p.2 #1 · Using Leica together with other camera brands?
InFocus2014 wrote:
I shot the M3, M4 and, later, the M6 starting in the late 1960’s. I had my own darkroom. Today, you couldn’t pay me enough to shoot film.
When Leica moved into digital, their sensors were not great, so I dropped rangefinders and went with Nikon and Canon DSLR’s.
Today, I shoot the A1 II, A1 and A7R5, combined with a cabinet crammed full with their premium glass. This system is absolutely outstanding.
I had a recent, but brief foray into GFX (GFX 100S II), but after extensive testing, found that the advantages of the great 100mp sensor and Fuji glass could not keep pace with the latest Sony lens releases on the A7R5, so I sold the system, since overall focus performance (while good) couldn’t keep pace with my Sony cameras; plus, everything was bigger and heavier.
I recently acquired a Leica Q3 28mm which I have grown to absolutely love. I’ve now got eyes on a Q3 43mm, but will probably wait to see what a Q4 might bring.
Now re-exposed to Leica, I can already see that an M11 is likely in my future, just for an exercise in fun. ...Show more →
I'm sorry to inform you that you've fallen down the Leica rabbit hole
Seriously though, I agree. There's a fun factor shooting my Q3 and M bodies (both film and digital) that I never experienced with Sony and Nikon digital cams - although I was over the moon with my first real digital camera, the Nikon D200.
p.2 #2 · Using Leica together with other camera brands?
I have bought a Leica M240 in December 2022 and was dissapointed about the system quite shortly after, so I sold it 6 months later. But I still retained the pleasure of manual focusing, so I gradually switched to MF lenses for my Sony cameras.
Then I bought an M3, but did not shoot much film, really.
In January this year I have bought, again, an M-P typ 240 Leica camera. And I have never touched my Sony A7Cr camera since.
For me it was just about expectations: first time using the M system I was dissapointed, second time I knew what to expect from it, so I am more than happy now. And I really enjoy using this M-system.
p.2 #3 · Using Leica together with other camera brands?
Nick YR wrote:
I dont know how you guys can use so many systems at once.
Do you bring more than 1 cam every time you go out?
If I have a plan for a specific shot I only take the camera that will deliver that shot.
When I am doing a random photo walk, I typically grab one of my film cameras, though sometimes I take the Q2M. I pretty much never walk around with two cameras. Even one camera with two lenses is a busy kit for me. I much prefer one camera, one lens, zooming with my feet, and if I miss a shot because I grabbed the wrong lens then I will come back another day with the right lens.
p.2 #4 · Using Leica together with other camera brands?
The only constant in my gear has been the Leica M: I bought my first one around 40 years ago with my first pay and their 0% credit offer. At the time, it was close to the only camera fit for street shooting.
Over the years, I've used Leica M alongside MF & AF cameras from Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Olympus, Leica R as well.
I love the M but like all gear, this is just a tool. I've shoot good pictures with every of the brand mentioned above, sold pictures shot with cameras 10 times less expensive than a Leica and nowadays, I even use a Pana GM5 or a Pen-F more often than my M11.
p.2 #5 · Using Leica together with other camera brands?
Nick YR wrote:
I dont know how you guys can use so many systems at once.
Do you bring more than 1 cam every time you go out?
Very often, but each camera for me is distinct. It breaks down to Canon or M8 for color shooting, M9M,M246 or M10M for black and white, and the modified Canon's for infrared. Thus carrying 2 cameras is normal for me.
Though when carrying 2 bodies it cuts down on the number of lenses I take.
p.2 #6 · Using Leica together with other camera brands?
Nick YR wrote:
I dont know how you guys can use so many systems at once.
Do you bring more than 1 cam every time you go out?
It depends. When I travel, yes. Two cameras minimum. Last trip was two X2D’s and a GFX100Sii (for the zooms). Next trip is purely wildlife so three Sony bodies. I prioritise cameras and lenses above everything else when I travel. Usually I take a mix of primes and zooms. I’d really like to do a trip with two bodies and just the two f2.0 GM zooms. That would be super light weight for me. But somehow I think a Q3-43 would sneak in….
At home I usually have one camera/lens with me each day. Usually a Q3-43 or M11. Occasionally my 907x-50C.
In a former life I was a wedding and later commercial photographer. Having more than one camera on me feels completely normal.
p.2 #7 · Using Leica together with other camera brands?
