Leica R and 50mm summicron.

[mathomas]

I have an R8 and a 50mm 'cron. I like the combo, and have no real issues with the R8's design. I like some features of my Contax cameras a little better, but I much prefer the handling of the R8. The large body is easy to grip, even though it's heavy, and I love it with the motor drive/strap attached. The Contaxes are being sold.


100 strangers: bob (47/100) by mike thomas, on Flickr



downtown littleton, colorado by mike thomas, on Flickr



american dream by mike thomas, on Flickr

 

[mathomas]

Super shot!

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

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

 

[reubelim]

My r7 has proved un-repairable so I converted my Rs to Nikon F mount. The cron 50 gets along well with the D700. Here's a sample:

 

[ChrisN]

Which of the R bodies have a fully mechanical shutter (battery for meter OK)?

Thanks.

 

[taskoni]

 

[dof]

Which of the R bodies have a fully mechanical shutter (battery for meter OK)?

Thanks.

Hi Chris,

Those would be the Leicaflex, Leicaflex SL, Leicaflex SL2, R6 and R6.2.

Cheers,

 

[ChrisN]

Hi Chris,

Those would be the Leicaflex, Leicaflex SL, Leicaflex SL2, R6 and R6.2.

Cheers,

Thanks - cheers!

 

[Tom33]

This just blows me away. If you see this, what film, what developer? I want to work towards this.... view. TIA

Tom

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

 

[CK Dexter Haven]

I had a 50R Summicron, and while it was a nice lens, i also had a good-performing Canon 50/1.4 EF. I eventually got rid of the Leica R gear. The Canon 50/1.4 was just as good optically, but had the benefit of AF and worked natively with my EOS3 and 5D2 without the hindrance of an adapter and stop-down metering. Unless you really just prefer focusing manually, get a good Canon sample and skip the hassles.

 

[dof]

This just blows me away. If you see this, what film, what developer? I want to work towards this.... view. TIA

Tom

Hi Tom,

Thanks for your enthusiastic response. That's very gratifying. Not meaning to hijack the thread, here are a few details:

It was shot on Plus-X Pan and developed in D-76. This combo provided a beautiful negative, but to say that alone wouldn't tell the whole story. This picture really came into its own when I began printing it, using my standard approach of shooting film and home development, followed by scanning, post-production and printing on an inkjet printer.

As someone interested in fine image making, if you're not familiar with the work of Ctein, both as an artist and educator, you probably want to be. He's written several books, has been a long-time contributor to several photographic magazines and currently writes a weekly column on Mike Johnston's site, The Online Photographer.

His following two posts with their subsequent comments gave me the insights necessary to realize this image.

How To Improve Digital Print Tonality​

How I Made the $19.95 Print​

Here's more reading from him that I've found useful and inspiring.

What Does It Take To Be A Good Printer​

Introduction To Digital Printing Part 1​

Introduction To Digital Printing Part 2​

Introduction To Digital Printing Part 3​

And of course, the man's site.

http://ctein.com/​

I hope that's useful!


Best,

 

[ChrisN]

There's also his book "POST EXPOSURE - Advanced Techniques for the Photographic Printer, 2nd Edition" which he is allowing a free download (at the moment) for darkroom practitioners.

http://ctein.com/booksmpl.htm

 

[Tom33]

Very informative!!! Thanks so much to you both - dof and ChrisN - as it happens I have several (many) rolls of 120 and 135 Plus-X stashed in the freezer that I have used none of yet. So now I will procure the developer, read all this material (a large bit!), load the camera(s) and go to work... Thanks again for your help and kindest regards,

Tom

 

[BobYIL]

How about affording a little more for an Elmarit-R 60/2.8? A great lens by all accounts if you can live with f2.8 aperture. Corner to corner sharpness like reproduction lenses, the warmest color in the Leica array. . I use it with the 35/2 Summicron-R combination, now Leitaxing to be used on the Nikon F's as well as the D800E.

 

[Kent]

I have tried more than 200 lense on various cams and the set EOS 5D & Leica Summicron-R 2/50 is definitely one of my favourites!

Those shots were all taken with that combo:
http://www.schouler.net/emilia/day3/index.html

 

[Dralowid]

The Elmarit 60-28 lens was made for years, first version '72-'80, second version '80 onwards. I think the optics are the same in both. The later versions are smaller. If you are looking for one try and get it with the extension ring which will take you down to 1:1.

I have the first version, with extension ring, it cost around GBP £200.00 about three years ago.

 

[Jared]

The Elmarit Macro looks interesting too.

R4 body's don't seem to be that expensive as R6, R8, R9. Maybe a good starter?