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manual focusing behavior of CL with non-native lenses


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I understand that the CL automatically magnifies the central area of the frame during manual focusing and I really like that. To me it is quicker and more convenient than having to hit a button like on the SL, which I have. Does this behavior extend to non-native lenses, like R or M lenses? If so, must one use a Leica-branded lens adapter in order for this to work? And must the R lenses be ROM’d?

 

I use a Leica M mount adapter and a Novoflex R mount adapter.

Edited by cpclee
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It cannot work on M and R lenses as there is no mechanical or electronic coupling between camera body and focus mechanism. However, with the Leica L-M and L-R adapter mounted magnification is activated by a flick of the right thumb wheel. This also works with the L-M adapter plus third-party M-something adapter.

If you start with a non-Leica adapter on the camera, there is a last-resort activation by the arrow keys.

A ROM lens will give a focal length reading in EXIF on the original L-R adapter, but that is all, really. The L-M adapter will read out the six-bit coding. I both cases some minor lens profile may be implemented.

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Only M cameras can do that so far. Some good people here do explain that the L mount is faaar superior to the M one but when you ask them how to do auto zoom with the L mount, they explain that it is faaar too complicated...

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The M-mount isn't obsolete when it comes to a rangefinder camera, but it is extremely obsolete when it comes to a TTL/EVF camera... 

The reason M bodies can do auto-zoom is that they have the rangefinder lever detecting movement of the focusing mount. 

 

The reason M-mount adapters for the SL don't allow auto-zoom is that to build the rangefinder cam and lever, and associated electronics, into the mount adapter would make it too expensive for the advantage it gives (IMO at least). 

 

Of course, I greatly prefer NOT to have auto zoom myself. I've turned it off on every camera I own that offers it as I find it really really annoying to have the FoV jumping around every time I touch the focusing ring... I'd much rather press a button or turn a dial to get a magnification focusing aid when I want it and at no other time: I don't always want it when I'm adjusting the focus because there are times when I'm not looking to see what's sharp, I'm looking to see how the focus is affecting the blur at a given aperture setting. :D

Edited by ramarren
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The M-mount isn't obsolete when it comes to a rangefinder camera, but it is extremely obsolete when it comes to a TTL/EVF camera... 

The reason M bodies can do auto-zoom is that they have the rangefinder lever detecting movement of the focusing mount. 

 

The reason M-mount adapters for the SL don't allow auto-zoom is that to build the rangefinder cam and lever, and associated electronics, into the mount adapter would make it too expensive for the advantage it gives (IMO at least). 

 

Of course, I greatly prefer NOT to have auto zoom myself. I've turned it off on every camera I own that offers it as I find it really really annoying to have the FoV jumping around every time I touch the focusing ring... I'd much rather press a button or turn a dial to get a magnification focusing aid when I want it and at no other time: I don't always want it when I'm adjusting the focus because there are times when I'm not looking to see what's sharp, I'm looking to see how the focus is affecting the blur at a given aperture setting. :D

 

 

ILO as well I suspect :D

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