S. Wong Posted October 11, 2014 Share #1 Posted October 11, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) I've got several leica R lenses, but since I started shooting my nikon D80, the SL and lenses have sat in the closet. I miss using the quality lenses, and am trying to decide between: - Sony A7 + R-FE adapter + Leica lenses - Sell the Leica setup and purchase the Fuji X-T1 + lenses Thoughts and experiences? Current Collection: Leica SL Leica R4 + 28 Elmarit + 50 Lux + 135 Elmarit + 200-500/6.9 Tamron (2 cam) D80 + Nikkor 24/2.8 + Nikkor 60/2.8 Micro Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 11, 2014 Posted October 11, 2014 Hi S. Wong, Take a look here Sony A7 + leica R?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
dkCambridgeshire Posted October 11, 2014 Share #2 Posted October 11, 2014 Maybe consider a used Canon 5D (cheap as chips now) which is usable with all Nikkor and Leica R lenses via adaptors. Would be a cheaper FF solution than a Sony A7 and has a better viewfinder. EVFs are fine but none of them are as good as a reflex finder. I was considering a Sony A7 to use with my Canon FD 'L' lenses but now leaning towards having the FD lenses converted to EOS fit by The Lens Doctor so can use with Canon 1Ds Mk 2. Gone off the Sony A7 idea because I prefer a reflex finder. dunk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB_tx Posted October 11, 2014 Share #3 Posted October 11, 2014 I've been using my R lenses on an A7 and am very pleased with it, both in "usability" and image quality. I find that I can judge focus sharpness better on the EFV in a variety of lighting than I can on today's dSLR optical finders, so I seldom bother with the magnified view (which does work well). The EFV also is very usable with the lenses stopped down, as the finder remains bright, and you can still judge sharpest focus point. Since the R auto diaphragms don't work on any of the dSLR bodies, I think the A7 EFV is preferable. I used my R4 in aperture-priority with spot meter, locking exposure and recomposing, and the A7 in spot meter mode works the same way; so it's an easy transition. With the A7 the EFV also lets you see pretty much the final exposure as you meter in spot mode. The R lenses (and Canon FL/FD) do seem large on the A7, so my favorite for handling is the smaller Pentax-M SLR lenses - but not up to the R lenses for image quality. Since there is no native FF digital body available for Leica R, Canon FD, or Pentax SLR lenses, the A7 is an excellent choice for me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
k-hawinkler Posted October 11, 2014 Share #4 Posted October 11, 2014 EFV = EVF? For manual focusing I actually prefer an Electronic View Finder over an Optical one. Both the A7 and the X-T1 also have excellent native AF lenses to consider. So, I have an A7R and use a number of native as well as Leica, Nikkor, and other lenses. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB_tx Posted October 11, 2014 Share #5 Posted October 11, 2014 EFV = EVF? Yes, EVF - sorry - had a senior moment (or decade). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
S. Wong Posted October 12, 2014 Author Share #6 Posted October 12, 2014 I know that the sony & fuji both have excellent lens selection, but thats part of the dilemma. Should I sell my German made glass and use on a full frame with manual aperture, or sell them for the known fuji's? I'm mostly interested in travel photography, and will intend to use it for kids when I have them. My wife is interested in learning photography, and she liked both the Fuji and the Sony. She's a preschool teacher, so speed is paramount . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
k-hawinkler Posted October 12, 2014 Share #7 Posted October 12, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) I know that the sony & fuji both have excellent lens selection, but thats part of the dilemma.Should I sell my German made glass and use on a full frame with manual aperture, or sell them for the known fuji's? I'm mostly interested in travel photography, and will intend to use it for kids when I have them. My wife is interested in learning photography, and she liked both the Fuji and the Sony. She's a preschool teacher, so speed is paramount . Well, considering your needs and if I were in your place, I would sell the existing gear and get either a Full Frame Sony or an APS-C Fuji camera with native lenses and AF. These kinds of cameras also have a fully automatic mode great for beginners. You also could consider the Olympus E-M1 with 12-40/2.8 lens or one of the Leica cameras with none-interchangeable lenses. Good luck with your decision. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
