Zeiss lenses on Leica body?

[Krosya]

http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00E8b0This is the thread I saw before and thats why I started this one - to confirm one way or the other.
Thanks for everyone's posts. Keep'em coming.

 

[sepiareverb]

I'd not worry about any problems with the ZM stuff on current M's- it was the metering arm of the M5 that I was wondering about in relation to the wides, as even some older Leica wides won't work without modification. I know both my Contax G 28 & 21 stick way into the body, was thinking this might be the case with the ZM wides. These Contax lenses are my only experience with RF wide angles. Looking forward to working wide with the M's!

 

[peter_n]

I agree -- great glass. I guess as an FSU/Bessa guy I feel a little like the poor country cousin visiting here. 😉

Well you might be treated like that on a Leica only forum but this is a rangefinder forum. I have a big investment in Leica gear but like many others here, I use stuff from Japan and Russia/Ukraine as well as Germany. So long as the quality is there and it works well who cares where it comes from?

 

[sepiareverb]

Yeah- as long as it lands on my doorstep it can come from anywhere!

 

[sepiareverb]

Touche!

There's some great joke here but I'm too tired to figure it out.

 

[brachal]

Yeah- as long as it lands on my doorstep it can come from anywhere!

Y'all just made me laugh. Thanks. I'd get an M8 if I could afford one. I mentioned an M6 to the wife last night, and she pointed out that I already have 6 cameras I don't use regularly. I thought, "Yes, only 6!"

 

[sepiareverb]

I just tried out my Zeiss Tessar 50/2.8 on the Canon 7. It used to be in M42 Mount, now it is on an I-61 mount, and collimated for the Leica. Will find out how it does.

So this is screw-mount-ese. A different language.!
😉

 

[Matthew Runkel]

I'd not worry about any problems with the ZM stuff on current M's- it was the metering arm of the M5 that I was wondering about in relation to the wides, as even some older Leica wides won't work without modification. I know both my Contax G 28 & 21 stick way into the body, was thinking this might be the case with the ZM wides. These Contax lenses are my only experience with RF wide angles. Looking forward to working wide with the M's!

I believe that when Zeiss introduced the ZM lenses it made a special point that they were "adapted for digital", "designed for digital" or some such thing. I think one aspect of this design is that the lenses do not project far into the camera body so that light strikes the film/sensor plane more perpendicularly than it otherwise would. I suspect the 25mm and the other wides are somewhat retrofocus, even if the classical biogon is not.

 

[sepiareverb]

I believe that when Zeiss introduced the ZM lenses it made a special point that they were "adapted for digital", "designed for digital" or some such thing. I think one aspect of this design is that the lenses do not project far into the camera body so that light strikes the film/sensor plane more perpendicularly than it otherwise would. I suspect the 25mm and the other wides are somewhat retrofocus, even if the classical biogon is not.

Yes I remember reading something about that now. Thanks for the reassurance. I wonder if this means there is a digital Ikon in the future?

 

[sepiareverb]

Well, After hearing from some folks via pm that they have the 25 on an M5 without doing any harm and talking with Sherry the other day, ruler in hand, I was out with the ZM25 on the M5 today. Fine combo- hefty, yes, but handles very nicely. Will try to get films run tomorrow!

 

[raid]

I just tried out my Zeiss Tessar 50/2.8 on the Canon 7. It used to be in M42 Mount, now it is on an I-61 mount, and collimated for the Leica. Will find out how it does.

Brian,

I love to hear about your lens experiments.
If I get any M42 mount lens, could you mount it on an I61?

Raid

 

[Mario Mazariegos]

I use a mix of Leica Bodies and both leica and zeiss lenses with them, no problem whatsoever,enjoy!

 

[Scarpia]

Recently used my 50mm Planar ZM on my M6. No problems whatsoever, but I did not use it wide open as there was no need to.\Kurt M.

 

[foto_fool]

I have mounted AND used my ZM Sonnar on the M6 with beautiful results. RE: mix-and-match, the Sonnar is my very favorite lens on the R-D1. In fact, the only body I have not yet tried the Sonnar on yet is the ZI!

- John

 

[thomasw_]

Nor me. Zm 28, 35 and 50 on either of my two MPs are PERFECT. Even wide open. ......The ZMs, as commented by Xray, are wonderful lenses and produce lovely smooth OOF areas, sharo negs and handle great. This idea of only Leica lenses on Leica bodies for 'proper performance' is nonsense. I have yet to detect any inadequacies with mine yet. Thankfully.

Tom

I agree. My 28/2.8 biogon is a sweet deal on my M2. The images I have produced with it are very satisfying. I find VC, ZM and other lenses work flawlessly on Leica Ms and barnacks; I fail to see why people wouldn't want to try out various lens brands on their M system bodies, especially if buying only Leica glass is financially out of range.

 

[raid]

I am lucky to have a Zeiss Jena Sonnar 5cm/2 in Leica mount. DAG cleaned the lens up for me and he shimmed it correctly.

Raid