Leica R on 5D Mark II

[Leica Boss]

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Hey forum,

 

I'm interested in buying some Leica R glass for my Canon 5D Mark II.. Specifically a 100mm f/4.0 Macro Elmar..

 

I'm just wondering if anyone here has adapted any Leica R glass onto a Canon DSLR? If so, does it work correctly? I'll be using it for product photography and will be shooting manual mode anyway but will the focus work correctly? I don't know specifics but from what I'v read is that some lenses can be mounted onto DSLRs (Canon FD lenses) but only work at focus infinity? Or something like that.. If I'm shooting products I'll need very specific focus and will need the whole focus range.. If I can't have that then there is no point.

 

I'v seen on pebbleplace that the 100mm f/4.0 Macro Elmar should work on a 5D2 if it is of model number 11270, all the other model numbers of the same lens hasn't been tested.. Where on the lens is the model number listed? If I find that the lens will work correctly once mounted I will have to try and find one with the right model number.

 

Thanks for any info.. Hopefully one of you have got experience doing this.

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[stunsworth]

If the lens will fit then it will focus across the scale from close up to infinity. As you've discovered there are some lenses that won't fit, but they tend to be wide angles having a rear element that can snag on the mirror. There's a list of what's compatible here...

 

USING LEICA-R LENSES ON CANON dSLRs

 

All you'll need is a Canon to R adaptor. These are readily available on eBay, with or without focus confirmation chips. I used an adaptor bought from Steve Gandy at Cameraquest - CameraQuest Home Page - at the time the cheap Chinese adaptors hadn't come onto the market.

[Leica Boss]

Hi stunsworth, thanks for the reply.

 

Looks like I'll be buying a Leica R lens then! Do you have any info on the model numbers? The site you linked I have visited before and for the specific lens I want (the 100mm f/4.0 Macro Elmar) is listed 4 times consecutively.. 3 of them have "?" which means no data available.. but the fourth 1 has "Y" for all cameras.. The only difference from what I can see is that the model numbers are different (same lens listed 4 times but with 4 different model numbers) the model number of the one that they have info on (and that works) is 11270 which was in production from 1995-1997

 

Should I try and find one with this model number to be sure I won't have any problems? Where would I ask a seller to find the model number? Is it on the lens somewhere?

 

Thanks

[stunsworth]

I have no information regarding models and how to identify them - and there's nothing on the lens other than the serial number to indicate the model, but I would be very surprised if any 100mm lens didn't work. Most of the lenses that have problems have a protruding rear element, I doubt that's the case with a lens of that focal length. If by some chance it didn't you could always sell it without losing any money.

[Leica Boss]

I have no information regarding models and how to identify them - and there's nothing on the lens other than the serial number to indicate the model, but I would be very surprised if any 100mm lens didn't work. Most of the lenses that have problems have a protruding rear element, I doubt that's the case with a lens of that focal length. If by some chance it didn't you could always sell it without losing any money.

 

I think I can identify the model by using the serial numbers.. Don't suppose you know what helical means? Found this wiki page with all the serials and models http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/100mm_f/4_Macro-Elmar-R

 

You can see there are bellows models regular models and "helical" models

[earleygallery]

The 'normal' helical R mount lens will work. The bellows version needs to be used with a bellows.

 

As Steve has said, only a few of the ultra wide lenses are a problem but even some of those can be used if you modify the camera or use mirror lock.

 

I use R lenses on my Canon, via a cheap Chinese adaptor with focus confirmation. Works fine (although I prefer to trust my own eye for focus confirmation!).

[Leica Boss]

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The 'normal' helical R mount lens will work. The bellows version needs to be used with a bellows.

 

As Steve has said, only a few of the ultra wide lenses are a problem but even some of those can be used if you modify the camera or use mirror lock.

 

I use R lenses on my Canon, via a cheap Chinese adaptor with focus confirmation. Works fine (although I prefer to trust my own eye for focus confirmation!).

 

Thanks, but what's the difference between the helical version and the non helical non bellows versions.. The wiki site lists 3

 

100mm f/4 Macro-Elmar-R

100mm f/4 Macro-Elmar-R (helical)

100mm f/4 Macro-Elmar-R (bellows)

[jaapv]

Bellows models are just the lens head and can only be used on a bellows. The lens head unscrews from the helical mount, so you are looking for a complete lens.