M Lenses with T

[Judy Babinski]

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I am thinking of getting a Leica T and was wondering if there are any issues with attaching either the 28mm Summicron ASPH or the 50mm Summilux ASPH to the T.  I realize I also have to purchase the M adaptor.  Searched the forum and could not find any thing specific to this question.  Thanks in advance.

[soundsgoodsg]

I have a T with a 50mm Summilux-M - works great! Here are some images I've taken with this combo

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/auralasia/sets/72157646162390132

 

FYI, focussing works great with the EVF. it's a 3.7million pixel LCD inside, same spec as the Leica Q EVF that's been getting so much good press. 

[lucerne]

I'm also considering a T body but the issue that I can't get my head around is "how does the framing in the EVF reflect a non-T lens (multiple focal lengths),  such as a 35 lux, 75mm  or even a 21mm SEM?"

 

Does the adaptor intelligently change the EVF frame?  Will the frame fill the viewfinder according to the focal length of the lens?

 

the Q + EVF  is only required to work with a single focal length.

[pop]

I'm also considering a T body but the issue that I can't get my head around is "how does the framing in the EVF reflect a non-T lens (multiple focal lengths),  such as a 35 lux, 75mm  or even a 21mm SEM?"

 

Does the adaptor intelligently change the EVF frame?  Will the frame fill the viewfinder according to the focal length of the lens?

 

the Q + EVF  is only working with a single focal length.

Both the display on the back of the camera and the EVF merely show the image as captured by the sensor. You see the picture projected by the lens mounted on the camera, much as you would on a SLR.

[lucerne]

Both the display on the back of the camera and the EVF merely show the image as captured by the sensor. You see the picture projected by the lens mounted on the camera, much as you would on a SLR.

 

So, to confirm, framing is based on the lens dependent image about to be captured.  That's good.  The only feature sacrificed is auto focus.  Presumably, focus peaking with manual focusing will also be functional?

[pop]

I don't have access to a T, but I seem to have read that the T does not do focus peaking.

[lucerne]

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I don't have access to a T, but I seem to have read that the T does not do focus peaking.

Yes. You are correct.  Thanks for your useful advice.

[pop]

However, in the same place where they said that it did not do focus peaking, they also said that the focus assist was perfectly fine. I can't tell, though, as I did not try really hard to test its focus capabilities in the shop.

[Hunebed]

Focus assist works fine. I only use it in low contrast situations or for focussing far away. Often a shimmer appears along edgeswhen the object is in focus, which also can be helpful.

[Mr10Percent]

Use a 0.95 Nocti a lot with my T.

 

Works flawlessly in metering, framing and surprisingly easy with the Visioflex to focus properly. The "Shimmer" is very easy to spot.

 

I use M-mode for night scenes - my preferred genre, locking speed to 1/30th or 1/15th pushing my hand-held capabilities and minimum ISO requirement at max-Apt. In daylight, I use A-mode, min ISO and a Heliopan 60mm Vario ND Slim ND Filter if required to control shutter speed.

 

All very controllable even if the T becomes a little nose-heavy. A lot better I think than all the faffing around with that rangefinder nonsense.

 

Cheers!

 

G

[AndreasAM]

 

 

FYI, focussing works great with the EVF. it's a 3.7million pixel LCD inside, same spec as the Leica Q EVF that's been getting so much good press. 

The EVF of the T has a revolution of  2,4 million pixels, so it has a lower resolution than the EVF of the Q.

Still very good though.

 

The focusaasist has a magnification of 3 and 6 X.

[Judy Babinski]

Well, just got home with my new T and the M adaptor.  The little booklet that comes with the adaptor included the 28mm Summicron ASPH as compatible.  So will put the thing together and take some photos.  I have a M8, probably from the first production batch, and the shutter was replaced in 2008 after failure.  But I wanted a newer sensor and better ISO performance than the 2005 M8.  Thought about an new M-E, but was put off by the sensor issue.  Not quite ready to spend the money for a M type 240 or Monochrome M type 246.  Thought about selling my two M lenses to fund a Q purchase.  But for some reason, I aways sell at too low a price and then wish I hadn't.  So the T seemed a nice intermediate solution. And I wanted something a little more portable than an M.  The last 4 years I have mainly purchased Nikon equipment. It works better for my business, primarily pet photography.  But when I enter photo contests, I find myself turning to the photos taken with a Leica,  not the Nikon. 

[Belle123]

 Have fun with the T!  I use the same 28mm lens.  Also have much older M lenses with great results.  If you get an R to M adapter, you can put that over your M to T adapter and use older R lenses too.  Pretty slick!

