Best lenses for leicaflex?

[david.elliott]

Hello all,

Just purchased a leicaflex sl2. I also have a 50 summicron 3-cam incoming.

I'll leave wide angles to my leica mp and plan to use the sl2 for focal lengths above 50mm. Which telephoto lenses should I set my sights on? Oh, and which macro lens?

Please feel free to post photos from your favorite r lenses.

Thanks,

David

 

[david.elliott]

Oh, and if your recommendations are for the lenses that still cost several thousand dollars, please do suggest more reasonably priced alternatives (e.g. < $1k). 😀

 

[rxmd]

Elmarit 90/f2.8 for an excellent portrait lens, not too expensive.

For macro it depends on your focal length. The Macro-Elmarit 60/f2.8 is excellent. There's an older Macro Elmarit 100/f4 that shouldn't be too expensive either.

With a bit of luck and patience you should be able to get the 60/f2.8 macro and the 90/f2.8 tele for $500-$600 each, which would be a very nice combination with a lot of possibilities.

If you want a really unique set of teles and don't mind them being expensive, there's a Summilux 80/f1.4 and a Summicron 180/f2 - and for $7k you can have them both 😀

 

[rpilottx]

135?

135?

Like yourself, I just got into the Leica SLR system. The 135f2.8 is reasonably priced but heavy.

And Collectible Cameras in Phoenix is having a 20% off sale on all items until the end of the month.

 

[david.elliott]

Thanks buddy.

7k? Let me go break out my pot of gold and I'll get right on that. 😀

I have a 50/4 macro takumar lens which I adore. Maybe it would be worth looking into the 100mm leica lens for a bit of variety. Does the f4 elmar perform well or is it worth saving up for the 3 cam version of the 100 / 2.8 apo?

Thoughts on the 90 summicron vs. elmarit?

Also, thoughts in the 180mm focal length? There seem to be quite a lot of options there judging by this site - http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/R_Lenses_x_Type

Finally, anybody out there using any of the 250mm lenses? Not too many photos taken with those lenses on flickr.

 

[Dralowid]

I occasionally use an SL alongside an M6.

The 60(or 65? can't remember) 2.8 Macro Elmarit is a fantastic lens and inexpensive in its older incarnations. Can be used as a 'standard'.

I also have a 560 Telyt for...well, not a lot...but when you need it you won't have it with you...but it produces great images if the atmospherics are up to it!

 

[Frank Petronio]

I had the two-cam versions of the 90/2.8 with the tumbler lenshade. Excellent portrait lens and it cost less than $200 ten years ago. The 90/2 version doesn't have as good a reputation yet costs more.

I also had the 28/2.8 and it was very nice, the rectangular lenshade is nice looking too ;-) I think I found a "user" for under $500.

I've heard the 35/2 and 35/2.8 are excellent, I know the 50/2 is. The 180 lenses are supposed to be good, they made a 180/3.2 I believe, more compact and less expensive than the 2.8 version.

The 85/1.4 must be a beautiful lens but they seem to be in the $2000+++ range now.

I think the 24 was a rebranded Minolta lens so it probably isn't worth the price.

I think with the popularity of Canon DSLRs and the crappiness of many Canon lenses, Leica and Contax SLR lenses are being snatched up by Canontographers, which has driven the prices up. But so long as no R-bodies are in your future, the two-cam lenses are still a bargain.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

I second the 135mm f/2.8; yes, heavy, but it is a very nice, reasonably cheap lens.

I sold it because it was exactly that: too heavy and it took a lot of space; that was then. I would get it again and keep it, though, if I could.

 

[steveyork]

There are a handful of lenses in the Leica R line that are both reasonably priced, and have great optics.

35mm Elmarit (2nd optical version)
50mm Summicron (2nd optical version, although first version isn't bad)
60mm Elmarit (macro)
90mm Elmarit (both 1st and 2nd optical versions)
180mm apo/3.4

There are, of course, other good lenses at fair values (e.g., 28mm), and your needs regarding focal length and speed will dictate where you want to go, but these are my conclusions based on using a leicaflex for several years, reading through the internet, and using a bunch of different lenses. It also seems to be the consensus of opinion.

