Leica R7 lens compatibility

[J514QC]

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Hi,

 

I just got a leica r7 and I have trouble browsing the used lens market.

 

I got that the lens marked M mount are not compatible with the R series but beside that I see a lot of misleading ads for the same lens, some say M mount some dont specify it.

 

Is there a list of compatible leica lens and third party options like the voigtlander that would mount and focus to infinity.

 

Thanks, ans any tips on the R7 would be appreciated too

I have a canon backgroud so FD vs EF is a little less confusing

[jaapv]

I see that you are totally confused. An R7 is an SLR camera and takes R lenses, an M camera is a rangefinder camera and takes M lenses. Two totally different mounts. However, the lenses themselves are often identical optically and carry the same names, except for the R or M suffix. To complicate matters more, modern digital Leica cameras can use R lenses through an adapter. In your case, stick to lenses advertised as "Leica R". Voigtländer lenses won't fit on an R body.

[earleygallery]

Also you need 3 cam, 'R' only or ones listed as 'ROM' lenses to use on your R7 (ROM was for the later R8/9 and refers to electrical contacts on the ROM lenses but they are otherwise the same as 'R' only lenses).

 

Voigtlander never made any R lenses. You can however buy a Tamron Leica R adaptor and use their Adaptall ll lenses.

[J514QC]

So I can mount R - RON lens that have electronic connection even if the R7 dosent share the data ?

 

Its kinda pointless to spend the extra money for a lens that features stuff that you camera cannot see ?

 

I Found my 2 lens the 27mm 2.8 and I still need to figure out whats the deal with the variation of the 50mm F2, seems like there is a couple version for the R mount.

 

You know witch one would pair best with the R7, any specefic version to look forward.

[TomB_tx]

For the 50mm look for a Summicron-R with built-in hood (slide out) and 55mm filter size. No sense paying extra for a ROM version for your camera, so either "3 cam" or "R cam" will work fine (both have the R cam).

The earlier Summicron-R had a clip on hood and took series 6 slip in filters. It also had different optics - still good, but the later is better. (I have both. the one I bought in 1969 (early version) is also more prone to flare, as they improved coatings on the later one.)

[jaapv]

So I can mount R - RON lens that have electronic connection even if the R7 dosent share the data ?

 

Its kinda pointless to spend the extra money for a lens that features stuff that you camera cannot see ?

 

I Found my 2 lens the 27mm 2.8 and I still need to figure out whats the deal with the variation of the 50mm F2, seems like there is a couple version for the R mount.

 

You know witch one would pair best with the R7, any specefic version to look forward.

There is little price difference between ROM and non-ROM lenses for the simple reason that it adds little functionality, even on the R8 and R9. Any  Summicron 50 is a great lens. Forget the system you came from; all Leica lenses are high quality. The differences are variations in rendering, not in basic quality. Just take care that you buy the mount variations ( being the vast majority of lenses offered) that James mentioned - although older lenses can be adapted, it is not worth the hassle.

[earleygallery]

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The only difference with ROM lenses versus non ROM was a chip that told the R8/R9 about which lens was mounted. It's of no use on an R7 but I mentioned them so that you know they will work on your camera as sometimes they'll be advertised as just ROM and could cause confusion to a newcomer like yourself.

 

As Jaap said the price difference is minimal, although as the ROM lenses were the last ones to be made you might find some in better condition than an earlier non ROM lens.

[masjah]

If you can find a ROM version (that is to say R cam plus ROM chip) of a desired lens at a  reasonably small premium over a 3 cam or R cam only, I would always pay the bit extra and get the ROM version. This is because

(a) they are likely to be newer, and therefore possibly in better condition (as James says)

(b )if you were in the future to move up to an R8 or R9, you would get optimal performance.

[J514QC]

Thanks a lot for the quick feedback !

 

My sister will get married in a couple of week and my order for the summicron f2 ( made in canada ) 302xxx serial should make it on time !

Ill go buy a R to EF adapter to pair the 50 with my canon 6D and throw away my canon 50 !

 

Thanks a lot, now back to reading the whole R subforum.

[earleygallery]

Thanks a lot for the quick feedback !

 

My sister will get married in a couple of week and my order for the summicron f2 ( made in canada ) 302xxx serial should make it on time !

Ill go buy a R to EF adapter to pair the 50 with my canon 6D and throw away my canon 50 !

 

Thanks a lot, now back to reading the whole R subforum.

 

I wouldn't be so hasty in throwing away your Canon 50. Whilst I also use my R lenses on Canon bodies there are time I prefer to have AF and full aperture use/metering. I'm assuming you want an R to EOS adaptor.

 

You will also find that AE doesn't work reliably with R lenses, the camera tends to overexpose as you stop down. You get used to it and either compensate or use manual.

[J514QC]

I wouldn't be so hasty in throwing away your Canon 50. Whilst I also use my R lenses on Canon bodies there are time I prefer to have AF and full aperture use/metering. I'm assuming you want an R to EOS adaptor.

 

You will also find that AE doesn't work reliably with R lenses, the camera tends to overexpose as you stop down. You get used to it and either compensate or use manual.

 

Thanks, its the 1.8 at 100$ no point to sell it I will keep it but you know ...

For the R to EOS adaptor I bought one that lock the lens on the adaptor for 30$ on ebay.

 

At least with the canon Ill see right away if the shot is underexposed and with raw thats not really a concern, Im more worried about the metering acuracy of the R7 body since you only find out when it too late and my first film is gonna be the wedding, no time to test YOLO.

 

The leica lens on canon body will be used for portrait and when I have the time to manual focus, but even with canon FD lens I had to manual focus and I kinda always have the time to focus right, im not really into run and gunning. Thats a huge part why I went to the late R system, kind of the last full manual stuff with some modern tools and not too old in age.

 

When im outdoor and have time, I would often pick the digital cam at same exposure, iso, shutter to see the exposition outcome before shooting with the same setting on film. It really help me out to learn how to use and understand the light meter on film canon camera, ill plan to do the samething for the leica, cant go wrong with that.

Edited April 30, 2018 by Julienmm