[Judy Babinski]

I don't have any R lenses, just a couple of M lenses.  What older M lenses do you recommend.  I think maybe an older, smaller lens would be nice. I have an older 50 Summicron, but I need to send it off for repair as the focus ring is stuck.The 28 Summicron is a little heavy on the T and the camera doesn't feel that balanced with it on.  Now I am thinking perhaps that i should have gotten the Q instead of the T.  Anyway the T is better than my old M8. Bless its heart, I am turning it out to pasture.

[dpitt]

Judy, I agree that the 28 that it will probably work better on the T with adapter than on the M8 for you.

Be aware that when you want to use the lens stopped down like F8 it will be very hard to focus in the viewer. (low light/large DOF) 

You will have to open it to focus and then stop down before taking the shot.

 

With 28mm you can easily zone focus on F8, but using 50 or 90mm could be problematic when you do not want to use them full open to take the shot.

For those lengths the old M8 will probably still be the best choice.

[robert blu]

...Be aware that when you want to use the lens stopped down like F8 it will be very hard to focus in the viewer. (low light/large DOF) 

You will have to open it to focus and then stop down before taking the shot...

 

When I tried an M lens (35) on the T in a shop I found it to be easy enough to manual focus but I didn't consider the aperture, I think the employee put on the camera a lens full open :-)

I'll try next time with a stopped down lens ! As I already said so long there is no native 35 or 50 I plan to use my M lens in addition to the T-23 cron., sorry but I do not like zooms (nothing bad with them, it's just my preference).

Thanks for pointing out this, always something to learn...or to think about...

robert

PS: lot of thinking about the T from my side, but usually when I buy a camera it stays with me many years...and the

[dpitt]

When I tried an M lens (35) on the T in a shop I found it to be easy enough to manual focus but I didn't consider the aperture, I think the employee put on the camera a lens full open :-)

I'll try next time with a stopped down lens ! As I already said so long there is no native 35 or 50 I plan to use my M lens in addition to the T-23 cron., sorry but I do not like zooms (nothing bad with them, it's just my preference).

Thanks for pointing out this, always something to learn...or to think about...

robert

PS: lot of thinking about the T from my side, but usually when I buy a camera it stays with me many years...and the

 

Robert,

People often overlook this issue when using adapters. I had to deal with this a lot when I used R lenses with adapter on my Canon 5D.

Using native lenses on any reflex body will show the image with the lens fully open. It is stopped down at the moment you press the shutter automatically.

This mechanism is not available when using adapters.

The EVF system of the T will probably compensate for the smaller aperture by increasing brightness of the finder, but it can never compensate for the increased DOF which makes focussing less obvious and accurate.

 

The only adapter i know of that comes close is Leitax R to Nikon F mount adapter with built in aperture opening tab. It is kind of the inverse of what a native camera's preview lever does… You have to press a tab on the adapter to open the lens and when you release it is closed to the aperture on the aperture ring automatically.

This is not as easy as a native body but it makes focussing with tele lenses on Nikon bodies a lot easier...

[Belle123]

Judy, I recommend Summicron 35mm hands down.  If I had a choice of one lens, this would be it.  I have one over 20 years old and still my favorite go to lens plus is very light and compact, compared to the 28. For tele, if you are interested, you can probably find an older 90mm Elmarit very inexpensive.  I love mine on the T and glad I held onto it over the years. Have several others, but those are two I recommend for the T.   The 35mm Summilux is too heavy for me on the T, for example.  I also have a 50 Summicron which is probably second lightest and a great older lens but it sticks out further than I like for carrying in my bag.

My whole reasoning for getting the T was to get a secondary camera to my M for every day use.  Fits in my bag nicely, slim, and doesn't weigh me down like my M does.  Am extremely happy with it!  The Q was not an option yet when I purchased.  Not sure if I was in the same spot, I would have gone for the Q.  But, just depends on your needs.

[Judy Babinski]

Judy, I recommend Summicron 35mm hands down.  If I had a choice of one lens, this would be it.  I have one over 20 years old and still my favorite go to lens plus is very light and compact, compared to the 28. For tele, if you are interested, you can probably find an older 90mm Elmarit very inexpensive.  I love mine on the T and glad I held onto it over the years. Have several others, but those are two I recommend for the T.   The 35mm Summilux is too heavy for me on the T, for example.  I also have a 50 Summicron which is probably second lightest and a great older lens but it sticks out further than I like for carrying in my bag.

My whole reasoning for getting the T was to get a secondary camera to my M for every day use.  Fits in my bag nicely, slim, and doesn't weigh me down like my M does.  Am extremely happy with it!  The Q was not an option yet when I purchased.  Not sure if I was in the same spot, I would have gone for the Q.  But, just depends on your needs.

Thanks.  I am going to look for a used 35mm Summicron, preferably a pre ASPH one.  As far as tele goes, i don't do much, buy I am using the 50mm Summilux on the T and quite pleased with the images.  I will use the 35mm for carry around and the 50mm for shots around the house and garden.

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Hallo,

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