Old R lens suggestions...

[jaapv]

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[thebarnman]

Thank you,

 

There's a lot of suggestions. First, my question about the difference between (3rd cam) VS (three cams) have been answered.

 

Normally I look for (and have spent a lot of money on the most modern of R lenses and I love them.) This is why I have never paid attention to the number of cams...as I've always searched out the lenses that were ROM. ROM usually means it's the latest and greatest...rending a more modern look I really like.

 

 

However, I'm now looking to do something a bit different that would help give me the look of the 1950s, 1960s and even possibly the 1970s. (I'm sure there were people who were using Leica lenses in the 70s with Leica lenses from the 50s!)

 

For my intended use, the less of the performing lenses are the ones I'm looking for. However, it's important (somewhat) they are of the faster type.

 

I'm not as familiar with the names of the lens when it comes to the speed of the lens such as Summicron and Elmarit. And, I know generally faster lens tend to be more expensive such as a 1.0 VS a 2.8 lens of the same focal length.

 

With that explained, frankly it does not matter if the lens is horribly bad. At the same time, I know even the worst of Leica lenses can't be all that bad right? I think the less expensive R lenses will help give me the look I'm looking for.

 

 

 

I originally thought of simply getting a cheap 28mm and 35mm lens for my Cannon AE1. That in itself would not cost a lot and help give me the look I'm going for. Then I started worrying about the performance of my old AE1.

 

I then thought, "Hey, I've got a perfectly good working R9 I could simply put some old lenses on!

 

With all that in mind, it's simply a matter of getting the worst performers at the cheapest price. Wow, imagine that!!!

 

After all, how bad can the worst performing early 3 cam or 3rd cam R Leicas lenses really be??? I would actually like to hear your options on that. The final use of the images will be high quality newspaper print or maybe even good quality gloss magazine. I'm not looking for Medium Format quality.

 

So now I'm looking for suggestions for those older style performers in the focal lengths of 28mm, 35mm and 50mm that are reasonably fast and least expensive.

[urs0polar]

In my experience, there are no "bad" Leica R lenses, just ones that aren't as "good" as the best ones.

 

Regarding your comment about ROM, it's interesting; there is opinion that the earlier lenses are actually made better as they are from an earlier era, where cost cutting wasn't involved. Also, some of the sharpest lenses don't have as good bokeh as the less sharp, etc.

 

I find that my 50/1.4 from 1978 has a great classic look with film... but then again, it's more of the "summilux" look than what I would imagine to be a nostalgic 70's look (I was born in '79, so I wasn't there, but I've seen pictures...).

 

Stopped down, even my screwmount Summarit 50/1.5 (from the 50's) is sharp and free of distortion.

 

I think that you may actually be wanting a single-coated or uncoated lens rather than an early Leica R lens per se, depending on how far back you are going.

 

Another consideration is that a lot of the 50's/60's/70's "looks", in my opinion, come from the film emulsions of the time. So, you get yourself an older R lens, and then go try and find the cheapest 35mm film possible, like Kodak Gold 200 or even the chinese films (Shanghai, Era, and Lucky). Overexpose it (or underexpose), and maybe that will get you closer to what you want.

 

a lot of that 70's look was also Kodachrome, which is gone forever...

[thebarnman]

In my experience, there are no "bad" Leica R lenses, just ones that aren't as "good" as the best ones.

 

That's what I was thinking. I've even read some lenses from other top name brands were even better than a few of a certain type of Leica lens.

 

Regarding your comment about ROM, it's interesting; there is opinion that the earlier lenses are actually made better as they are from an earlier era, where cost cutting wasn't involved. Also, some of the sharpest lenses don't have as good bokeh as the less sharp, etc.

 

The older lenses made better is one thing if in fact that's the case, the look it creates is another. I am aware the bokeh is not like the earlier lenses and so for the newer lenses (at least to me) that's fine. I actually like how the newest lenses reproduce the image. It's much more real and life like to me.

 

The older lenses tend to produce more of a dream like effect and/or classic feel to the images. Normally I wouldn't want that. In this case, yes.

 

I find that my 50/1.4 from 1978 has a great classic look with film... but then again, it's more of the "summilux" look than what I would imagine to be a nostalgic 70's look (I was born in '79, so I wasn't there, but I've seen pictures...)

 

Unfortunately, I don't know what you mean by a "summilux" look. However, I'm intrigued about the lens you just mentioned.

 

Also, I don't know when the 3 cam or 3rd cams came into play with the 28mm, 35mm and 50mm R Leica lenses. What ever year that was, that's probably the lens series I'm looking for...unless they are really slow lenses. 2.8 or faster would be nice.

