The R solution - more details

[k-hawinkler]

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I have been Leitaxing and according to mood reversing back to R mount for the last three years but finally plucked courage and got hold of a metal file to adopt R 35mm f1.4 to fit full frame Nikon.

 

Here is the result, shot on M9/50mm f1.4 but should have used M 35mm f1.4 instead

 

Summilux R 35mm on D700 via Leitax by mmradman, on Flickr

 

 

Mladen,

 

Very brave! Could you please explain the issues and what you had to modify?

I also would love to see a picture taken with this setup.

 

Thanks.

[mmradman]

Mladen,

 

Very brave! Could you please explain the issues and what you had to modify?

I also would love to see a picture taken with this setup.

 

Thanks.

 

I didn't record as i worked but Leitax website provides self explanatory, follow link Summilux 35/1.4 Leitax

 

Problem is with the rear rim surrounding lens elements which apparently hits the mirror with lens focused to infinity.

 

I used piece of non sticky plastic to place over the lens, stuffed the gap between inner and outer barrel with toiled paper (ruled cotton wool out as fibres would inevitably come loose and be pain to clean afterwards). Finally wrapped the whole lens with decorators masking tape and blow away shavings as I went along.

 

Metal rim is brass and very easy to file, i used medium and fine tooth flat profile files and applied steady strokes. When finished painted exposed metal with Humbrol (model aircraft) enamel matt black paint - one i used before for 6-bit coding.

 

I started on Friday evening and looking forward myself to some real test shots which i would gladly share. I did series of shots at range of F stops both close and remote focus with camera on tripod, my initial impression; it is better than Nikkor 35mm f1.4 at full stop but M 35mm f1.4 "FLE" it is not as contrast is not as good when lens is stopped down.

[mmradman]

 

I also would love to see a picture taken with this setup.

 

Thanks.

 

D700 & Summilux R 35mm

 

Series of three images at f1.4, f2.8 & f5.6, all taken ISO 200/AE in RAW and converted with zero PP. All images focused on yellow bollard, one at f1.4 exhibits "Leica Glow" but sharp.

 

F1.4

 

106MFF_4072 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

F2.8

 

107MFF_4073 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

F5.6

 

108MFF_4074 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

 

For comparison M9P at ISO 200/AE & Summilux M 35mm ASPH "FLE" at f1.4

RAW to JPG conversion as above.

 

110L1042349 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

[mmradman]

Talking of difficult lenses after two days of careful filing I have Elmarit R 19mm V2 working on my D700, here for demonstration shown on F2.

 

As I finished on Monday at 11PM some meaningful shots will have to wait for proper daylight.

 

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http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8034/7916346458_7e040e8550_c.jpg' alt='7916346458_7e040e8550_c.jpg'>

Elmarit R 19mm V2 Leitaxed & Modified to Fit Nikon (Finished Monday 11PM - Start Sunday 5PM)) by mmradman, on Flickr[/img]

[tobey bilek]

What I do know for certain is the longer the solution takes, the more expensive it will be and the more customers have moved on and are no longer interested .

 

My Nikon is not perfect, but it works and is available today.

 

40 year old r lens will have a hard time keeping up with modern Nikon ones. I do miss my 100 APO and the 105 VR pales in comparison. Other APO teles I have tried on D700 are in the same class, however I do not own any.

 

You all can complain about the Nikon AA filter, but jt does not screw things up that badly. And the D800E without AA should be in stores soon. That camera with the very last generation of R glass should be an absolute killer missing only auto diaphragm and auto focus. That gets you back to 1950 .

Pros will not go for it. For mountains, trees, & flowers it will be fine.

[jaapv]

Well, autofocus is not the best for wildlife imo, usually manual focus will get you better results, and all long lenses (of any brand) are optimized to be used wide open or near to that setting. the 1950ies were not that bad...

[wildlightphoto]

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What I do know for certain is the longer the solution takes, the more expensive it will be and the more customers have moved on and are no longer interested .

 

My Nikon is not perfect, but it works and is available today.

 

Photokina is only a couple of weeks away. Unless you need an R solution TODAY it may be wise to wait.

