Leica-R to Canon - Newbie question

[WPalank]

First, thanks for looking in. Anyway, I have been an M8 with Leica lens shooter for a couple of years now. My backup camera is currently a Canon Mark III or 5D. I have been promised one of the first Mark II 5Ds to hit the US west coast. My typical Canon lens setup had been the L line.
So now I've been thinking of getting a Leica prime, most likely the 50mm Summilux-R. I think the most common adapter out there is the Novoflex R adapter. I have a few questions that haven't seemed to be answered in my Search query of this Forum:

1) Is mounting the adapter a simple operation. A jeweler's Philip's head and a couple of screws? Or do I need to get a pro involved?

2) Which adapter? Yes, I read a recent thread where everyone chimed in but no one gave their reasons. Example: "I bought the Chinese one." But why? Just because it was cheaper?
Camera West is advertising there's and saying it is much less stiff than other adapters. The place I am heading in the beginning of December is VERY desolate. No camera shops for probably a 1000 KMs. Last thing I want to do is save $50 but find myself unable to unmount my lens in the middle of the bush.

3) I know I will have to manually focus, but is stopping down the aperture on the Leica lens and then having to set the electronic aperture within camera a major pain in the ass?
Anyone have any experience with this system? I'm a street shooter/environmental portraiture guy on the fly and NOT a set up the tripod, manually meter for the shadows, screw in shutter release kind of guy. Any foreseeable problems?

4) Tried to find reviews comparing the Leica 50mm Summilux-R to the Canon L 50mm 1.2 and failed. Anyone have experiences with these lenses?

Thanks in advance for any help.

[stunsworth]

Hi William
Mounting the adaptor is as simple as clicking the adaptor onto place on the lens, and then mounting the lens+ adaptor as normal - no need for any tools of any kind.

2. I used a Cameraquest adaptor with haas been excellent. There are newer adaptors available with focus confirmation - search eBay for xamples.

3. Stopping down is a pain at first, but soon becomes second nature. I used my 5D with Leica lenses for 95% of the time.

Be aware some lenses wouldn't work on the original 5D due to mirror clearance issues, mainly wide angles. The 28 and 35mm Elmarits worked ok, as did a 50mm Summicron.

[pgk]

I'm using several R lenses on a 1DS and 5D. I use a Novoflex adapter permanently fitted to the 80/1.4 and an unbranded adapter for the wider lenses and a tatty 135/2.8. I've had two things happen worth pointing out. The first Novoflex adapter supplied promptly discarded the release button top and was replaced - still needs a small screwdriver to operate the release so effectively its a 'permanent' solution. Secondly the generic adapter was loose - cured by inserting a small screwdriver into the very narrow grooves in the female 'R' bayonet and 'springing' the gripping sections (they were not exerting any pressure on the bayonet before) - its been fine since.

BUT generally I tend to use these lenses when I've got plenty of time OR if the camera's on a tripod. The exception is the 80/1.4 which is often used wide open (although it is an absolutely stunning lens at f5.6~8!). I'm not sure that I'd recommend using them on a Canon if speed is a requirement as achieving manual focus (I haven't tried any focus confirm chips, others may have) and then stopping down take time and gauging appropriate aperture from a fast rotation of the aperture ring and feeling the 'clicks' of each aperture would, I suspect, take a fair bit of practice.

I cannot help you with the lenses you intend to use but perhaps the above will prove to be food for thought anyway.

[usefeet]

I use a Summilux-R 50 mm lens (current version) attached to the Novoflex adapter & use with my 5D.

The lens produces wonderful images, ..you will be rewarded. I mostly use this lens at aperture f1.4 or f2.0.

Regarding adapters, the Novoflex fits with precision (close fitting to the camera and lens),
and as Steve mentioned above, not easy to remove from the lens, but as easy as a Canon lens from the body.
(I also have a Cameraquest adapter which works well)

[stunsworth]

Regarding the previous post, it wasn't me that referred to the Novaflex adaptor. For what it's worth, the Cameraquest one detaches from the R lens very easily.

[lct]

For focus confirmation, this adapter works fine with my 3-cam R lenses (28/2.8, 35/2, 50/2, 90/2, 135/2.8, 180/3.4).
Not sure if i could not get the same for cheaper though.
AF-Hilfslicht-Adapter Leica R-Objektiv - Canon EOS- by Enjoyyourcamera.com

[lct]

Originally Posted by lct

For focus confirmation, this adapter works fine with my 3-cam R lenses (28/2.8, 35/2, 50/2, 90/2, 135/2.8, 180/3.4)...

Forgot to say that it works fine with 35-70/4 ROM as well.

[caweran]

William,

I believe using the current 50mm R summilux with 5D would have a mirror clearance problem. You might need to shave your 5D mirror.....

