snappert Posted July 2, 2014 Share #1  Posted July 2, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi all,  I have been using my Leica 16mm R fisheye lens on my Leica M9, attached with a Novoflex adaptor, quite successfully since I brought this R lens exclusively for use on my M9. My question is, are all Leica R lenses fully operational when used with the M camera counterparts? I have little, to no experience with using R lenses on M cameras, except that which I'm gaining now shooting with my fisheye, but certain aspects of shooting with this lens lead me to question whether the R lenses are fully functional on my M9...?  I have been getting good results on the whole but sometimes I get some strange effects to my final image, such as a shift in focus or odd DoF... I've been shooting generally at f11 or f16, which I've heard people say is the only way to get sharp images using this camera and lens combo, but I wanted to check with some users with more knowledge as to whether buying and using R lenses with my a novoflex adaptor and M9 is a good idea, or will they not quite work as I would want them too...? I'm also curious and concerned as I am looking to getting a f1.2 50mm R lens to take with me to berlin and want it to use at f1.2 to make the most of the fast lens...? so if I get this lens would I be able to shoot at f1.2 and get good results?  Any insights you guys could give to help me would be much appreciated!  Cheers  N Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 2, 2014 Posted July 2, 2014 Hi snappert, Take a look here Using Leica R lenses on M9.. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
John McMaster Posted July 2, 2014 Share #2 Â Posted July 2, 2014 How do you expect to focus or frame with R lenses? Â john Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted July 2, 2014 Share #3 Â Posted July 2, 2014 There are no f1.2 Leica R lenses, the widest aperture being f1.4 Â There is no way to use the rangefinder to focus an R lens on an M camera, so you have to focus just using the markings on the lens. Successfully shooting an f1.4 lens wide open in that way is going to be a real challenge. Â If you are using a 50mm lens, the 50 frame line (which you may have to select manually, using the lever) will be a good indication of what you are framing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
masjah Posted July 2, 2014 Share #4 Â Posted July 2, 2014 Yes, as Andy says, with the M9 you could only use the lens distance scale to focus, estimating the distance yourself. With a 15mm lens, stopped down to f/11 or f/16, you would get away with it because of the very large depth of field. However, with a 50/1.4 wide open, it would be nest to impossible. I suspect that, even if you employed someone to be a "focus puller" with a tape measure, the distance markings on the lens would not give you sufficient precision actually to implement the distance information you had been given! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpattison Posted July 4, 2014 Share #5 Â Posted July 4, 2014 Nathan, the first thing to do is try a 50 R lens in a shop. Ensure that it will actually focus at infinity. Then try a 1m close up, setting the lens at 1m. The R to M adapter might be slightly out, if so you won't be able to focus using the scale on the lens. Don't forget to measure from the "film" plane, near the rear of the camera body, to ensure your subject distance. Â John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpattison Posted July 4, 2014 Share #6  Posted July 4, 2014 Here is a quick test with my 28 PC Super Angulon-R on the monochrom, focused at the minimum 33cm. (at f5.6) John 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! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/229830-using-leica-r-lenses-on-m9/?do=findComment&comment=2623846'>More sharing options...
robert_parker Posted July 4, 2014 Share #7  Posted July 4, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi Nathan  I regularly focus by distance scale using a 50mm Pre-ASPH Summilux LTM and adaptor on my M8.2 to take candid and other shots where focussing would get in the way, and as long as you have enough practice and become sufficiently proficient at judging distance, there is no reason that you shouldn't do this successfully with a 50 Summilux R, which has basically the same computation.  Interestingly if you had a camera such as an 'O' Serie, which replicates the design of the earliest Leica, this would be the only way you could do it, so there is a certain provenance / tradition around in doing this.  The M9 has the advantage of letting you see if you've got the image you want straight away, so in many cases, you can make adjustments.  Focussing this way is hardest wide open at 1 metre or less because the depth of field is most telling in that situation - at most other distances you should find it straightforward if you practice. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert_parker Posted July 4, 2014 Share #8  Posted July 4, 2014 Here's and example, which is about as traditional Leica as I could lay hands on, taken from upper waist / lower chest height, which is only slightly off in focus but that's mainly due to movement in the speaker.  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! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/229830-using-leica-r-lenses-on-m9/?do=findComment&comment=2624006'>More sharing options...
robert_parker Posted July 4, 2014 Share #9  Posted July 4, 2014 I've cheated a little here in that this is shot with 35 ' Cron LTM on an adapter and a small amount of sharpening applied. Again M8.2 and distance scale focussed.  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! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/229830-using-leica-r-lenses-on-m9/?do=findComment&comment=2624009'>More sharing options...
robert_parker Posted July 4, 2014 Share #10  Posted July 4, 2014 You can actually get some fun and unusual angles focussing by distance scale  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! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/229830-using-leica-r-lenses-on-m9/?do=findComment&comment=2624012'>More sharing options...
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