Best digital body for R lenses

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Thanks. For professional use, it certainly looks a brilliant option with the zooms too and you have a great set of R lenses there - similar to what I have.

In comparison to a DSLR, the SL isn't big at all. It looks good to grip for extended periods and nice big screen for reviewing shots on the fly.

 

But compared to M, Sony a7x and even my R6, it does seem too big (from watching video reviews on youtube.)

I'll check one out first hand in a store to be certain. I want to like it since it offers the best M/R solution but my gut feeling is I'll pass and it goes back to Sony v M240.

 

Thanks again and do update with what you decide OP...

Edited October 27, 2016 by coogee

[nikau]

Not meaning to be facetious, but the best body is the one that is easiest to focus the lens with.

[PhotoFan]

Best digital body for R is D700 with after market screen. perfect balance with pixel count and focusing accuracy requirement as well as handling.

As a said note, I never be a fan of EVF what so ever. The whole process has to be done with real connection with world, my 2cents.   

 

I have the D700, and I can tell you it is NOT the best body for any other lenses than those made for it.

I have tried so many adapters and all of them just didn't work out. I believe it is due to the flange distance of Nikon's mount.

To get it to somehow work, you need an adapter with a glass element so you can get infinity focus.

The irony... Using R lenses with a mediocre glass renders the whole point mute

[bscott]

coogee, I really haven't decided on any solution.  I keep hoping that something better comes along for using my Leica lenses.  It is also difficult to try some of the Leica solutions since only one camera store in my city is a Leica dealer and they have not had any Leica cameras in the store for two years.

[ramarren]

I have used R lenses on the Sony A7, Nikon D750, Leica M-P, and Leica SL bodies (as well as the Leicaflex SL and Leica R9 film bodies). 

 

Of the digital bodies, the one that does the job best is the Leica SL, hands down. I find the M-P fine for doing macro and tripod work, using the EVF or LCD, but clumsy and difficult to handle for anything else. The Nikon is okay as long as I'm using the lenses either wide open or stopped down at most two stops. The Sony A7 produced good results with longer focal lengths, poor results with the shorter focal lengths, and otherwise was always a clunky, clumsy camera to use. 

 

The SL produces best performance with all focal lengths, has the best body shape and size for R lenses' ergonomics, and is the easiest to focus critically and quickly with. It's even better than the native R cameras in that regard (which are darn good to begin with). Although I haven't used a DMR setup and don't know what the imaging performance is like, the SL works better for me because of the viewfinder. 

[wildlightphoto]

Of the digital bodies, the one that does the job best is the Leica SL, hands down.

 

 

For many M lenses the SL is (IMHO) easily the best choice.  For R lenses which are more telecentric than M lenses the choice isn't quite as clear but the SL is a very strong contender with the second-generation Sony a7xx bodies being the other contenders.

 

Much of what makes one camera better than another comes down to personal preferences.  I've used the Leica SL and Sony a7II side-by-side and chose to keep the Sony even after a very tempting offer for the loaner SL (I'm not using any M lenses).

 

What I like about the SL:

 

the customizable shutter dial on top of the camera where Oscar intended to put it that I can configure to turn the same direction as my muscle memory default (Leica R)

 

quick, quiet and responsive at all shutter speeds (the Sony's responsiveness is comparable only when the electronic first shutter curtain is enabled, which makes the fastest shutter speeds unusable due to uneven exposure)

 

simple customizable menu system (the Sony's quirkiness and inscrutability is legendary)

 

minimal number of buttons and switches, which can be operated easily with heavy gloves (the Sony's buttons are numerous and closely-spaced, gloves often push or turn the wrong control).

 

noise pattern at high ISO settings is more to my liking

 

 

What I like about the Sony a7II:

 

the viewfinder can be configured to show exposure preview mode at all times (the SL's viewfinder exposure preview mode must be re-enabled after each exposure).

 

the Sony has sensor stabilization with all lenses, including my R 280 APO and FD 500 L.  The value of this becomes very clear when using magnified focus with the 500mm lens (the SL doesn't have sensor stabilization).

 

the Sony's weight distribution is less in hands, more in wallet (SL is more in hands, less in wallet).

 

IMHO if the sensor stabilization and exposure preview are low priority or you want to use M wide-angle lenses the SL is hard to beat; the Sony's advantage would be the weight distribution.  For myself the sensor stabilization is a very big deal (the 280 APO is my wide-angle lens) and likewise since I use manual exposure 100% of the time the continuous exposure-preview viewfinder is a very big deal.  The Sony's weight distribution is a pleasant bonus.

[mark_pw]

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I love my Sony A7. It's the best company of R lenses. You may want to check out my Leica gallery. Most of the photos are taken by my Sony A7.

[dkCambridgeshire]

I love my Sony A7. It's the best company of R lenses. You may want to check out my Leica gallery. Most of the photos are taken by my Sony A7.

 

 

Very interesting set of images. The A7 is a capable and cost effective tool. However, I'm glad I still have my DMR which I almost parted with after acquiring an SL. The DMR still has a dedicated band of users who recognise and appreciate its unique imaging characteristics - and the R8/R9 ergonomics are pretty good too. 

