Canon or Nikon with R Lenses

[ktmrider]

Am looking at full frame Canon and Nikon DSLR's and really don't have a preference. I used Nikon film cameras for years but don't own any at present but my first cameras were a Canon FT and Canon Pelix.

It seems to me that either the Nikon D600 or its Canon equivalent are pretty good deals right now (if I am willing to go with a large camera). I own a Leica R6.2 and 28/50/135 R lenses. My idea is to get the appropriate adopters so which system would you buy: Canon or Nikon?

And of course I am still thinking about a digital M or the Sony A7. There are too many damm choices out there.

 

[rbelyell]

if it were me, and i was thinking of an A7 or digital m, or a nikon/canon, hands down id go with the nikon DF with R and/or ZF lenses. my personal dream kit would be the df with zf 28/2 distagon; 58/1.4 nikon and 90/2 cron R.

 

[Timmyjoe]

If you want to use your three R lenses on a digital SLR, and still be able to use them on your R6.2, I would recommend the Canon (and I'm a Nikon guy). The reason being, from my understanding, you can buy an EOS adapter for your Leica R glass that attaches to the rear of each lens, and can be taken back off. With the Nikon cameras, the rear of the Leica R lens must be taken apart and a new Nikon mount installed. Not sure that process is reversible.

Best,
-Tim

 

[redisburning]

ok so it depends.

I dont like Canon's sensors as much as Nikon's but it's hard to argue that it's a worse system for adapted lenses. The 5Dii is marvelous to that effect.

but, the D600 is a camera I wouldnt buy personally. Id be looking at A7, D800 and 5Dii in that order (or 1ds series). big cameras other than the sony.

if you like your lenses, Leitax is absolutely the way to go IMO. supreme rigidity and tolerances in their mount swaps. if you go for Canon, you might also go the route of a good adapter (like novoflex or photodiox pro).

fwiw I own only one Leica R lens and my Canon 40D is not a full frame camera, but I seriously love my 60 macro elmarit on my cheap canon. An A7 is the next camera for me, when it makes a bit more sense for me.

60ME: (click through this one for original size)

Butters / 60 Macro-Elmarit-R first impressions by redisburning, on Flickr


Untitled by redisburning, on Flickr

I adapt all sorts of lenses to my Canon since I detest autofocus lenses and don't like Canon's lenses other than their resolution (which is admittedly very good and some lenses are really nice but I cant afford the 200/1.8 and the 80-200/2.8 isnt relevant to me with it's horrendous MFD). I have used Nikon F and Zeiss ZF, Olympus OM and even Contax C/Y once or twice. I can then use these lenses with my film cameras without much trouble. Every one of these has snapped frames on my 40D, as have many others:


macro family portrait by redisburning, on Flickr

 

[redisburning]

If you want to use your three R lenses on a digital SLR, and still be able to use them on your R6.2, I would recommend the Canon (and I'm a Nikon guy). The reason being, from my understanding, you can buy an EOS adapter for your Leica R glass that attaches to the rear of each lens, and can be taken back off. With the Nikon cameras, the rear of the Leica R lens must be taken apart and a new Nikon mount installed. Not sure that process is reversible.

Best,
-Tim

it's fully reversible for the vast majority of lenses though there is not perfect compatibility with either Canon or Nikon iirc.

 

[Shac]

I've just reversed 2 R lenses that I've been using on Nikon bodies (Will use on my A7). I found the converted lenses just slightly loose on the Nikon despite the mount being well made. I think that it's way easier to add a mount for Canon, unlike having to take off the Leica bayonet mount and replace it with a Nikon bayonet mount.

A lens like the 60/2.8 Macro Elmarit is quite a challenge not only to change to a Nikon mount but also to reverse back to Leica R (I just managed the latter tonight)

 

[zleica]

I think the best camera to use Leica R lenses is Sony A7r.

 

[Shac]

zleica - or a Sony A7🙂

 

[sc_rufctr]

I use a 1Ds Mark 2 with an EC split focus screen and couldn't be happier.

It feel much the same as my R8 -DMR... Just easy.

 

[nobbylon]

I converted 4 R lenses for use on my D700. 35,50,60 and 90 using Leitax adapters. I ended up converting back because I found my 24-70 and 80 1.4 just as good and stop down metering a pain. If I was starting scratch I'd go Canon 5 series so I could use on both them and my SL's.
The one thing I noticed with my R lenses on D700 was the colour and bokeh consistency irrespective of lens.
You'll get lots of opinion re camera choice and plenty from people who have not used either lenses or cameras !! so take your time choosing.

 

[filmtwit]

Have you looked at the Canon 6d?

 

[ktmrider]

Am past the urge right now to get any dslr. Will keep using the R6.2. Thanks for all the advise.

 

[Godfrey]

Am past the urge right now to get any dslr. Will keep using the R6.2. Thanks for all the advise.

Likely the best thing to do. I have a similar batch of lovely R lenses and a pair of Leicaflex SLs ... They just work so well I'm keeping 'em. If I want to use them on a digital body, it'll be the Sony A7. (I've used them on the Olympus E-M1 too, they do a good job there but I think they'll work better on the FF sensor.)

G

 

[burancap]

I use Canon for the ease of adapting. Specifically on a 5Dc "classic" and using the EF-M adapter on an EOS M. That gives me FF digital, 1.5 crop digital, and 35mm film on my Leicafexes and R8 with all the same lenses (50/2, 60/2.8 Macro, and 35-70/4). I also have a R-NEX adapter, but much prefer the balance of the big Canon and the heavy R glass.

 

[Steve M.]

"Am past the urge right now to get any dslr. Will keep using the R6.2. Thanks for all the advise".

A wise decision. I am not a fan of the Leica R cameras, and use my R 90 Elmarit on my Nikon film bodies. Stop down metering is no big deal at all, especially on a Nikon film body. Their viewfinders are as bright w/ a lens stopped down to f5.6 as a DSLR viewfinder is w/ most lenses wide open!

 

[hausen]

My go to lens on my A7r is Leica R PC 28 2.8SA so I would the Sony as well.