pgk Posted July 31, 2008 Share #1 Posted July 31, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) Although I'm primarily an M user when it comes to Leica, I have always appreciated the optical quality of, but have never owned, R series lenses. Until recently that is. I use Canon full frame dSLRs (1DS and 5D currently) and decided to try an R lens on these a few months ago. I bought a reasonably priced 80/1.4 (I have Canon's 85/1.2 but its a bulky, unwieldy brute which I rarely carry around despite its excellent performance. Well using the 80/1.4 on the Canon got me hooked. Its wide open performance is more 'characterful' than the more surgical precision of the Canon but when its used at mid apertures its performance is absolutely superb. Next a friend lent me his 180/3.4 apo and wow, another brilliant performer especially wide open, and so light! I added an ancient 19mm (early version) which despite showing signs of its optical age still produces some very good images. And today I've just taken delivery of a 2 cam (yes that's right, 2 cam) 135/2.8 which I've quickly tried in the garden. Frankly its an excellent little lens, and for £75 an absolute bargain. I shoot a lot of material on tripod using MU and remote or self timer triggering so the additional step of stopping down is not a problem. Given the rock-bottom prices of older R lenses they compete very well with buying Canon primes and I'd say that with the exception of the 19 (I don't personally rate Canon's 20 either) are optically superb even today. Bargains are to be had! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 31, 2008 Posted July 31, 2008 Hi pgk, Take a look here New life in OLD R lenses. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
earleygallery Posted July 31, 2008 Share #2 Posted July 31, 2008 And today I've just taken delivery of a 2 cam (yes that's right, 2 cam) 135/2.8 Correct me if I'm wrong but I didn't think the cams had any role to play if used on a Canon body? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgk Posted July 31, 2008 Author Share #3 Posted July 31, 2008 earlygallery This was part of my point - old 2 cam lenses are now 'old' and can be bought for very little money and when they are fitted to a Canon, whether they are 1, 2, 3 cam or ROM is irrelevant! I also have Canon's 135/2 and I intend to try this and the Leica side by side at some point but my initial impression is that the 135/2.8 R is a very good performer indeed - and if you don't need AF, are happy to manually focus and can work with manual apertur control it may be a very viable alternative to more expensive newer lenses. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Overgaard Posted July 31, 2008 Share #4 Posted July 31, 2008 The new 19mm should be perfect. I know some exist that has been fitted specially for Canon full frame cameras. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
HetDraakje Posted August 2, 2008 Share #5 Posted August 2, 2008 Beware, It can become very expensive... 2 years ago I bought my first digital SLR (5D) for full frame photography and corresponding lenses. Then I found out that via adapters (including focus confirmation) all kinds of lenses could be fitted. Nikon, Zeiss and Leica! In no time I had a 80/1.4, 35/2, 50/1.4, 135/2.8, and finally the 2nd version of 19/2.8, and modified it to fit the 5D. Then after carrying 17 kg of photo gear on my holiday, and ending up tired at home, I bought a M8 and some lenses for it's compactness and weight. This is the becoming very expensive part, as most lens prices have rocketed. I still have the 5D, and still use it sometimes when AF is needed, or when size/weight is irrelevant. Boen Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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