Have 5D, which is the best R-lens adaptor?

[colorflow]

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Hmmmm.... there doesn't seem to be any pin missing (like it has broken off the adapter or something), I have two of the adapters and both look exactly the same so I don't think it's broken but I'll contact him anyway.

Does anyone have experience with Eric's adapters on 1D bodies?

 

In this seller's eBay item

AF-Confirm LeicaR-EOS adapter w/Canon AF Enabling Pin - eBay (item 270237955037 end time May-24-08 07:24:46 PDT)

 

He talks about the required pin for the 1D af switch.

 

Alan

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[Leicamateur]

Yeah, got it now. Apparently my adapter doesn't have that pin required for older 1D bodies. Thanks.

[dhsimmonds]

As a matter of interest and off topic I know, but has anyone tried the Olympus E-3 body with R lenses and adaptor?

 

In theory these should give both focus confirm and anti-shake functions as the Oly body has the mechanism for anti shake and not their lenses. For any sports or wildlife photographers it would also double the focal length of their R lenses.

 

I have seen large prints [16x12] from the E-3 with Zuiko lenses and they are very good indeed even at ISO's up to 800. The R glass on this body would be really great I would have thought although nowhere near the DMR quality of image.

[Leicamateur]

Results with an E3 should be great, I have been using R lenses on my Digilux 3 with great results. But you might not have image stabilization with R lenses, as I remember the E510 image stabilizer only recognizes Zuiko lenses and you're not able to input lens data like on the Pentax K10D for using the stabiliser with any lens.

I have no idea though if Olympus has changed that on the E3.

[Lozit]

Results with an E3 should be great, I have been using R lenses on my Digilux 3 with great results. But you might not have image stabilization with R lenses, as I remember the E510 image stabilizer only recognizes Zuiko lenses and you're not able to input lens data like on the Pentax K10D for using the stabiliser with any lens.

I have no idea though if Olympus has changed that on the E3.

 

The last firmware update allow you to use of the Image Stabilization function with non-Four Thirds System interchangeable lenses by inputting a specific focal length.

 

E-3 Firmware Update

[Leicamateur]

That's great news! They should have done that for the E510 also.

Now I might be tempted to get me a E3. I'm a bit unhappy with the Digilux's small and dark viewfinder.

[Lozit]

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That's great news! They should have done that for the E510 also.

Now I might be tempted to get me a E3. I'm a bit unhappy with the Digilux's small and dark viewfinder.

 

It works with E510 too :

E-510 Firmware Update

[kajuku]

I though that someone using one of these adapters might be interested in a lens I have listed in the Buy & Sell Section.

 

My 19/2,8 Elmarit ROM is the latest version, SN 3901847. I purchased it from its second owner in July 2006. It has been very well cared for. I also have the original leather Leica zip case.

 

The rear element shroud was meticulously shaved by Cinstance (Lesong Chen), FM (Fred Miranda) alternative forum member, so that it can be used on a Canon 5D, which I also own. Lesong, also a long-standing member of the photo.net community, did this mod for others in the DMR community. He was known to be very skilled and very careful. There are no negative effects from the mod whatsoever. In fact, I think its value is enhanced.

 

As far as I can tell, the lens is optically and mechanically perfect. It even looks new. This may well be the best 19 ever made, in the opinion of many. It was 'tested' on FM against other high level competition. When used on the R9/DMR, it is sharper and has better color than my 21mm Elmarit-M.

 

The included hood has been very well modified. The unmodified hood slightly vignettes in the corners. Cinstance and Guy Mancuso posted at FM on this a few years ago, as I recall. (Unfortunately the DMR Bible thread is now defunct.) This 19 with its altered hood does not vignette on the 5D, so in fact it actually performs better in this respect than an unmodified one. It is an excellent architectural lens (my main use for it). Very low distortion.

 

I thought that my earlier price was really good for a lens with this highly desirable modification in this condition, but I dropped the price as I just sold my R9/DMR to a member of this community. I am ready to let go of my other R glass.

 

~ Jonathan

 

__________________________

 

Jonathan Reiss Photography

jonathanreissphotography.com

[Leicamateur]

It works with E510 too :

E-510 Firmware Update

 

That's even better news. I'll probably wait and see what happens in the near future because the E520 will be launched soon. I just wish the E410/420 had an IS, I would buy it right away.

[wildlightphoto]

Thanks. So is this the full list or are there more lenses which conflict with the EOSs mirror.

Or lets ask like that, is it safe to use a 35-70mm F3.5 and a 280 F2.8 (older model, would have to check for the serial).

 

In general any lens that clears the Leicaflex SL mirror will clear any EOS mirror. The 35-70 f/3.5 and 280 f/2.8 should be fine.

