Auto Focus M lenses

[LocalHero1953]

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Glad to see this thread follows the normal internet forum tradition: the OP posts a simple question about a practical option for using equipment. It is followed (if you're lucky, after the question has been answered) by everyone else piling in to say that is the wrong question, that the OP does not know what he/she really wants, that it is offensive that the OP should even want to do what they want to do etc.

Clearly some people have too much time on their hands (including me).

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[andybarton]

I was just posting to say that I am not a fan  

[250swb]

Given the quality of the Nikon Z lenses I think the common sense to auto focus is to sell your Leica lenses and buy those.

[Simone_DF]

41 minutes ago, andybarton said:

That I doubt very much.

No one is going to buy a Leica lens and then stick it onto an adapter to kludge autofocus, when they can just buy a native mount autofocus lens from the camera manufacturer or a third party lens specialist.

These things are for people who already own Leica M lenses who want to use them on an alternative mount AND want autofocus as well. Given that this doesn't solve the need to stop the lens down manually, I would have thought that the market was very small indeed. M users are (obviously) used to manually focusing.

There are plenty of examples that say the opposite on other forums. People that ie bought this adapter and a 50 Summicron. Or a Zeiss or Voigtlander. There are so many reasons why somebody may want to use it, get a smaller lens, going after a certain look, or maybe just for fun or whatever. Also having an adapted af lens does not exclude purchasing a native option.

Also, if Techart decided to support Nikon as well, it means that the Sony version sold enough units to justify developing a second version.

[pgk]

Whilst there are good reasons for using 'non-native' lenses on cameras for which they were not designed, there are also very good reasons for not doing so. I do use such lenses and for specific reasons but I would not personally recommend using an 'AF conversion' for the sort of photography the OP outlined. Doing so is too much of a compromise and as has been outlined, will have limitations. Far better to use lenses designed for the camera IMO.

[Raymondl]

just putting it out there.... I don't think there is anything wrong with having / owning multiple camera systems.. Especially if you want to experiment with different systems to get your ”hands dirty”.

Having M mount glasses on an AF adapter is just another method of experiencing photography.. Sure leica RF + M glass will ”fully” utilise the optical lenses and is a better match (sensor stack thickness, also if the lens has FLE)..

But using the adaptor is just another way of enjoying your gear... It's not for everyone..But I do enjoy this experience when using my older MF lenses.. these lenses would normally be stored away.. underutilised.. now I have an option of shooting wide open +  tracking my daughter as she runs around in the park. 

[LocalHero1953]

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There are also many people on this forum who have posted something like "I love my Leica M lenses, but my advancing age and eyesight mean I cannot use a rangefinder as I used to".

[jdlaing]

6 hours ago, Simone_DF said:

I wonder if there's something you tolerate in this world 

What I tolerate, if it is any of your business, Is using these things as they are originally designed. 

[Simone_DF]

59 minutes ago, jdlaing said:

What I tolerate, if it is any of your business, Is using these things as they are originally designed. 

You must be so much fun at parties.

[lct]

4 hours ago, jdlaing said:

using these things as they are originally designed

Like M lenses on digital bodies?

[Simone_DF]

32 minutes ago, lct said:

Like M lenses on digital bodies?

 

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Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

[jdlaing]

1 hour ago, lct said:

Like M lenses on digital bodies?

Yes. M lenses on digital bodies with an M mount. Like they are designed.

[jdlaing]

5 hours ago, Simone_DF said:

You must be so much fun at parties.

A whole hell of a lot more than you must be.

[250swb]

11 hours ago, LocalHero1953 said:

There are also many people on this forum who have posted something like "I love my Leica M lenses, but my advancing age and eyesight mean I cannot use a rangefinder as I used to".

So use an autofocus ready camera, the native lenses will be designed for it.

But using an adapted auto focus Leica M lens a Nikon Z or Sony body is an exercise in futility. It won't be as fast to focus as a native lens, and it won't exhibit the quality found by using it on a Leica body. Leica lenses are not designed specifically for the modern sensor like a modern telecentric lens is, this is why the new Z lenses from Nikon kick butt compared with the already excellent Nikon 'analogue' full frame lens range that was transitioned into digital. And sure, there is the romantic dream of using an 'interesting' lens on a modern digital body and making it auto focus solves all the problems, but how many 'interesting' lenses will be able to be adapted? Is everybody going to run out and have their lens lock disabled so they can use an LTM lens on their Nikon body? Many other 'interesting' lenses by nature have more resistance when focusing, so speed may be as slow as hand focusing with a simple manual adapter to Nikon or Sony body. And let's not forget that to get critical focus the lens needs to be fully open each time the camera tries to auto focus, otherwise DOF makes it a guessing game on where critical focus is achieved. Leica M lenses are not SLR lenses that stop down on pressing the shutter release, so how is that going to work out in this fantasy a AF adapter is going to make everything slick and fast?

AF adapters for manual lenses are for dreamers.

Edited December 1, 2020 by 250swb

[jaeger]

I use M because its rangefinder, auto focus should be anything but M. 

[LocalHero1953]

1 hour ago, 250swb said:

So use an autofocus ready camera, the native lenses will be designed for it.

Sure, and I won't be using a Techart adapter. I made my decision over a year ago: sold my M240 and most of my M lenses, and consolidated on the L mount and native lenses (for practical photography reasons, not because  of failing eyesight). But if others wish to use Techart, I'm happy for them to do so. 

[Simone_DF]

9 hours ago, jaeger said:

I use M because its rangefinder, auto focus should be anything but M. 

Ok.

[Simone_DF]

10 hours ago, 250swb said:

So use an autofocus ready camera, the native lenses will be designed for it.

But using an adapted auto focus Leica M lens a Nikon Z or Sony body is an exercise in futility. It won't be as fast to focus as a native lens, and it won't exhibit the quality found by using it on a Leica body. Leica lenses are not designed specifically for the modern sensor like a modern telecentric lens is, this is why the new Z lenses from Nikon kick butt compared with the already excellent Nikon 'analogue' full frame lens range that was transitioned into digital. And sure, there is the romantic dream of using an 'interesting' lens on a modern digital body and making it auto focus solves all the problems, but how many 'interesting' lenses will be able to be adapted? Is everybody going to run out and have their lens lock disabled so they can use an LTM lens on their Nikon body? Many other 'interesting' lenses by nature have more resistance when focusing, so speed may be as slow as hand focusing with a simple manual adapter to Nikon or Sony body. And let's not forget that to get critical focus the lens needs to be fully open each time the camera tries to auto focus, otherwise DOF makes it a guessing game on where critical focus is achieved. Leica M lenses are not SLR lenses that stop down on pressing the shutter release, so how is that going to work out in this fantasy a AF adapter is going to make everything slick and fast?

AF adapters for manual lenses are for dreamers.

Thanks for telling us how to use the camera and lenses we purchase.

Edited December 2, 2020 by Simone_DF

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[Simone_DF]

"M stands for Messucher!" comments coming in 3, 2, 1...

[250swb]

15 minutes ago, Simone_DF said:

Thanks for telling us how to use the camera and lenses we purchase.

Is that all you've got? Instead of rockets and Catherine wheels just a damp squib? In any discussion of equipment there is the 'how' and 'why'. How something works and why it should or shouldn't be used. If you don't like the 'why it's a waste of time' side of the argument we'd all be interested in a proper counter argument that makes sense. Debunk what I have said if that helps.