Leica R Glass with Nikon/Canon DSLR

[andybarton]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

My point exactly. It's the glass that makes the difference.

[stevelap]

Can someone chime in and tell me if the following is accurate? My understanding is that Canon EOS dslrs will not auto-aperture stop-down with non-Canon lenses, but that the Nikon d700 will do so with some lens manufacturers other than Nikon...including Zeiss but not Leica.

 

If so, then the Leitax solution for Canon or Nikon leaves something to be desired versus using, say, Zeiss lenses on the Nikon. But, then there's the whole Leica vs Zeiss comparison.

 

Or, do I have this wrong?

 

Jeff

 

Jeff, Zeiss manual focus ZE (Canon) mount lenses work on most (recent) cameras with useable P,A,S,M functions. Their ZF (Nikon) mount lenses work on most (recent) cameras with M and A functionality only.

See the Zeiss website (sorry, can't get the link to work) for full compatibility and functionality information.

 

As far as I know (not definitive:)) R lenses used on any other body will work in manual, stop-down mode only, with some adaptor/body combinations also offering focus confirmation.

[rick_dykstra]

Hi Rick,

 

<big snip>

 

I hope this helps.

 

Peter

 

Yes thank you Peter. Very much indeed. Thank you for such a comprehensive and thoughtful response.

[marc_dufour]

A test I did, some days ago: Canon 5D Mk II / Apo-Macro-R 1:2.8/100 / Ring adapter.

Full frame and crop at real size. I'm waiting for a Leitax mount to do some new test.

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

[adan]

A point of clarification - Zeiss currently makes ZA and ZF lenses that have the connections to work with current Canon and Nikon bodies in most or all regards except autofocus. They have the right mounts and connections right from the factory.

 

However, the Zeiss lenses made for the Kyocera/Contax camera system 1973-2005 (RIP) are in the same boat as Leica R lenses - their levers don't connect to anything on a Canon body, so they can only be used in manual stop-down mode. As with Leica lenses, they would only fit a Nikon via a full replacement of the mount (if such even exists).

[razerx]

Anyone shooting 5D MK II in Live View mode? Theoretically the wide angle R lenses would all work since there is no mirror to clear.

[ziggurat]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Hello,

 

I've bought the Canon 5D Mk2 two or three weeks ago. I was waiting for the R solution but had to go ahead anyway.

 

I bought the 24-105 kit lens. Now I really appreciate the lenses on the Digilux 1, 2 and 3.

 

Even after running the file through the Canon software to fix the lens distortions it is still noticeable that the image is softer around the periphery (at f5.6) - and that they don't fix.

 

So I'm thinking about trying the 60 mm f2 Macro-Elmarit-R. I wonder if anyone has experience of this combination and if so would I have any correcting to do?

 

Kind Regards

Johnny

[andybarton]

The 60 Elmarit is a fantastic lens on any body. I don't know about a Canon body, but on film, DMR and now D700, mine's been fantastic. I've never had to correct it for anything.

 

In fact, I don't think I've ever HAD to correct any Leica lens for anything.

[ziggurat]

Thanks for that Andy, very reassuring.

 

Cheers

Johnny

[andybarton]

No problem.

 

If the 60 Elmarit on a Canon body doesn't give you the results you want, my guess would be that it won't be the lens that's the weak link...

[farnz]

Anyone shooting 5D MK II in Live View mode? Theoretically the wide angle R lenses would all work since there is no mirror to clear.

Yes, I shoot a 5D2 in Live View with a 19 f/2.8 Elmarit-R, 28 f/2.8 Elmarit-R and 28-90 f/2.8-4.5 Vario-Elmarit-R amongst other R lenses and they all work very well (with no mirror-fouling problem of course). I found that the 28-90 gave problems when normally shooting through the viewfinder so I've shaved the mirror now.

 

Two things that I've found to be exceptionally useful in Live View are 1) the image in the LCD can be magnified up to 10x to assist precision focussing, and 2) focussing is easily done when stopped down because the LCD's brightness is automatically adjusted.

 

Pete.

