Posted by Michael Gilligan on 27/09/2019 20:17:29:
If I recall correctly, the ‘error’ was first made by Canon and has persisted.
The matter under debate is simply what thread Leitz used when the screw-mount Leica was launched. … and as an interesting rider to that; whether Leitz ever succumbed.
MichaelG.
Everything I've read thus far, and it's quite extensive since the weather's been lousy, points to Barnack's use of a 39mm 26TPI thread on the Leica II through to the IIIc, and most sources point to it being chosen as Leitz were geared up to that pitch for microscope lenses.
Whilst there are claims it was patented, I've failed to find the original Reichspatentamt which ran from from 1931 to 1940. Since the LTM 39mm lenses were released in 1931, it was about the changeover period from the previous patent office. Post war of course, all German patents were voided as part of the war reparations, hence Leica patenting the M bayonet mount.
I've also tried several other worldwide patent searches, and found several by Leitz/Barnack, but not the relevant one specifying the pitch.
Schneider used to produce lenses, both for Leitz and in their own right; Google searches quote text from their web site referring to 39mm x 26TPI; see first link.
Unfortunately, Schneider have re-vamped the web site since this Google indexing, so the text is now missing. I've even tried using Wayback machine on their old site(s), but there isn't a snapshot at the relevant time. I think I narrowed it down to FAQ-10, but can't find it anywhere.
I'm not trying to force a point against anyone here, but pursuing it for my own interest now.
Bill
p.s. Leitz also made various lens adaptors to enable the use of LTM lenses on M mount, such as IRZ00 Part No. 14097, but I've failed to find the spec thus far.
Edited By peak4 on 27/09/2019 23:15:35