New Leica R8 User, What is the advantage of getting ROM lenses

[hmic10]

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Just got my r8 with a Cron 50 2 v1; So what is the advantage of using ROM lenses? I dont have the digital back, so where is the data going

Thanks

Howard

[AZN]

A simple web search works wonders here.  Eg.

https://www.apotelyt.com/photo-camera/leica-r-mount

 

[andrew01]

If you don’t have the digital back its not worth paying the premium for the ROM lenses in my opinion.

They are the latest generation and I have read some people argue that the coatings are better, but most likely splitting hairs.

 

 

 

[masjah]

AZN's link to Doug Herr's (apotelyt.com) site sums up the position very well. You just need to make up your mind whether or not the advantages for you are worth the extra cost. I don't buy the bit about coatings, but the lenses nonetheless will likely be newer examples. The other advantages are worth it to me, particularly displaying the correct aperture on variable aperture zooms, and transmitting the correct aperture through a 2X ROM extender, as well as the tweaked metering for any individual sample of a lens. They will continue to command a premium, so the extra cost may well be a worthwhile investment. Also, now I have an SL2,  with the correct Leica R to  L adapter, automatically letting the camera know which lens is attached is a real bonus. I realise this is not relevant to you currently, but it could well be relevant in the future, and is another reason why the additional premium will continue to be relevant, and make a ROM lens more desirable should one wish to sell it on.

[Technician]

masjah, thanks for elaborate reply. Giving the direct and elaborate answer is much more helpful than throwing links to the search engine at newcomers, who don't know the forum so good as older experienced users. For newcomer to Leica R8 as myself, your reply was really helpful. Currently, I have the camera without the lens. My 35-70 f/4 ROM is on the way, can't wait.

[davidmknoble]

@hmic10 the ROM contacts also work with the R8 and R9 matrix metering.  The R8/9 know the vignettions of the lens at each aperture and will adjust the metering accordingly.  So, when wide open, your Summicron 50 has some darker edges and the R8 knows that how many stops that is and compensates.  In addition, if you ever take the plunge to a digital system like the SL, the digital cameras know what lens you are adding. 

Note that only the R8 and R9 have this data.  The R6.2 (assume the R7?) don’t know which lens is attached. 

The matrix metering is probably the best black and white metering I’ve seen.  I love the ROM lenses (but also use them on an SL2).

 

[solareslarrave]

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And here I was thinking that the ROM would do wonders with the SF-58 flash I got waaaay back in April of this year! 

In any case, I chose to get as many ROM lenses (only have three out of four, but don't regret it) because I imagined they'd communicate better with the camera when using flash. 

Thanks for the additional information!

[masjah]

1 hour ago, solareslarrave said:

And here I was thinking that the ROM would do wonders with the SF-58 flash I got waaaay back in April of this year! 

In any case, I chose to get as many ROM lenses (only have three out of four, but don't regret it) because I imagined they'd communicate better with the camera when using flash. 

Thanks for the additional information!

They do help with flash, to the extent that with a zoom flash head, and the correct SCA adapter, the camera can tell the flash what focal length is being used. This particularly helps when using ROM zoom lenses. You can hear the flash head zooming as you zoom the lens.

[solareslarrave]

Indeed, John, that's what happens when I use my 35-70 and 28-70 with any of my R bodies. Shortly after posting my reply I read the text from the link and saw confirmed what I imagined... which is what you kindly explained above. 

BTW, I like using the SF-58 with my cameras. As far as flash lights go, it's really good.