Leica R and 50mm summicron.

[Jared]

Hi folks,

Over the last couple of years I have been shooting a 35mm and 80mm leica R lens on the 5DII. For 50mm I use a Takumar 50mm 1.4 and the Takumar 50mm macro. I sold my EF 50 1.4 because I liked the Takumars so much more.

For film I have been shooting Olympus OM and Contax G.
Bought a Bessa R2 couple of months ago that I use for the moment with a m39 5cm summar, I did not really expect it but it is a bliss to work with, like there is no camera between me and my subject compared to Contax G.

Shooting more and more film, I'm thinking about using that nice R glass on an R body and retire the OM and add a 50mm summicron II because I use 50mm a lot.

Has anyone here compared the 50mm summicron to various other 50s?
With the 80mm lux it was easy, I liked it much more than the other 80/85mm's and I did not have a good 35mm and 85mm when I bought those R lenses. But a 50mm to shoot in the f2 - f8 range, maybe Takumar or OM (I have the 50mm 1.8) is just as good and the Leica is not worth the extra cost ... on the other hand I would like to retire some systems, don't want to use another system for every focal length. 🙂

Decisions decisions ...

So I would like to hear some opinions on the 50mm summicron R for use on Leica R and Canon EF.

Regards

 

[ray*j*gun]

I'm sure there is plenty of info out there on the 50 Summicron R but subjectively I would place that lens in the top of IQ list and build quality is tops. I am partial to Nikon for SLR work but I have found more and more I use the R system more as I shoot mostly 50....... I'm sure you will get lots of feedback here.

 

[taskoni]

Summicron R 50mm is great, sharp and just enough contrasty! I have one made in Germany, one made in Canada (no difference at all!!!) and Summilux R 50mm 1.4. I use mostly the canadian cron. Recommended 50mm lens!

Here's a sample scanned with the crappiest scanner in the world 🙂

 

[dave lackey]

If you like the 50mm field of view, you can't do better than a Cron for everyday carry or even, in my case, work.

I do documentaries and portraits with My Leica R4 and the 50 Cron. Beautiful lens! Great performer at a great price these days!🙂

 

[leicapixie]

The Leica R series of SLR was to be precise lousy! OK maybe the last all mechanical a bit better..Plagued with problems after messing with the Minolta of that time (a bad time in Minolta) added poor German electronics, continuous adding of cams, so that it is possible to have an "R" lens that does NOT couple with your R-SLR. Enjoy the lenses on your Canon DSLR.
The Summicron may be a tad better than a Takumar, build, definite corpulent big sized, and like all Leica lenses wondrous micro colors but watch for beautiful flare. Takumar does not flare.
Personally i have to wonder why use lenses in stop down for your DSLR when the Canon lenses are Auto-everything! Canon does make really great lenses. NO i do not use the EOS. I do use Leica and have old Pentax gear.
Speaking to a buddy, who repaired almost everything in cameras and lenses, he was still in wonder "Why are the "R" lenses so fat?"

 

[dave lackey]

The Leica R series of SLR was to be precise lousy! OK maybe the last all mechanical a bit better..Plagued with problems after messing with the Minolta of that time (a bad time in Minolta) added poor German electronics, continuous adding of cams, so that it is possible to have an "R" lens that does NOT couple with your R-SLR.

I disagree with virtually everything you have stated here...YMMV, but it is not at all what I find with R cameras or lenses nor do many, many professionals worldwide.:angel: I use a Leica R4 and it has been flawless as a workhorse for daily work.

Doug Herr uses his R8 with DMR and R lenses to perfection and has done so for years. Thorsten Overgaard used the R cameras and lenses for years until the M9 arrival. Many others...not worth the effort trying to change mindsets...I don't ever do that, but RFF should know that these are not "lousy" cameras or lenses.

 

[ray*j*gun]

Based on my sample of one agree with Dave..........no problems what so ever.

 

[redisburning]

r6 is fully mechanical, anyway, if that's what you want.

the Leicaflex SL is a bulletproof tank too.

 

[Jared]

Personally i have to wonder why use lenses in stop down for your DSLR when the Canon lenses are Auto-everything! Canon does make really great lenses. NO i do not use the EOS. I do use Leica and have old Pentax gear.
Speaking to a buddy, who repaired almost everything in cameras and lenses, he was still in wonder "Why are the "R" lenses so fat?"

