Digilux 3 and R lenses in practise and some technical issues

[jgriffter]

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Peter, you seem so knowledgable about the R lenses. Do know if the Vario- Elmar-R, F 4.5 , 80-200mm 3 Cam lens will fit the R mount adaptor for the Digilux 3? Thanks, Ben

 

Ben

 

I have used the Leica V-E 75-200 4.5 with the R adapter (fotodiox brand) with the D3 and it works fine. I belive my lens is a minor variant of the one you have (minolta manufactured, Leica branded).

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[rougewave]

Ben

 

I have used the Leica V-E 75-200 4.5 with the R adapter (fotodiox brand) with the D3 and it works fine. I belive my lens is a minor variant of the one you have (minolta manufactured, Leica branded).

John do you lnow which model is the adaptor? Is it the Leica R to Olymous 4/3 ? Thanks, Ben

[Riley]

Nice review.

 

The idea behind the 2x factor in DOF with 35mm lenses is that you will use consistent framing. That means that if you use a 100mm f/2 lens on a 35mm camera, and a 50mm f/2 lens on a 4/3 camera, you will get near-identical results. On the other hand, given that the depth of field is proportional to the distance to the subject squared, if you use a 50mm f/2 lens from a 35mm system on a 4/3 camera, you will have to be twice as far away to get the same framing, and thus the depth of field is four times as great, or two aperture stops higher. The lens doesn't know what camera it is on, of course, it is simply the chosen framing which causes this effect.

 

yes thats very true

however true equivalence with 35mmFF requires that the shutter be the same too

Indeed, the following body + lens combinations give the same DOF in a given light situation (for same shutter speeds) :

 

FF @ iso 1600 + 50mm @ f/8

4/3rd @ iso 400 + 25mm @ f/4

 

Note the differences in iso values. The smaller the sensor, the lower the iso level can be. The difference in noise levels between these alternatives will not be all that much noticeable. This is just a random example to show that the widespread habit of comparing high iso samples between systems with different sensor sizes is enormously misleading.

 

The advantage of bigger sensors is that they typically come with larger lens mounts, thus enabling larger apertures and more shallow DOF, which can be useful in some situations to avoid going into even higher iso values. They also typically have brighter VF. Downside is portability and, also typically, cost.

 

So the sensor size dilemma is about choosing viewfinder comfort and shallow DOF possibilities on one side, and portability and often budget on the other side. Not so much about noise.

[zapp]

The metering problem in viewfinder mode may have a simple cause. Sigma SD cameras relate the metered exposure to f/5.6 even if you put a f/2 lens in front. When working with manual aperture setting the camera can not know what other f-stop you use from f/5.6. So, for accurate metering you would need to stop down to f/5.6 or you will be off by as many f-stops as you are off from f/5.6. The D3 may suffer from the same problem. Somebody may want to check it out.

[JasonSF]

Hi All,

 

I have been using R lenses on my D3 for a few months now and love it! Again like many, if I use the viewfinder they are mostly out of focus. I like that soft look on portraits ( one here Photography Monthly - For Digital and Film Photographers - Readers' pictures by jason ferrando) so use F1.4. As the live view shows the DOF I nearly always use that, unless shooting fast moving objects.

 

I had hoped that R9 DMR would be easier to focus so bought one 2 weeks ago. I have the same problem, only getting around 1 shot in every 30 that is in focus (by accident I imagine) although the viewfinder is bigger and bright, when using a big aperture with small DOF it is very hard to focus. Infact, my results using the R lenses on the Digilux 3 and live view were a million miles better. (R9DMR now on ebay)

[rougewave]

Hi All,

 

I have been using R lenses on my D3 for a few months now and love it! Again like many, if I use the viewfinder they are mostly out of focus. I like that soft look on portraits ( one here Photography Monthly - For Digital and Film Photographers - Readers' pictures by jason ferrando) so use F1.4. As the live view shows the DOF I nearly always use that, unless shooting fast moving objects.

 

I had hoped that R9 DMR would be easier to focus so bought one 2 weeks ago. I have the same problem, only getting around 1 shot in every 30 that is in focus (by accident I imagine) although the viewfinder is bigger and bright, when using a big aperture with small DOF it is very hard to focus. Infact, my results using the R lenses on the Digilux 3 and live view were a million miles better. (R9DMR now on ebay)

 

Jason,you should re consider the R9/DMR. It takes some time to get used to. Have to calibrated the viewfinder and/or tried to use the eye cup to get "better vision". I went thru the same frustrations, but when it all worked itself out out it was a revelation, just how sharp & exacting the R lenses are with the DMR. I'm glad you are experimenting with the R glass & the D3. Great combo. I think that kit works great at night. I use my Summix 50mm on the D3 at night wide open with fantastic results. Once you compare the images with those captured on the DMR however, it's a different universe. I hope you give it another try. All the best, Ben

[dhsimmonds]

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Jason

I agree with Ben, the R8/9 with DMR does take a little while to get the hang of but practise does make perfect in the end. Keep at it and you will find that 1 out of 30 images sharp will turn out to be 1/30 soft!

 

Check out some of the wildlife images by Doug Herr on this board from time to time. Very difficult subject matter but his images are all absolutely pin sharp.

[ryee3]

I just started to use the R lenses on my Digilux3 and found focusing to be problematic. I am hoping the magnifyer will be helpful and this is on order. Any other rapid focusing tips? I would like to do action and rapid manual accurate focusing has been still a problem. Thanks for any suggestions.

[ASpes]

I just started to use the R lenses on my Digilux3 and found focusing to be problematic. I am hoping the magnifyer will be helpful and this is on order. Any other rapid focusing tips? I would like to do action and rapid manual accurate focusing has been still a problem. Thanks for any suggestions.

 

I cannot offer tips as manual focusing on the D/3 as this is not my cup of tea, but many do so I guess it's maybe a matter of practice.

 

Only advice I can add is have a look at the Katz-Eye screens, they offer focusing the old way with a microprism collar and a split prism in the centre. According to a friend of mine it works pretty well, he went for it as soon as they released it for this camera about a couple years ago, and is still quite happy with it. (Btw, he suggests as worthwhile the more expensive OptiBrite version, as it makes the finder much brighter.)

Contrary to other cameras, you cannot install the screen yourself as apparently the D/3 needs some careful calibration to focus correctly, but they offer an installation service, or you can buy the screen and have it installed by a Leica or Panasonic service closer to you.

 

Leica DSLRs - Katz Eye Optics

 

Hope this helps.