Bringing the Mamiya-Sekor 48mm f/1.5 to Leica M
Some lenses deserve a second life. The Mamiya-Sekor 48mm f/1.5 is one of those lenses. Originally fitted to the Mamiya Super Deluxe rangefinder of the 1960s, it is a fast Japanese standard lens that is rarely encountered today as a lens in its own right. Its combination of a slightly wider-than-normal 48mm focal length and fast f/1.5 aperture made it an interesting lens in its day — and an even more interesting candidate for conversion to Leica M.
The Mamiya-Sekor 48mm f/1.5 is one of those lenses. Originally fitted to the Mamiya Super Deluxe rangefinder of the 1960s, it is a fast Japanese standard lens that is rarely encountered today as a lens in its own right. Its combination of a slightly wider-than-normal 48mm focal length and fast f/1.5 aperture made it an interesting lens in its day — and an even more interesting candidate for conversion to Leica M.
For this project, we commissioned just three examples.
The idea was not simply to attach the original optics to an adapter. We wanted to turn the Mamiya-Sekor into a properly usable Leica M lens: compact, mechanically satisfying, rangefinder coupled and with an exterior that looks at home on a Leica.
Considerable work and investigation went into finding the right solution. The original optical assemblies have been completely re-bodied around high-quality Yifeng focusing mechanisms and Leica M mounts, followed by individual adjustment and calibration.
The result focuses down to approximately 0.65 metres, considerably increasing its usefulness as an everyday lens. The rangefinder coupling has been carefully calibrated and each lens has been checked and adjusted for use on both analogue Leica M cameras and digital Leica M bodies.
Rather than trying to imitate the appearance of the original Mamiya camera, the new bodies were designed around the proportions and feel of a classic rangefinder lens. Each lens also receives its own custom-made hood and matching cap, completing the conversion as a finished lens rather than simply an adapted optical block.
Why this Mamiya?
What interested us most was not technical perfection.
Modern lenses can provide enormous resolution, perfect corners and almost complete optical correction. Vintage lenses are interesting for precisely the opposite reason: they can give a photograph a signature.
The Mamiya-Sekor has plenty of that.
At f/1.5 it combines a relatively sharp central subject with softer rendering towards the edges and a distinctly vintage transition into the out-of-focus areas. The shallow depth of field at close distances gives the lens considerable separation, while backgrounds can take on a soft, painterly character.
Stopped down, the character becomes considerably more controlled, making the lens much more versatile than its f/1.5 specification might initially suggest.
It is precisely this combination that made us want to put the optics into a body that could be used properly on a Leica M.
Three lenses only
For this first project, only three Mamiya-Sekor 48mm f/1.5 lenses were commissioned.
Two were finished in chrome, creating a very classic appearance particularly well suited to an M2, M3 or silver digital M.
The third was made in brass.
Only one brass example exists in this series, and the material completely changes the character of the lens. Freshly finished it has a beautiful warm golden appearance, while with use the brass will naturally develop its own patina. It is less an attempt to make an old lens look new than to create something that can continue ageing along with the camera on which it is used.
The original Mamiya optics remain at the heart of each lens. Everything around them has been created to allow those optics to be enjoyed in an entirely different way.
A rare Japanese f/1.5 rangefinder lens, rescued from its original fixed-lens camera and rebuilt as a properly calibrated Leica M lens.
Links to the shop to buy one of these lenses:
– Silver: https://www.cameraobscuraelburg.nl/product/mamiya-sekor-48mm-f-1-5-leica-m-conversion-silver-chrome/
– Silver: https://www.cameraobscuraelburg.nl/product/mamiya-sekor-48mm-f-1-5-leica-m-conversion-silver-chrome-2/
– Brass: https://www.cameraobscuraelburg.nl/product/mamiya-sekor-48mm-f-1-5-leica-m-conversion-brass/
