Keith (M) Posted February 18, 2012 Share #1 Posted February 18, 2012 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) Putting aside the basic differences of rangefinder and SLR, would a combination of R5 and Summicron 50mm f2 offer higher resolution results than the equivalent M combination (all other aspects such as film, subject, developer etc etc being the same)? PS - would I be right in thinking that such a lens would also fit the SL2? Edited February 18, 2012 by Keith (M) Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 18, 2012 Posted February 18, 2012 Hi Keith (M), Take a look here Performance - M versus R?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Luskentyre Posted February 18, 2012 Share #2 Posted February 18, 2012 The honest answer is I don't know but I would imagine that the results would be as near identical as makes no difference. I've heard it said that the M series is sharper than the R series as it doesn't have the mirror vibration issue. I've never noticed any difference. The 50mm f2 R Summicron is a fantastic lens. One thing I can say for certain is that your R outfit would be substantially cheaper than the M! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckrider Posted February 18, 2012 Share #3 Posted February 18, 2012 PS - would I be right in thinking that such a lens would also fit the SL2? Most newer 50mm R Summicrons are bottom marked "only for R" From 50mm onwarts lens quality should be the same im M or R version, wider angels need to be retrofocus in R-mount; more complex than non retrfocus lenses in M-mount. R-lenses are real bargains in comparison with M-lense, some 30 years ago it was vice versa.... kind regards Thomas 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
k_g_wolf ✝ Posted February 18, 2012 Share #4 Posted February 18, 2012 (edited) In terms of money you are certainly on the safe side with the 50mm-R-lens these days. In terms of sharpness it´s a draw: wide open the current SUMMICRON-M 50 mm is better than the R-lens, from 4/ 5.6 onwards it´s vice versa. But with a matching ELPRO-lens (there are three of them) you gain a lot as far as the closeup-ability of your eqiupment is concerned. There is a possibility, that a new SUMMICRON-M 50 mm asph. is around the corner. This willl most certainly beat the R-lens in all fields. LEICA-M- and LEICA-R- photography are completely different. Before you buy something in this field, first you should find out which type fits your >>style<< best. But beware, once you started, you might find out you can´t withstand both of them. best GEORG Edited February 18, 2012 by k_g_wolf Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave.gt Posted February 18, 2012 Share #5 Posted February 18, 2012 In terms of money you are certainly on the safe side with the 50mm-R-lens these days. In terms of sharpness it´s a draw: wide open the current SUMMICRON-M 50 mm is better than the R-lens, from 4/ 5.6 onwards it´s vice versa. But with a matching ELPRO-lens (there are three of them) you gain a lot as far as the closeup-ability of your eqiupment is concerned. There is a possibility, that a new SUMMICRON-M 50 mm asph. is around the corner. This willl most certainly beat the R-lens in all fields. LEICA-M- and LEICA-R- photography are completely different. Before you buy something in this field, first you should find out which type fits your >>style<< best. But beware, once you started, you might find out you can´t withstand both of them. best GEORG Yes, they are both highly addictive. They also work well together as I use my R4 with Cron 50 and the M3 with a Summarit on documentaries. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
philipus Posted February 18, 2012 Share #6 Posted February 18, 2012 I'm curious about the R4. Is it the best R? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave.gt Posted February 19, 2012 Share #7 Posted February 19, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'm curious about the R4. Is it the best R? Well, mine was mint condition and about $200 a year ago and can be bought for much less at KEH even now. It is compact, high quality and a joy to use. I would love to have the 6.2 as the ultimate manual SLR but really lust for the R8 and especially the R9. The rest, the R5, 6 and 7 are all very, very good. Which is best? Depends on you. I love them all. The R4 works well with my M3 and I find myself leaving the M3 behind a lot because of the compact size and meter on the R4. But that R8/9 is calling me at the tune of $600USD for the R8 and $1100USD for the R9. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB_tx Posted February 19, 2012 Share #8 Posted February 19, 2012 I'm curious about the R4. Is it the best R? I really like my R4, but it is a pain to use in manual exposure. Rather than simple "match needle" like the older SL, manual on the R4 means reading the set shutter speed in a window at the bottom, then the suggested speed from the row of LEDs along the right edge, and adjusting until they read the same in the two different places. So I use mine mainly in "A" central area mode. Meter an area I want to be "18% grey" tone, press the release to lock it, then compose and snap. Works OK, but I think I'd rather have an R6. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave.gt Posted February 19, 2012 Share #9 Posted February 19, 2012 I really like my R4, but it is a pain to use in manual exposure. Rather than simple "match needle" like the older SL, manual on the R4 means reading the set shutter speed in a window at the bottom, then the suggested speed from the row of LEDs along the right edge, and adjusting until they read the same in the two different places.So I use mine mainly in "A" central area mode. Meter an area I want to be "18% grey" tone, press the release to lock it, then compose and snap. Works OK, but I think I'd rather have an R6. Exactly. A central area mode. The bonus with my R4 is that I can buy a lot of extra R4 bodies for back-up/replacement/different film/different iso, etc. for the price of the R6-9 that I really want one day. