Using R mount lens on M11

[materry566]

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Has anyone tried Leica R mount glass on the M11? I saw a video of someone using Leica R mount lens on M10 and he got some amazing shots. From long telephoto to short range they all looked fantastic. His compelling argument was comparing image quality of R mount and price when they're found on used markets to the cost of newer Leica lenses. Just curious of other's thoughts and results. He used Visoflex for the Tele APO 100mm to 180mm for better focus. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Hans-Dieter Gülicher]

The M 10-R plus the new APO-Summicron 35 mm is my  preferred combo today. But there exists my old Vario-R 21 - 35 mm earlier use with my R9+DMR. So I have tried to adaped it by the R to M adapter and it functioned very well. But it`s a big boy compared to the smaller M-lenses and it disturbed the M viefinder (and the optical design). So I use the new Visoflex additionally if needed.

Regards Hans

Edited December 29, 2022 by Hans-Dieter Gülicher

[materry566]

Yes, I figured the size would definitely interfere with the rangefinder but I have the Visoflex. I was interested in the 180mm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[dpitt]

I have been using the 500mm/F8 R on a M240 with EVF2 once. If you only need it occasionally it good enough. Leica focused on R lenses even more than M lenses in the late 60s and 70s, so they are at least as good as their M little brothers. Getting top quality seems to be easier if you use more glass 🙂
The R lenses can be great on digital bodies, and they are not big if you compare them with DSLR lenses or the SL range.

[UliWer]

vor 1 Stunde schrieb materry566:

Yes, I figured the size would definitely interfere with the rangefinder but I have the Visoflex. I was interested in the 180mm.

The rangefinder of the M is useless if you adapt an R-lens, since there is no coupling between the lenses focus and the rangefinder and of course you get no right field of view in the viewfinder.  So a Visoflex is always necessary if you don't want to use the display only.

The Apo-Telyt-R 1:3.4/180mm is a very capable and not too expensive lens. The new Visoflex for the M11 seems to have a picture stabilization which could be very useful.  

[Stonewall Brigade]

I have very successfully used several R lenses on my M10s for a variety of images (flower macros, Civil War battle reenactments, motorsports). I used the 60mm macro, 100 macro, 180mm and 350mm lenses. These 205 Civil War battle reenactment images were all made with the M10, and the longer telephoto images were made by adapting the 180mm and 350mm R lenses. Not easy to manually focus on moving objects with a Leica M rangefinder!  

https://triumph.smugmug.com/Events/Fort-Branch-Battle-Reenactment-2018/i-c9HcNsz

Here are some of my M10 flower macro images made with the 60mm and 100 macro R lenses: 

https://triumph.smugmug.com/Flowers/Leica-M10-Floral-Photography-with-Leica-R-Lenses/

I now have the M11, but no longer the M10s, nor any R lenses.

[materry566]

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Thanks guys for your input. I'll try to add the 180mm and see what I get.

 

[DenverSteve]

For me it was a no when I looked into doing the R+converter route.  I tried a few lenses, obviously larger, longer glass as nothing compares, for me, for M glass up to at least 75 for compatibility, size weight and full functionality.  For me, the M is a smallish, compact package that loses its balance, portability, speed and convenience when paired with the R lenses.  Even my heavier Tele-Elmarit 90 is only broken out for very specific use and then mainly on mono or tripod.  That combined with no RF coupling and needing a converter slows the process down.  I like the svelte M, and other Leicas, because of the relative-compactness and speed of use. There are plenty of people who adapt lenses all the time and love it.  If I want/need larger, heavier glass, I pull out my Sonys. 

Edited December 30, 2022 by DenverSteve

[TheGodParticle/Hari]

You may want to consider adding an SL body to your kit, for usage of the R lenses 

The SL1 is still an excellent camera and you will have a backup to your M body 

I use the 60/2.8 and 100/2.8 macro lenses on the M11, for any other focal length I use it on an SL body - SL1, SL2S 

[Stef63]

I do have several R lenses, mostly 100 mm and up.  R glass is superb even by today standards!  Although I have an R to M adapter and a Visoflex for my M11, I mostly use the R lenses on my SL2.  

Reasons :

- Image stabilization : for example the 280 f4 Telyt can be used handheld on the SL2, but on an M11 you will probably need 1/1000s to avoid camera shake, and with f4 minimal aperture, ISO will then frequently end up in a region you do not want to be)

- better balance between body size/weight and lens size/weight (the exception might be my 180 3.4 Telyt on the M11)

 - Although Visoflex 2 is a lot better than the previous version, the EVF of the SL2 is still superior and focusing (longer) R lenses feels more natural on an SL2 than on a rangefinder (even with an EVF mounted)

[FDS]

On 12/30/2022 at 4:22 PM, Stef63 said:

'...(the exception might be my 180 3.4 Telyt on the M11)'

 

I use the 180 f3.4 APO on the M11 and it feels more comfortable than working with the later 180 f2.8 APO.   

Edited January 2, 2023 by FDS