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I have a whole slew of R lenses including the 80mm portrait lens which I absolutely love, but the Leica camera choices have issues as we all know so what do I do? 
I do have a converting ring so the lenses fit a digital Canon but I have film and need recommendations. Thanks in advance. 
Huu

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That's a pretty broad question.   All cameras have issues from time to time.  I presume you're looking at film bodies?  With an occasional overhaul any of the mechanical Leica SLR bodies are fine performers.   I would most definitely NOT convert the lenses themselves to another brand's mount.  The prices are already outrageous for R lenses and more and more of them are being bought up and converted to cine use, driving the prices yet higher.  

I have a Leicaflex Standard, SL, and SL2, R5, and R6.2 all of which are exceptional bodies, IMO.   I also adapt my R lenses to my Lumix S1 for digital use.  

My choices work for me.  YMMV.

Edited by hepcat
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Some Leica SLR bodies may have issues, but there are plenty of good ones out there and the prices of most are very reasonable by Leica standards. If that conversion ring is for Canon EOS, you can also use it with an EOS film SLR - there are many cheap options, but you'll only get stop-down metering and (obviously) manual focus. On film, it's better to use the bodies these lenses were designed for.

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2 hours ago, Anbaric said:

Some Leica SLR bodies may have issues, but there are plenty of good ones out there and the prices of most are very reasonable by Leica standards. If that conversion ring is for Canon EOS, you can also use it with an EOS film SLR - there are many cheap options, but you'll only get stop-down metering and (obviously) manual focus. On film, it's better to use the bodies these lenses were designed for.

Completely agree. For film a R9 would be my choice. For digital an SL2 with the Leica L-R adapter is particularly suitable with ROM lenses, and gives you IBIS.

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2 hours ago, masjah said:

Completely agree. For film a R9 would be my choice. For digital an SL2 with the Leica L-R adapter is particularly suitable with ROM lenses, and gives you IBIS.

Couldn't agree more - any film body from R6,2 onwards is likely to exceed expectations and the R9 would be a particularly good choice with Rom lenses and has an excellent viewfinder; for digital any of the SL family plus adapter would give excellent results.

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Any fully working R body will be fine. Yes, some of the older models are developing faults, particularly the R3 and R4 - but working ones are relatively cheap! The later models as mentioned above are likely to be more reliable, especially the R6 or 6.2 which have mechanical shutters.

Also, the Canon EOS adapter will work on the EOS film bodies, just the same as the digital bodies (I use my R lenses on the R3 and a Canon 5D).

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2 hours ago, masjah said:

Completely agree. For film a R9 would be my choice. For digital an SL2 with the Leica L-R adapter is particularly suitable with ROM lenses, and gives you IBIS.

I agree with John - I use an SL(601) for the R lens I have (it is worth getting the Leica adapter, despite its expense, particularly if you have ROM lenses).  For film, if you can’t get an R body, there is an R-M adapter so you could use an M-A or MP.

https://store.leica-camera.com/uk/en/r-adapter-m-black-lacquered

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7 hours ago, IkarusJohn said:

I agree with John - I use an SL(601) for the R lens I have (it is worth getting the Leica adapter, despite its expense, particularly if you have ROM lenses).  For film, if you can’t get an R body, there is an R-M adapter so you could use an M-A or MP.

https://store.leica-camera.com/uk/en/r-adapter-m-black-lacquered

John, but how do you focus an R-lens on a film M - there is no rangefinder coupling? (I used to use R lenses via the adapter on my digital M (Type 240) but that also required the electronic viewfinder accessory.

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2 hours ago, masjah said:

John, but how do you focus an R-lens on a film M - there is no rangefinder coupling? (I used to use R lenses via the adapter on my digital M (Type 240) but that also required the electronic viewfinder accessory.

You can only zone focus, I guess - it’s not something I would try, but it is possible.  I use my R lens only on my SL.  I have had uncoupled lenses on my Monochrom (the 15/2.8 Distagon), and the depth of field was sufficient.

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if you want to turn your R lenses into an AF lenses, then there is a new Techart LM-EA9 (M to Sony E mount) able to adapt R lenses with additional R to M adapter, then use and adapt LM-EA9 onto Sony E bodies. Personally I'm not into the colour that Sony produces, but it does work even on bigger lenses like APO 70-180MM with tripod. I hope they will one day make one for SL mount so I can AF with the R lenses. Sorry it maybe a bit off topic but if you can right on focus with the R lenses, the images can be amazing. 

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I had a few R bodies for shooting film with the R lenses. My favorites were the Leicaflex SL and R6.2. But I have gotten the most use out of my R lenses fitted to the Leica SL, CL, M-P 240, and now M10 Monochrom bodies.

I've not adapted them to other film cameras. 

G

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  • 2 months later...
Am 15.8.2022 um 08:01 schrieb Reddy:

if you want to turn your R lenses into an AF lenses, then there is a new Techart LM-EA9 (M to Sony E mount) able to adapt R lenses with additional R to M adapter, then use and adapt LM-EA9 onto Sony E bodies. Personally I'm not into the colour that Sony produces, but it does work even on bigger lenses like APO 70-180MM with tripod. I hope they will one day make one for SL mount so I can AF with the R lenses. Sorry it maybe a bit off topic but if you can right on focus with the R lenses, the images can be amazing. 

That idea is really crazy…. Unfortunately there is no
- Techart M to SL Adapter…
- or an Techart R to SL Adapter….

 I think this would also improve the sales figures of SL Bodies.

Unfortunately Techart is not present via Blog, Social Media or else so there is very less known what is still in the development… Or does anybody know what is coming next? Because currently they do not support any Leica Bodies….

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