Leica LTM Is there a digi cam that can mount my Planar 50 Leica version?

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
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jaimiepeeters

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Hi guys

On my M6 I have a Zeiss Planar 50mm F2 lens that I love. I was wondering if there is a digital camera that I could mount this lens onto.

Yesterday I had an assignment for a clothing company and met the limitations of the X100. Although it surpasses anyones expectations, I did miss some of the features of my old 7D. So I am considering a digital SLR just for assignments, but would love to use my Planar50....

If that would be possible, I'd be on clouds.
 
The DSLRs have register distances (mounting flange surface to the sensor surface) much larger than the RF lenses. If you want to use your M-mount lenses on digital bodies then choose from a few mirrorless bodies. The m43 (Panasonic, Olympus) would give you 2X focal length so your Planar will turn into a 100mm lens. Sony Nex-5N, 7, Fujifilm XP1, Epson RD-1 and Ricoh GXR are to factored as 1.5X.. To use it with the original FL , you need an M9.
 
Buy a mirrorless camera. My recommendation would be a Sony NEX-5N (or NEX-7). Many here also go with m4/3 cameras from Panasonic and Olympus. From there, using this lens just takes a very small metal tube to adapt it to the m4/3 or NEX E-mount. With the NEX cameras, you have the ability to use focus assists such as magnification and focus peaking (where in-focus areas of the scene will have their edges light up in the colour of your choosing).
 
I would say, based on zero actual hands-on experience, the Ricoh GXR or the NEX-7 would be best, but both of those are APS-C. My nod goes to the NEX-7 for its delicious finder and its great 24.3MP sensor.

for digital FF using the same field of view as on your M6, you're stuck with the M9.

Why not just shoot your M6 instead of the X100? Is Film such a limitation?
 
You need a camera with RF lens compatible mount register, with or without mount adaptation. In order of quality (from my own actual use and testing), that will be a Leica M9, Leica M8, Ricoh GXR (with A12 Camera Mount), Olympus E-M5, Sony NEX 5n, Epson R-D1, other Micro-FourThirds, other NEX.

All except the M9 are smaller format than your M6 and will net a narrower field of view. The M9/M8/GXR are the best sensor match to RF lenses with shorter focal lengths, but all work fairly well with a 50mm focal length lens; the sensor match issues become much more acute with lenses and certain lens designs at 35mm focal length and shorter.
 
In looking at the work shown in your link, i don't see images that illustrate any characteristics of the 50 Planar. Instead of trying to adapt that lens to 'just any body,' why not get the camera body/platform that is most efficient for the kind of work you shoot, and use the best lens native to that camera? From what i see, a 5D3 with a 50/1.4 EF would be it for you.
 
If you're shooting a Canon DSLR, get a Super Multi Coated Takumar 50mm f/1.7 (the f/1.4 will hurt your mirror) and a simple adapter that is chipped for focus confirmation and will allow infinity focus.
If you like the Planar, get a Contax SLR mount 50mm f/1.4 or f/1.7 and stick a Leitax adapter on it as was mentioned. That is a very inexpensive option for one of the best lenses ever made.
Of course, there's always the Leica R Summicron...

Phil Forrest
 
jaimiepeeters said:
Now there's enough food for thought here to keep me busy for a week. Thank you!
Click to expand...

About the NEX cameras and other apsc cameras.

This was one of the first apsc cameras I used with legacy lenses... The 5n is what I currently own.

For adapted legacy, especially the super wides like the cv 15, the Ricoh gxr is best choice, followed by the nex5n.

I do not use my 5n any longer except for vacation usage... For following reason.. Vacations sometimes u need video and Sony produces the best videos... But I have also missed a lot of good pictures because of the placement of that d** video button. :bang: A lot of complaints to Sony on the placement of that video record button after all these years, they have never done anything about it. There is a DIY workaround involving gluing a donut type ring around the button mentioned here and other places on the web.

Currently Ricoh gxr for all legacy rf lenses and the Fuji xp1 and x100 for everything else in terms of digital. For BW I still use film. I just really like to tonal quality I get from film.

Xp1 m mount adapter just started shipping this last week or so.. One of the nice things about their implantation is aberration correction, but jury is still out in terms of how good this will be. There are third party vendors with m adapters for the xp1 that are a lot cheaper, people on the boards have had mixed success with them with the wide angles rf lenses, but lenses around 28 and up from my experience have been ok. Ymmv...

Good luck
Gary
 
I use the Fuji X100 for lookbook assignments for fashion companies, which makes some people look up odd when they see me do this with an X100.
 
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