When I'm not shooting with a Leica M, I enjoy using my M-lenses on the Sony A7CR (Kolari-modded). It gives me access to live view and IBIS when needed, all in a compact body that's well-optimized for these lenses. I also use the TechArt AF adapter from time to time, especially for portraits when Eye-AF comes in handy.
p.2 #8 · Using Leica together with other camera brands?
My trajectory was this:
Canon FD (1985-1993)
Canon EF Film with EOS 500 (1993 until shutter broke in 2016)
Canon EF Rebel XT (2005-2009)
Canon EF 5D MkII (2009 until now)
Sony E-mount A7R (2014 until now)
Leica M Film (first one in 2015, M6 non-TTL)
Leica M Digital (M-E 240 in 2019, MM 246 in 2023).
For digital, I am still using my Sony A7R and my 5D MKII parallel to my Leica M digital cameras. In some situations I prefer mirrorless with EVF (especially for macro or T/S work) - the 5D MkII comes out when I need AF or flash photography or with my IR-converted 5D MkII. I probably use my Leica M digital cameras in 75%, the Sony A7R in 15%, the Canon 5D MkII in 10% these days.
p.2 #9 · Using Leica together with other camera brands?
Fred Miranda wrote:
When I'm not shooting with a Leica M, I enjoy using my M-lenses on the Sony A7CR (Kolari-modded). It gives me access to live view and IBIS when needed, all in a compact body that's well-optimized for these lenses. I also use the TechArt AF adapter from time to time, especially for portraits when Eye-AF comes in handy.
so the techart adapter basically turns the M lenses into AF lenses? Amazing!
I actually like the A7CR. What's involved to get the Kolari modification? And do you need that modification if you're going to use the techart, or does the techart move the M lens far enough away from the sensor?
p.2 #10 · Using Leica together with other camera brands?
brick33308 wrote:
so the techart adapter basically turns the M lenses into AF lenses? Amazing!
I actually like the A7CR. What's involved to get the Kolari modification? And do you need that modification if you're going to use the techart, or does the techart move the M lens far enough away from the sensor?
The TechArt AF adapter works very well out of the box, including Eye-AF, and doesn't require any changes. That said, if you want to get the best performance out of M-lenses (especially wide and standard focal lengths) I highly recommend this sensor mod.
My M-lenses actually perform better on this setup than on the Leica SL series. Plus, having a lightweight body with IBIS and the option to AF manual lenses is a big advantage that's hard to ignore.
p.2 #11 · Using Leica together with other camera brands?
Would love your feedback on using the Summilux 35 FLE, wide open, on your Kolari modified A7CR ( assuming you have used this lens on it).
Fred Miranda wrote:
When I'm not shooting with a Leica M, I enjoy using my M-lenses on the Sony A7CR (Kolari-modded). It gives me access to live view and IBIS when needed, all in a compact body that's well-optimized for these lenses. I also use the TechArt AF adapter from time to time, especially for portraits when Eye-AF comes in handy.
p.2 #12 · Using Leica together with other camera brands?
Jaree wrote:
Would love your feedback on using the Summilux 35 FLE, wide open, on your Kolari modified A7CR ( assuming you have used this lens on it).
In terms of resolution, contrast and field curvature throughout the image field (all of which are influenced by sensor stack thickness), the 35mm f/1.4 FLE performs just as well on my A7CR "UT" as it does on the M11.
The only noticeable difference is color temp/tint, which just needs a one-time adjustment in-camera.
p.2 #13 · Using Leica together with other camera brands?
I came to Leica-land after using gear like Sony A850 with Zeiss lenses. My first Leica was the X1. Then the M9. I feel M9 was more than good were it not for my sample's drifting rangefinder alignment every few months and it ability to damage SD cards when the battery levels went low.
Then M240. Which was rock-solid in operation despite years of usage.
M10, M10-R and M11 - I tried them all. Then somehow I felt my days of manual focus were over and the X1D spoiled me totally with its colors.
My main system now is the X2D. This was after SL2, SL APOs, Fuji GFX, M11, etc. The exception is the Leica Q3 28 which I use as the do it all camera if I want it small and light.
I do not carry the Q3 and X2D together. It is one or the other. X2D is now reserved for once in lifetime trips or places I can't get to easily again.
Surprisingly, I am loving the Panasonic G9 with lenses like the Olympus 75 F1.8, Pana-Leica 42 F1.2, and Pana-Leica 50-200. I carry the Panasonic with the X2D for reach - example Yellowstone last December for wildlife. With the Olympus 75, the output is stunning and at times I have to do a double take that is it really a MFT sensor.