As far as the difference between the 90mm Summicron and 90mm Elmarit -- I've used both extensively -- go for the elmarit. The Summicron can be magical for portraits, and the extra stop is great, and if feels real good on the leicaflex, but it's more expensive, and generally the elmarit is better optics. But do get a 90mm lens. My feeling is that a 90mm lens on a leicaflex is analogous to a 35mm lens on a leica m; they're just meant to be.

For examples of some of these lenses, see my flickr site.

 

[Ronald M]

First and foremost make sure the SL2 works as it should and that the prism is not desilvering (look at the edges in finder) and check all speeds ( high speeds tend to go off).

Make sure you have a ser 6 filter for the 50. The lens performs better at wide opening with it, believe me it is true.

The original 35 2.8, 90 2.8, and 135 2.8 that were marketed with the camera back when are more than decent lenses.

The last 90 2.8 is better at infinity, not so good up close as it goes soft under 6 feet.

The later version of the 135 is marginally better wide open. You can Identify by curve of rear element and it`s size. I do not remember exact details.

Proper Elpros for close up work simply great on the 50/90/135. They MUST be the proper ones based on filter size. Adapter rings CAN NOT be used as you change the spacing of the add on elements to the original. 180 4.0 uses the Elpro 4, works fine. This is not listed anywhere

35 2.8 with 55 mm filter thread is the best 35 to get. Will cost more than ser 6 original 35 2.8. Buy if you need 2.8

DAG can add cams to any single cam lens for around $100 to make it meter with the SL/SL2.

35 4.0 Curtagon is nice if you like a shift lens.

60 2.8 macro is very good

100 4.0 is good close up, terrible at distance. 100 4.0 bellows is the same.

180 4.0 is a nice travel lens and not expensive.

250 second version with rotating tripod socket and internal focus is nice. Get a shoulder stock with it. The original with fixed socket is a poor handling lens, decent optically.

There is a 350 4.8 companion to the 250 Telyt. Also nice

400 and 560 6.8 + same shoulder stock are good tele lenses.
Later ones better if you have an oil well.

100 APO 180 2.0 & 2.8 APO, 280 4.0 APO are world class best ever made lenses. Need two oil wells, but maybe someday. The others I mentioned are affordable.

I will repeat, the original furnished lenses are quite good but make sure the body functions as it should first.

24 2.8 is not nice. 21 4.0 is ok, need 8 for very sharp corners. 28 2.8 is same as original furnished lenses.

The 60 will be similar quality to your Takumar which I used as an enlarging lens for large prints. The preset and auto diaphragm versions of the Takumar are equally good and among the best Pentax made.

 

[Steve M.]

The Elmarit 90 2.8 is super sharp, and semi reasonably priced. Try Igor's, as he often has them in good prices.

But the 90 2.0 Summicron, between 2.0 and 2.8, is magic. You really need one of these, if only for a few rolls, to see what it can do.

 

[Steve M.]

Leica R 90 Summicron on Nikon SLR at 2.0 w/ fake B&W film: For my money it's the best 35mm portrait lens money can buy.

 

[steveyork]

To answer your question specifically:
Macro = 60mm
Telephoto = 90mm Elmarit and 180mm apo/3.4

All these lenses are affordable in 'Leica Land.' Absolute steals when compared to their M cousins. The 60mm and 180mm are iconic R lenses. Leica got it right. Both versions of 90mm elmarit are comparable to the last M mount elmarit.

Give big consideration to the microprism focusing screen of the SL for your SL2. This screen shines with both telephoto and macro. Much better in these areas then the split image found on the typical SL2.

 

[david.elliott]

I occasionally use an SL alongside an M6.

The 60(or 65? can't remember) 2.8 Macro Elmarit is a fantastic lens and inexpensive in its older incarnations. Can be used as a 'standard'.