 

I think that you may actually be wanting a single-coated or uncoated lens rather than an early Leica R lens per se, depending on how far back you are going.

 

Yes, as the uncoated lenses (or lenses with less coatings) tend to have less contrast and be more effected by light.

 

Another consideration is that a lot of the 50's/60's/70's "looks", in my opinion, come from the film emulsions of the time. So, you get yourself an older R lens, and then go try and find the cheapest 35mm film possible, like Kodak Gold 200 or even the chinese films (Shanghai, Era, and Lucky). Overexpose it (or underexpose), and maybe that will get you closer to what you want.

 

Exactly, I'm with you there. In fact, I already have in mind what films I'll be using. In my opinion, something like Gold 200 has too much color contrast, though I don't know about the Chinese films. Also, the slight overexposure technique (with normal development) is something I've also considered.

 

 

a lot of that 70's look was also Kodachrome, which is gone forever...

 

Yep, not much we can do there. Unless of course I use a Kodachrome plug-in.

[urs0polar]

 

Unfortunately, I don't know what you mean by a "summilux" look. However, I'm intrigued about the lens you just mentioned.

 

Also, I don't know when the 3 cam or 3rd cams came into play with the 28mm, 35mm and 50mm R Leica lenses. What ever year that was, that's probably the lens series I'm looking for...unless they are really slow lenses. 2.8 or faster would be nice.

 

 

Here are my shots taken with the 50 Summilux, though a lot are Kodachrome

 

Flickr: Search urs0polar's photostream

 

Yes, as the uncoated lenses (or lenses with less coatings) tend to have less contrast and be more effected by light.

 

I could be wrong, but I would imagine most R lenses are multicoated. By the time the R system came around, I'm pretty sure multicoating was available.

 

Yep, not much we can do there. Unless of course I use a Kodachrome plug-in.

 

I just died a little ...

 

...

 

I think that, all in all, you need to bone up on your knowledge of these lenses. At the top of the page, there's a tab labeled "wiki". If you go there, pretty much every Leica R (and M) lens is listed, with information, serial numbers, features, links to reviews, and links back into the wiki (so just when you think you've found the answer, you can be thoroughly confused again by conflicting forum posts). The only thing that's off is the street price -- it is wildly optimistic -- almost all the lenses are more expensive now.

 

For instance, my 50mm Summilux is here:

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/50mm_f/1.4_Summilux-R_I

 

If I were you I would just start here and start reading:

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/R_Lenses_x_Focal_Length

 

Good luck again!

[tobey bilek]

If you want an older look, the only lenses to get are the original Leicaflex lenses that have had the third cam added. The cams are not mutually exclusive so there can i,2, and 3 and any combination like 1 & 3 depending on how it was modified over the years.

 

ROM is to give exact electronic information regarding exact f stop value and other data to the camera to fine tune the exact exposure. W/o ROM, the f stop accuracy will only be the same as the "old days".

 

DAG converts/ adds cams to make older lenses work on new cameras. Cost was around $100 at that time. He did a batch weekly so your lenses were not gone long. Now, I do not know. DAG Camera Repair.

 

You can add any lens to an R8 and use stop down metering which is a good way to start. If you like the "look", have it converted for full function. W/O third cam, the lens will be cheap. You will spend more on conversion than the lens.

 

The original 50 2.0 is a decent lens, but you need the ser 6 SL or UV filter in front to make it work best at 2.0 to 4.0. Just trust me. I have had many.

 

The all work well with the appropiate ser 6 or 7 ELPRO lenses. DO NOT adapt later mm size as the spacing it changed by step ring and they do not work well.

 

Optics on 60 2.8 are all the same. Buy what you can find/afford.

 

The biggest problem is getting ser 6 & 7 filters to use with these lenses. B+W made many for me as custom order. Pricing was ok.and not out of line with others of similar size.

39 mm can be reversed and used as ser 6.

 

I am thinking of offering all mine up for sale depending on May 10. I expect a mirrorless that will use them, hopefully full frame and auto focus by moving the sensor . Dreaming I know.

 

If you want to spend a lot of money, 35 2.0, 80 1.4, 35 1.4 are classics. I think a 90 2.8 original is a must have. NOT the later with tele construction, you want the original long focus non tele. Ser 7 originally, later few made as E55. Both have telespopic shades.

[andybarton]

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Don't forget that the first Leicaflexes were made in 1964, so you won't find ANY Leica reflex lenses from the 50s.

[Posto 6]

Speaking from long experience, I would definitely look closely at:

-19mm mk2

-35mm Summilux

-50mm Summicron

-80mm Summilux

 

These are all wonderful lenses, and are often available quite reasonably in user condition. After trying these, you will really be glad you got your R9!