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Which Leica R zoom lens for Canon 5D II?


noriko_miyazaki

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Yes, you need an adaptor ring. I use the Cameraquest adaptor, which is very well machined and stays on the camera so I only need one, not one for each lens.

 

For an excellent zoom at a reasonable price I recommend the 80-200 f/4 (but not the f/4.5).

 

Pete.

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No, it stays full frame.

 

One thing to consider is whether you'll need to shave the mirror on your 5DII to avoid the mirror hitting the back of the lens. I can't confirm whether you'll need to because I'd already shaved my mirror before I got the 80-200/4 Vario-Elmar-R.

 

Incidentally, shaving the mirror is quite straightforward - I just followed the advice I found after googling "5D mirror shave".

 

Pete.

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Yes, you need an adaptor ring. I use the Cameraquest adaptor, which is very well machined and stays on the camera so I only need one, not one for each lens.

 

For an excellent zoom at a reasonable price I recommend the 80-200 f/4 (but not the f/4.5).

 

Pete.

 

The 80-200 f4.5 will not fit into the EOS mount, anyway, as the lens's mount width is too great. As for the interminable denigration of that len, I must have the only one which is less than woeful. (See Photo - Other for a shot with this "inferior" lens. The forum cat haters are excused).

 

John.

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... As for the interminable denigration of that len, ...

Just to set the record straight I am not denigrating the lens; I didn't recommend it because I've never used it but the two lenses are sometimes mistaken since their focal lengths and speeds are so similar, which is why I mentioned it.

 

Pete.

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...............................One thing to consider is whether you'll need to shave the mirror on your 5DII to avoid the mirror hitting the back of the lens. I can't confirm whether you'll need to because I'd already shaved my mirror before I got the 80-200/4 Vario-Elmar-R.............................

 

On the 5D (I don't have a 5DII) you do not need to shave the mirror. The rear lens assembly of the 80-200/4 does not protrude beyond the lens mount bayonet. Neither does it move when you focus the lens. I would think the same applies to the 5DII unless it's mirror is larger, swings in a larger arc or is situated nearer the front all of which I very much doubt.

 

Also according to the postings here there should be no problem.

 

Bob.

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As a 5D MkII owner, I find this an interesting topic. The first question that comes to mind is "why?". Are the R zooms significantly better performers than the equivalent Canon L ones, or are they cheaper or smaller or lighter or what?

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If you really want to use an R zoom on a Canon body then take a look here:

 

Leica lens for Canon cameras

 

I have one of these mount conversions and they are superbly made and convert the lens very well, although they are a semi-permanent solution which can be reversed but this isn't a fast and simple job. Some lenses such as the 21~35 may need shrouds removing and some wides will need the camera's mirror to be 'shaved' which I would not personally consider to be worthwhile (it may also increase wear on the mirror mechanism as it will unbalance the mirror).

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Yes - having done a considerable amount of wildlife photography with both Canon and Leica zoom lenses - the difference is stunning in some cases, and always present. Comparing for instance the 100-400 L with the Vario-Elmar 105-280 is like removing a curtain from the image. (maybe not fair, the 100-400 is certainly not Canon's best effort ;))

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Well, one more up for the 35-70 f/4 (used on 5D).

 

I like it because it's small, light and balances well, has great image quality to my taste (colours, tones, contrast — besides being sufficiently sharp at all stops), handy macro capability (with limits, of course), good value.

 

A drawback maybe the rotating front element, if you like to use a polarizer or graduated filters. Took me a bit to get used to the two-ring design; but I had only used MF-primes and AF-zooms before, and my (user) copy's focus is a bit firm. But all outweighed by the look of the files.

 

Best,

 

Alexander

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Canons 70-200L zooms are very good zooms. So in this aerea I don't see much advantage for something alien to the Cannon system. There is much more to gain in the wide prime earea which hasn't been the best for the full frame Canons.

 

Luuk

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  • 2 weeks later...

I wrote above "The 80-200 f4.5 will not fit into the EOS mount, anyway, as the lens's mount width is too great".

Yesterday I was fooling about with the 5D-II, and realised that I had the 80-200 Vario f4.5 fitted on it! I must have previously not had any adaptor on the lens when I tried to insert it into the Canon. So, that lens will fit, and not bash the 5D-II's mirror. The last lens component must sit very close to the Canon's innards.

 

The cofused geriatric, John.

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Canons 70-200L zooms are very good zooms. So in this aerea I don't see much advantage for something alien to the Cannon system. There is much more to gain in the wide prime earea which hasn't been the best for the full frame Canons.

 

Luuk

Having owned both the Canon 70-200L and the Leica zoom -newest incarnation, I can assure you, that good as the Canons are - and they are-, the Leica is visibly better, both in image quality and flare resistance.
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