Leica a R lenses on M cameras

[stevegaskin]

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I'm looking for a compact, 'low cost' 35mm preferably 2.8 lens to use the primary lens on an M6 and occasionally with an M10.   I thought I'd found a solution with a Summaron, but you have to use the 'goggles' for accurate focussing, and this option doesn't appeal to me. My questions is, would an 'R' mount work with an adapter, and if so which one would you recommend.  I really wanted something compact but not sure if the R lenses would fulfil that objective (no pun intended).

 

Thanks

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[Pyrogallol]

The 35mm f2.8 Summaron with goggles was for the M3. You don’t need that lens on an M6, not sure what effect the goggles optical attachment will have on the viewfinder of the M6? The non-goggles version is fine for the M6.

That f2.8  Summaron is not necessarily a low cost 35mm lens, a used Voigtlander might be cheaper or a screw thread lens with an adaptor might be cheaper than an M fit lens, eg f3.5 Summaron or a Canon rangefinder lens. I don’t think an R lens would be a practical everyday lens as it would not couple to the rangefinder.

Edited January 27, 2020 by Pyrogallol

[stevegaskin]

5 minutes ago, Pyrogallol said:

The 35mm f2.8 Summaron with goggles was for the M3. You don’t need that lens on an M6, not sure what effect the goggles optical attachment will have on the viewfinder of the M6? The non-goggles version is fine for the M6.

That f2.8  Summaron is not necessarily a low cost 35mm lens, a used Voigtlander might be cheaper. I don’t think an R lens would be a practical everyday lens as it would not couple to the rangefinder.

Hi, thanks for the info’.  Would an LTM lens work with an adapter, i.e would it couple with the rangefinder.  I’m liking the idea of using a vintage Leica lens rather than another brand.

[dkCambridgeshire]

The Summaron 35/2.8 is a very fine lens and was available both with and without goggles … the goggles version is only suitable for the M3 … the non-goggles Summaron 35/2.8 and 35/3.5 lenses will work with any M camera apart from the M3. Beware of the 35/2.8 Summaron currently listed without its goggles … it will not work with non-M3 cameras. 

dunk

[stevegaskin]

Just now, dkCambridgeshire said:

The Summaron 35/2.8 is a very fine lens and was available both with and without goggles … the goggles version is only suitable for the M3 … the non-goggles Summaron 35/2.8 and 35/3.5 lenses will work with any M camera apart from the M3. Beware of the 35/2.8 Summaron currently listed without its goggles … it will not work with non-M3 cameras. 

dunk

Thanks 👍🏻

[Pyrogallol]

Yes, any Leica rangefinder coupled lens from the 1930’s onwards will couple correctly. If you want to use a vintage Leica lens it would be an Elmar or Summaron.

Edited January 27, 2020 by Pyrogallol

[stevegaskin]

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1 minute ago, Pyrogallol said:

Yes, any Leica rangefinder coupled lens from the 1930’s onwards will couple correctly.

Ok thanks, that could be another option. Would I need a Leica made adaptor, are they specific to the lens to be used?

[dkCambridgeshire]

7 minutes ago, stevegaskin said:

Ok thanks, that could be another option. Would I need a Leica made adaptor, are they specific to the lens to be used?

 

[Pyrogallol]

You would need the version of the adaptor designed to bring up the 35mm framelines in the camera body, ideally a Leitz one, but there are cheaper copies available. There are other postings on the subject of screw to M adaptors where the merits of different brands have been debated. A Genuine Leitz one is easy enough to buy.

[earleygallery]

The goggled version of the Summaron can be used on the M6 but only with the goggles. The lens will bring up the 50mm frame lines and the goggles effectively convert it to give a 35mm field of view. I had one I used with my M2 but it's a heavier and bulkier solution which isn't necessary if you don't use an M3.

I swapped for a Voigtlander Skopar 35mm f2.5, a very fine lens IMHO. You can get screw (LTM) or M mount versions. I have an LTM which I use with the appropriate adaptor. 

[jdlaing]

11 minutes ago, stevegaskin said:

Ok thanks, that could be another option. Would I need a Leica made adaptor, are they specific to the lens to be used?

Voigtlander also made a very high quality adapter though hard to find. If you come across one of those grab it up.

[TomB_tx]

One US Voigtlander importer (Camera Quest) now sells the Rayqual ltm-M adapters, since Voigtlander suit making them. The Rayqual are also very good, and have a recess that can be coded for use on digital M cameras. 

[spydrxx]

I'd suggest forgetting the R-M, as mentioned above there is no RF coupling. There are plenty of 35mm lenses out there which not only will couple, but also provide a compact package, if that is what you prefer. There have been lots of discussions of some of the options...their weight, length, rendering (classic, clinical, etc). I suggest you search both the M lenses and Historica forums here for commentary. I'll add a quick one here which is merely my observation. I owned a 35 Summaron /2.8 for many years and loved much about it, but eventually became critical of the sharpness differential between the central area vs edge of the negative. especially when the digital age came along and I could pixel peek. Eventually, I moved on to a Summicron and Summilux, which were exceptional in their clarity...but seemed awfully expensive at a time I needed money...so I sold them. Since I've used a CV Color Skopar 35/2.8 in LTM with an adapter, and been pleased with it to the point that I doubt I'll move to another 35. It is not only cost effective, works on my LTM, M, and m4/3 bodies quite well. It does render in a more modern fashion than the Summaron...IMHO its only drawback other than it uses a ring rather than focus tab.

[stevegaskin]

3 hours ago, spydrxx said:

I'd suggest forgetting the R-M, as mentioned above there is no RF coupling. There are plenty of 35mm lenses out there which not only will couple, but also provide a compact package, if that is what you prefer. There have been lots of discussions of some of the options...their weight, length, rendering (classic, clinical, etc). I suggest you search both the M lenses and Historica forums here for commentary. I'll add a quick one here which is merely my observation. I owned a 35 Summaron /2.8 for many years and loved much about it, but eventually became critical of the sharpness differential between the central area vs edge of the negative. especially when the digital age came along and I could pixel peek. Eventually, I moved on to a Summicron and Summilux, which were exceptional in their clarity...but seemed awfully expensive at a time I needed money...so I sold them. Since I've used a CV Color Skopar 35/2.8 in LTM with an adapter, and been pleased with it to the point that I doubt I'll move to another 35. It is not only cost effective, works on my LTM, M, and m4/3 bodies quite well. It does render in a more modern fashion than the Summaron...IMHO its only drawback other than it uses a ring rather than focus tab.

Thanks for your comprehensive information