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Using a system for a single particular lens?

  
 
pingflood
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p.1 #1 · Using a system for a single particular lens?


Just curious here! Wondering how many of you have chosen to use a particular system based on a specific lens you wanted access to. I am guilty of this, having gone M43 mainly for the 150-400 (on the third year of using it for birds now and I am still loving it), and choosing the L mount just to be able to use that wonderful Leica 24-90.

Anyone else who's delved into a particular mount or system just for That One Lens?



Aug 08, 2026 at 12:24 PM
OffTrail
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p.1 #2 · Using a system for a single particular lens?


I've got a couple Pentax 67's just for the 105 f/2.4.

And I'm not sure if this counts, but I bought a film M to get the 40 f/1.2 Nokton in front of film. That was cool and all, but I ended up sticking with M because of the 35 f/2.8 Summaron.

Also some fixed-lens cameras that I bought just for the lenses. Zeiss folder with the 75 f/3.5 Tessar for one, and the Kodak Snapic A1 for its real glass lens and not one, but two focus zones.



Aug 08, 2026 at 12:54 PM
fjablo
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p.1 #3 · Using a system for a single particular lens?


I bought a Pentax K2 to use the TTartisan 75mm f1.5 on film. Then added a Pentax 31mm f1.8 as a second lens. Didn't enjoy the M42-PK adapting and ended up buying a Spotmatic F... so ultimately I bought two systems for one lens

Not a single lens thing, but I bought a Leica M because it is the only digital system with compact fast primes and proper manual focus assist (as in: the rangefinder).



Aug 08, 2026 at 12:57 PM
RoamingScott
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p.1 #4 · Using a system for a single particular lens?


X2Dii for the 35-100

FM3a for the Ultron 40

My Nikon journey started because of the 24-120 but that spiraled fast



Aug 08, 2026 at 12:59 PM
retrofocus
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p.1 #5 · Using a system for a single particular lens?


In the past, yes: In 2014 I switched from long-time using Canon EF gear to the first FF-based MLC series of Sony with my A7R. That's when my love for vintage glass took off since I was able to adapt all kind of SLR and DSLR-based lenses with adapters to this camera (to this date I never used my A7R with even one E-mount lens!). Former colleague of mine also went with Sony E-mount and purchased a used Leica 50/2.0 v5 lens which he sold to me after upgrading to a Sony 50 mm FE lens. I used this Summicron lens for several years only adapted to my A7R and really enjoyed the smaller lens size and high image quality. Around this time I was handed a nearly mint Beseler 45MXT enlarger which kicked off my interest in film photography again. My old SLR camera's shutter broke, so I was in the market to get a new film camera in 2016. Since I already had my Summicron lens, I decided to get my first Leica M film camera, my M6 non-TTL. Many other M- and LTM lenses and cameras followed .




Aug 08, 2026 at 06:34 PM
freaklikeme
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p.1 #6 · Using a system for a single particular lens?


Kind of, but not for an OEM lens. I switched from Canon (DsIII) to Sony (a900) because I could Leitax the Summiliux-R 35/1.4 to it without fouling the mirror. And I picked up a Fuji 50sII to adapt a trio of Rodenstock lenses to it. No regrets with either.


Aug 08, 2026 at 07:29 PM
gregfountain
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p.1 #7 · Using a system for a single particular lens?


Leica APO Primes mated to an SL sensor. End of greener grass for me.


Aug 08, 2026 at 10:14 PM
pingflood
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p.1 #8 · Using a system for a single particular lens?


RoamingScott wrote:
X2Dii for the 35-100

FM3a for the Ultron 40

My Nikon journey started because of the 24-120 but that spiraled fast


The 35-100 has had me look more than once at the Hassy X system. It seems like an X2D / X2DII with that lens would make for a killer travel setup. Can easily crop heavily if 100mm isn't enough on the long end.



Aug 09, 2026 at 03:23 AM
RoamingScott
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p.1 #9 · Using a system for a single particular lens?


pingflood wrote:
The 35-100 has had me look more than once at the Hassy X system. It seems like an X2D / X2DII with that lens would make for a killer travel setup. Can easily crop heavily if 100mm isn't enough on the long end.


It's a very good lens. I've been equally tempted by an SL3 and the SL 24-90 simply because it's a bit wider for landscapes, but there are so many things about the X2Dii that I really like that I think the SL3 and I wouldn't get on. Plus the SL is almost 30% heavier.



Aug 09, 2026 at 07:51 AM
FrozenInTime
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p.1 #10 · Using a system for a single particular lens?


