M8 and old Canon lenses

[OurManInTangier]

I've just bought an M8, literally ten minutes ago and waiting for it to be delivered on thursday! I have always used an M6 and R2a previously with either a Carl Zeiss 50mm f2 Plannar and an old screw mount (with M adapter) Canon 35mm f2.8.

I realise that the Canon will certainly not be encoded and understand that the CZ probably won't be either. Has anyone any experience of using older lenses on their M8 and the work-arounds that I may have to employ to get them to work as I would expect them to?

I doubt that I'll use the Plannar much as I like the 50mm format, which is a real shame as its a great lens but the Canon 35mm will take over as my most used lens.....but only if it works. If not, does anyone have a budget suggestion?

I've just paid out £2500 for the M8 and £4000 for a D3 and 24-70mm f2.8 lens for work so budget would most certainly be the keyword.

Thank You

 

[furcafe]

No work-around is really required, as the lens detection/coding, etc. doesn't really make any difference except for super-wides. The biggest problem w/an old Canon RF lens is finding a UV-IR cut filter that will fit, as nobody seems to make 40mm filters anymore. You can use a 40-40.5mm step-up ring (easily available on eBay, etc.) w/a 40.5mm filter, but that may very well make it difficult or impossible to use a Canon clamp-on lens hood, assuming you're accustomed to using 1.

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

Simon:


This is a serious buy.

You told me earlier that you had bought a digital camera. But a Leica M8!

Your photo business must be going very well indeed.

I think the lens flange dots are just to tweak the performance, and you as a savvy person can do that on your own.

 

[baycrest]

Using a 35mm lens and wider, you'll need to hand code it if you want the camera's internal software to compensate for the cyan drift and the vignetting. Don't forget you'll need to also buy the ir cut filter, otherwise black synthetics will come out purple and greens don't look so hot. B&W filters are much less expensive then their Leica counterparts.

Cheers
Rob

 

[OurManInTangier]

It seems the biggest draw back will be the 40mm filter size.

Maybe I'll have to see how I go and keep an eye out for a well priced Zeiss/Leica 35mm and 28mm to get my two fave focal lengths.

Photography = Money!!!

 

[Monz]

Hi Simon,
Congratulations on the M8. I look forward to seeing your results. Regarding well priced 35 and 28mm lenses, how about s/h ZM 35mm Biogon and Voigtlander 28mm Ultron?

All the best.
--
Monz

 

[rickp]

if you're still looking for a 40mm uv/ir cut filter, foto-huppert.de in germany offers a B & W filter in that size for euro 49.

Spezialfilter 486 UV IR Cut MRC
40,0 mm F-PRO Digital (black)
B+W
Bestell-Nr.:940486
1 Stück: 49,00 EUR

good luck

rick

 

[OurManInTangier]

Thanks for the info Rick.

I now have B+W IR Cut filters on all my lenses for a very reasonable price, much appreciated!

Plus, all my lenses are hand coded now too.