R lenses on M2 camera?

[Alain LeTourneau]

This has probably come up on the forum before, but my search query didn't find anything, so here goes...

Just acquired an M2 and looking for a 35/2. Noticed that R to M lens adapters exist, and wondering if there is a cost savings in using R lenses? I assume the R and M lenses use the same glass?


--Alain

 

[Ronald M]

The 35 2.0 is not cheap.

Slr lens designs are not the same design as M lenses with one or two exceptions.

There is no rangefinder coupling on R lenses therefore they are scale focus only.

Other than that, you can get them on the camera and they will work.

 

[payasam]

A 35mm R lens would be a retrofocus design, larger than a 35mm lens made for Leica M mount or screw mount and also not coupled to the R/F. Worth it only if you happen to have one already and do not want critical focus.

I find my CV 35/1.7 satisfactory up to 12" by 8". At 30" by 20" it may not keep up with Leitz or Zeiss glass, but I shall never know.

I hope I have taken some of the heat of flaming away from sonofdanang. No one should be made to burn alone.

 

[slungu]

Well, if you have the lenses, I would give it a try. The real problem is focus : since they are not coupled, only distance guessing or a rangefinder on the accessory shoe can be used. Was thinking about the same, but not with Leica-R, but Zeiss C/Y since I got a Bessa R2 and only have the CV90 for it right now, but would like to get the 28mm 2.0 Zeiss on this one for now. I paid for mine 370EUR and a new Ultron is selling for more around here ( new, that is ) and I would be surprised if it would be better than the Zeiss. Of course, it is larger/heavyer than the Ultron being 530g opposed to the 244g of the Ultron and 76mm to 51mm length, so you loose the size advantage, esp. since the adapter will add further length to the construction.
For my taste, even if I am a beginner in rangefinder/M land, there are little bargains out there. Even the best mid-long teles in R-mount start looking like bargains when compared to M-lenses on the used market. So life looks expensive in M-land, and the VC lenses are not that plentyfull on the used market so that you could net a bargain there either ( maybe with some exceptions ).

Regards,
Stefan