective, so i definitely wouldn't use it personally. also, all my mating ring designs are made to fit the 55/1.7, so using a different lens would mean designing and prototyping a completely new design.
fwiw, the distance sale seems pretty accurate on the 55/1.7 g45 conversion.
NateWeatherly wrote:
Sebboh - Also, I’m curious—what are the rainbow colored marks near the mount on your adapted lenses?
those are to identify the aperture stop. the rokkor aperture ring has too large a diameter to fit on the TAP adapter on the g21, g28, and g35 conversions, so i replaced it with a lower profile aperture ring (but cheaped out on engraved numers):
p.2 #4 · New Hawk’s Contax G to Leica M Conversion Kit?
UPDATE!! I finally got a reply about the DIY Contax G conversion kit from Hawk’s Factory via eBay message. It was a bit hard to parse out what he was saying, but the gist of it was that I should contact his Hong Kong affiliate for info (seller ID “leica898”) I sent a message and they confirmed that it is available, even though it’s not listed on their eBay store. Cost is $550 USD. I asked for photos and was really surprised to see that the new “version 6” model has its own aperture ring and only uses the optical block and front retaining ring from the lens. Good looks without needing to buy a black G45, and swapping the lens block would be a dead simple 5 minute job... Just need to add a red dot (https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F112219519005)
p.2 #7 · New Hawk’s Contax G to Leica M Conversion Kit?
Yeah it really does look great. They said that the scales, etc are laser engraved, not painted, and the filter size is the same as the original lens, 46mm. Looks to me like it’s probably about the same size as the original lens, maybe even a bit more compact? They’ll be listed on eBay once the promo materials are ready.
p.2 #8 · New Hawk’s Contax G to Leica M Conversion Kit?
NateWeatherly wrote:
Yeah it really does look great. They said that the scales, etc are laser engraved, not painted, and the filter size is the same as the original lens, 46mm. Looks to me like it’s probably about the same size as the original lens, maybe even a bit more compact? They’ll be listed on eBay once the promo materials are ready.
p.2 #10 · New Hawk’s Contax G to Leica M Conversion Kit?
sebboh wrote:
cool! do they offer the wider lenses too?
Not sure, but it seems like they might. I can’t get the direct link to work, but just click on “Leica” then Leica m, l39,m39 then there will be an option for “Contax G”
p.2 #11 · New Hawk’s Contax G to Leica M Conversion Kit?
Second that. You know I hate Green Paint (no offense). If they make a G21 body I’d probably be the sucker/tester for it...
sebboh wrote:
cool! do they offer the wider lenses too?
After NateWeatherly's excellent information, I got in touch with Eric/leica898 on ebay to ask for details regarding the 21mm f2.8. Along with a very prompt and professional reply, I received the following pictures of the 21mm kit, linked below. (first time posting so hope this works)
It is priced somewhat dearly at USD 605 plus 35 shipping, in contrast to the 550 mentioned above. I also got in touch with Dirk at Japan Exposures to check on the MS-Optics conversion by Miyazaki-san, and was quoted a price of JPY 55,000 (~USD 495) plus shipping.
Mathieu18 or sebboh, would be keen on hearing any feedback if you decide to purchase these. Would love to try them myself, but at more than US1,000 (1,200? even more for UK/EU with VAT) to convert my G21+45... may take some time to save up
p.2 #13 · New Hawk’s Contax G to Leica M Conversion Kit?
Hmm, the prices certainly went up, I'd seen $550 for his new one as well. This is pretty slick, but it's a mechanical helicoid for $600... seems a bit rich to me but then prices are distorted in Leica world.
Anyway I'm also OCD. I see he has the 21 and 45 listed. If he adds a 28 and 90 (and a discount for buying all 4) and I can do the whole set it's something I'd consider more.
p.2 #14 · New Hawk’s Contax G to Leica M Conversion Kit?
Hawk has helicoids for four of the five lenses and is working on the 90mm. Be advised, you might have to deal with red color shift if using a converted 21mm on an M. I did when I owned an earlier version of his helicoid.
"New message from: leica898 (39Yellow Star)
Yes, it was 550. Since we made some improvements about the aperture ring and the cost get higher.
In fact, we have 21, 28, 35, 45 is now available.
And 90 is now we are doing some improvements. Hopefully with a built in hood..."
p.2 #15 · New Hawk’s Contax G to Leica M Conversion Kit?
irbridge wrote:
Mathieu18 or sebboh, would be keen on hearing any feedback if you decide to purchase these. Would love to try them myself, but at more than US1,000 (1,200? even more for UK/EU with VAT) to convert my G21+45... may take some time to save up
don't look at me, i'm quite happy with my own conversions. i'm happy to see better looking rangefinder coupled conversions becoming available though.
p.2 #16 · New Hawk’s Contax G to Leica M Conversion Kit?
Argh... I’ve been hemming and hawing about whether to get one for a G45, and the price increase isn’t helping. For the cost of the adapter alone one could get a Planar ZM 50mm, or a nice Summicron 50mm for the cost of the adapter and a G45 donor lens... I was just about to email him and ask if there might be any wiggle room on the $550.
blue265 wrote:
Hawk has helicoids for four of the five lenses and is working on the 90mm. Be advised, you might have to deal with red color shift if using a converted 21mm on an M. I did when I owned an earlier version of his helicoid.
"New message from: leica898 (39Yellow Star)
Yes, it was 550. Since we made some improvements about the aperture ring and the cost get higher.
In fact, we have 21, 28, 35, 45 is now available.
And 90 is now we are doing some improvements. Hopefully with a built in hood..."
p.2 #17 · New Hawk’s Contax G to Leica M Conversion Kit?
Bumping this thread! Has anyone picked up one of these adapters yet? I’ve tried so many lenses (Voigtlander 40mm f/1.2, M-Rokkor 40mm, a tone of vintage 50mm lenses, etc etc) and nothing has excited me like the images from the G 45, so I think I’m ready to commit.
Unless you’re ready to do another round of conversions, Sebboh?
p.2 #18 · New Hawk’s Contax G to Leica M Conversion Kit?
NateWeatherly wrote:
Bumping this thread! Has anyone picked up one of these adapters yet? I’ve tried so many lenses (Voigtlander 40mm f/1.2, M-Rokkor 40mm, a tone of vintage 50mm lenses, etc etc) and nothing has excited me like the images from the G 45, so I think I’m ready to commit.
Unless you’re ready to do another round of conversions, Sebboh?
I'm happy to do more conversions or give people instructions/.stl files to make the parts themselves. The parts are not cheap to machine though.
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