[andybarton]

I certainly would.

[hamey]

At this time I am using my R lenses with a Canon DSLR with very good results, except for the crappy viewfinder.

However my heart wants a ......................LEICA BODY...........................................

 

Still Waiting.

 

Ken.

[anabasis]

I certainly would.

 

Sadly we have been waiting for years for this solution. Every September brings disappointment. I hope this year is different.

 

I am just finishing up a roll of Ektar in my R8. I was shooting some birds with the 560 f4 APO Telyt-R, and it's a fine lens, but I would much prefer to be shooting in digital with hi-ISO capabilities. I shoot these mostly wide open and MF doesn't bother me, so I am seriously considering a non-Leica solution if one doesn't appear soon.

 

JCA

[Larcomb]

Sadly we have been waiting for years for this solution. Every September brings disappointment. I hope this year is different.

 

I am just finishing up a roll of Ektar in my R8. I was shooting some birds with the 560 f4 APO Telyt-R, and it's a fine lens, but I would much prefer to be shooting in digital with hi-ISO capabilities. I shoot these mostly wide open and MF doesn't bother me, so I am seriously considering a non-Leica solution if one doesn't appear soon.

 

JCA

 

do not understand why leica did not pursue this. lots of r lenses out there.

[stuny]

They do not see a profitable business case for it.

[Larcomb]

They do not see a profitable business case for it.

 

Why not work with Panasonic or someobody to manufacture the thing?

[wildlightphoto]

Why not work with Panasonic or someobody to manufacture the thing?

 

I believe that Leica has enough talented people to explore the options available. Meanwhile Photokina is coming very soon; if there's no R soultion shown we can resume back-seat driving.

[Larcomb]

I believe that Leica has enough talented people to explore the options available. Meanwhile Photokina is coming very soon; if there's no R soultion shown we can resume back-seat driving.

 

I mean from a cost perspective.

[pico]

do not understand why leica did not pursue this. lots of r lenses out there.

 

Making a Leica that accepts only R lenses makes no sense because Leica does not make R lenses. Many R lens enthusiasts moved on to CaNikons, and some CaNikon customers adopted R lenses. There is no significant market there.

 

Leica will probably never make R lenses again for three reasons: First, the customer base for an R-lens compatible camera is too small, second and equally important, R lenses are not perceived to be current technology, and third and most important: R lenses would be expensive to make and sell, thus would take Leica out of the wider more affordable market that they said they want and probably need. (Those who think Leica can make a large-enough new customer of the Asian market at their current price level are presuming a great deal. Or are they? Tell me.)

 

Again, a more reasonably priced Leica line involves different consumer demographics. Half the enthusiasts here are in their best financial years, and to be blunt, are dieing out. Brand-new customers into the new market would hopefully move up into more expensive Leicas later as their income rises and commitment is affirmed.

 

We are faced now with the full-frame issue because it would be too expensive and to meet the market Leica would have to practically give the sensor away. So will Leica come out with a whole new line of APS-C lenses for that format? Would that not make them just another camera maker competing in a wildly disruptive market? Can Leica hype another just-so camera in that disruptive market?

 

It strikes me that if Leica wants to expand they should go with their strengths outside of the disruptive technology market - full frame, less expensive. The M-Summarit fits the budget, and maybe 'other' Leica lens compatible.

 

All questions. No answers. Maybe in two weeks.

[Angora]

Talking of difficult lenses after two days of careful filing I have Elmarit R 19mm V2 working on my D700, here for demonstration shown on F2.

 

It looks gorgeous on the F2!

[gvaliquette]

Making a Leica that accepts only R lenses makes no sense because Leica does not make R lenses. Many R lens enthusiasts moved on to CaNikons, and some CaNikon customers adopted R lenses. There is no significant market there.

 

Leica will probably never make R lenses again for three reasons: First, the customer base for an R-lens compatible camera is too small, second and equally important, R lenses are not perceived to be current technology, and third and most important: R lenses would be expensive to make and sell, thus would take Leica out of the wider more affordable market that they said they want and probably need. (Those who think Leica can make a large-enough new customer of the Asian market at their current price level are presuming a great deal. Or are they? Tell me.)