I also have a 560 Telyt for...well, not a lot...but when you need it you won't have it with you...but it produces great images if the atmospherics are up to it!

The 560 looks like quite a monster! No wonder you won't have it with you. That is a workout.

 

[david.elliott]

I had the two-cam versions of the 90/2.8 with the tumbler lenshade. Excellent portrait lens and it cost less than $200 ten years ago. The 90/2 version doesn't have as good a reputation yet costs more.

I also had the 28/2.8 and it was very nice, the rectangular lenshade is nice looking too ;-) I think I found a "user" for under $500.

I've heard the 35/2 and 35/2.8 are excellent, I know the 50/2 is. The 180 lenses are supposed to be good, they made a 180/3.2 I believe, more compact and less expensive than the 2.8 version.

The 85/1.4 must be a beautiful lens but they seem to be in the $2000+++ range now.

I think the 24 was a rebranded Minolta lens so it probably isn't worth the price.

I think with the popularity of Canon DSLRs and the crappiness of many Canon lenses, Leica and Contax SLR lenses are being snatched up by Canontographers, which has driven the prices up. But so long as no R-bodies are in your future, the two-cam lenses are still a bargain.

Frank,

Are you referring to the 180 / 3.4?

Digital definitely seems to have driven prices up. I don't necessarily mind that though because one day in the distant distant future, perhaps I will own a canon dslr. 🙂

-David

 

[david.elliott]

I second the 135mm f/2.8; yes, heavy, but it is a very nice, reasonably cheap lens.

I sold it because it was exactly that: too heavy and it took a lot of space; that was then. I would get it again and keep it, though, if I could.

Looks larger than my hasselblad's 80/2.8 😀

It is reasonably priced though...

 

[david.elliott]

The Elmarit 90 2.8 is super sharp, and semi reasonably priced. Try Igor's, as he often has them in good prices.

But the 90 2.0 Summicron, between 2.0 and 2.8, is magic. You really need one of these, if only for a few rolls, to see what it can do.

Thanks Steve. I bought the leicaflex from igor and the summicron from tamarkin.

Didn't you have a leicaflex not too long ago?

Nice portrait by the way. Oh to be a cat and sleep the day awayzzzzz

 

[awilder]

Instead of a macro lens, consider an Elpro close-up lens for the 90/2.8. These highly corrected achromatic doublets work quite well on the 90 Elmarit and give a decent repro ratio but not 1:1.

 

[david.elliott]

There are a handful of lenses in the Leica R line that are both reasonably priced, and have great optics.

35mm Elmarit (2nd optical version)
50mm Summicron (2nd optical version, although first version isn't bad)
60mm Elmarit (macro)
90mm Elmarit (both 1st and 2nd optical versions)
180mm apo/3.4

There are, of course, other good lenses at fair values (e.g., 28mm), and your needs regarding focal length and speed will dictate where you want to go, but these are my conclusions based on using a leicaflex for several years, reading through the internet, and using a bunch of different lenses. It also seems to be the consensus of opinion.

As far as the difference between the 90mm Summicron and 90mm Elmarit -- I've used both extensively -- go for the elmarit. The Summicron can be magical for portraits, and the extra stop is great, and if feels real good on the leicaflex, but it's more expensive, and generally the elmarit is better optics. But do get a 90mm lens. My feeling is that a 90mm lens on a leicaflex is analogous to a 35mm lens on a leica m; they're just meant to be.

For examples of some of these lenses, see my flickr site.

Thank you Steve. Much difference between the first and second version 90mm elmarit?

My 2nd optical version 50/2 arrived today and it looks great! Can't wait to try it out.

 

[david.elliott]

Instead of a macro lens, consider an Elpro close-up lens for the 90/2.8. These highly corrected achromatic doublets work quite well on the 90 Elmarit and give a decent repro ratio but not 1:1.

Sounds like I will have to read up on these a bit more. Not at all familiar with them. Care to share any samples from the above setup?