 

dunk

Edited October 29, 2016 by dkCambridgeshire

[MIkhail]

 Sony A7 

[mark_pw]

Very interesting set of images. The A7 is a capable and cost effective tool. However, I'm glad I still have my DMR which I almost parted with after acquiring an SL. The DMR still has a dedicated band of users who recognise and appreciate its unique imaging characteristics - and the R8/R9 ergonomics are pretty good too. 

 

dunk

 

 

Yes, R8/R9 are great SLRs. They are solid and well built for carrying all day long.

[OrchiS]

Yes, R8/R9 are great SLRs. They are solid and well built for carrying all day long.

I also like R8 and DMR. I like the colours. Very natural. Have made 45000 examples with this combination!!

[ph.]

Seems that I am alone here in using R-optics on Canon  and Olympus.

 

Comment # 22 above is most appropriate. On my R9, the focus is easy to find. On the digital ones, it is easy when the camera sits on a tripod and there is lots of time to press buttons, otherwhise, not.

 

Olympus Pen F still wins over the full-frame Canon (smaller, more versatile), even though the PenF recent firmware revision did nothing to fix the inadvertent-button-pressing-problem,  nor did it provide a magnification window in the center of the ordinary view. This would have removed the need for pressing  buttons so that one might concentrate on the picture.

 

Today I have again found that my Summicron 50 which provides light equivalent to f 1,4 with the Metabones "Speedbooster" on the Olympus, gives satisfactorily sharp snaps wide open. Uncertain about results from my 21-35. with that device. Even though the PenF stabilization is very effective at slow speeds, both I and my subjects move and faffing about with buttons to get magnified focus does not help.

 

p.

[Shu_downunder]

Sorry for digging this old post out. 

As of 2021, is SL2 the best body for R lenses? Even when comparing to the R bodies?

What manual focusing aid does SL2 provide? How is the experience of focusing?

[dkCambridgeshire]

32 minutes ago, Shu_downunder said:

Sorry for digging this old post out. 

As of 2021, is SL2 the best body for R lenses? Even when comparing to the R bodies?

What manual focusing aid does SL2 provide? How is the experience of focusing?

Some might consider the SL2-S is the best Leica R platform ... you should read all the forum comments about the SL2 and SL2-S ... there is no definitive answer. 

If I was looking for an R platform I'd consider an original SL 601 because they are relatively inexpensive ... currently can be purchased for less than £2K 

EDIT: Leica Mayfair currently lists an ex demo SL 601 with 12 month warranty for £1500 ! 

Edited March 23, 2021 by dkCambridgeshire

[Shu_downunder]

3 minutes ago, dkCambridgeshire said:

you should read all the forum comments about the SL2 and SL2-S

That can be challenging

[Shu_downunder]

4 minutes ago, dkCambridgeshire said:

If I was looking for an R platform I'd consider an original SL 601 because they are relatively inexpensive

My 21-35 performs poorly on my a7. After adding an auto focus lens to the a7, I do need a good platform for my R lenses. Is SL really better than much later bodies like a7iii or Canon R6?

[dkCambridgeshire]

47 minutes ago, Shu_downunder said:

My 21-35 performs poorly on my a7. After adding an auto focus lens to the a7, I do need a good platform for my R lenses. Is SL really better than much later bodies like a7iii or Canon R6?

No definitive answer ... each camera has its strengths ... and not so good points ... maybe buy a cheap R to L adapter and try before you buy.  Sony cameras tend to be superseded more frequently than Leica ... GOBE/URTH list an R to L mount adapter for £26 . Leica R 21-35mm does not have a good performance reputation when used on the SL601.

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/315170-r-lens-for-sl-landscape-general/?do=findComment&comment=4103728

'Legacy' ultrawide lenses tend not to perform so well on modern mirrorless cameras ... telecentricity issues can compromise edge performance. However, The Leica R 19mm Mk II seems to be OK ... maybe the fact it's a relatively late 'prime' (as distinct from zoom) ultrawide  design ... and maybe more telecentric than older ultrawides, enables a more satisfactory performance.  

 

 

Edited March 23, 2021 by dkCambridgeshire

[Shu_downunder]

1 hour ago, dkCambridgeshire said:

No definitive answer ... each camera has its strengths ... and not so good points ... maybe buy a cheap R to L adapter and try before you buy.  Sony cameras tend to be superseded more frequently than Leica ... GOBE/URTH list an R to L mount adapter for £26 . Leica R 21-35mm does not have a good performance reputation when used on the SL601.

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/315170-r-lens-for-sl-landscape-general/?do=findComment&comment=4103728

'Legacy' ultrawide lenses tend not to perform so well on modern mirrorless cameras ... telecentricity issues can compromise edge performance. However, The Leica R 19mm Mk II seems to be OK ... maybe the fact it's a relatively late 'prime' (as distinct from zoom) ultrawide  design ... and maybe more telecentric than older ultrawides, enables a more satisfactory performance.  

 

 

Oh, that's something I really need to know. Thanks.