 

Again, a more reasonably priced Leica line involves different consumer demographics. Half the enthusiasts here are in their best financial years, and to be blunt, are dieing out. Brand-new customers into the new market would hopefully move up into more expensive Leicas later as their income rises and commitment is affirmed.

 

We are faced now with the full-frame issue because it would be too expensive and to meet the market Leica would have to practically give the sensor away. So will Leica come out with a whole new line of APS-C lenses for that format? Would that not make them just another camera maker competing in a wildly disruptive market? Can Leica hype another just-so camera in that disruptive market?

 

It strikes me that if Leica wants to expand they should go with their strengths outside of the disruptive technology market - full frame, less expensive. The M-Summarit fits the budget, and maybe 'other' Leica lens compatible.

 

All questions. No answers. Maybe in two weeks.

 

Wrong, wrong and wrong!

 

The customer base for the Leica R IS here. Leica did not kill the R line because there were no customers, but because it was not profitable for Leica at a time of financial stress. All the CaNikon users of R lenses would be back in a flash as soon as Leica introduces the R10! Preferably an R10 with autofocus but obviously with full aperture focussing, auto-diaphragm and a viewfinder at the level of the R8/R9, designed for manual focussing.

 

R lenses WERE cutting edge technology when Leica killed the R line. Look at the 21-35 Vario-Elmar, the 28-90 Vario-Elmar, the APO-Macro-Elmarit R, the... need I go on?. Why do you thing all these people are Leitaxing R lenses, with the hassles of a manual diaphragm and focussing manually with a viewfinder NOT designed for manual focus???

 

Leica can easily start a R-Summarit lens line, using exactly the same rationale and phylosophy that imbues the M-Summarit lens line.

 

I did not buy a Canon or Nikon body because I believe in the Leica R concept. And I still have my R9 and my DMR!

 

Guy

[pico]

Wrong, wrong and wrong!

 

The customer base for the Leica R IS here. Leica did not kill the R line because there were no customers, but because it was not profitable for Leica at a time of financial stress. All the CaNikon users of R lenses would be back in a flash as soon as Leica introduces the R10! Preferably an R10 with autofocus but obviously with full aperture focussing, auto-diaphragm and a viewfinder at the level of the R8/R9, designed for manual focussing.

 

There are simply not enough R fans to support an R lens only camera.

 

R lenses WERE cutting edge technology when Leica killed the R line. Look at the 21-35 Vario-Elmar, the 28-90 Vario-Elmar, the APO-Macro-Elmarit R, the... need I go on?.

 

That was then. This is now. And I wrote "not perceived to be current technology". Perceived is the market.

 

Why do you thing all these people are Leitaxing R lenses, with the hassles of a manual diaphragm and focussing manually with a viewfinder NOT designed for manual focus???

 

How many are "all these people"?

Leica can easily start a R-Summarit lens line, using exactly the same rationale and phylosophy that imbues the M-Summarit lens line.

 

Makes no sense. What is needed is a camera that takes M and other lenses. A new line of R lenses seems prohibitively expensive which takes it out of the target market.

 

I did not buy a Canon or Nikon body because I believe in the Leica R concept. And I still have my R9 and my DMR!

 

That's one.

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[gvaliquette]

There are simply not enough R fans to support an R lens only camera..

 

There are enough to support Leitax and Stephen Gandy and his Leica to Canon adapters.

 

That was then. This is now. And I wrote "not perceived to be current technology". Perceived is the market.

 

Now? The market for used Leica-R lenses is down only because there is no Leica-R body and the CaNikon option is a restrictive compromise, at best. The lenses I pointed out are still cutting edge designs.

 

How many are "all these people"?..

 

Do you know?

 

Makes no sense. What is needed is a camera that takes M and other lenses. A new line of R lenses seems prohibitively expensive which takes it out of the target market.

 

An true R body will never take M lenses. If you are talking about an EVIL viewfinder that can take both M and R lenses with the appropriate adapter, that is not a real R solution. Have you ever tried to track moving targets, such as birds, with an evil screen???

 

That's one.

 

Yes. That's me.

 

Guy