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted February 19, 2012 Share #10 Posted February 19, 2012 I'm curious about the R4. Is it the best R? It's very subjective, but having used an SL, R4 and R8 my money is on the R8 as being the best of the three. Other's opinions may as they say vary. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AB007 Posted February 19, 2012 Share #11 Posted February 19, 2012 In terms of money you are certainly on the safe side with the 50mm-R-lens these days. LEICA-M- and LEICA-R- photography are completely different. Before you buy something in this field, first you should find out which type fits your >>style<< best. But beware, once you started, you might find out you can´t withstand both of them. best GEORG It's subjective....Some experts believe that the Leica R lens line is the best lens line in the world. Beware! I use it on my Nikon dSLRs too. Among the R bodies, I love SL, SL2 and R6.2. R8 is highly rated but I have never owned/used it. My fav 50 is the M 50/1.5 ASPH Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
k-hawinkler Posted February 19, 2012 Share #12 Posted February 19, 2012 I understand not all Leica R lenses can be adapted to a Canon or converted to a Nikon mount. From those that can be, without shaving the mirror, which ones are optically outstanding? Which of their characteristics makes them such? Thanks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AB007 Posted February 19, 2012 Share #13 Posted February 19, 2012 (edited) I understand not all Leica R lenses can be adapted to a Canon or converted to a Nikon mount.From those that can be, without shaving the mirror, which ones are optically outstanding? Which of their characteristics makes them such? Thanks. Please check Leitax.com and you'll find some answers. I get my Leica R adapters for Nikon from them. Some of outstanding ones are hard to get these days and are very expensive. Experts consider the following to be outstanding: APO-Summicron 90/2 ASPH Apo Macro Elmarit-100/2.8 APO-Summicron180/2 APO-Elmarit 180/2.8 (later version) APO-Telyt 180/3.4 APO-Telyt 280/2.8 APO-Telyt 280/4 Vario-Apo-Elmarit 70-180/2.8 APO-Telyt 180/3.4 are relatively cheaper and are readily available. Apo Macro Elmarit-100/2.8 are also available but expensive. You can start with the non-APOs 50/2 or the 90/2.8 or the 90/2 based on your preferences. Edited February 19, 2012 by AB007 Added 1 sentence 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joachim123 Posted February 19, 2012 Share #14 Posted February 19, 2012 What about the 80mm 1.4? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted February 19, 2012 Share #15 Posted February 19, 2012 I'm curious about the R4. Is it the best R? I much prefer the shutter of the R3, the other R cameras seem to have a very long shutter release travel in comparison. I've not tried an R8/9 however. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith (M) Posted February 19, 2012 Author Share #16 Posted February 19, 2012 As commented in a different thread on the R, in looking at what is available I found there to be something of a dearth of prime lenses. There are lots of zooms for sale but I am not interested - if I want zoom functionality and hefty lumps of glass I'll blow the dust off my 5DMkII and L lenses (or even dig out my ME Super and Vivitar Series 1 70-210mm zoom from the back of the wardrobe). I'd rather try to stay on the path of compactness and lightness for the sake of my creaking neck and shoulders. Going back on topic - has there been a resurgence of demand for R primes or were the numbers produced much less than R zooms? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted February 19, 2012 Share #17 Posted February 19, 2012 I much prefer the shutter of the R3, the other R cameras seem to have a very long shutter release travel in comparison. I've not tried an R8/9 however. James, R8 is fine. My R4s had a rather long release and was also rather spongy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted February 19, 2012 Share #18 Posted February 19, 2012 First realize the R4 & 5 have no mirror dampening system of value. I got much sharper results with my R3, 6 6.2 7. The 4 went back to Leica for checkout and they claimed to find nothing wrong,it was sold off to an informed buyer. There are two 50 mm Summicron R versions, 1964 and the last that took 55 mm filters and was for R cameras only because it was missing first and second cams. The later was a more modern rendition like the current Summicron. The first was like the early M Summicrons. It took ser 6 filters and to get the best performance, you need the shade and UV filter. I know, contrary to filter opinion, but this is the exception. I have looked at multiple samples and talked to people who bought them in 1964. That is how they are. If you not get the R5 or keep the shutter up really high, the m & r will be the same. You will be better served by a later model camera. These are cheap for a reason. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AB007 Posted February 19, 2012 Share #19 Posted February 19, 2012 What about the 80mm 1.4? Another great lens from the R line up... this one is US$2K+ I'm thinking of getting one Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joachim123 Posted February 19, 2012 Share #20 Posted February 19, 2012 My friend had the 80mm 1.4 by far on of the best and sharpest portrait lens you could ever buy. Expensive but worth every penny. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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