Suggestions Welcome

[Bill Pierce]

A lot of Leica photographers who moved from film to digital could not afford to move to the only digital rangefinders - M8, 8.2 and 9. There are a fair number of recent digital Leicas on the used market; so, one assumes that a few of the folks who could afford a digital rangefinder also chose to go with another style camera.

What are the digital folks not using digital M’s going to do with all those Leitz, Voigtlander, Zeiss and other good Leica mount lenses? The Ricoh GXR with mount A12 is a possible answer, although focusing wide open and viewing in daylight on an LCD screen could be a little tricky. Leica lenses can be adapted to a number of other digitals, but with the usual increase in effective focal length because of sensors smaller than full frame.

What’s a once-upon-a-time rangefinder photographer to do with all those rangefinder lenses if he doesn’t have a rangefinder camera? Suggestions welcome.

 

[krötenblender]

I tried different M-Lenses on various other systems and I came to the conclusion, that it is best, to use the lenses that are made for the system you use. Everything else is a bad compromise that spoils the fun of photography.

If you have a Nex, use Nex lenses, if it is µFT, use those lenses. For all these systems are excellent lenses are available. If you "must" use a M-Lens, take a DRF or a Film-camera.

I don't use adapters anymore.

 

[GaryLH]

A lot depends on what u want out of it all...

Looking for the true rf experience, right now limited to rd1, m8 or m9.

Ok with something that is a compromise... Evf with focus peaking or evf with 7x mag focusing, then anything from the m43 to cameras such as Sony Nex and Ricoh gxr with m module come into play, provided u are alright with issues such as 2x for m43 or 1.5 for Nex in terms of lens focal length to format size issues.

The Ricoh is the only one specifically designed for Leica legacy lenses with the way they did the sensor micro lenses and other things in the design.

Gary

 

[GaryLH]

Forgot to mention the Fuji mirror less announcement also throws an unknown into the mix


Gary

 

[GaryLH]

I tried different M-Lenses on various other systems and I came to the conclusion, that it is best, to use the lenses that are made for the system you use. Everything else is a bad compromise that spoils the fun of photography.

If you have a Nex, use Nex lenses, if it is µFT, use those lenses. For all these systems are excellent lenses are available. If you "must" use a M-Lens, take a DRF or a Film-camera.

I don't use adapters anymore.

I agree for the most part when it comes to Nex or m43 cameras but the dedicated m module for Ricoh gxr is a different story since they designed it for Leica legacy lenses.

Gary

 

[krötenblender]

I agree for the most part when it comes to Nex or m43 cameras but the dedicated m module for Ricoh gxr is a different story since they designed it for Leica legacy lenses.

The reason, why I do not use adapters anymore, is not, that the image quality is bad. I liked the results of M-lenses on my mFT-system. And I would never dispute Ricohs ability to create a module, that delivers excellent iq with M-lenses.

What I was referring to, is the photographic experience one camera system, be it rf, (d)slr or whatever. For me (ymmv), the camera and lenses should one consistent system and that system should give me a unique and well-balanced experience. I need to feel "at home" with that particular system.

And for that, imho, a M-lens needs a real rf.

 

[willie_901]

I sold my M lenses and bought lenses designed to work with my digital bodies.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

You can pick up a lightly used Leica M8 for about the price of two vintage Leica lenses these days. I paid for the M9 by selling gear. I suspect that a longtime Leica user could sell some excess gear and pick up an M8.

 

[raid]

I heard this advice before! Will do ... one day.

 

[GaryLH]

The reason, why I do not use adapters anymore, is not, that the image quality is bad. I liked the results of M-lenses on my mFT-system. And I would never dispute Ricohs ability to create a module, that delivers excellent iq with M-lenses.

What I was referring to, is the photographic experience one camera system, be it rf, (d)slr or whatever. For me (ymmv), the camera and lenses should one consistent system and that system should give me a unique and well-balanced experience. I need to feel "at home" with that particular system.

And for that, imho, a M-lens needs a real rf.

Ic. I misunderstood your point. I thought u were referring to the rf lenses which has their rear lens group protruding deep into the camera body. These lens have had problems in the edges of the frame. SW like confix and the micro-lens fix from Leica and Ricoh seems to help here.

Anyway point taken.

Gary