Leica CL and Canon 50/1.2

[dabevalem]

Hi to everybody,

I'm a happy owner of a CL and would like to know if I can mount a Canon 50/1.2 on it. It looks to me it "could" work but found that the rear lens of the canon is more prominent than the Cron40 so wonder if there are any issues (I've read that not all lenses can be safely mounted on the CL).

Thanks for any help.

Stefano.

 

[RayPA]

if you could mount it, you'd probably block quite a bit of the VF (iirc, that's a big lens, right?). I don't know about focusing either. Provided the RF window isn't blocked, focusing accuracy at wide open might be problematic.


.

 

[raid]

Ray said it already. Focusing wide open will be problematic.

 

[dabevalem]

if you could mount it, you'd probably block quite a bit of the VF (iirc, that's a big lens, right?). .

Well, yes, lens is not a small one... but it doesn't block the viewfinder nor the rangefinder patch.

My concern was more to know if the rear element could touch the meter cell.

I don't know about focusing either. Provided the RF window isn't blocked, focusing accuracy at wide open might be problematic.
.

is it due to rangefinder accuracy of the CL ? Due to its base ?

Thanks.

Stefano.

 

[Krosya]

I don't have a CL, but I really don't have any idea why you think that rear element of Canon 50/1.2 sticks out more than any other 50mm lens? Only wide lenses have that. When I put a Leitz LTM->M adapter on Canon 50/1.2 it doesn't "stick out" beyond the adapter's m-mount. So, if LTM->M adapter doesn't touch meter sell/arm, this lens will not either. Hope this answers your original question. See photos below.
As a side note:
But why would you want to put this lens on CL ? RF base is too short to use wide open. And if you will not use it wide open - might as well get a better lens - there many 50mm lenses out there.
Even Hexar RF with Canon 50/1.2 is hard to focus. I prefer to keep it on M6 only.

 

[RayPA]

...
But why would you want to put this lens on CL ? RF base is too short to use wide open. And if you will not use it wide open - might as well get a better lens - there many 50mm lenses out there.
....

exactly...unless it's your only M-mount body and your only 50mm lens. Also, it kind of defeats the purpose of a CL to put that honker on it. 🙂


.

 

[Santafecino]

Someday, someone will figure out how to mount one of those 1.25x magnifiers to a CL eyepiece--and ther will be a great leap forward in its rangefinder accuracy. I looked at it recently, and the only problem is to cut threads in the plastic eyepiece. Has anyone tried that?

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Bad News.

It does not fit in the CL's pouch case. My Canon 50/1.5 does.

BUT:

It does fit on the camera, and does not block the viewfinder, framelines, or the RF patch. I keep some "test targets" in the house that are used to collimate optics- get the actual focus and RF to agree. I could focus this lens on the CL at 5m and 3m. It took a little longer, and I might have had to squint a little. But I focussed using the RF patch and then checked the distance scale, and there was reasonable agreement. I fired off a shot at F1.2 on a "still life" at 4ft, we'll find out how that does.

I routinely use the Canon 50/1.2 on the Bessa R2. I've had a lot of good results at F1.2, but focussing is slower than on a Canon P or Leica M3. But with some care and practice, it can be done.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

This shot is with the Canon 50/1.2 on the Bessa R2 at night. It is dimly lit, Iso 800 film, F1.2, at a fairly slow shutter speed. The "Effective Base Length" of the rangefinder is a little bit more than the CL, but below what is considered normal for a 50/1.2 lens. Usually, the R2 is considered adequate for a 50/1.5 lens. I use the Canon 50/1.5 on the CL without problem.

Inside the Tavern, mostly lit by candles, and even slower shutter speed ~1/8th.

You need a fairly stationary subject. I would not be able to get a kid in a swing at F1.2.

 

[photogdave]

Even Hexar RF with Canon 50/1.2 is hard to focus. I prefer to keep it on M6 only.

Why is it easier to focus on the M6? Does the Hexar have less magnification? I'm curious because I hope to upgrade to a Hexar from my M6 at some point in the future and I use the 50 1.2 from time to time.
Thanks!

 

[Keith]

This is definitely a case of fitting a camera to a lens ... I suspect the f1.2 would weigh a bit more than the CL. 😀

 

[Sonnar Brian]

The Hexar is a 0.6x magnification finder. It has a wide baselength, much more than my R2. I like the R2+50/1.2 combination for the LED meter. It is about 1/2th the weight of my F2AS+55/1.2 Nikkor. The Canon 50/1.2 is comparatively light compared to an F1.2 SLR lens.

 

[Krosya]

Why is it easier to focus on the M6? Does the Hexar have less magnification? I'm curious because I hope to upgrade to a Hexar from my M6 at some point in the future and I use the 50 1.2 from time to time.
Thanks!

Unless you have a x.58 M6, Hexar will be lower mag at x.6. M6 with .72 mag and even better one with .85 are better for 50/1.2 lens.
It (correct focus of a 50/1.2 lens) can be done on Hexar, just more tricky.

 

[raid]

I find using the Bessa T to be most useful with the 50/1.2 wide open. Its focusing aid makes focusing a snap.

 

[Vincenzo Maielli]

Hi, Stefano. I think that the short rangefinder baselenght of the Leica CL is not good to make correct focusing with very hinh apertures of the LTM Canon 50 mm f/ 1,2.
Ciao.
Vincenzo

 

[dabevalem]

Thanks to all for your comments and suggestions.

In fact I'd summarize my findings/understanding as follows:
- the 50/1.2 can be safely mounted and its rear element seems not to cause any problem to the meter cell
- Indeed, having such a lens on the CL defeats the original "compact" intended behavior of the CL but when you still want to carry a small body with a fast 50 the combination is attractive... not lightweight but attractive... ;-)
- The rangefinder base may appear too short for the best accuracy but being similar to the bessaR one, it may have not a significant difference as reported by Brian

Brian, I'm very interested and curious to see your test results.

Thanks again !

Stefano.

 

[JNewell]

I'm amazed (though I believe you) that there's no VF/RF obstruction! I used an E43 Summilux with the 12586 hood on mine and the hood blocked out at least half of the RF patch.

That's a wild combination - best luck!

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I was surprised as well. I've never put it on the CL until reading this thread. I already had it on the LTM->M adapter for use with the R2. The Canon 50/1.2 is "Short and Fat". Perfect for clearing a viewfinder. Even with the filter ring, it did not obscure the patch or the finder.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Finally finished the roll and got it scanned.

Canon 50/1.2, wide-open on the Leica CL:

Focus is on the dolls Green eyes. Looks good to me, but it did take some care. Slower than on the Canon P, but about the same as on the Bessa R2.

 

[dabevalem]

Hi Brian,

sorry, I'm just coming back to this thread now...
looks pretty accurate focus to me and still confirms it makes sense to use
the 50/1.2 on the CL.

Thanks.

Stefano.