R-D1s users - any issue with using Leica?

[zoom2zoom]

i seem to recall some threads back with discussions about issues of using Leica Lenses on R-D1s (not R-D1) bodies.

some Leica lenses will not engage properly onto the R-D1s.

the lens mounts fine, its when you try to focus, the lens will not focus properly.


is anyone having this issue? if so, which leica lenses, is it including Noctilux? is it happening on older lenses only or all lenses?

thanks in advanced.

 

[nickdando]

I haven't had any problems with my R-D1s spec R-D1 and I'm using a 1938 28mm f6.3 Hektor, a 1950s 35mm Summitar, a 1973 50mm Summicron, a 1988 90mm Summicron and a 1950s 135mm Elmar. The 28, 35 and 135 were all bought from Malcolm Taylor, so they'd been overhauled.

Nick

 

[zoom2zoom]

nick,

please confirm - do you have the r-d1 or r-d1s ?

i know the original R-D1 is fine, but its the R-D1s (the one with "s" on the body) is the issue.

I haven't had any problems with my R-D1s spec R-D1 and I'm using a 1938 28mm f6.3 Hektor, a 1950s 35mm Summitar, a 1973 50mm Summicron, a 1988 90mm Summicron and a 1950s 135mm Elmar. The 28, 35 and 135 were all bought from Malcolm Taylor, so they'd been overhauled.

Nick

 

[nickdando]

I have an R-D1 with R-D1s software.

Nick

 

[yanidel]

i seem to recall some threads back with discussions about issues of using Leica Lenses on R-D1s (not R-D1) bodies.

some Leica lenses will not engage properly onto the R-D1s.

the lens mounts fine, its when you try to focus, the lens will not focus properly.


is anyone having this issue? if so, which leica lenses, is it including Noctilux? is it happening on older lenses only or all lenses?

thanks in advanced.

Very strange as the only difference between R-D1 and R-D1S it the firmware. So much that the R-D1s was never imported into France.

 

[__hh]

I had an R-D1s and have used both the 50mm and 35mm Summicrons on it - neither had any issues.

 

[Petroleum V. Nasby]

ISSUES do not equal PROBLEMS

Inanimate objects never have issues.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

In current parlance, issues do indeed equal problems. This may irritate us, but language, especially English, doesn't give a crap what we think. It changes quickly. I can promise you that the next edition of the OED will be forced to embrace this usage. So why not accept it now?

 

[Petroleum V. Nasby]

Dictatorship of the illiterates.

http://languageandgrammar.wordpress.com/2008/01/14/youve-got-problems-not-issues/

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

I'm on your side, Nas. I don't indulge in that usage either. But ultimately, we will lose. Common parlance, when it serves a useful purpose, is more powerful than we are. And many of the currently accepted norms of English grammar were once the kind of thing that would make grammarians of the past grind their teeth.

Not to get too OT here. But English is a tool that adapts to the needs of its speakers, not the other way around. And the internet is where a lot of that adaptation is happening, making any online grammatical pedantry a losing battle. I am, in fact, an English professor, and I hold my students to exacting standards in their written work. But here? Forget it. Drink the Kool-Aid! Let cameras have issues! It's better for the nerves. 😉

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Oh and FWIW, all my lenses--Zeiss, CV, Canon, Schneider--work exactly the same way on the R-D1 as they do on the M2 and R4A. And I believe yanidel is right, the R-D1s is mechanically identical to the R-D1. zoom2zoom might be thinking of the difference in rangefinder base length--M cameras have a longer base length and focus a little closer, I believe. So if you try to focus really close with a Leica lens, the RF patch will stop moving before you reach the minimum focus distance.

 

[jmkelly]

AFAIK mabelsound and yanidel have it right - no mechanical difference between R-D1 & s. I have used a bunch of different lenses on mine - mostly Leica - with no focus issues. Zoom - are you sure you aren't thinking of the early Contax G1 bodies? These won't focus the 35mm and 21mm lenses, and have problems accurately focusing the 90mm.

