Leica R adapter -- just a tube?

[AZN]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

8 minutes ago, ramarren said:

It’s not a concern: Both are excellent quality. [snip] R Adapter L, the electronic interface nets benefits (lens code and ROM recognition) that third party adapters don’t. 

FWIW the electronics in my first R Adapter L went beserk after only a month of use.  Got it replaced under warranty and the 2nd one has been working fine.

[John Robinson]

I have tested Leica M lenses on a Leica SL using the Leica M-Adapter L.  The exif data and lens profiles are transferred to the file either when the lens is recognised from the six-bit codes or input in case of lenses without the codes.  Most of the M lenses I tested had profiles transferred (detected in Lightroom) with some exceptions.  For example, the Elmarit-M 1:2.8/21 gets Exif data into the file but no profile.  Note that, with the M-Adapter L on the SL, it is not possible to manually select R lenses.  (I understand there may be a Leica R-Adapter M that has a six bit code enabling R profiles but I don't have one hence can't confirm.)

I have tested a range of Leica R lenses on the SL using a Novoflex  "dumb" adapter and the Leica R-Adapter L.  With the Novoflex, no Exif codes are transferred even when the lens is selected manually, nor any profiles (according to Lightroom).  With the Leica adapter, Exif codes and profiles are transferred.  There is a warning about using old "2-cam" lenses on the Leica adapter as the cams may damage the ROM contacts in the adapter.  In this case, it is safer to use the Novoflex, or alternately, modify the lens to remove the cams (a reasonably simple job with the correct screwdrivers and a steady hand).  Removing the cams of course would mean no intention of using the lens on a Leica film SLR.

Perhaps Leica might consider a firmware upgrade for the SL that allows Exif data and lens profiles to be transferred when manually input whilst using a "dumb" adapter?

There is also a simple fix using Exiftool to write the lens data into the file (command-line is easier than the GUI) if the intention is only to know which lens was on the camera at the time of shooting.

 

Edited July 4, 2020 by John Robinson

[nicci78]

Not a chance. Leica is a small company and does not want to die. 
If you want the whole benefits of their automatic software corrections and specially designed for M & R lenses filter stack. You will need to buy a Leica L-mount body + a Leica Adapter + Leica M or R lenses. 
Then you will get automatic recognition through 6-bit coding or ROM. Or you have to manually select your lens in a drop down menu. 
 

So buy their adapters once. Then keep them for life. They are absolutely the best in build quality. Even Novoflex ones look like toys in comparison. 

[John Robinson]

I completely agree that the best option to put a Leica lens (R or M) onto an SL is via the Leica adapter (R-Adapter L, M-Adapter L or -- as some have suggested -- a R-Adapter M stacked onto an M-Adapter L).  After all, the cost of the adapter is likely to be a fraction of the cost of the lenses, if one owns several of them or even one particularly valuable example.

The Leica M-Adapter L was easily found but I had to wait almost six months with the R-Adapter L on back-order before I could test it and had obtained the Novoflex as a stop-gap.  The Novoflex is precision-engineered and by no means cheap, but obviously lacks the electronic interface with the camera and lens.

What I discovered was an interesting feature of the way the SL works with the "dumb" adapter.  All of the M and R lenses coded into the camera are available for selection on the menu but nothing else happens as a consequence of the selection:  no Exif data is exported into the DNG file; no lens profile (if one exists) is embedded.  This begs the question of whether it is a fault in the firmware, or an intentional feature (the camera needs the presence of the electronic interface to pass the data to the file).  If the latter case, then there is no obvious point in selecting the lens, unless the camera is applying the profile at the point of exposure but not writing it into the file.

Perhaps someone with more detailed knowledge of the Leica firmware can shed some light on this.

To recap:  the Leica adapters are worth every penny but it would be useful to know what is the intention behind enabling lens selection when using a "dumb" adapter.

[aksclix]

hello folks - I am using the 350mm f4.8 R lens with the Novoflex adapter on my SL2. I cannot get the focus peaking to work with this lens.. any idea how I can get it to work? It's a must-have feature for me to be able to use these lenses effectively.. magnification at 350mm is just too hard for me.. that said, I still managed to get a few decent shots.. here's one.  

 

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!

[masjah]

On 10/7/2020 at 12:25 AM, aksclix said:

hello folks - I am using the 350mm f4.8 R lens with the Novoflex adapter on my SL2. I cannot get the focus peaking to work with this lens.. any idea how I can get it to work? It's a must-have feature for me to be able to use these lenses effectively.. magnification at 350mm is just too hard for me.. that said, I still managed to get a few decent shots.. here's one.  

 

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!

Just to point out the obvious in the very unlikely event that you are not doing everything you need to do. You need to enable focus peaking in the apropriate menu item (you can select high or low sensitivity, and then you have to select the appropriate viewfinder display option to show it, by cycling the FN button until it appears. Also, have you chosen the R lens from the available list (or the closest if your one is not listed) especially since you are not using an actual Leica adapter. I've no idea if this is required. (I'm new to the SL2 so these things are all I can suggest.)

[aksclix]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Yes @masjah I was so blind that I could not see the peaking although it was there 😁 it was very faint but when I continued playing around more I noticed it peaking.. the subject needs to be contrasts enough I guess.. 

[masjah]

2 hours ago, aksclix said:

Yes @masjah I was so blind that I could not see the peaking although it was there 😁 it was very faint but when I continued playing around more I noticed it peaking.. the subject needs to be contrasts enough I guess.. 

That is good! You could experiment with the sensitivity setting in the menu. If you set it to high, you get an edge illumination over far too great a focus range. But if you've got an inherently low contrast lens, it may be worth trying. It's also worth experimenting with focusing at max aperture and then stopping down; the lower depth of field gives a more acute delineation of when things are in focus. Finally, a different edge colour might suit you better.

[hamey]

Personally both the Leica R to SL and the Novaflex are dumb adapters, just because the over priced  Leica version transfers the Exif data doesn't make it smart.

What I consider very smart is my newly acquired 58 USD Fotodiox lens mount adapter for my Leica R to Canon EOS.

What so special about it, well it confirms focus confirmation by  notifying me by an audible beep beep and a steady green light in the viewfinder when in focus, just like a Canon lens does, very smart in deed.

I have used it on all my R lenses and all modes on the Canon and it WORKS. 

Two Images, one with the adapter on my 28-90mm lens and the other a shot taken of my lawn mower with focus confirmation applied.

Also it can remain on the EOS body, just attach the R lenses and you are good to go.

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!

[AKW]

Does anyone have experience with URTH adapters?

https://eu.mygobe.com/products/leica-r-lens-mount-to-leica-l-camera-mount?variant=35532462391464&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google Shopping&currency=EUR&gclid=Cj0KCQiA2af-BRDzARIsAIVQUOcMCu0LpF4AAP9BEjDNmexRUs0kzW_NEGvbxACXIl5tq2UpjhAqh6gaAmvMEALw_wcB

[Radek]

any experiences on lumix bodies?