 

 

Not to change the subject but is the quality better using the leica lense on a Canon body verses the Canon lense ? Is seems to be so much more work in worrying about the exposure the AF etc. Just need to know because I am thinking of buying leica lense for my Canon camera. thanks, rollsman

 

Depends on the particular lens, some longer Canon lenses are quite good... OTOH here's a snippet from an e-mail I received a few days ago:

 

"...I purchased the apo telyt 280/4. After testing it (on 1DS II or III) against Nikon 300/4,5 IFED, and Canon 300/4 L IS, It is obvious that those lenses are a bad joke compared with this divine lens. Bottomless sharpness, no CA, And no mater you shot at F:4, 5,6 8.... A nirvana lens.

 

I get goosebumps every time I get a good photo made with the 280 f/4 and DMR, even when combined with the 1.4x APO-Extender.

[Nick De Marco]

Couldn't agree more James, about the superiority of using Leica R glass on the 5D.

 

I've gone from using a 5D with L glass, to using an M8 with lovely M lenses back to using the 5D with Leica R glass. On a recent trip to Italy I only took R glass; I've picked up a lot at very good prices (cheaper than Canon L) used on ebay: the stunning 21mm f4 super-angulon (prob my favourite), 35mm elmarit, 50 summicron, 60 elmarit macro, and 90 summicron (another favourite I picked up for under 300 euro in the Leica shop n Berlin).

 

Here are two shots (please click on the photos to see them with the proper colour/contrast)

 

(1) A portrait with the 90mm, at 640 iso

 

 

(2) Landscape with the 21mm + polarising filter and HD grad

 

[lct]

Yes this camera do really justice to Leica lenses.

Canon 5D, Summicron-R 90/2, f/2.8

 

IMG_0203-after on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

[phocus]

Back to topic.

 

After trying quite a lot of adapter brands, including some of those named here, I use Leica-R lenses on the EOS 5D with Novoflex EOS/LER adapters. Mechanical precision and durability of these adapters is excellent (they say that they use the same parts that Leica uses for their body mount). Some other brands were also pretty good, but all of them use slots instead of springs and got worn out sooner or later. Not the Novoflex. Here, mounting and unmounting is smooth like silk, combined with a perfect and enduring tightness, as with the R9.

 

They are expensive, yes (and so are Leica lenses…), but I use the Novoflex with serveral (heavy) Leica lenses since years now and they work like on the very first day. Actually, there is no reason why an adapter should not. Who would accept that the bayonet mount of the body gets worn out?

 

In case one wants AF confirmation, they can be equipped with an AF confirm chip and, like the HappyPageHK adapter, the Novoflex trigger the AF switch in 1D series bodies.

 

There is one con though (apart from price tag). It is not possible with an unmodified Novoflex to unmount only the lens from the EOS. One has always to unmount the lens AND the Novoflex as a unit because the release mechanism of the Novoflex (to release the lens) is blocked as soon as the adapter is on a body. If you wonna let it on the body and just switch lenses, you have to modify its release lever.

 

[lct]

...Some other brands were also pretty good, but all of them use slots instead of springs and got worn out sooner or later...

I can't seem to find out those slots or springs on mine. Could you point me where they stand?

[phocus]

I can't seem to find out those slots or springs on mine. Could you point me where they stand?

 

Just have a look at www.phocus.org/adapter.html

 

As far as I know, only Novoflex provides adapters with steel springs. As far as my experience goes with various adapter brands and especially with heavy R-lenses, only the Novoflex provides the same tension, fit, and durability like the original Leica mount. No wobbling lenses. I wonder why only Novoflex provides this quality. There is no camera out there, not only from Leica, where they use these silly weak slot springs to fix the lens (at least among the sophisticated or pro bodies I know). Guess why...

 

[stunsworth]

I use a Camerquest adaptor. `i chose it over the Novaflex because it allowed the lens to be removed while it was mounted n the camera. Used it for four years or so taking thousands of frames on 300D, 20D and 5D, and many, many lens changes. No problems.

[lct]

Just have a look at www.phocus.org/adapter.html...

Ah yes thanks so mine have only 'slots' apparently.

They all work flawlessly so far but if one comes loose i'll try to stick its chip on one Novoflex as you suggested.

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[phocus]

I use a Camerquest adaptor. `i chose it over the Novaflex because it allowed the lens to be removed while it was mounted n the camera. Used it for four years or so taking thousands of frames on 300D, 20D and 5D, and many, many lens changes. No problems.

 

I can imagine. These are fine adapters (I had one too). I switched to Novoflex just because of my heavy R-lenses where it makes a difference (just a personal view...).

 

The blocking of its lens release mechanism as soon as it is on a body is really a con of the Novoflex, however. But, after some modification, mine now allows removing of lenses while it is mounted on the camera.

 

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[John Collins]

If you would, please detail the modification to the Novoflex adapter that allows the removal of the R lens only. Leaving the adapter on the 5D seems the way to go.

Thanks.

 

 

I can imagine. These are fine adapters (I had one too). I switched to Novoflex just because of my heavy R-lenses where it makes a difference (just a personal view...).

 

The blocking of its lens release mechanism as soon as it is on a body is really a con of the Novoflex, however. But, after some modification, mine now allows removing of lenses while it is mounted on the camera.