I feel both the Q3 and X2D are special, though if I have to keep only one it will be the X2D.
brick33308 wrote:
I'm curious and would like to know about people who currently shoot with Leica gear, having migrated from other gear such as Fuji, Nikon, Canon and Sony. Do you still use your non-Leica cams/lenses as well as using Leica cams/lenses, how often and for what purposes not fulfilled by your Leica gear?
For example, in the past when I was actively using my Sony cams, I recall years ago that Fred was particularly active on the Sony discussions of both cameras and lenses. But I see so many of his posts regarding testing and real world use of his Leica gear that I wonder roughly what percentage of his photography is currently from using non-Leica gear.
In my own case, until February 2024, I used my Sony cams (currently I've got a 7RV) predominantly for street photography (my thing) and less frequently for landscape (having finally determined from a Marc Adamus trip to New Zealand that my heart just isn't into landscape. But starting about 15 months ago I migrated to Leica, and now I only use the Sony once a year when as a favor to the artistic director of the professional Asheville Ballet (Terpsicorps) I shoot her studio rehearsals as well as dress rehearsal - something for which I need the amazing AF tracking that thet the Sony provides. Other than that it sits on the shelf, and I'm constantly out shooting with either M11M, Q3 or film in my MP and M6 classic. And as an aside, although I'll soon be getting a M11P to replace my CL for color digital, my heart stays with the M11M, my favorite camera ever.
Would be interested to hear about others who either routinely shoot both Leica and other brands, or who have migrated to Leica....Show more →
p.2 #14 · Using Leica together with other camera brands?
Thanks Fred!
I am holding on to the 35 FLE, my last Leica lens. Looks like I need to think about getting a A7 series with the Kolari mod.
Do you mind sharing the one time color temp setting you mention?
Fred Miranda wrote:
In terms of resolution, contrast and field curvature throughout the image field (all of which are influenced by sensor stack thickness), the 35mm f/1.4 FLE performs just as well on my A7CR "UT" as it does on the M11.
The only noticeable difference is color temp/tint, which just needs a one-time adjustment in-camera.
p.2 #16 · Using Leica together with other camera brands?
Jaree wrote:
Thanks Fred!
I am holding on to the 35 FLE, my last Leica lens. Looks like I need to think about getting a A7 series with the Kolari mod.
Do you mind sharing the one time color temp setting you mention?
I've done the Kolari mod twice using their "ultra thin" cover glass, and both times I needed to adjust the white balance afterward. On your Sony camera, you can apply this correction to all the WB presets, including AUTO. It basically brings the colors back to how they were before, since the Kolari glass slightly shifts both temperature and tint.
The TechArt AF adapter works very well out of the box, including Eye-AF, and doesn't require any changes. That said, if you want to get the best performance out of M-lenses (especially wide and standard focal lengths) I highly recommend this sensor mod.
My M-lenses actually perform better on this setup than on the Leica SL series. Plus, having a lightweight body with IBIS and the option to AF manual lenses is a big advantage that's hard to ignore....Show more →
which techart model allows use of M lenses on the Kolari modified A7CR?
And would there be any reason that you would use M lenses on the Kolari modified A7CR without the techart? In other words would you ever shoot M lenses manually on the Kolari modified A7CR as opposed to simply using your M10R?
p.2 #18 · Using Leica together with other camera brands?
M11, Q3, Canon R5, Minolta Autocord, Mamiya 7 and a whole boat of others... Each one is a tool for me and has a different fit for what i`m shooting (and the mood i`m in too).
Leica M11 for street, candid family shots etc, it`s more of a feeling being at one with the camera, the M11 gives me that. The Q3 again for street, I just love this thing for 28mm hip shooting. The Canon R5 for anything else, especially when the kids are running round like lunatics
p.2 #19 · Using Leica together with other camera brands?
I would think it's relatively common, always tried to fit the right tool for my shooting needs.
Sony for sports and a bunch of situations where reach and autofocus are critical
Leica M for street, vacations and such
One big change is moving to an even smaller Sony body (A7CR) with light, portable lenses (newer G lenses for example) which is allowing me to always have a camera with me no matter the situation
p.2 #20 · Using Leica together with other camera brands?
flash wrote:
...A lighter version II of the 24-90 is desperately needed. I’d like a faster focusing 90-280 as well....
The new Sigma 70-200 2.8 is the best L-mount option out there right now for this. Incredible IQ, insanely fast AF with dual linear motors, and great stabilization. Their newest 28-70 2.8 (II) also has the faster linear motor, but the 28-45 1.8 is a better pairing, IMO, if you can live without 50-70mm.
