Adaptor / Lens questions

[Want-a-leica]

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I don't have a Leica at the moment, but I'd love to play with some of these legendary lenses so I'm looking at this adaptor on Amazon:

 

Amazon.com: Fotodiox Pro Adapter, Leica Visoflex M Lens to Canon EOS Camera Mount Adapter -- for Canon EOS 1d,1ds,Mark II, III, IV, 5D, MarK II, 7D, 10D, 20D, 30D, 40D, 50D, 60D, Digital Rebel xt, xti, xs, xsi, t1i, t2i, 300D, 350D, 400D, 450D, 500D,

 

I haven't come across the word "Visoflex" in relation to Leica lenses before. Is it just the name of a system, or is it a particular sub-category of M lens? In other words, if my camera had this adaptor on it, would it take regular "M" lenses?

 

The second question is about "R" and "M" lenses. Is there a significant difference in quality? There are also adaptors for "R" lenses, and these lenses seem to be somewhat cheaper than "M" lenses. I live within easy traveling distance of several good camera shops and they have a boatload of Leica lenses which I could try before buying.

 

I'd be putting them, via the above adaptor, on a Canon EOS1D MK III, so the usual MF-only, etc, stuff would apply. I'm more interested in overall image quality. I only use L series Canon glass, which is good stuff anyway, but I'm pretty curious about how Leicas stack up, especially the wider ones.

 

Thanks for any comments.

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[wildlightphoto]

I don't have a Leica at the moment, but I'd love to play with some of these legendary lenses ...

 

I haven't come across the word "Visoflex" in relation to Leica lenses before. Is it just the name of a system, or is it a particular sub-category of M lens? In other words, if my camera had this adaptor on it, would it take regular "M" lenses?

 

Regular M lenses will physically fit but will focus only at extremely close distances. A Visoflex is a reflex housing for Leica's rangefinder cameras that turns it into an SLR. Visoflex lenses are 65mm and longer, and they're all quite old designs. No aspherical surfaces, APO designs, internal focus or floating elements.

 

The second question is about "R" and "M" lenses. Is there a significant difference in quality?

 

It's best to compare specific models. Several of the R lenses are outstanding, some are merely quite good. The most recent M lenses have the benefit of newer optical designs so they will probably out-perform the best R lenses in most respects, but they can't be used on your Canon at normal focussing distances.

[Want-a-leica]

Regular M lenses will physically fit but will focus only at extremely close distances. A Visoflex is a reflex housing for Leica's rangefinder cameras that turns it into an SLR. Visoflex lenses are 65mm and longer, and they're all quite old designs. No aspherical surfaces, APO designs, internal focus or floating elements.

 

 

 

It's best to compare specific models. Several of the R lenses are outstanding, some are merely quite good. The most recent M lenses have the benefit of newer optical designs so they will probably out-perform the best R lenses in most respects, but they can't be used on your Canon at normal focussing distances.

 

Thanks for the answers. One thing I don't follow : both the "M" lens and "R" lens adapters on Amazon.com claim "Infinity Focus Guaranteed", which (unless I misunderstand the term) doesn't match up with what you said above. I don't care about the lack of autofocus because I often manually focus even with my L Canon glass (when I'm not in a hurry to get a shot). I like the control of doing it by hand, as while Canon AF is great, I don't like relying on it exclusively.

 

Am I misunderstanding the wording somewhere, perhaps?

[doubice]

As Doug correctly explained, the issue that you will be running into is the correct lens flange to film (sensor) plane distance. Below are those distances:

 

• Leica M – 27.80mm
  
• Leica R – 47mm
  
• Leica Visoflex – 68.80mm
  
• Canon EF – 44mm
  

So – you can insert an adapter of 3mm thickness between the Canon body and a Leica R lens and one of 24.80mm thickness between a Leica lens in a Visoflex mount and the Canon body and still maintain infinity focus. If you were able to adapt a Leica M lens to the Canon body, the adapter would in effect become an extension tube and only very close focus would be possible.

 

The Amazon adapter that your link leads to, is an adapter for Leica Visoflex lenses to be used on a Canon SLR body, which will of course provide infinity focus.

 

I would suggest that you limit your search to Leica R lenses – those are being used on Canon bodies with great success.

 

Best,

 

Jan