Sadly I never connected with any of those great Canon lenses. 🙁
When I went fullframe with live view and adapted lenses became dead easy to use, my L lenses are just taking up closet space. Other lenses sometimes move me ... zeiss, leica, schneider some takumars, OM's and voigtlanders, it's probably just personal taste, but I was never moved by the drawing of one of my canon lenses.


Edit: I got the summicron. 🙂

 

[Dralowid]

SL MOT SA by dralowid, on Flickr

The Leicaflex series is surely bulletproof and even today the viewfinder is a something of a marvel.

OK, so not a Summicron. Here is a SA-R 21mm f4 and what I use as a standard lens, the Macro Elmarit - R 60mm f2.8 which is quite simply exceptional. It makes a great allrounder and is not too bulky, or expensive. Alternative to a Summicron? I think possibly. I didn't inculde the big Telyts in the picture, no one seems interested in Telyts these days!

Forget the motors and battery packs, they really are a thing of the past.

Michael



SL MOT by dralowid, on Flickr

 

[taskoni]

...
Speaking to a buddy, who repaired almost everything in cameras and lenses, he was still in wonder "Why are the "R" lenses so fat?"

Try speaking to a buddy who actually shoots R lenses instead.
You can't go wrong with R lens, just saying. I am shooting R myself along with the M. Salgado did it too... 😱

Boris

 

[leicapixie]

It's nice that many here have had good use of their Leicaflex. Sadly pro friends of mine, dedicated Leica-M users, finally threw the towel in.. Their cameras were always breaking down and a small knock usually ended at the service facility. Salgado did indeed use the R-series. Saw the video. I also read how he had spare bodies so that there was backup, while others were being repaired..The various versions of cams is a problem. The popularity of the camera is it's great sales figures. Leica abandoned the whole system and that could be a problem as far as parts and service go..MY one Leica M no longer has many of the parts it requires. OK maybe Sherry or DAG. Leica is in the business of MAKING money. We the users are not part of the grand plan, unless we "upgrade".
I still think using "other" lenses on a DSLR is a hindrance. I did this in primeval times with the "T" mount! It's fun but one is losing out on so many useful features. I have considered the Canon DSLR for use of my Pentax, Nikon and Canon FD lenses with adapters. It's a cheap fix but not worth the trouble, for me.
The last of the "R" series R9,R9 were good but so big. Nicknamed by many as the "Hunchback of Solms".

 

[david.elliott]

I love my leicaflex sl2 and 50/2 summicron combo. Mine is r cam only though, so it doenst meter. Great lens though and the camera is built like a tank for sure. It seems much more robust than my m3.

 

[shadowfox]

I think the 50mm Summicron R is one of most undervalued lens out there.

 

[mervynyan]

love r9 and 50rom, if you can find one, get it.

 

[dof]

The 50mm Summicron-R is a true gem of a lens. It may not be fair to compare it to the 80mm Summilux, as they are very different designs. I love them both, but for different reasons. The 50 is sharper and has higher macro and micro contrast than the 80 at all apertures, even into the close-up range. As with all Summicron 50's, yes, flare can be a problem so I use the built-in hood at all times. It is rarely an issue, but that doesn't mean it doesn't occur.

As for reliability of the R-series cameras, I can attest to the fact that even the mechanical R6 can break. I just had mine repaired when the aperture stop-down linkage stopped working. The bad news here is that the prices for parts has increased along with all things Leica over the past few years.

Even still, I get a lot of pleasure from using the camera and from the images it produces for me. It was worth it to get the repair. Coupled with a working R6, the 50 Summicron-R may well be my desert island lens.

 

[redisburning]

I'd love to see some more pictures taken with the 50 cron-R, if anyone has any they would like to share.

 

[Contarama]

If I ever do buy other lenses for my Nikon besides Nikkors they are going to be Leica R lenses. There are a lot of videographers using the R lenses and Leitax adapters to achieve vintage effects. Very interesting stuff.

 

[dof]

Here's a recent 50mm Summicron-R shot. I think it shows off some of its qualities well. This was shot at f4.0.

 

[teddy]

The 50 Cron is contrasty but not extreme. Great for all occasions.

Summicron R 50 f2 @ f4, Efke 25, Adonal 1:100, 60 mins.