I would like to try a Leica R series lens on a Canon 5D (using a Leitax adapter).
Familiar with Canon L and Zeiss ZE/ZF lenses (such as 100/f2 mp), but wanted to sample the look and flavor of Leica lenses for the first time. I'm looking at used, hopefully under $1k lenses, though may consider stretching.
Which specific lens might give me a good taste of what Leica may offer?
Focal lengths I would find most useful currently would be 35, 50, or 80mm.
I tend to shoot more often at wider apertures rather than max DOF.
Not necessarily looking for ultimate sharpness corner-to-corner so much as an overall balance of strengths.
I would appreciate any suggestions and insights. Thanks!
+2
I like mine a lot too. If you prefer a little longer lens, the 90 Elmarit (i.e., f/2.8) is an excellent all around lens as well and comes at a very reasonable price.
Most of Leica R lenses in the 35-80 range are either not-too-special or exorbitantly expensive and hard to justify. The 50/1.4 E60, 35/1.4 and 80/1.4 are all quite expensive, but very good. I don’t know about the 50/1.4 E55, never used one.
I’ve never used the 60/2.8 Macro, so can’t speak from experience, but I’ve never heard/read a bad word about them. I’d like one of these myself. Maybe it's worth looking at and they are in the $500-700 plus range. Maybe others can comment/compare it with similar glass.
The R 28/2.8 E55 is exceptional, but you weren’t asking about 28’s.
As good as the 50 Cron is, I'm not sure that it stands head and shoulders over any of it's peers. The Cron has great colours, sharpness and Bokeh is good when slightly stopped down, but not great. I have the 50 Cron (E55) and tend to use the Contax 50/1.4 instead. The Contax 50/1.4 has softer Bokeh at F2 than the Cron at F2. Sharpness is about the same, as most 50's are in about the same ball park.
The R 80 is a great lens and one which I think is different enough to justify its price. There are similar 80/85's, with better and worse performance depending on the exact criteria, but the R 80 excels in many respects and is probably my most used Leica. As Ferris Bueller said, “If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up”.
Steve Spencer wrote:
+2
I like mine a lot too. If you prefer a little longer lens, the 90 Elmarit (i.e., f/2.8) is an excellent all around lens as well and comes at a very reasonable price.
My main lens on my 5D is the R60 Elmarit Macro. I traded the R50 Summicron, with slightly better true infinity IQ, for the R60 for better close/medium distances at a stop slower.
If you have a hankering for the R80, buy a Rokkor 85/1.7 and get it converted to EOS for a fraction of the price.
What's about the 3.5/35-70 zoom lens ? In fact an old Minolta calculation but still a fine lens with good 3D capabilities. Price between 200 and 300 €, the original Minolta lens will be cheaper.
agent-Jon wrote:
I would like to try a Leica R series lens on a Canon 5D (using a Leitax adapter).
Familiar with Canon L and Zeiss ZE/ZF lenses (such as 100/f2 mp), but wanted to sample the look and flavor of Leica lenses for the first time. I'm looking at used, hopefully under $1k lenses, though may consider stretching.
Which specific lens might give me a good taste of what Leica may offer?
Focal lengths I would find most useful currently would be 35, 50, or 80mm.
I tend to shoot more often at wider apertures rather than max DOF.
Not necessarily looking for ultimate sharpness corner-to-corner so much as an overall balance of strengths.
I would appreciate any suggestions and insights. Thanks!
Alf Beharie wrote:
Unless you have an unlimited budget, I suggest your first Leica lens should simply be cheapest one you can find!
Wise advice. Which distills down to the 35 Elmarit and 50 Summicron.
The 80, 90 and others are selling for hefty prices; the 80 now fetches US$2k, 90 Summicron $700-1000+,while the 90 AA for between $3-4k. Even the 60 mentioned above; more of a specialized lens best left as an option once you've decided that the Leica-look is for you.
Warning though, Leica can become addictive and financially ruinous....
looks like some great suggestions from you guys--Thanks so much! A bit surprised to see the amount of responses. I gather there's some passionate folks here... or maybe people with some screws loose??
Looks like a 50mm would be a good start then as I have both the wide and tele mostly covered. Seeing that the 50/2 is strongly voiced (within my parameters), I'll look for one of those. But if I decide to upgrade and go with the 50/1.4 summilux version, will that lens also fit onto the 5D without mirror issues like the 35/1.4 ?
With the 50/2, does it matter whether it actually says "E55" on the front of the lens, or as long as it's the later version with 55mm thread mount?
And does it make much difference made in Canada versus made in Germany?
I think I have some homework to digest the Leica terms... like 3-cam, E55, etc... Is there a website that summarizes some of these terms, versions, and may be of some help?
Also quite a variance in used prices which makes it harder to sort.
JimBuchanan, from your suggestion, approx how much does it cost to convert Rokkor 85 to eos mount?
(I'm assuming you feel it compares favorably to the 80)
and who mentioned slipping into addiction and ruin? as I've heard, man is an escalating beast.
what are you going to do?
the 50/2 first version is soft but some prefer its bokeh. i think the latest version is e60? i think if you stick with serial #s 3,050,000 to 3,400,000 u should be fine.
there is a website, i'll try to find it for you. as you are adapting it, it makes zero difference. rom versions are more expensive, but just because they're newer and implies less wear, which may not necessarily be so.
Lots of great lenses all through that range.
