Hi, new here.. using leicaflex sl and want to buy R8, can anyone tell me if my 50mm summicron will cooperate with the R8..

[OM2]

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This is the photo of my lens

Thanks
Ohad
 

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[a.noctilux]

Welcome here.

For R8 you need a ROM lens.

You can download the R8 manual from the link in Wiki 

https://wiki.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/R8

http://www.butkus.org/chinon/leica/leica_r8/leica_r8.htm

[Smudgerer]

Could be wrong but I think you can use a non-ROM  mount  lens on a R8. I seem to remember using both on the R9 that I used to own.

[a.noctilux]

Not simple,

long discussion here

see this post if lens modification is needed

 

[TomB_tx]

From the photo your Summicron R is a version 1 (no built-in hood) and would originally be 2-cam linkage to meter with both the SL and original Leicaflex. When Leica introduced the R3 body they added a 3rd cam to transfer the aperture setting to the camera body. They offered a an upgrade service for older 2-cam lenses to add the 3rd cam to work with the newer bodies.

The R8 needs the 3rd cam in order to sense the f-stop setting of the lens to meter correctly, otherwise it will think the lens is set a f1.4. (I just tried this with my R8 and 2-cam Summicron from my LeicaflexSL.) So unless your lens has been upgraded to add the 3rd cam (unlikely if it has always been on the SL) it won't meter correctly and pictures will be under-exposed.

However, the R8 can meter with your 2-cam lens if you use manual meter mode and meter by pressing the stop-down control (front of camera beside the right of the lens) so that the lens stops to the set f-stop while you adjust the exposure, then take the photo. Rather clumsy, but possible.

I have both the Leicaflex SL and R8, and both are wonderful cameras. But the R8 is best with a more modern lens with 3rd cam (or ROM). I have no ROM lenses, but several 3-cam or 3rd-cam lenses that work great with it.

You can check your Summicron R to see if the small 3rd cam was added. It's the small black rectangular tab just inside of the normal sloped cam in this picture (see yellow arrow).

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Edited October 7, 2024 by TomB_tx

[cary]

You can have DAG add the third cam.

[OM2]

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Thank you all for the useful information, I appreciate it
It seems I can't use my lens on the R8  
I understood it can harm the ROM contacts
Who is DAG ?
Do  R-only lenses also fit the R8 ?

@cary @TomB_tx @a.noctilux @Smudgerer  
 
 Found this:
https://leica.nemeng.com/001c.php

Edited October 7, 2024 by OM2

[TomB_tx]

R only lenses work fine on the R8

DAG is Don Goldberg, a 2nd generation Leica trained Technician who owns DAG Camera Repair near Chicago. He can fix about anything (better than Leica), but parts for Leica R products were discarded by Leica years ago, so repair parts may not be available. DAG has a huge stock of parts for older Leicas - not sure if he has any for R lenses and bodies. Several years ago I sent one Leicaflex lens to Sherry Krauter (another Leitz trained Tech) for the 3rd cam conversion, which took well over a year to return as she said parts were not available.