Upgrading or Adding Modern M Lenses ?

[Frase]

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2 minutes ago, pedaes said:

OK

 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Detachable-6-bit-Code-Leica-M-Mount-Lens-Adapter-35-135-35mm-135mm-M8-M9-6-hole/151941713820?hash=item23606e8f9c:g:FoUAAOSwpDdVP0yB

Good luck!

Alright I get it you don't want to do it, all I did was after you asked was show you where you can buy the mounts, maybe its not for you but in the past I have converted several M lenses to use on M9 and had no problems!

[pedaes]

16 minutes ago, Frase said:

Alright I get it you don't want to do it, all I did was after you asked was show you where you can buy the mounts, maybe its not for you but in the past I have converted several M lenses to use on M9 and had no problems!

Sorry Frase, was not suggesting it was wrong. If it works for you, great. 

All uncoded lens will 'work' on a M9 (or other digital body) without coding - which is only realy relevant (apart from EXIF data) for lenses wider than 50mm. Using the menu gives same result. There is then the more technical issue of whether  a lens can be adjusted to the finer focus tollerence needed for a sensor - the thickness of film emulsion giving greater latitude for focus.

Edited January 3, 2020 by pedaes

[SonomaBear]

1 hour ago, Frase said:

If you want 6bit coding just change the mounts yourself, cheap and easy.

Thank you Frase... I noticed several models that vary (I think) by the desired frame lines in the rangefinder.  While Im using an SL, hence no frame lines, I'd still get the proper mount plate.  Is this your experience?  I'll do this on a 28, a 50, a 90, and a 135...

My 50mm screw mount? Found it on eBay!   Fotofox: NEW 6-Bit Code Leica M39 LTM lens to M Mount L/M Adapter 50-75 mm M8 M9 M-240

Edited January 3, 2020 by SonomaBear
add screw mount discovery

[Frase]

4 minutes ago, pedaes said:

Sorry Frase, was not suggesting it was wrong. If it works for you, great. 

All uncoded lens will 'work' on a M9 (or other digital body) without coding - which is only realy relevant (apart from EXIF data) for lenses wider than 50mm. Using the menu gives same result. There is then the more technical issue of whether  a lens can be adjusted to the finer focus tollerence needed for a sensor - the thickness of film emulsion giving greater latitude for focus.

no problem

[Frase]

4 minutes ago, SonomaBear said:

Thank you Frase... I noticed several models that vary (I think) by the desired frame lines in the rangefinder.  While Im using an SL, hence no frame lines, I'd still get the proper mount plate.  Is this your experience?  I'll do this on a 28, a 50, a 90, and a 135...

{what to do with my 50mm screw mount?}

Its really where the holes are for the screws thats important, the only lens I couldn't do was a pre-aspherical Summilux 35mm that has a different kind of mount. I always measured the thickness of the mounts too make sure they were the same as the originals not sure if this is as important as you are using live view rather than a rangefinder. I converted all summicrons 28,35,50 and a 90. I don't have any of the lenses anymore only the 35mm as thats all I use on my M9. As for the screwmount 50mm I have a canon 50mm 1.2 and I bought a 6bit screw adapter for that and code it as a Noctilux (I think). With all these 'projects' its worth remembering there is a bit of sample variation but they are so cheap its worth a try, I would maybe try them on a film body first a few times before the SL. There is an ebay called jinfinance you could try there. Just make sure you have a good set of screwdrivers and if it doesn't work you can always reverse it!

[adan]

18 hours ago, SonomaBear said:

1. Generally, do newer (six bit) lenses deliver the same "glow" as their older counterparts?  The oldies resolve so beautifully!  And are more than merely sharp.

2. Do modern Summarit lenses suffer (Image & build quality) compared to newer Elmarit and Summicrons?  Or are new lenses too "surgical" and lacking Leica renderings?

On the whole, post-1990 Leica M lens do look different. More contrast and less spherical aberration (less "glow"), sometimes more resolution (or at least a better balance between center resolution and corner resolution), pinker color balance.

It is my experience that the Summarit (and even the regular modern) short teles have shorter focus throws. This makes them faster to focus, but harder to focus precisely. I find the longer, slower throw of the 1980s 75s, 90s and 135s nails focus more often, especially at larger apertures. But that is a "rangefinder thing" - may be less important on an SL.

In some cases, I prefer the "last of the Mandler lenses," introduced about 1980±, as being the sweet spot between "old character" and "modern resolution." "Leitz, not Leica." And mostly "Canada, not Germany."  

Just about all the lenses back to 1980 have the thinner, modern mounts that can be upgraded (35 Summilux and 135 Tele-Elmar being the exceptions). A few lenses with the thin mount date back to 1970 or so and can also be upgraded.

Go to this Leica site, and you can download a .pdf list of the lenses supported for 6-bit upgrades (see first item):

https://us.leica-camera.com/Photography/Leica-M/M-System-Service

[farnz]

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4 hours ago, jaeger said:

SL cannot select crop mode?  ...

Yes the SL offers both full frame and APS-C modes.

4 hours ago, lct said:

It can but only for jpegs AFAIK. I have no experience with the SL though.

When APS-C sensor format is selected the SL records APS-C pictures in both jpeg and DNG in APS-C format.  (I've just confirmed it with my SL.) 

Full frame jpeg = full frame

Full frame DNG = full frame

APS-C jpeg = APS-C format

APS-C DNG = APS-C format

Pete.

Edited January 3, 2020 by farnz

[jaapv]

On 1/3/2020 at 2:31 AM, jaeger said:

I'm so surprise someone actually likes Summilux 24.  It's my favorite lens but most ppl dislike it.  If he's using SL, it will become 35mm in crop mode. 

It is the focal length - a large number of photographers seem to prefer 28 or 21. I don't.

It was the same with the superb Elmarit 24  ASPH- Erwin Puts is positively lyrical about it, yet it was not a huge success - less than 20.000 sold.