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waiting for the R to M adapter


hejenk

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This qualifies as a 'first world problem,' but here's the thing: I've had my M since March 1. I've been waiting for the R adaptor since then, though I ordered it 14 months ago. By the time I get it, we will be 1/3rd or more of the way through a typical digital M life cycle. That's pretty inept, and coupled with the failure to tell us what is going on with accessories, represents a significant management failure. Look, we have other adaptors we can use, etc. But these are revenues Leica is forgoing, while they piss off their most loyal customers. Again, a real management failure, a disappointment, and something that raises certain doubts about Leica, even as the M, and the Monochrom, have blown us away.

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This qualifies as a 'first world problem,' but here's the thing: I've had my M since March 1. I've been waiting for the R adaptor since then, though I ordered it 14 months ago. By the time I get it, we will be 1/3rd or more of the way through a typical digital M life cycle. That's pretty inept, and coupled with the failure to tell us what is going on with accessories, represents a significant management failure. Look, we have other adaptors we can use, etc. But these are revenues Leica is forgoing, while they piss off their most loyal customers. Again, a real management failure, a disappointment, and something that raises certain doubts about Leica, even as the M, and the Monochrom, have blown us away.

 

I agree with you …..

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As usual, John, well put. Since we both got our first M's on the same day and ordered the R-M adapter about the same day, I all too well know what you are talking about.

 

While in Solms I met a group of Chinese who seemed to be pros or from major publications since they were all given an extra M battery while at the showroom. I heard them complain to Stephan Daniels about the lack of accessories and he assured them Leica was working hard to get them out to customers ASAP. That was mid August or three months ago! Photos of the adapter show it made in Portugal so the Leica could get these out sooner. Maybe the Vario production/introduction slowed many M products, cameras included.

 

That was August and even though the grips have begun shipping (I got both within a week of each other) this adapter is still not available. Somehow Novoflex got their coded adapter out and it works in most instances.

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I asked Leica UK for an update on both the R to M and MF grip yesterday, as I have like many others, had them on order now with my dealer for 14+ months. They said they would phone me back with an update the same day but expecting a call back is obviously the same as the “cheque being in the post” (one of life’s great lies).

 

I have pre-sold to a couple of my clients, an article on geotagging, which I was going to illustrate with London tourist landmarks. Corny I know but these articles are for airline magazines. Unless I get the MF grip soon, I will have to do the article with my wife’s V-Lux 20, which has GPS.

 

Wilson

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I have just spoken again to Leica UK. There are no R to M adapters or MF grips coming through at present and they have been unable to get any clues from Solms, as to when any of these accessories might be coming through but probably not any time soon. They commented that they are massively back ordered on both items (well that’s a surprise).

 

Leica - if you are reading this (and I hope you are), those of us who bought one or more M240’s months ago and have had these accessories on order for now well over a year, deserve some sort of official explanation as to the delay. Anodyne PR-speak will no longer suffice.

 

I can foresee my having had my M240 for over a year before I will get the MF grip for it.

 

Wilson

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Wilson

 

A few MF grips have hit the US, but even Leica stores have only had one. I got mine like last week. So they should be hitting the UK very soon.

 

As for the R-M adapters, seems like most have theirs already in the form of a Novoflex adapter. Yes, I want the Leica one too, but mid December it will be 15 months and end of the year it will have been 9 months since I received my first M240.

 

I forgot to mention the reason for the delay in the MF grip. Each grip has a serial number and the box has an opening where one can read the serial number through this hole on the inner box.

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Do I dare confess that mine has just arrived?

 

It really does make a difference for work with the R 80-200 f4. I've tried various solutions (including Wilson's Canon modified adapter ring trip) but for simplicity, a Manfrotto 5 Section CF monopod + Monopod QR Tilt Head works really well. 1/90th feels fine ...

 

A couple of shots of the set-up below + a test shot (back in the kitchen in the London flat...)

 

Compared with the modern IS Canon 70-200, I will stick with the DSLR for critical work - but the R 80-200 will come in for times when I don't want to carry two systems and have the need for longer FL in reasonably good light.

 

So far as the R>M adapter is concerned, it's been worth the wait! The critical difference for me is the beautifully engineered mount for the R side of things. Proper steel springs to hold things in place rather than cut slots.

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I feel like I'm looking at the first clear picture of Bigfoot or Nessie. I was pretty sure this thing didn't actually exist.

 

Mike

 

What can I say:

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What is this?

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

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  • 2 weeks later...

I just received word that my R to M adapter has arrived in Seoul. Problem is they do not know how much it will cost, interesting! Well I am glad that others have shown pictures of this design as it is the best looking design of an adapter that I have seen and well worth waiting for. I will stuff money into my pocket and go to Bondo Camera this Friday and hope that I have enough!:confused:

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I spoke to a total idiot at Leica UK last week, who said it was not his business to give me any updates as to when my dealer could expect any deliveries of R to M adapters or the MF grip, that I have now had on order for 15 months. My dealer said that Leica UK is completely keeping them in the dark. This was two weeks after the nice lady on the phone at Leica UK suggested I phone Mayfair every ten days to get an update on deliveries. I should have got his name, so that I could write to Leica at Solms to suggest he finds alternative employment more suited to his people skills. Maybe a pig slaughterman. I was so stunned by his unhelpful and unpleasant demeanour that I put the phone down before I thought to ask.

 

Wilson

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I collected my R-M adaptor today from Leica Mayfair, London. It has a nice solid feel, though there is a little play when mounted. It is a smarter product than the serviceable Novoflex. The latter had the advantage when I bought it of being available. But if production cranks up I reckon that save for the very price sensitive the Leica adaptor will be preferred to the Novoflex, not least because of the neat option of the tripod mount.

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Thanks Chris. Problem is, I've completely forgotten why I ordered this. I shoot my M-lenses on the 240 and my R-lenses on my A7R... what they heck am I supposed to use this thing for?

 

For what I paid for it, maybe when it comes in I can trade it back to my dealer for a Sony handgrip and a couple of batteries. Which reminds me... handgrip...:rolleyes:

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