Leica R lenses on Fuji X Cameras (XT1) (in particular Macro lenses)

[corradoerina]

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Dear all,

 

We have put an order on the XT1.

 

Anyone who is using Leica R lenses on Fuji cameras? Any good reviews and / or user shots out there?

 

We are particularly interested in Macro lenses as the 100/4.

 

Best,

 

Corrado & Rina

[Bobitybob]

I occasionally use my R lenses including a Macro Elmar-R 1:4/100 with my Fuji X-E1, works very well and gives the benefit if 1.5x crop factor to get in closer if required. Focus peaking is very helpful but I think could be enhanced by a different colour other than white in some circumstances. Main disadvantage for me is surprisingly the light weight of the camera, which when attached to a relatively heavy R lens causes an imbalance and means hand holding is difficult. I use a Chinese adaptor which is ok, but would recommend the Novaflex version if you intend to use it a lot.

 

If I recall I've posted a few images from this combo on here or you can take a look at my Flickr page in the Close Up Set.

 

Hope that's helpful.

Edited March 7, 2014 by Bobitybob

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[bill]

ipernity: Fuji X-E1 and Legacy Lenses by Lightmancer

[corradoerina]

Dear Bob,

 

Some of your close up are really stunning, it seems a perfect combination. Have you also tried the 100/2.8 Apo Macro and the 60/2.8 Macro?

 

Best,

 

Corrado & Rina

Edited March 7, 2014 by corradoerina
Forgot one lens

[corradoerina]

Dear Bill,

 

The most impressive seems to be the R 60/2.8. What do you think?

 

Best,

 

Corrado & Rina

[bill]

Exactly so, though frankly no better than the Fuji 60mm...

 

Sent from another Galaxy

[Bobitybob]

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Sorry, I don't have the APO or the 60mm version but find the standard Macro Elmar very good value for the money. I've used it on a Lumix L1, the Fuji and an M240 and never been disappointed.

 

Hope that's helpful.

[corradoerina]

Exactly so, though frankly no better than the Fuji

 

Incoming lens ....

[corradoerina]

Sorry, I don't have the APO or the 60mm version but find the standard Macro Elmar very good value for the money. I've used it on a Lumix L1, the Fuji and an M240 and never been disappointed. Hope that's helpful.

 

Very helpful thanks! Have you tried it on moving subjects, like insects, rather than plants? (We will mostly use it on plants, but occasionally insects and few portraits). Did you make any comparison with Fuji XF 60/2.4?

 

Best,

[audidudi]

Although it's outside the focal-length range cited in the OP's query, for the sake of completeness, I thought I'd add that I've been using the 28/f.2.8 PC Super Angulon-R with my X-Pro 1 for more than 18 months and (IMO) it works great! Surprisingly, it even works well with the Metabones Speedbooster, at least for my nighttime photography, where the edges of the frame usually aren't very critical because they fade into darkness, which makes this lens even more useful to me...

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[corradoerina]

Thanks audidudi, I find your post very useful. The idea was to collect experience of using R lenses on Fuji X Cameras, macro lenses better but not only! It seems your set up is very interesting, can you post links to some pictures you have taken with it?

 

Have you been usng the Metabone Speedbooster also with other R lenses?

 

Best,

[audidudi]

Thanks audidudi, I find your post very useful. The idea was to collect experience of using R lenses on Fuji X Cameras, macro lenses better but not only! It seems your set up is very interesting, can you post links to some pictures you have taken with it?

 

Sure. Here are a few recent ones from my current project that I've posted at my photo-blog (which you can see generally at Audii-Dudii's Photoblog - Daily Photography from the Phoenix, Arizona area.):

 

http://aminus3.s3.amazonaws.com/image/g0019/u00018989/i01792234/c30ca8367d99c9683eccfc6bc6ae3517_giant.jpg

 

http://aminus3.s3.amazonaws.com/image/g0019/u00018989/i01799198/f3f61513bf628a446f5bd053aac765d9_giant.jpg

 

http://aminus3.s3.amazonaws.com/image/g0019/u00018989/i01796240/173ddc74133c1acd77161b16bfe969a5_giant.jpg

 

Have you been usng the Metabone Speedbooster also with other R lenses?

Unfortunately, this is the only Leica R lens I own right now. In addition to the gas station photo above, here's another one that I took with it in combination with the 28/f2.8 PC lens:

 

http://aminus3.s3.amazonaws.com/image/g0019/u00018989/i01789474/b37958e7e8fb89bf4d6a5e9941c921d9_giant.jpg

 

Hope this helps!

 

JG

[yourdeelight]

Has anyone tried the Leica Super-Angulon? (Either the 3.4 or 4.)I wondered if the bit that sticks out the back of the lens can be accommodated by the (quite deep) R adapter. Even a collapsible summar which does collapse past the end of the m39 adapter still fits the camera when collapsed (the fuji xf.)

 

I have used the summicron 50mm R (now sold) on my Fuji AX1 and it was very sharp - but some surprising colour fringes in backlit scenes sometimes. But quite remarkable quality. However totally different in feel (the images) I thought from the summicron m which I also have (and is now for sale on ebay and is also super sharp.

 

The bulk of the R lens compared to the tinier m lenses - (given I wanted the smallest XF camera) really put me off despite the excellent sharpness.

 

The XA1 flip out screen is my dream camera as I hate peeping through holes. However the Leica sports viewfinder is a brilliant addition (the Rasal) I have found - it is simply a metal framing device. (Sorry that is an aside.)

 

I used the cheapest R adapter and had no problems in case anyone wonders.

[yourdeelight]

Sorry I just saw this is about macros (and R lenses.) I can add - again off topic! that m39 Leica lenses on the fuji with either a prismeter (magnifying filter) attachment or a nooky-hesum extension adapter works really well with my summar. The nooky goes to 16 inches. And the prismeter much closer. But sorry that is m39 adaptor lenses.

 

I remain confused as to what the macro button is for on the xf (XA1.)

[Mint]

ipernity: Fuji X-E1 and Legacy Lenses by Lightmancer

Thank you Bill. This give me the whole picture how the lenses and Fuji camera combination will be.