iaeaix Posted October 13, 2014 Share #8 Posted October 13, 2014 If it were me, I would sell the R lens and buy a full frame with native lens, or if the camera were A7/A7R/s, I would switch to M lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IkarusJohn Posted October 13, 2014 Share #9 Posted October 13, 2014 Well, I guess it all depends on how you view your photography. Were it me, I'd get my wife something automated that has potential for more, and myself something more manual. I'd also keep clear of compacts. I'd also try to stick with Leica or Zeiss glass. As much as I dislike the idea, Sony would have to be a strong option, provided you choose carefully. But, I wouldn't get too excited about using Leica M glass on a Sony - it's not worth the grief. So, I'd either look at a Leica T with the midrange zoom for your wife, and a secondhand M9 and start collecting M lenses (sell what you have), or get your wife a Sony RX1 and yourself an A7s and Zeiss glass. You can get an adapter, so you can use your existing R glass with the A7. Plenty of comment here about how the R lenses work with the A7. Myself? I prefer not to mix systems - I went down the Sony route and gave up. Just too much grief. I have listed my M9P and 35 Summilux (FLE) over in the classifieds if you're interested. I also have a surplus collection of adapters for the Sony E-mount I can list in the Classifieds if you decide to go the other way. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kanzlr Posted October 13, 2014 Share #10 Posted October 13, 2014 Maybe consider a used Canon 5D (cheap as chips now) which is usable with all Nikkor and Leica R lenses via adaptors. Would be a cheaper FF solution than a Sony A7 and has a better viewfinder. EVFs are fine but none of them are as good as a reflex finder. I was considering a Sony A7 to use with my Canon FD 'L' lenses but now leaning towards having the FD lenses converted to EOS fit by The Lens Doctor so can use with Canon 1Ds Mk 2. Gone off the Sony A7 idea because I prefer a reflex finder. dunk the original 5D finder is small and dim, whereas the A7 EVF is big, high resolution, offers peaking, zoom, gain. I am all for optical finders, but not such a small hole as the 5D provides. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickp13 Posted October 13, 2014 Share #11 Posted October 13, 2014 i started with a d700 and two leica R lenses (adapted using leitax flanges), but later switched to an a7 primarily for focusing flexibility (peaking and magnification). i'm very happy with the camera and lenses together. two ideas for you: 1) i bought a sony fe 35/f2.8 AF lens to use on the A7 when speed & autofocus are important (wife, pre-school activities etc). 2) i just added the battery grip to the a7 when using the longer or larger R lenses - it seems to be more balanced in my hands with the larger grip. the extra battery life is also useful. good luck with your decision. rick I know that the sony & fuji both have excellent lens selection, but thats part of the dilemma.Should I sell my German made glass and use on a full frame with manual aperture, or sell them for the known fuji's? I'm mostly interested in travel photography, and will intend to use it for kids when I have them. My wife is interested in learning photography, and she liked both the Fuji and the Sony. She's a preschool teacher, so speed is paramount . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
S. Wong Posted October 14, 2014 Author Share #12 Posted October 14, 2014 I talked with a friend who works for Sony, and their price for an A7 is about the same as the retail for a Fuji. My thinking is that I can always crop down to the aps-c lenses if needed for small/light/fast travel, and be no worse off than getting the Fuji, while still retaining the option to go full frame with either native lenses or adapted Leica. For now, I think that's the direction I'll go, but I really need to make time to just use the cameras for a weekend. Any recommendations for rental sites? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
k-hawinkler Posted October 14, 2014 Share #13 Posted October 14, 2014 LensRentals.com - Rent Lenses and Cameras from Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Sony, Leica, and more Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
K Davis Posted October 17, 2014 Share #14 Posted October 17, 2014 A friend of mine has used his A7 with my R series lenses to good effect. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TMLH Posted October 23, 2014 Share #15 Posted October 23, 2014 I have used the Sony A7 with most of the R lens. I found it useful for short focal lens. For Telephoto it have to be in the tripod using the magnifying focus, it is more like a technical camera to extract the optimum result form the Leica lens Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TMLH Posted October 23, 2014 Share #16 Posted October 23, 2014 First photo taken by Sony A7 leica 70-180mm and the second with 28-90mm 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/235297-sony-a7-leica-r/?do=findComment&comment=2693540'>More sharing options...
bocaburger Posted October 23, 2014 Share #17 Posted October 23, 2014 the original 5D finder is small and dim, whereas the A7 EVF is big, high resolution, offers peaking, zoom, gain.I am all for optical finders, but not such a small hole as the 5D provides. We must be talking about different Sony's or different original 5D's, because I have both and there is no comparison, the 5D wins hands down. The Sony, like any EVF, is like looking at a tiny monitor, whereas reflex viewing is, well, reflex viewing. The big problem with using a 5D and R lenses (having done so at one time) is that very quickly discover that the Canon primes and L-zooms are very close to R quality, and Image Stabilization puts the final IQ in Canon's favor if not tripod mounted. Not to mention EF lenses are lighter weight, and much more convenient to use because of the coupled diaphragm. I ended up selling all my R glass, much as I liked it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.