Focusing rectangle doesn't work R lens > M camera

[hirohhhh]

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I have Elmarit-R 28mm lens first version (1972). I just attached it for the first time on my M10-R using the original Leica R-Adapter M, and I see that the focusing rectangle doesn't work. Is this normal? How does one can focus without it, except trying to nail it using the meter on the focusing ring?

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[NigelG]

I think you’ll find that it’s assumed you’re using LiveView on the rear screen or a Visoflex 020.
There’s no mechanical rangefinder coupling on the adapter - it was introduced with the M240 to allow the use of R lenses with LiveView/EVF2 to make the M240 a “system” camera 

Edited February 8, 2022 by NigelG

[hirohhhh]

Yeah, I can use rear screen with the focus peaking enabled, but it's not my preferred way of shooting with M cameras. Damn, I should've know this before I purchased the adapter

[NigelG]

Yes, more relevant IMHO in order to be able to use non M-style lenses like the R zooms or R “exotica” (in my case the R80 lux) unless you already had an R lens collection. I think there were threads at the time re the R adapter + CMOS LiveView in the M240 series being Leica’s sop to abandoned R users…

In the end I sold mine (R adapter + R lens) due to the LV shutter lag + Evf2 issues on the M240P which didn’t really suit a portrait lens 🙄

It will be interesting to see if the M11 LV-metered sensor means R-adapted lenses become more usable as there will no longer be a shutter-lag penalty (just the “looking-at-a-tv-screen-instead-of-a-window one)?

 

[hirohhhh]

I was always hesitating buying a vintage lenses online, even thought I would always go for the character of the lens than the sharpness of the modern lenses. And the first time ever I decided to buy it and it doesn't work as expected  You never know what you're getting if you combine modern tech with 50-60 years old. At least, my Leica expertise is not nearly on that level that I know the specs of every lens ever released.

[pop]

2 hours ago, hirohhhh said:

combine modern tech with 50-60 years old

Nothing to do with technology age. As a matter of fact, the M technology is nearly 70 years old and based on the LTM technology which is close to a century, and R lenses are not usually called modern technology, either, not any more.

It's simply the way any M camera works: that the rangefinder mechanism is driven by the lens, and that the lens must have the equipment to do so. On the other hand, M lenses lack the mechanism for the camera to open and close the aperture or diaphragm. Hence, you won't be able to use M lenses with cameras with automatic exposure when you expect it to choose the aperture value for you.

So it's not about the 'specs of every lens ever released'; it's merely about how different types of cameras work. LTM cameras and M cameras have always worked that way. SLR cameras never did that.

BTW, don't expect that you can use an M type lens on a Leica R camera, either, even though an adapter exists which lets you mount an M lens on an R camera. It won't do what you might expect.

Edited February 8, 2022 by pop