Steve M.
Veteran
It may just be his particular camera/lens combination. I've used all manner of Leica R lenses on early and late Leicaflex bodies w/o any issues.
Question about Summicron R lenses
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burancap
Veteran
That has been my experience as well; I have never had any problem, and that is why I am so intrigued by this!
Now, I am not saying I always bat 1000, but I can't find any misfocus issues with my results. If there is any, it occurred during a hurried shot. If your gear is in proper shape and the mirror is properly aligned and the screen is not askew -that is the beauty of an SLR: checking critical focus.
Now, if we were talking about front and back shift with a digital M -well, don't get me started!
nobbylon
Veteran
If it's the SL2 I had then I can say that I used it with 2 versions of type 1 50's and focus was never an issue. I still have a v1 50 and prefer it over the 3 v2 50's I've had. I read somewhere that the proper leica uv filter should be used with the v1 for best results.
I have a 60 also and it's my favorite lens.
Godfrey
somewhat colored
I have an early, one cam Summicron-R 50 (1965-1966 vintage). It focuses perfectly on both my Leicaflex SLs, only thing it doesn't do well is support the open-aperture metering system (needs to be updated to two cam to do that). It also focuses perfectly on my Olympus E-1, E-M1, and Sony A7. It is an outstanding lens, particularly wide open.
Only problem with mine is that it needs a CLA ... the lubricant on the focusing helicoid is dried out and focusing is too stiff. I may send it to Leica USA for the two-cam upgrade and have the CLA done at the same time, but I know it'll cost around $400 or so to do that.
I also have a slightly later Summilux-R 50/1.4. It's quite a bit larger and heavier than the Summicron and has a very different imaging character ... lots of glow and buttery smooth bokeh wide open, bitingly sharp a couple stops down. A beautiful lens. That's the one I've been using with the A7 most of the time right now.
I happen to like this page in the wiki ... sorts R lenses by focal length, not by production time:
www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/R_Lenses_x_Focal_Length
If your intent is to use a lens on a Leicaflex or Leica R body, be careful of which version of the mount you buy so you get all the body's functions. If your intent is to use them on something like the Sony A7 (on which they absolutely excel!), which specific R mount you buy doesn't matter.
G
Only problem with mine is that it needs a CLA ... the lubricant on the focusing helicoid is dried out and focusing is too stiff. I may send it to Leica USA for the two-cam upgrade and have the CLA done at the same time, but I know it'll cost around $400 or so to do that.
I also have a slightly later Summilux-R 50/1.4. It's quite a bit larger and heavier than the Summicron and has a very different imaging character ... lots of glow and buttery smooth bokeh wide open, bitingly sharp a couple stops down. A beautiful lens. That's the one I've been using with the A7 most of the time right now.
I happen to like this page in the wiki ... sorts R lenses by focal length, not by production time:
www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/R_Lenses_x_Focal_Length
If your intent is to use a lens on a Leicaflex or Leica R body, be careful of which version of the mount you buy so you get all the body's functions. If your intent is to use them on something like the Sony A7 (on which they absolutely excel!), which specific R mount you buy doesn't matter.
G
redisburning
Well-known
your best bet is to waybackmachine Erwin Puts' site, or check his Leica lens material for R lenses from Leica's download center.
burancap
Veteran
Thanks. That was already my first stop on this quest.
By my interpretation, Mr. Puts seems to be saying that the opposite is the case -that there is no focus shift with this lens (or at least that it is contained by design). I am no expert on these matters, but I do like learning! Please advise.
From Erwin Puts...
"6.3.10 2/50,Summicron-R, 1964
This Summicron could be focused till 50cm, a must for a reflex lens and can be compared to the 1 meter limit with the rangefinder version. This additional focusing range asked for a different type of correction. Curvature of field had to be small at full aperture and focus shift should be contained as well..."
He seems to compare it favorably to the M mount of the time...
"The Summicron-R (I) has better overall performance than the Summicron (II) for the rangefinder system: generally we note a higher contrast in the field and a much better reduced level of flare. At full aperture we note a medium to high overall contrast, and a crisp definition of fine detail over a large part of the image area."
Of course, the last entry has nothing specifically to do with the presence, or lack thereof, of focus shift ... but the "crisp definition of fine detail over a large part of the image area" is certainly something I have noticed with my sample.
RKh
RomanKh
Summicron-R 50 (1st version)
Summicron-R 50 (1st version)
Summicron-R 50 (1st version)
I also think so ... for over 15 years 🙂
