L1 or D3 with R Lens Metering Help

[lmr]

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I just received my DMC-L1 yesterday. The Camera works great on all functions with the Kit lens. I am having a bit of an issue metering with the Leica R to 4/3 lens adaptor. i.e. I am unable to do any metering with the adaptor on. With the Kit lens... manual mode and manual metering works great.

 

Symptoms:

When I mounted the adaptor with or without a lens and speed aet @ A priority, the speed shows "Bulb".

When I take it to manual exposure I am able to set the speed, but still no metering

I am also unable to see the focus confirmation light blink.

I tried all three metering mode, still nothing

 

Again, with the Kit lenas everything works like a char, but with eteh Leica adaptor, I am unable to meter anything.

 

I am wondering:

 

Is it the Adaptor? It is mechanical... should not affect anything, but...

Is it my Settings? Very likely

Is it the Camera?

More than likely it is me, but that is beside the point

 

I need help.

 

Thank You All In Advance

 

Robert.

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[rsolomon]

i beleive wit the Digilux 3 there was a firmware upgrade to use the adapter for R lenses. is there one for the L1 ?

[karlitos]

There was indeed a FW update for the L1, I suspect this is the cause. I suggest a visit to the Panasonic website. I had most of these issues with the D3 until I got the FW upgrade installed.

 

Karlitos.

[lmr]

I have just did the Firmare update to 2.0 for the L1... Lemme try it again.

 

THANX GUYS!!!

 

I will keep you all posted. I sure hope this works.

[lmr]

Richard and Karlitos... Thank You a BUNCH!

 

It is working as designed... COOL!

 

Now... By any change do you know which lens will hurt the sensor?

 

I have an Old 19/2.8, 28/2.8, 21-35 ROM, 80/1.4, 50/1.4 (ROM). and other newer ones.

 

Again... Thanx guys.

[spylaw4]

As far as I am aware they should not damage the sensor.

Remember to set the very last menu option in the Custom Menu to "Off" (No release without lens). Arguably the centre-weighted average exposure setting seems to be the favoured option.

I found the 28/2.8 to be very good (you'll find some of my photos with it somewhere around). However it had to go to help pay for the D Summilux 25/1.4! There is an increasing number of impressive shots with various R lenses appearing on the forum.

[lmr]

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Brian... Thank you. You do have some great shots from your L1 in your travel.

 

I have a bunch of R lens for my R9, and now I have them for my L1. Cool.

 

I am waiting for the 25 f1.4 to become available in the U.S. Looks like a sweet lens.

 

I did see something strange, may be a hickup... every now and then, the L1 goes crazy with the speed for the R lens... i.e. it becomes way over exposed, f1.4 @ 100 on a bright sunny day with ISO 200. Not taking the reading right. I forgot what I did to remedy it... but it seems to fix itself. Ah well.... I am just waiting for it to occur again.

 

Thank You.

Robert.

[rsolomon]

Robert,

there is an article on the adapter in LFI 3/2007.... i reviewed it quickly and don't see any lenses mentioned as "un recommended"

 

im curious on a couple of items :

 

1 focus confirmation: does this work, does it require ROM R lenses?

2. do 3 cam or ROM lenses have the same features and functions available to them ?

3. how many, if any f stops do you loose with the adapter

4. are you able to focus/meter at maximum apeture and upon shutter release the camera adjusts to proper apeture?

 

thanks

[spylaw4]

@Robert - the 25/1.4 can sometimes be found at B&H - but I understand that you have to pounce fast!

 

@Richard

1. ROM lenses are not needed for focus confirmation

2. AFAIK 3,2,ROM all work the same

3. I presume you mean the R-4/3 adapter - this does not affect the f-stop

4. Nope - you set to manual focus then focus at max. and then manually stop down, although I find you can focus at f-stops down to around 5.6. The camera adjusts the shutter speed accordingly.

[lmr]

I agree with Brian...

 

Richard... the metering is TTL. BUT... it is electronic and do get incorrect at times. In any case.. I still do get incorrect reading using spot metering. It also all depends on the lens used. Every camera line has its own footprint. Shooting at 5.6 and 2.8 @ metered speed has a bit of difference... Strange

 

I need to play more with the camera to learn what can do. I also notice that the focusing takes a bit of getting use to... got some front focus with the 135 f2.8. Not much, but it may be due to movements too.

 

I have been focusing from wide open to about 5.6 or 8. Depending on the light situation.

 

It is now too hot to go outside (102) to play with eth camera...

[audidudi]

Now... By any change do you know which lens will hurt the sensor?

 

The sensor should be safe with pretty much any lens, it's the mirror assembly flopping around that's the problem. That said, I'm using a Voigtlander 12mm/f5.6 Nikon F-mount lens on my L1 via a 4/3->Nikon adapter and the mirror does make contact with the lens each time I fire the shutter. However, this hasn't caused any obvious harm (to either the lens or camera body!) in over 200+ exposures now, so I'm not sure how much of a concern this will be for occasional use.

[lmr]

Jeffrey... Oh Wow... That is an interesting combo and the VC 12 does have a protruding rear end. If that clears.. I guess most lens will clear...

 

Thanx Jeffrey.

 

 

Robert.

[audidudi]

Jeffrey... Oh Wow... That is an interesting combo and the VC 12 does have a protruding rear end. If that clears.. I guess most lens will clear...

 

Check out this thread for more info and a photo: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/digital-forum/23899-voigtlander-12mm-f5-6-l1-d3.html

[spylaw4]

Robert - I agree that the metering can be very erratic - sometimes spot is ok, sometimes it's better to use centre-weighted. AFAIK it depends on the aperture you are using to make the exposure. It also depends on the lens - I found some legacy lenses to seriously underexpose. So much so that when using them I had to take 3 graduated exposure shots to make sure of getting near the right exposure.

Jeffrey - I'm glad to hear that so far the mirror has survived its brushes with the VC12, but I'm still wary about trying it even though I would love a w/a prime. Especially one that is compact and light - I don't really fancy lugging the 11-22 or worse the 7-14 around despite their undoubted merits! The 14-50 and 25/1.4 are heavy enough!

[audidudi]

I'm glad to hear that so far the mirror has survived its brushes with the VC12, but I'm still wary about trying it even though I would love a w/a prime. Especially one that is compact and light - I don't really fancy lugging the 11-22 or worse the 7-14 around despite their undoubted merits! The 14-50 and 25/1.4 are heavy enough!

 

I acknowledge your concerns but these cameras are now (almost) inexpensive enough as to be considered disposable so I'm not too concerned about the consequences of something breaking. Worst case, I'll just buy another one, sell the still brand-new lens on eBay for $7-800, and end up with a new body for $2-300 versus paying that much or more to repair the old one.

[lmr]

Jeffery:

 

I agree. I bought mine from Best Buy for $999 + Tax and free shipping. What a bargain!

 

I may just go ahead and order the 25 f1.4 from B&H and wait for them to deliver it when they are in stock. You only pay when it is shipped. I believe one can cancel it later if I find one elsewhere.

 

With my R lens on it, I now have something new to learn... Focusing, seems to be off. Metering, like what Brian mentioned, is about 1 - 2 stop under. The Kit lens... it is not fast enough but it works great.

 

Robert.