Leica R to 4/3rds adapter - another question please

[Ian Fozzard]

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Can anyone with experience of using this combination of R lenses and the Digilux 3 body please help answer the following:

I have tried a couple of different adapters (not Leica, one without a chip, and one with a chip) and find that I cannot get the Digilux to measure the exposure require using the [FUNC>1] feature. This is the method I use with Sigma lenses. This means I have no means of assessing the correct exposure, and since the R lens I'm using is a super telephoto, the use of a light meter is impractical.

Is the non-operation of the camera light metering function when using R lenses on a Digilux 3 body inevitable, or is there a way around this problem?

many thanks

 

Ian Fozzard

[rsolomon]

Ian,

i re-read the manual on this -- function 1 seems to be actviated only for 4/3 lenses with no aperture ring on the lens, function 1 button is the way to change f stops.

 

If you an adapter and a lens with an aperture ring function 1 becomes "grayed out", function 2 is available for normal use. in this case the metering method is stop down metering.

 

Stop down metering usually requires you to open the lens up all the way to allow enough light to focus, then stop down to the desired combination of shutter & aperture. The meter on the LCD &/or VF can provide the meter reading for desired results.

[Ian Fozzard]

Hi, many thanks for this - I'm clearly not as skilled as you are at reading the instructions! I'll get back to it and have another go. Very many thanks,

Ian F

[rsolomon]

....This is the method I use with Sigma lenses......

Ian Fozzard

 

Ian,

are the Sigmas 4/3rd and without aperture ring on lens barrel? if so this makes sense to me ......

 

Also: when using the adpater there is no difference between using and R lens with rom or without rom contacts, there is no electronics transferred between lens and camera. you'll notice this also in the exif data.

 

BTW: for this very set-up is why i was hoping leica would come out with a Digilux 4,

1. for some basic lens to camera comminucation

2. put stabilzation into the camera body - thereby making the telephotos easier to use without a tripod.

[Ian Fozzard]

Hi Rich, I've got the combination working now, thanks for the input. The Sigma lenses are without an aperture ring, the diaphragm being controlled electronically by [FUNC.1] and the metering within the Digilux body - all works fine and as you suspected I guess?

 

For the R lens I found that the aftermarket adapters I was trying (PIXCO) had the following problems:

# the R to 4/3 adapter with a chip and electrical contacts would not work at all - I repeatedly got the message to switch the camera off and then on again, but never got any further than that.

# the adapter without the chip/electrical contacts caused the camera to ignore all commands until I switched off the "no release without a lens" function. When that was off I could operate the shutter etc. Neither of the Function buttons provided any useful function, but pressing the shutter button halfway down brings up a meter on the LCD and in the viewfinder. It's then a simple matter of changing ISO/shutter/aperture ring to bring the meter to "0" to get a correctly exposed image.

 

Long winded (apologies!) but hope that explains things and might be of use to other forum readers.

 

thanks again

 

Ian F

[TonyMCS]

Ian,

 

Here's my experience with DL3 using adaptors with Leica R and Pentax lenses:

 

You must have NO RELEASE WITHOUT LENS set to OFF in the CUSTOM menu as these lenses are not connected electrically to the body and so the camera thinks there is no lens fitted.

 

The chipped 4/3 adaptors are not required as the DL3 focus confirm works with "unconnected" lenses in manual focus.

 

Function 1 is not activated.

 

Function 2 is OK. I think this is set to EXPOSURE (compensation) by default but can be changed in CUSTOM FUNC.2 SET to access other functions e.g. FILM MODE.

 

You can have full manual control using the viewfinder or LCD light meter scale or work with aperture priority: set the desired aperture on the lens and the shutter speed dial on A.

In dull light you may need to open up the aperture to focus and then stop down to the desired aperture to meter and expose.

[Ian Fozzard]

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Thanks for these comments Tony, I'm just about comfortable now with all of this - your point about the aperture priority method hadn't occured to me and I'll try that next time I'm setting up (since I'm using a long telephoto R lens, I've been setting a high shutter speed and then getting the exposure by adjusting the aperture and perhaps the ISO setting if necessary). It really surprises me that this information (how to use manual lenses with the DL3) isn't made available somewhere by Leica, the adapter manufacturers or the lens manufacturers?

regards

 

Ian F

[TonyMCS]

Ian,

 

I use aperture priority most of the time.

Aperture setting seems to have the most influence on the look of a picture.

With any tele lens on a 4/3rd body take care to use a high enough shutter speed, practice steady holding and take advantage of posts, walls etc to steady the camera - I rarely use tripod - but also rarely use a lens longer than 90mm on the DL3.