 

[zoom2zoom]

i dont know details, but there is a difference between R-D1 and R-d1s.

in the beginning, i had a R-D1 and worked with all leica lenses, then i sold it.. later got a R-D1s and would not engage with a 75 summilux, the lens worked fine with Leica film cameras, but just would not work with the R-D1s body. I even sent both to DAG and he told me it is the design of the new R-D1s and there is nothing he could do to adjust.

i then sold both the camera and lens thinking it was just my R-D1s that had the 'issue'.

recently i got another R-d1s, but i only had all CV and Zeiss lenses, which was fine. Then i mounted a 40mm summicron and it happened again..

the lens mounts fine, and works when you turn from closest to inifinity, but when i try to turn it back, the lens would be very stiff to turn or at times disengage compelely.

again, only happens on R-D1s bodies with certain leica lenses, i just dont know why or which lenses, i know so far is the 75 summilux and 40 summicron.

AFAIK mabelsound and yanidel have it right - no mechanical difference between R-D1 & s. I have used a bunch of different lenses on mine - mostly Leica - with no focus issues. Zoom - are you sure you aren't thinking of the early Contax G1 bodies? These won't focus the 35mm and 21mm lenses, and have problems accurately focusing the 90mm.

 

[LCT]

i seem to recall some threads back with discussions about issues of using Leica Lenses on R-D1s (not R-D1) bodies. some Leica lenses will not engage properly onto the R-D1s. the lens mounts fine, its when you try to focus, the lens will not focus properly. is anyone having this issue?....

I own both R-D1 and R-D1s. As i wrote it often here, the R-D1s rangefinder is more difficult to adjust manually than that of the R-D1 in case of vertical misalignment. Besides, none of my 21/2.8, 28/2, 28/2.8, 35/1.4, 35/2, 35/2.8, 40/2, 50/1.4, 50/2, 50/2,8, 75/2, 90/2.8, 90/4 & 135/4 Leica lenses focus differently with both cameras.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

very strange, I stand corrected!

 

[edhohoho]

Contrary to what most people think, the one main between the R-D1 and R-D1s is that the R-D1 allows better access to the rangefinder vertical alignment screw through the hot shoe. This physical difference suggests there is more to it than the external similarities. The reported problems of the lens properly engaging the focusing mechanism on the camera is concerning though.

 

[zoom2zoom]

beside misalignment... you have no issues with using Leica lenses on your R-D1s? in terms on engaging with camera..

I own both R-D1 and R-D1s. As i wrote it often here, the R-D1s rangefinder is more difficult to adjust manually than that of the R-D1 in case of vertical misalignment. Besides, none of my 21/2.8, 28/2, 28/2.8, 35/1.4, 35/2, 35/2.8, 40/2, 50/1.4, 50/2, 50/2,8, 75/2, 90/2.8, 90/4 & 135/4 Leica lenses focus differently with both cameras.

 

[mani]

I have an RD1s, and my experience is that the variations are inherent in the cameras and/or lenses irrespective of model - in other words, some 'problematic' lenses will work, and some won't.

For a list of 'problem' lenses, go to Rich Cutler's excellent site.

For an example problem lens - the 90/2 Summicron I own won't focus correctly on my Epson (works perfectly on the Leicas). I saw another (identical model) 90/2 on sale at auction, and decided to test it at the viewing, and it appeared to work fine. The price went beyond what I thought the lens was worth, so for now I make do with the 90/2,8 on the RD1s, instead.

 

[__hh]

ISSUES do not equal PROBLEMS

Inanimate objects never have issues.

Totally off topic.... I just can't help myself.

Technically speaking, an ISSUE is a realisation of a RISK.... whereby a RISK is a combination of a Potential Problem and the Likelihood of that Problem taking place....

Well, at least that was what I had to remember my one of my exams back at uni...

 

[gohaj]

i tried using summicron 50/2 (ltm), it works well
today, just tried with summicron M 35/2, it has no issue too.