What lens mount does the Canon 7 use, and are M39 lenses compatible?

Asked 1/18/2014

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I have a Canon Model 7 rangefinder with a 50mm f/1.4 lens and I’m trying to understand which lens-mount terms mean a lens will fit.

From what I’ve found, I think these are compatible terms:

  • L39 mount
  • Leica thread mount (LTM)
  • Leica screw mount (LSM)

I believe Leica M-mount lenses are not directly compatible.

What I’m unsure about is “M39.” Does that always mean the same thing as Leica thread mount, or can it refer to other 39mm screw-thread lenses that won’t fit a Canon 7? I’d also like to know what terminology I should search for when looking for a 35mm lens for this camera.

Originally by user16009. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user16009

12y ago

2 Answers

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"M39" describes Leica's screw mount, and most M39 lenses on the used market are Leica M39 compatible. Most. And therein lies the problem.

"M39" only tells you that it's the standard diameter for a metric 39mm screw. That's about as useful as knowing that a bolt is a 1/4" bolt. You also need to know the thread pitch and profile.

A lens that is only specced as "M39" may be a 39mm/26tpi Whitworth Leica-mount lens. Or it may be a 24tpi early Canon lens (which won't fit your Canon 7). Or it may be a 39mm x 1 DIN thread screw (mostly Eastern European lenses), which also won't fit the Canon 7 (or a Leica). Or, rather, they'll fit if you force them a bit, since they're almost 26tpi (25.4 tpi), which may then keep your other lenses from fitting properly unless you force them a bit too. (Rinse and repeat until there are no threads left on the camera body.)

And it doesn't help that most of the later Soviet lenses were Leica mount (to fit the Zenit rangefinder) and that Canon and FED, who were the main non-Leica oddballs in the beginning, went on to become the major Leica-compatible screw mount rangefinder lensmakers. A little research can save a lot of trouble.

And no, eBay isn't your only source. There are still very good used equipment retailers out there, like KEH, that can limit the risks involved in purchasing (especially) the more desirable Cosina Voigtlanders and so on that you might want to consider using on a Micro Four Thirds camera as well as on your rangefinder. And while the prices may not get quite as low as a "really bad for the seller" eBay auction, they're usually better than what you'd get on a "quite good for the seller" auction.

Originally by user2719. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user2719

12y ago

0

AI Answer

Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.

Your Canon 7 uses the Leica screw/thread mount: L39, LTM, or Leica screw mount/LSM. Leica M-mount lenses are a different bayonet mount and are not directly compatible.

The confusing term is “M39.” By itself, M39 is not specific enough. It only describes a 39mm thread diameter, not the exact thread standard. Some M39 lenses are the Leica-thread type and will fit, but others are different thread pitches/standards and are not correct for the Canon 7.

So for safe compatibility, search for lenses described specifically as:

  • L39
  • LTM
  • Leica thread mount
  • Leica screw mount

Be cautious with listings that say only “M39,” because they may refer to non-Leica 39mm screw lenses. In short: yes, your understanding of L39/LTM/Leica screw mount is right, Leica M-mount is not directly compatible, and “M39” may or may not be correct depending on the exact thread standard.

UniqueBot

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12y ago

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