R to L adapter

[gdb]

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This question has certainly been already asked, but I did not find a satisfactory answer. Here is the problem :

I own a wonderful SL 3 camera. One of my preferred shooting pleasures is architecture. In the past analog times, I used perspective correction lenses. Since I "dived" into digital photography, I never found the real explanation for serious perspective correction between PC lenses and workflow processing in any program : LR, C1, DxO, etc.

I recently found and bought an R PC 24mm Super-Angulon that I am waiting for. I started to investigate for an R to L mount adapter and found that Leica's adapter seems to me much too expensive, and most other adapters cost less than 70 €. What Leica's R to L is so expensive ?

Can someone explain the reason of this difference and give me some advice for the best alternative to Leica's ring ?

Thank you very much

Gérard

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[PhotoCruiser]

I just got this morning the Pholsy M39 to L adapter from Amazon for my SL2 and he works as supposed and cost 29.09€
Same brand R to L adapter is this one: https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0C9HPGF9B?th=1
More chic ones are from other brands, the best is probably the German Novoflex for 119€

For this price no communication between lens and camera =  manual use

Chris

Edited February 8 by PhotoCruiser

[LD_50]

You can probably find this discussed via search.
 

Leica’s adapter is expensive because of the brand name, the quality, and the ROM communication. They charge what they can. 

[Kl@usW.]

vor 2 Stunden schrieb gdb:

This question has certainly been already asked, but I did not find a satisfactory answer. Here is the problem :

I own a wonderful SL 3 camera. One of my preferred shooting pleasures is architecture. In the past analog times, I used perspective correction lenses. Since I "dived" into digital photography, I never found the real explanation for serious perspective correction between PC lenses and workflow processing in any program : LR, C1, DxO, etc.

I recently found and bought an R PC 24mm Super-Angulon that I am waiting for. I started to investigate for an R to L mount adapter and found that Leica's adapter seems to me much too expensive, and most other adapters cost less than 70 €. What Leica's R to L is so expensive ?

Can someone explain the reason of this difference and give me some advice for the best alternative to Leica's ring ?

Thank you very much

Gérard

Hello Gerard,

The Leica R to L adapter is certainly excellent and, to my knowledge, the only adapter that transmits the ROM information from an R lens with a ROM strip to the SL.

If you don’t have an R lens with a ROM strip, you can use a more affordable adapter without any loss of functionality. For example, I use a Macro-Elmarit 60mm with the Novoflex R-L adapter and am very satisfied. There are certainly even cheaper adapters, but after some negative experiences elsewhere, I’ve stuck with Novoflex.

K. 

[jpark114]

Based on my experience adapting many old slr lens (F, Pentax, Canon FD, and even Leica M) on Canon RF mount, cheaper adapters (mostly from K&F) were pretty good.  But I had two adapters that wobbled.  I had to replace those with more expensive ones from Novoflex although the reviews online had several cases of wobbly ones.  Eventually all the ones from Novoflex were good, but I'd rather pay premium and get the manufacturer's original adapter if it's available. 

[davidmknoble]

I have used the R-L adapter since the SL 601.  It is solid, goes on smoothly and doesn’t wobble.  The ROM coding reads really well (including the zoom length of a zoom lens, like the 80-200).  I have about 18 Leica R lenses and they work really well with the Leica adapter.  To be honest, I also have the Leica S to L adapter and it works well too.  I’m sure other brand names work well, but I prefer the Leica Brand and hit hasn’t failed me!

David

[gdb]

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Dear colleagues,

Thank you very much for your answers. I finally chose the Novoflex adapter for the time being. When I get my lens (found on Leica Store Miami), I'll see how it works.

I just have to find some time to shoot interesting buildings. I intend to go and try my lens with Notre-Dame in Paris or Chartres

All the best !

Gérard

[SJCoates]

When I got my SL (601) body, I needed an adapter for my R lenses, and for me there was no doubt that spending the extra on the genuine Leica adapter would be worth it, as I only use R lenses. Now, having used this setup, there are no issues; it is expensive for what it is, but you get what you pay for.

As I only have R lenses, it made sense for me; if you only have occasional use of an R lens, then your use case might not really justify the extra outlay of the Leica adapter.

A funny quirk however is that the file data shows a focal length of 99mm when I use the 100mm macro lens!

[FlashGordonPhotography]

If you use R lenses with the ROM chip you will get benefits from the Leica adaptor. Automatic IBIS reading (especially useful with zoom lenses), lens corrections and exif data are the main ones. If you use non-ROM lenses it makes no difference what adaptor you use, assuming good machining.

Gordon

[stam6882]

Hi all,

Recently I purchased my SL2 and a Novoflex R-to-L adapter. I understand that this adapter will not transmit any lens info to the SL2 and even I manually register the lens under SL2 camera settings, Auto ISO does not work (i.e. ISO does not shifted and remains at ISO 100 when light condition changes). And the manual focus magnification does not get triggered when using the thumb wheel either.  Not sure if this is an issue with my Novoflex adapter or just a behaviour of adapting R lenses on SL body.

The Leica R-L adapter is very expensive but I do have a few ROM zoom lenses so thinking if I should be investing in a Leica adapter to fix the issues. I'd like to hear your experience for those using Novoflex or Leica R/L adapters please?

Stephen

[Photoworks]

7 hours ago, stam6882 said:

Hi all,

Recently I purchased my SL2 and a Novoflex R-to-L adapter. I understand that this adapter will not transmit any lens info to the SL2 and even I manually register the lens under SL2 camera settings, Auto ISO does not work (i.e. ISO does not shifted and remains at ISO 100 when light condition changes). And the manual focus magnification does not get triggered when using the thumb wheel either.  Not sure if this is an issue with my Novoflex adapter or just a behaviour of adapting R lenses on SL body.

The Leica R-L adapter is very expensive but I do have a few ROM zoom lenses so thinking if I should be investing in a Leica adapter to fix the issues. I'd like to hear your experience for those using Novoflex or Leica R/L adapters please?

Stephen

Just like the M-L adapter, the camera needs to recognize the Lens, or you pick the lens from the menu in order to operate correctly.

Unless you have ROM lenses the Leica adapter in not going to benefit you much.

by entering the lens in the menu a few options get activated:

1. IBIS is on again

2. exposure works correctly in A and M mode. T and P should be greyed out.

3. auto ISO should work in A mode, there was a bug in the past so make sure you are using the latest firmware.

 

The R-L leica should add:

1. Lens recognition

2. Lens info in Metadata

3. Lens corrections.