p.1 #1 · "Problematic" M-mount lenses for adapting
What are some really great lenses that are "problematic" on a digital rangefinder M body that could find new life when adapting to a EVF-based body? I'm thinking lenses like the Zeiss 50mm C-Sonnar that offer really pleasing optical quality, but are difficult to use with a rangefinder because of the focus shift issues. Perhaps the pre-FLE 35 Lux falls into this category as well.
p.1 #2 · "Problematic" M-mount lenses for adapting
Potentially - not sure yet! - the Leica 50/2.0 Summicron DR (dual-range). This lens is hard to use on a couple of digital M cameras (infinity stop is not obtainable even close focus works fine). It would be great if this lens worked with the M-EV1. I read that it already works for full focus range with the M11, but unmounting the lens requires setting to close focus range. Maybe this is improved with the M-EV1?
p.1 #3 · "Problematic" M-mount lenses for adapting
Well, the 135 APO for sure. Plus most of the Noctiluxes. Anything wider than 28mm, unless your visual framing is really good. Even the 75 and 90mm APO Summicrons can be a pain to get exact focus on an RF.
Really the RF is made for lenses between 28 and 90mm and for Summicrons and Elmarits. As lenses became longer and faster and wider they became more difficult to get pin focus every time. Goggles and other fancy contraptions happened until we got to the digital Visoflex on the M(240).
Another one is R lenses, which didn’t work at all on an RF but are completely usable on the EV1 with an adaptor.
Finally the WATE is a true zoom lens. With an EVF you can use it between click stops. The MATE is not a zoom and using it between click stops can break it so best not to mix them up.
p.1 #4 · "Problematic" M-mount lenses for adapting
Another example are LTM or M lenses which are not rangefinder coupled and required estimating the focus distance on traditional M cameras. I have two of them:
CV 40/2.0 Snapshot Skopar LTM (not ideal for digital what I can tell on my M 240 with some purple vignetting in corners - no idea how it will perform on the M-EV1).
TTArtisan 11/2.8 fisheye M-lens. Focus is quite easy to do with this ultra-wide lens, but it will provide even better focus certainty especially at close distance with EVF present.
