R lenses on SL

[tpf1952]

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Apologies if this post has already been covered too many times - but I just covered an event using a combination of SL and R lenses on the SLs and the R lenses were a joy to use of the SL. The Elmarit R 28 v2 ROM and Summicron R 50 ROM were both mounted via the Leica R to SL adapter. The view through the SL EVF is of course stunning, aperture ring on the lens barrel, weight and mass more in scale with the size of the camera: it's like rediscovering what the SL can do. Nice job, Leica.

 

Tom

 

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[scott kirkpatrick]

Covered many times, yes, by Godfrey diG (Ramarren) especially well, but it is worth pointing out that Leica really has lived up to its promise that the R investment would not be abandoned.

Edited May 26, 2018 by scott kirkpatrick

[robgo2]

I could not agree more. R lenses perform very well on the SL and are really fun to use. They are larger in size than M lenses and require a larger adapter, but they balance well on the camera. Closer minimum focusing distance can be a definite advantage in some situations. The IQ is simply beautiful and classic. Right now, I have four R lenses that have become favorites. The current offerings of SL lenses are simply too large and heavy for me to schlepp around all day. I am waiting for Summicron (f2) primes. Then I will consider diving in.

 

Rob

[MikelM10]

............. it's like rediscovering what the SL can do. Nice job, Leica.

 

Tom

+1 on that comment Tom. I've recently invested in a range of R lenses and have been surprised at their quality and suitability fo the SL. I'm still getting used to them, but they've put more than one smile on my face already. I was using the dual adaptor stack ( R-M-L ) but I've managed to find an R-L adaptor, which helps with the longer focal lengths. I've been able to find late 28, 50, 80, 180 and 280 ROM lenses and I'm giving them all a run at the moment. So far, so good :-)

[tobey bilek]

It is still mirrorless no matter what you hang on the front.  I get dizzy looking thru it.

 

My 5 retained R lenses have Nikon mounts,  28 & 35 PC,  21 4.0,  60 2.8  100 APO.  My friend just bought mint 180 2.8 and 280 4.0 and his Nikon mounts are on order.

[MikelM10]

It is still mirrorless no matter what you hang on the front.  I get dizzy looking thru it.

 

My 5 retained R lenses have Nikon mounts,  28 & 35 PC,  21 4.0,  60 2.8  100 APO.  My friend just bought mint 180 2.8 and 280 4.0 and his Nikon mounts are on order.

 

Which Nikon Mount are you using?

[Steve McGarrett]

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Good luck at focusing them wide open on a digital Nikon body

I've tried it when ff mirrorless didn't exist: never again, thank you.

[MikelM10]

Which Nikon Mount are you using?

Sorry Tobeh. I confused myself. I thought you were saying you were using a Nikon mount adaptor. I wasn't aware you could get Nikon mounts for R lenses.

[ramarren]

Sorry if the SL makes you dizzy. That is no reflection on the SL, just a statement of a disorder in your vision. I would talk to an opthalmologist about it, it might be curable. 

 

I had just purchased a Nikon D750 when the Leica SL was announced. Three of my R lenses I'd just converted to Nikon mount flanges. 

 

I hated using them on the Nikon. Without auto-return diaphragm, they were such a pain in the butt I just never wanted to deal with them. 

 

I converted the lenses back to Leica R mount and used them with my Leicaflex SL until the Leica SL arrived. I fitted them on the mount adapter for the SL ... and never again used the Nikon D750. I sold it a year later, after it was recalled and refurbished by Nikon twice. I was very disappointed by the D750, its controls were way too complicated and the viewfinder was substandard compared to the Leicaflex SL or Leica R8.

 

Leica R lenses remain truly excellent lenses. Although I'm downsizing my kit by quite a lot and have sold off many of my R lenses, and my SL kit, I'm keeping my core set (Elmarit-R 19mm v1, Summicron and Summilux 50mm, Macro-Elmarit 60mm, Summicron 90, Macro-Elmar-R 100mm, and Elmar-R 180mm ... and the R Adapter M, R Adapter L mount adapters) for continued used on the Leicaflex SL and Leica M; and hopefully on the CL (or CM body when it appears). These lenses simply produce the results I like the most compared to many other lenses I've owned and used, for what I use them for. They've worked beautifully on the Leica SL.