 

Tony

[drdannn]

I am thinking of getting an R lens w/ adapter for my D3. Just wanted you all to know that this thread was very helpful, and I thank all of you. Regards, Dan

[Ian Fozzard]

Dan - just a thought which you may wish to consider: when I got my R lens I purchased an aftermarket adapter (R to 4/3rds) and to be frank, it is not very good. There is too much free movement between lens and camera which makes focussing a problem (whole lens has some movement before focus takes effect). I would strongly recommend checking any adapter before you purchase, and if in doubt try to get the Leica article (I haven't tried this, but assume Leica quality will mean it works perfectly).

 

Whilst on this subject - does anyone have any recommendations as to where I can purchase the genuine Leica R to 4/3rds adapter in the UK? Most suppliers try to sell me an aftermarket one when asked.

thanks

 

Ian F.

[ziggurat]

Dan,

 

There is one for sale at Ffords for £79.00.

 

Look under second hand digital cameras, Leica accessories.

 

Cheers

Johnny

[drdannn]

Thanks. I guess ffords no longer has it. Any suggestions where I can get a good adapter, or even the Leica one?

[Ian Fozzard]

My apologies Dan - I'm afraid to say that I bought it right away. The good news is that it really is much better than the aftermarket one I originally purchased, also from Ffordes. With the Leica adapter there is absolutely no movement between lens and adapter, and barely perceptible movement between adapter and the Digilux body. So, I would recommend you getting the genuine Leica adapter. I do of course now have the aftermarket adapter which is no longer required by me - I think I paid £39 for it, but if you wanted to try it, then you could have it for very little from me. It may be that with other lenses and a focussing mechanism which is lighter, it might work OK for you. If you want to get in touch drop me an email at owenfozzard@aol.com

 

I am based in the UK

 

I should also pass on thanks to Johnny for alerting me to the adapter at Ffordes.

 

Ian F.

[drdannn]

Ian, That's ok. First come, first serve. I'll surf the net until I find a Leica adapter. So when you are set to aperture priority do you get a suggested shutter speed in the viewfinder? When you are set to 'manual' do you get the scale in the viewfinder to indicate a correct exposure? If you do not stop down to focus, is it just a black screen and you can't see anything? Regards, Dan

[ziggurat]

Hello,

 

I have not tried an adaptor on my D3. When ever I have contemplated doing this I don't seem to come up with solutions I think I would feel comfortable with.

 

What would you say would be the smallest and lightest lens you could fit on a D3?

 

Kind Regards

Johnny

[jaapv]

Elmarit 28 is very nice. Btw. forget about the chipped adapters. a. the chip won't work and block the camera and b. it is kitted on so badly that it will fall off. Obviously problem b. solves problem a.

 

With the newest firmware the D3 will give focus confirmation on R lenses.

Lightmetering functions quite normal with both third-party adapters and the Leica adapter on my D3 - open-lens manual only of course.

[Ian Fozzard]

Ian, That's ok. First come, first serve. I'll surf the net until I find a Leica adapter. So when you are set to aperture priority do you get a suggested shutter speed in the viewfinder? When you are set to 'manual' do you get the scale in the viewfinder to indicate a correct exposure? If you do not stop down to focus, is it just a black screen and you can't see anything? Regards, Dan

 

Hi Dan, I have been using an "R" 250mm telyt with the Digilux 3 (this gives a useful x10 magnification). With this lens I usually set the focus to "MF" and set the shutter to around 1/250 or 1/500 if lighting permits to minimise camera shake. I may have to increase the ISO setting to cope with lower light levels. In the viewfinder or on the back screen you then get a fairly crude light metering scale which reads + or - 2 EV. This allows the exposure to be adjusted by stopping down using the lens diaphragm - centring the cursor somewhere near the "0". There is no indication of the appropriate F number. I've found that exposure can be easily corrected in Adobe Photoshop (within reasonable bounds of course). For focussing it's possible to use the viewfinder or back screen in a conventional manner. Additionally in the viewfinder the green focus indicator lights when the image is focussed, whilst if you use the back screen you can use the MF ASSIST function to give a x4 or x10 magnification of the object - this is really only useful if shooting a stationary object, no good for most wildlife which moves around too much!

With the Leica adapter there is a brief set of instructions on using manual lenses with the Digilux - the only place I've ever seen these. The Leica adapter has no chip, and having tried adapters with and without chips, Jaapv is quite correct - the chips don't function and block the camera, so use a non - chipped adapter.

 

Overall this takes a little getting used to if you have grown accustomed to auto functions - it rather takes me back to 35mm SLR days of the 1960's. But given the quality and good price of the "R" lenses it is worthwhile for me.

 

Hope this is helpful.

 

Ian F.

[rsolomon]

i use the leica version of the adpater -- its the best way to go -- i understand the fotodox version is very goos as well -- someone even mentioned to me they produce it for leica -- anyway try this site for purchasing the leica version -- its not cheap of course

 

Amazon.com: leica 18628

 

 

hope it works out for you

 

Rich