Adaptall on R8?

jbielikowski

jbielikowski

Jan Bielikowski
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I have a R8 on the way and wanted to try if I like it before buying leica glass, I can source adaptall 2<->leica r adapter for peanuts but I've read mixed opinions about using it with R8/R9. Could any (former)user tell me if there is a problem? Thanks in advance!
 
As I seem to remember (poorly??) there were two different Adaptall adapters for Leica reflex.

The first was for the Leicaflex and the second was billed as being for the R-4. The first would be like using a "single cam" lens. The second would, I believe, simulate the later "2 cam" coupling arrangement.

The Leica R mount evolved further with "3 cam" lenses and "3rd cam only" lenses. Any problems or limitations a newer R series camera would have will mostly be the same as those it would have when using a real Leica R "2 cam" lens (assuming you get the newer "R4" version adapter).

I do know that several of the Adaptall and Adaptall-2 lenses were not compatible with the early Leicaflex and Leicaflex-SL bodies as the lenses protruded too far back and would block the mirror's travel. It wasn't until Lecia began working with Minolta and began using Minolta based bodies and Monolta based zoom lens designs that the mirror blockage issue was eliminated.
 
Everything you need to know from the Leica R mount perspective is here:
http://www.photoethnography.com/ClassicCameras/Lens-R.html

There are 1-cam, 2-cam, 3-cam, R-only, and ROM variants of the R mount. The R8 is safe to use with 3-cam, R-only, and ROM variants. .. So if there is an AdaptAll mount that simulates a 3-cam, R-only, or ROM variant Leica R mount, it's safe on the R8.

G
 
jbielikowski said:
Well here it is: http://leica.nemeng.com/017e.shtml (scroll to the bottom) I finally found explanation, not only simple "don't do this" on FM and photo.net
Click to expand...

Good info. Thanks! I'll add that to Leica R lore pile. 🙂

Far as I'm concerned, if I'm going to use a Leicaflex or Leica R, I'll stick with the Leica lenses.

G
 
Jan,
Save yourself some PITA and forget Leica SLR bodies. The greatest SLR film bodies of all time have been made by Nikon. You can find some acceptable Nikon lenses, particularly in the range 85mm onwards. If you need better lenses, you can buy Zeiss ZF glass. If you are absolutely ill on the topic of some Leica SLR lens for a special purpose, you can leitax it to Nikon mount and work in full manual mode. If you need some specific feedback PM me, as I have tried lots of stuff. Ciao, Marek
 
mfogiel said:
Jan,
Save yourself some PITA and forget Leica SLR bodies. The greatest SLR film bodies of all time have been made by Nikon. You can find some acceptable Nikon lenses, particularly in the range 85mm onwards. If you need better lenses, you can buy Zeiss ZF glass. If you are absolutely ill on the topic of some Leica SLR lens for a special purpose, you can leitax it to Nikon mount and work in full manual mode. If you need some specific feedback PM me, as I have tried lots of stuff. Ciao, Marek
Click to expand...

Respectfully I differ from Marek in that I love my "Hunchback of Solms" (R8). LOL. I actually think this camera presents a lot of style, why do so many hate it? Funny how a R8 is about half the price of a R9. My bet is people pay double for the almost quarter pound difference in weight (R8 is heavier) because to me the R9 is an upgrade and not really that different a camera.

Then again I also shoot a black SL2-MOT which I named "Brutus" because it feels like a brick in my hand. Understand that I like/prefer heavy cameras.

I'm cool with people not liking Leica R bodies. BTW in Nikon SLR's I shoot a F3P, F3HP and a D3X.

I will agree that Leitax is a very cool way to mount Leica glass on Nikon bodies. I use this new Leitax mount called "Almost Auto-diaphram." It has a lever to open the iris and switches from the preset aperture to wide open like in a perspective control lens. I find it very handy.

Cal
 
R8 was my dream (as F3HP) around 1998, somehow I never used them before, and I'm close to saying that I've used almost everything. Maybe it was the fear that those unicorns, holy grails, gonna be just another camera, nothing really that special.

Anyway, after test roll I have a funny feeling that my Elmarit need some care, as with close-ups its deadly sharp wide open across frame, but past 3meters its holga-style.

csn_0441.jpg


csn_0448.jpg
 
I used an Adaptall on a Tamron 24 mm for a long time on an R8 with great success. It was always an excellent lens and my brother still uses it on Leica R gear. I was always sure that a Leica lens couldn't have been that much better and I have several Leica cameras and lenses and do know what I'm talking about.TW
 
Tony Whitney said:
I used an Adaptall on a Tamron 24 mm for a long time on an R8 with great success. It was always an excellent lens and my brother still uses it on Leica R gear. I was always sure that a Leica lens couldn't have been that much better and I have several Leica cameras and lenses and do know what I'm talking about.TW
Click to expand...

Tony,

My impression is that the Leica 24 Elmarit-R is not one of the better lenses in the R line-up. Not all Leica glass is great.

Cal
 
Not relevant to the issue of Adaptall mounts, but further to the comments above on R8 v\s R9.

R8 apparently had some early teething troubles, cleared up later in the production run. R9 seems not to have had any gremlins.

Electronics in a camera are always suspect. Sometimes circuit board shortcomings are discovered, like in one R, sometimes spare parts become unavailable, as with the DMR.

Lack of spare parts is bound to happen with any camera featuring integrated circuits until an enterprising soul caters to a microscopic market by making new pieces available (programmable ICs + circuit board+ mechanic).

A small, but useful difference between R8 and R9 is the unlocking button on the exposure method-wheel. It no longer moves when inadvertently touched.

Of course, even mechanical wonders can be abandoned by their makers (see the list of R-optics no longer repaired by Leitz), so, as the mechanics are more complicated, do not expect M-type longevity.

p.
 
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