[Posto 6]

My point exactly. It's the glass that makes the difference.

 

I am thinking of getting either a Canon EOS1DX or Nikon D4 to complement my DMR (the one that still works). I am also very interested in the high ISO and video capabilities, which obviously are missing from the DMR. If the Nikon solution has advantages, I am prepared to dedicate some of the lenses to this system, most likely using Leitax units.

 

Apart from the need to change the bayonet for the D4 vs adaptor for the EOS1DX , it would be interesting if anyone has experience with any of the following lenses on these cameras (or their immediate predecessors) as far as usability and possible problems/hassles:

15mm 3.5

19mm 2.8 mk2

21-35mm zoom

28-90mm zoom

35mm 1.4

50mm 2

80mm 1.4

70-180mm zoom

280mm 4

1.4x and 2x apo-extenders

 

In practice, are there any advantages to the AF-confirm system for either of the two systems when used with Leica glass? Also, are there any practical advantages to either system when using Leica R lenses that anyone is aware of?

[wildlightphoto]

... the Zeiss lenses made for the Kyocera/Contax camera system 1973-2005 (RIP) ... would only fit a Nikon via a full replacement of the mount (if such even exists).

 

Zeiss Contax lens for Nikon cameras

 

are there any practical advantages to either system when using Leica R lenses that anyone is aware of?

 

The extenders can be modified to fit a Nikon but you'd have to use un-modified lenses on the extenders. On a Canon you'd have more flexibility using the extenders.

[tobey bilek]

I would pick Canon so I could use a simple adapter. The adapter would allow continued use of DMR with all lenses.

 

Canon mirrors will not clear all lenses. do the research.

 

You will need special focus confirm adapters.

 

I Leitaxed a 28 and 35 shift for my Nikons. The rest await a better solution.

 

The better R glass is just as incredible on a Nikon. 280 4.0 for one

 

Shame we go back to 1960 and lose auto diaphragm.

[Jamie Roberts]

Don't forget that Zeiss lenses focus and change their aperture in the opposite direction to Leica lenses. Now THAT would be confusing, I reckon.

 

In my case, I have a number of Leica R lenses, which in the second hand market are now practically worthless. The Leitax solution is a good one - for me. Going out and buying another load of lenses isn't.

 

I don't know if you've done this lately, but just on your point about value, you should really check the prices on some of those R lenses, Andy. They're being used in cine a lot these days if they will mount on an EOS. I was shocked by an evaluation of some of my R lenses, and I actually sold off everything but my 80 R lux and 50 and 35 'crons. The rest were just carrying too much value and I had coverage on the M or Canon side.

[leicamann]

its so clear to me - there is a market for a Digilux 4 - not to mix threads

 

Leica "dropped' the Digilux line along with the R series( at the same time)... why.. have no idea.

 

Cheers, JRM

[gisling]

I use R lenses with Canon 5DM2

 

The giant Buddha at Longmen Grottos, Luoyang

 

Canon 5DM2+Leitz Elmarit R19

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

[a911s]

I use these with Canon 5d Mk III for filming:

 

19mm 2.8 mk1

35mm 2 mk 2

50mm 2 mk 2

60mm 2.8 macro

80mm 1.4

180mm 2.8 mk 2

2x apo-extender

[rick_dykstra]

I use these with Canon 5d Mk III for filming:

 

19mm 2.8 mk1

35mm 2 mk 2

50mm 2 mk 2

60mm 2.8 macro

80mm 1.4

180mm 2.8 mk 2

2x apo-extender

 

Can you point us to where we can see the output from this please? That would be very interesting. Any rolling shutter problems?

 

Thanks.

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[Jeffg53]

I have a:

50 Cron

19 Elmarit

100 APO Elmarit

180 APO Telyt

28-90 Elmarit

 

and the Zeiss Otus and 135. All the R lenses have been Leitaxed. A friend wanted to try pointing them at a brick wall to see how the R lenses handled a D800E. My threshold of pain is very low for such exercises but if anyone wants to see the results, please PM me. I have no interest in discussing the results at length.