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Best Non-Leica Body To Use With Leica D Lenses


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hello,

would anyone have any suggestions on non-leica camera bodies to use with leica d 4/3rds lenses (14-50/2.8 + 14-150/3.5)? my understanding from perusing 10 pages of old posts is that it's probably best to stay with 4/3rds camera bodies, as opposed to using the d lenses on micro 4/3rd bodies. thanks.

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The 14-50 will work on any of the Micro 4/3rds bodies that Olympus has released, albeit with a 4/3rd -> m4/3rds adapter - and will focus more slowly than on a native 4/3rds body.

 

The 14-150 will focus just as quickly and accurately on any of the Olympus or Panasonic m43rds body because the lens has contrast detection auto focus (CDAF) enabled.

 

I use my original, full size Leica D 25mm 1.4 and 14-50mm 2.8 D-Vario Elmarit on an Olympus Pen E-P2 and have more accurate focus than on my Leica Digilux 3 4/3rds body.

 

The Lumix bodies tend to be pickier and more problematic with 'legacy' 4/3rds lenses than the Olympus OM-D, or Digital Pens.

 

Hope that helps.

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thank you for your suggestions...

it seems like olympus is the way to go...and i note that olympus recently released a new 4/3rds body, the "e-5"...

in terms of picture quality, and assuming that one opts for the micro 4/3rds route, would you say the results with olympus micro bodies are comparable with the results of the original leica digilux 3?

thanks again...

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After I sold my M8 (and before I picked up my M9) I played around with an Olympus OM-D E-M5, and in my opinion it's the best m4/3 camera out there, at least for me.

 

Image quality was superb and I paired it with some Leica DG prime lenses. The 25mm Leica D Summilux is really superb. Some sampel images here from my blog:

 

asphericalperspective. • Park here. 

 

asphericalperspective. • Bell & Ross

 

The ISO range is great on the OM-D E-M5 and the resolution is pretty decent too. I'm not a huge fan of how the colors are rendered in the JPEGs, but if you shoot RAW you'll have better control of those things in post.

 

Overall, I would highly recommend this particular Olympus.

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The original question on this thread was about Leica D lenses. Those are the ones manufactured by Panasonic under Leica supervision & w/ Leica specs (whatever those two statements mean). While they work quite well w/ the Oly MFT cameras, they were designed specifically for the Panny GF, GX, G & GH cameras. I have both the Leica D 25mm (~50mm) and Leica D 45mm (~90mm) and am currently using them on a Panny GX1. Since I'm traveling and don't have that kit w/ me, I can't remember whether they each have built-in OIS, but using that lens-based OIS with Oly's in-body IS might (IMO, will) be a bit of overkill and possible incompatibility. Easily fixed by turning either system off (or both, for that matter).

 

Either way, the Oly OMD & Panny G, GX, or GH will work well w/ the Leica D lenses. I've found them to superb lenses, altho not as physically robust as Leica M lenses.

 

FWIW!

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The advantages of the OM-D E-M5 over the Panasonic m4/3rds is that the Oly has inbuilt superb image stabilisation (IBIS) allowing use of this facility for ANY lens used on the OM-D body. Add the advanced Sony sensor with it's high ISO capability and wide dynamic range, all in a small body, it becomes an awesome little tool.

 

The Leica D lenses work very well on this body and it was hinted by a Panasonic UK manager at a recent Fellowship lecture that the m4/3rds Leica DG range is likely to be extended fairly soon.

 

At the same talk, the myths and rumours surrounding the Leica/Panasonic liason were finally debunked. The Leica lenses are made in the same factory as their G lenses but Leica approve and frequently modify design and tolerance specifications for their lenses. In addition Leica operate a strict QC regime for the Leica DG lenses. It is all reflected in the Panasonic pricing structure.

 

It goes without saying that the Panasonic G and X lenses also benefit from all this lens expertise sloshing around their factory.

 

The Leica DG lenses undoubtedly render a more "artistic" image with much smoother bokeh than is generally so with other Pany lenses.

 

Oly Zuiko mFT lenses have always enjoyed an excellent reputation for sharpness and quaility of image rendering.

 

In fact, I suppose that we are spoiled for choice in the mFT world! ;)

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hello,

would anyone have any suggestions on non-leica camera bodies to use with leica d 4/3rds lenses (14-50/2.8 + 14-150/3.5)? my understanding from perusing 10 pages of old posts is that it's probably best to stay with 4/3rds camera bodies, as opposed to using the d lenses on micro 4/3rd bodies. thanks.

 

Lot of bias in this thread towards micro four thirds bodies - but regular 4/3 bodies should not be overlooked especially the fast focus Olympus E-5 which has image stabilisation and an optical reflex viewfinder which is far superior to any M4/3 mirrorless camera. The Leica D Summilux 25/1.4, Leica D Vario Elmarit 14-50mm f2.5-3.5 and Leica D Vario Elmar 14-150mm f3.5/5.6 lenses can all be used with all Olympus 4/3 cameras.

 

dunk

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In-body OIS v. in-lens OIS isn't inherently superior. It depends on much more than that, including what focal length the lens is, what you are doing with it (still or video), as well as the specific technology (virtually every manufacturer being a bit different). About the only inherent advantages are that the lenses w/o internal OIS are often (and not always) cheaper and, secondly, that in-body OIS is more versatile (in that you always have it available, regardless of the lens you may be using.

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