thebarnman Posted April 17, 2012 Share #1 Posted April 17, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have a R9. And, I'm looking for a older 28mm, 35mm and 50mm lens to buy for my R9. What is the oldest of those focal lengths that will still fit and work with my R9? (For clarification, I'm not asking the lenses to "fully" work with my R9 as in they don't need to have ROMs or PIN connectors or what ever the newest of the R lenses are called and/or feature.) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted April 17, 2012 Posted April 17, 2012 Hi thebarnman, Take a look here Old R lens suggestions.... I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
bull40 Posted April 17, 2012 Share #2 Posted April 17, 2012 You will need a third (only) cam or three cam version. Original Leicaflex lenses with only one or two cams will not work on R8/9, but most can be converted to third cam. Anyone know if Leica Service is still doing cam conversions? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebarnman Posted April 17, 2012 Author Share #3 Posted April 17, 2012 You will need a third (only) cam or three cam version. Original Leicaflex lenses with only one or two cams will not work on R8/9, but most can be converted to third cam. Anyone know if Leica Service is still doing cam conversions? Ok, so just look for the lenses that have third cam or three cam versions. What's the difference between a third (only) and a three cam version? Is one older than the other? Do they both fit good on the R9? Thanks Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
urs0polar Posted April 17, 2012 Share #4 Posted April 17, 2012 The R series from the R3 to the R9 utilize the 3rd cam. So, 3 cam (only) lenses *only* have a 3rd cam, whereas 3 cam lenses have all 3 cams. So, either will work. 3 cam are usually older than 3-cam only lenses, but I don't think that's a hard and fast rule. Google is your friend here. If I were you, I would buy the lens you want used on its optical characteristics, not whether it is 3-cam or 3rd cam. Good luck! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bull40 Posted April 17, 2012 Share #5 Posted April 17, 2012 Agreed. The Leicaflex required 1 cam, then the SL and SL2 required three cans. With the introduction of the R3, they required the third cam, but for backwards comparability, Leica, for awhile, made all three cams. Eventually, the first two Leicaflex cams were dropped, leaving what is known as a third cam lens. These were originally engraved on most lenses as "Leica R only" to differentiate them from the Leicaflex compatible models. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bull40 Posted April 17, 2012 Share #6 Posted April 17, 2012 Sorry for the typos, above. The SL/SL2 require two cans. R3 thru R7 need the third cam or three cam. The R8/9 are designed for third cam plus ROM contacts. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpattison Posted April 17, 2012 Share #7 Posted April 17, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi, For the cam info, see... Leica R bayonet - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Don't forget, you might come across an old 1 or 2 cam that has been converted to 3, or even R only. Always check the lens mount, don't rely on serial number of the lens. You can use old lenses that don't correctly couple with the meter and aperture cams, by using them in stop down metering mode. There is a Schneider 35 f4 perspective control lens that has to be used that way anyway! John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucisPictor Posted April 17, 2012 Share #8 Posted April 17, 2012 The Elmarit 35 and Summicron 50 are not too expensive as three cam versions - and they are really good! The Elmarit 28 is excellent but not cheap. So why bother with the possible hassle of conversions? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
xalo Posted April 17, 2012 Share #9 Posted April 17, 2012 Hi, Elmarit 28mm and first version Summicron 50mm (both older 3-cam version) are excellent value for money, in my view - so much that I actually sold my 28mm mkII (stellar optics) because I preferred the older lens' rendering and compact build and could not justify the value of the newer version (which draws more contrasty, perhaps more 'contemporary', and was a little shaper on FF corners at infinity). Filter size of the old 28mm is a little odd, 48mm or Serie 7 if you use the hood (with a nifty wheel to rotate a fitting polarizer). The old 50mm takes close-up lenses, and series 6 filters. It's compact (w/o the clamp-on hood) and dense, renders beautifully and similar to the 28mm. Alexander Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nobbylon Posted April 17, 2012 Share #10 Posted April 17, 2012 The first version 50 with clip on hood is my favourite 50. Mine is 2 cam and use on my Leicaflex. Apparently needs a UV filter for best results and would need the extra cam for R use. Don't discount the macro elmarit 60 as a standard lens. Focus, sharpness and bokeh are truly superb and my favourite lens ever. I used to use one on an R8 and stupidly sold it when I bought M's. I now have an early and a late version for leicaflex use. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted April 17, 2012 Share #11 Posted April 17, 2012 +1 on the 60 Elmarit-R. My second most used R lens, on the DMR and the D700 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveYork Posted April 17, 2012 Share #12 Posted April 17, 2012 I can recommend through personal use any 28mm elmarit, the 2nd optical version of the 35mm Elmarit, both optical versions of the 50mm Summicron, both 90mm Elmarits, any 90mm Summicron, and the 180mm Apo. I'm not a big fan of the 400mm Telyt, but other like it. I still own most of these lenses. It's easier to say which R lenses to stay away from. Although I've not owned the following lenses, and I've seen good pictures from them, the general consensus seems to be that the first optical version of the 35mm Elmarit and the 180mm Elmar aren't at the same level of the other lenses. I don't anything about zooms. Doesn't the R9 need ROM contacts in addition to all 3 cams? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted April 17, 2012 Share #13 Posted April 17, 2012 3-cam lenses with and without ROM work just fine on the R8 and R9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
masjah Posted April 17, 2012 Share #14 Posted April 17, 2012 I can recommend through personal use any 28mm elmarit, the 2nd optical version of the 35mm Elmarit, both optical versions of the 50mm Summicron, both 90mm Elmarits, any 90mm Summicron, and the 180mm Apo. I'm not a big fan of the 400mm Telyt, but other like it. I still own most of these lenses. It's easier to say which R lenses to stay away from. Although I've not owned the following lenses, and I've seen good pictures from them, the general consensus seems to be that the first optical version of the 35mm Elmarit and the 180mm Elmar aren't at the same level of the other lenses. I don't anything about zooms. Doesn't the R9 need ROM contacts in addition to all 3 cams? No, third cam alone, or 3 cam lenses are fine on the R8/R9. The ROM chip gives additional information which is not essential for correct use or correct metering. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
urs0polar Posted April 17, 2012 Share #15 Posted April 17, 2012 +1 on the 60 Elmarit-R. My second most used R lens, on the DMR and the D700 +1 again. That lens is awesome. Andy, what's your first-used R lens? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted April 17, 2012 Share #16 Posted April 17, 2012 The 28 Elmarit-R (V2) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
urs0polar Posted April 17, 2012 Share #17 Posted April 17, 2012 The 28 Elmarit-R (V2) That's good to know. thanks! I guess my first used would be the 60 elmarit followed by both the 35/2 and the 50/1.4 (penultimate version). That 28 Elmarit V2 is like impossible to find. Good to know it's worth it if you do find one Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted April 17, 2012 Share #18 Posted April 17, 2012 And the early standard zooms are nothing special, particularly the 28-70. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gvaliquette Posted April 17, 2012 Share #19 Posted April 17, 2012 And the early standard zooms are nothing special, particularly the 28-70. Although the 28-70 zoom is quite good on sharpness, it is terrible on distortion. At 28mm, it almost looks like a fish-eye (5.5% barrel distortion)! Guy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bull40 Posted April 17, 2012 Share #20 Posted April 17, 2012 Probably best to avoid both versions of the 28-70mm Vario. It's a Sigma design and manufacture. The later 35-70 f4.0 Vario E60, although manufactured by Kyocera in Japan, is a Leica Solms design and is quite nice. The best of the mid range varios is the 28-90, designed and manufactured in Solms. It is, however, considerably larger, heavier, and expensive. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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