Do ROM R lenses transmit EXIF if use R-M and M-T/L adapters?

[Docderm]

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I am trying to decide if there is any benefit for me in getting ROM vs the less costly non-ROM R lenses to use on my SL. 

 

I am using first an R to M and then an M to T adapters to attach the R lens to the camera. 

 

Will the camera see the EXIF DATA sent in from the ROM contacts: focal length, F stop, ??

Will this data be used by the camera to set the auto iso according to the focal length of the attached R lens? 

Will the data appear in the Metadata/EXIF data digitally attached to the image? 

 

Thanks!

DocDerm

 

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[scott kirkpatrick]

Only the Leica R to L (one step) adapter will automatically pass focal length data to the SL for use in setting auto ISO minimum shutter speed and writing the EXIF information, using the ROM information.  The two adapter stack will at least notice that you have an R lens mounted, and offer a list from which to choose the lens in use.  No ROM and contacts required.  With current firmware, the list of lenses can be edited down to only the ones you own, but if you forget to call up the lens profiles and select the correct one, the camera will assume that you are using whatever was last identified this way.

 

scott

[Leicaiste]

Looking back at my experience with the SL since December 2015, first together with the two stacked adapters, and then with the R Adapter-SL, I would never recommend to buy any non-ROM Vario zoom to be mounted on the SL.

 

I have used the ROM 28-90 with the SL since the beginning and the ease of use was vastly improved by the ROM transmission of the actual focal length.

 

And regarding fixed focal lenses, I don't have to worry anymore about forgetting to change the setting in the SL list of R lenses.

 

Like when I switch from the 19v2 to the 80/1,4 or 180/2,8.

 

With the R adapter-SL, my rate of blurred pictures has certainly dropped.

 

Now, if I hadn't kept my R lenses ROM, I would have used the SL only with my M lenses (6 bit).

[Robert E]

Docderm, you may be disappointed after spending $750 USD on the adapter. I bit the bullet and did so because I too wanted to use the many R mount lenses out there, instead of my smaller M lenses on my SL. Previously I used the Leica M to L adapter and the coded M lenses would automatically be registered correctly. But of course that was all the info that was passed on to the camera. ( there is no way an M lens can transmit f stop settings. On the M240, this was only an estimate done by the software )

My first lens on the new Leica R to L adapter was my R 35-70 zoom (Made in Germany) with no ROM contacts. It was easy to set the lens in the menu so that when the adapter was present it would default to that zoom lens. Recently I just acquired a like new R 50mm Summicron with the ROM contacts. These lenses will cost you almost twice what a non-ROM version of the same would cost. So, I was excited to finally have a lens that would transmit all the correct data to the EXIF file. Boy was I disappointed.

The only info you can rely on being transferred is the lens model and focal length. When I put the 50 cron on the L adapter, the menu immediately recognized it as the 50 it was. But when I shot at f5.6 it registered f4, when I shot at f8, it registered f5.6 or 6.4. None of the actual f stop settings registered correctly. I posted this info elsewhere on the Leica forum and another user posted that it never would be accurate, it would only be close. 

So in reality, don't expect too much EXIF info to be accurate, other than the focal length of the lens. Personally, I'm starting to look for non-ROM R lenses that will save me a lot of money, and just set the focal length in the menu manually.  

[Docderm]

Thanks Robert E for the clarification

DocDerm

[scott kirkpatrick]

Well, you have heard both views now.  As a long-time digital M user, I am comfortable with the approximate estimate of the aperture in use, since the M EXIF passes that information along.  The SL does no better, but it is useful although still approximate.  The M10 suppresses this information, leaving it out of the EXIF, just to avoid disappointing customers who had expected something that the camera cannot do.  I agree with Leicaiste -- I have several R lenses, all late editions with ROM.   I like having the focal length set automatically, and correctly for zooms.

 

scott

[caissa]

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Only the single adapter does transmit the ROM data, Technically the answer is clear.

But is it better to buy ROM lenses or rather not ?

If you already have them, it is technically better if they have ROM - even though not all lenses or zooms deliver meaningful infos.

Only the newest version of lenses built around 2000 and later have valid ROM info. (I do not know the exact date, maybe somebody does ?)

And these lenses are typically ridiculously expensive. On a level similar to new Leica SL lenses. E.g. the old R 28-90 often costs more than the brand new SL 24-90 which has many added features. A second-hand 24-90 is usually 30% cheaper.

So I cannot recommend to buy these ROM versions, as they are usually overprized. (in ebay)

Some older lenses have been equipped with ROM later, but often these ROM data are not too useful (for example only stating one focal length for the whole range of a zoom).

I expect these prices to drop significantly when Leica offers more native primes/lenses. After all the IQ of the new SL lenses is clearly improved. Unfortunately Leica is not in a hurry  .....

 

As stated above - it is quite disappointing, unless you have only the very latest in R zooms. 

Can somebody make a list which zooms do deliver "dynamic" data about the current focal length ?

R 21-35                yes

R 28-90                yes

R 2.8/35-70          yes

R 4/35-70 macro   no ?

R 4/80-200           no ?

R 105-280            no ?   (only a single focal length) 

R 2.8/70-180        yes ?

R 28-70                no

 

any others ?  Please edit if this is wrong.

[AZach]

R 4/35-70 macro sends exact focal length.

[ramarren]

I don't use adapted zoom lenses. 

 

Nearly all of my R lenses are 3cam models. The two adapter stack was available and acquired before I even received my SL. I've used the lenses on the SL since day one, setting the lens profile each time I switched lenses. SL firmware v2 improved on this by allowing me to limit the number of choices in the lens profile list. I also set the R lens profile defaults for each of my user configurations so that just selecting which setup I want the camera to be configured for elects my most likely R lens for that configuration. This has worked splendidly for me to embed the lens name and focal length into the EXIF data, which is really all I'm after there. I knew at the outset that any aperture reportage would be an estimate only unless I used a dedicated lens. 

 

Since I have no ROM lenses, there are two reasons why I might choose to buy the R Adapter L:

• Vignetting : With very long focal lengths, very wide focal lengths, and long extension macro work, the small Leica M mount diameter opening behind the R lens causes a certain amount of inescapable vignetting because these lenses were designed to be used with a mounting flange more than 10mm larger. It is not a big deal in normal photographic situations but it is an issue when doing work that requires corner to corner performance. 
• Rigidity : A year and a half of use and the excellent quality of this adapter stack is shown: lenses mount firmly and solidly, with no movement or shifting evident in the plane of the sensor. However, there is a small amount of on-axis rotational motion possible due to normal fit and tolerances of the mount locking pin and slot mechanisms. This does not affect stability of the lens or image quality, but it can be disconcerting to feel; it has increased a small amount since the adapters were new. The R Adapter L removes one flange/bayonet coupling and the result is a stiffer, tighter, more solid feel in use. Again, not a big deal, but over time clearances are bound to increase a small amount and the more rigid, fewer interstices of the improved coupling inspire more confidence in use.

My lens use with the SL is changing. I've come to appreciate the SL zoom lenses for this camera: both their exemplary performance and the improved function of the camera when using them (greater metering range, access to all of the exposure modes, improved hand-holdability due to the image stabilization, etc) has led me to use some of my R lenses now as trade value to acquire the SL90-280 dedicated zoom. For the remaining uses with R lenses ... ultra wide, normal shooting with a compact prime, and macro work with bellows and macro lenses ... the two adapter stack will continue to suffice for me. I am expecting that most of my use of the SL camera will continue to migrate to using the two SL zooms even more exclusively, such are their advantages on this body.