Generally, most of R Summilux wide angle lens and some version of 28mm Elmarit have some degree of mirror clearance issue with 5D. I did not have any problems with 35mm, 50mm summicron, and 80mm summilux.

I use a non-branded chinese adaptor with focus confirmation successfully. With 5D I found that focus confirmation is a must have (no split focus screen option with 5D).

Good luck.

Edwin

[lct]

Originally Posted by caweran

...I believe using the current 50mm R summilux with 5D would have a mirror clearance problem. You might need to shave your 5D mirror...

Are you sure of this? Never heard that so far. Is it possible that you mistake the 50/1.4 for the 35/1.4?

[lct]

Originally Posted by caweran

...some version of 28mm Elmarit have some degree of mirror clearance issue with 5D...

My 3-cam 28/2.8 works fine with the 5 D. Would you mind to elaborate on which version has those issues?

[lct]

Originally Posted by caweran

...With 5D I found that focus confirmation is a must have (no split focus screen option with 5D)...

Brightscreen and Haoda sell split focus screens for the 5D. FWIW.

[caweran]

LCT,

I believe both 35mm and 50mm summilux have the clearance issue. I never tried the 50mm, but it was discussed to death on fred miranda forum...

I've tried the 35mm... and it has that problem.

I'm talking about the last ROM/3-cam version of 28mm elmarit (with built-in hood) which one do you have? the mirror hit the back element when focused to infinity.

I need to shave my mirror about 2-3mm to solve that.

How do you like the split screen for 5d?

[roccoriley]

I have purchased and discarded several adaptors and ended up with the Novoflex for Leica lenses and the Cameraquest adaptor for Contax Zeiss lenses on my 1DS3.

Yes, the Novoflex gives you a very tight fit and it is difficult to get it off of the lens so it is better to have a separate adapter for each lens as opposed to trying to have one adapter and using it on several lenses. Due to the cost of the adapter and the fact that you really need one for each lens, it is the most expensive alternative.

[usefeet]

"I believe both 35mm and 50mm summilux have the clearance issue. I never tried the 50mm, but it was discussed to death on fred miranda forum..."

Interesting information. Although I have never had a problem, it is very possible that I was lucky, and that I have never used this lens at infinity.
Today I got the 50 mm Summilux out, and noticed that indeed, the rear element comes right out!

Thanks for making another reader aware! ....

[lct]

Originally Posted by caweran

...I believe both 35mm and 50mm summilux have the clearance issue...

Never tried the 50/1.4 so far but i did a quick search on Google and found out that our Jamie Roberts had no problem with this lens. See http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-...tml#post662886

Originally Posted by caweran

...I'm talking about the last ROM/3-cam version of 28mm elmarit (with built-in hood) which one do you have?

Version 1 with detachable hood. Great lens indeed. A bit of vignetting but easy to tweak with PS, Silkypix or same if need be. No problem to focus it to infinity either. Doesn't hit the mirror like my 3-cam 24/2.8.

Originally Posted by caweran

...How do you like the split screen for 5d?

Never tried one with the 5D but i prefer full microprism screens generally. Did not find one for the 5D unfortunately so i use the Canon EE-S so far but i've ordered a Brightscreen p232 with 13 mm microprism spot center. Not sure if i'll like it though as i'm used to focus on the entire screen.

[stunsworth]

The Brightscreen works well - I have one with microprism/rangefinder on my 5D.

Fitting is very easy,

[Theodor Heinrichsohn]

The best information I have been able to locate on the internet is at pebbleplace.com. If you go site via Google, look for lenses and then for Leica. There are many pages of information which will answer most of your questions.
I use Novoflex, Zoerkendoerfer and Haoda adapters on a Canon 1DsIII. All of them work. My 19mm (Canada) 1st version works well, as does the 35/2 Summicron Canada. The 35/1.4 does not. I learned from the Leica Forum that the 21-35 as well as the 35-70/2.8 has to have its plastic shroud removed to use it on the 1DsIII. Have not done this yet with my lenses.The Macros 60 and 100 Apo both work. I have not tried the longer lenses, but there should be no problems there.
Teddy

[gravastar]

Originally Posted by caweran

William,

I believe using the current 50mm R summilux with 5D would have a mirror clearance problem. You might need to shave your 5D mirror..... ......

Edwin

Mine did have a problem on the 5D. However in my case it was very easy to fix. There was a thin black slip on rubber collar around the periphery of the 50/1.4 rear element that was catching on the 5D mirror. I simply pulled off the collar and kept it in a safe place so it could be returned if needed in the future.

In the early days when people first started to use R lenses on the 5D there were some conflicting posts where not everyone was successful. The conclusion was there is a tolerance in the 5D mirror position.

Bob.

[martinvath]

Haoda adaptor with focus confirmation and Haoda split focusscreen works very well on my EOS 30D with Summicron 35 + Elmarit 90.
Focusscreen is very easy to change:-)