I am waiting to see how the new SL 50mm Summilux performs in the hands of actual users rather than influencers . If it works well that may be enough to buy the SL3-P.

In the past, I did buy a Nikon FM2 specifically to pair with a 58mm Noct-Nikkor. That lens turned out to be a disappointment with large round glow balls surrounding each point of light. Sold both.



Aug 09, 2026 at 09:04 AM
 


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EB-1
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p.1 #11 · Using a system for a single particular lens?


pingflood wrote:
Just curious here! Wondering how many of you have chosen to use a particular system based on a specific lens you wanted access to. I am guilty of this, having gone M43 mainly for the 150-400 (on the third year of using it for birds now and I am still loving it), and choosing the L mount just to be able to use that wonderful Leica 24-90.

Anyone else who's delved into a particular mount or system just for That One Lens?


Yes, I have one lens and use one camera from one brand and much gear from other brands.

The main limitations are the lack of redundancy in the field when using multiple different mount bodies and that the controls will be different. You also have to deal with mutlple batteries and chargers.

EBH



Aug 09, 2026 at 09:23 AM
airfrogusmc
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p.1 #12 · Using a system for a single particular lens?


For my personal work I use equipment that matches the way I see. That happens to be kinda wide and B&W. So Leica M 10 Mono and Leica 35mm Lux FLE fit that vision.

Edited on Aug 09, 2026 at 10:30 AM · View previous versions



Aug 09, 2026 at 10:04 AM
James Markus
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p.1 #13 · Using a system for a single particular lens?


OffTrail wrote:
I've got a couple Pentax 67's just for the 105 f/2.4.

And I'm not sure if this counts, but I bought a film M to get the 40 f/1.2 Nokton in front of film. That was cool and all, but I ended up sticking with M because of the 35 f/2.8 Summaron.

Also some fixed-lens cameras that I bought just for the lenses. Zeiss folder with the 75 f/3.5 Tessar for one, and the Kodak Snapic A1 for its real glass lens and not one, but two focus zones.


I adapted the 105 f/2.4 to my 645N and 645Z - then got a very early model 6x7 with no MLU. It's a great lens imo




Aug 09, 2026 at 10:10 AM
Surfnsun
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p.1 #14 · Using a system for a single particular lens?


Yeah, I’m guilty. I wanted the 50 Lux. After decades of denying myself the chance, I finally dove in the deep end. Turns out, the water feels pretty damn good.


Aug 09, 2026 at 10:45 AM
Rainbow Chaser
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p.1 #15 · Using a system for a single particular lens?


RoamingScott wrote:
I've been equally tempted by an SL3 and the SL 24-90 simply because it's a bit wider for landscapes, but there are so many things about the X2Dii that I really like that I think the SL3 and I wouldn't get on. Plus the SL is almost 30% heavier.


How has Leica's quality control affected your decision? You've heavily criticized Leica in the past.



Aug 09, 2026 at 10:51 AM
RoamingScott
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p.1 #16 · Using a system for a single particular lens?


Rainbow Chaser wrote:
How has Leica's quality control affected your decision? You've heavily criticized Leica in the past.


Well I don't have a Leica, do I? That should tell you where I'm at.

Either way, I'd never buy one new and give Leica my money.



Aug 09, 2026 at 11:40 AM
OffTrail
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p.1 #17 · Using a system for a single particular lens?


James Markus wrote:
I adapted the 105 f/2.4 to my 645N and 645Z - then got a very early model 6x7 with no MLU. It's a great lens imo


Yeah, love the 105. How'd you like it on digital medium format? I've mounted it to the Z's a few times and the F3 once, but you're throwing away a lot of its image by that point. I compared it to the NIKKOR-P 10.5cm f/2.5, and while the Pentax did have an edge, it wasn't enough to deal with the ergonomic hassles on a smaller format.



Aug 09, 2026 at 12:46 PM
James Markus
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p.1 #18 · Using a system for a single particular lens?


OffTrail wrote:
Yeah, love the 105. How'd you like it on digital medium format? I've mounted it to the Z's a few times and the F3 once, but you're throwing away a lot of its image by that point. I compared it to the NIKKOR-P 10.5cm f/2.5, and while the Pentax did have an edge, it wasn't enough to deal with the ergonomic hassles on a smaller format.



I'd put it in the same category as a handful of Nikkors I own, and one EOS lens. The rendering is identical on the Pentax 645 format as the 6x7 - film or digital. Probably my most similar lens is the Nikkor 85mm f1.4 afd or ais.







645Z_smc-Pentax-67-Takuimar_105mm-f2.4_6459753-Edit







Nikon-N90S_Nikkor_85mm-f1.4-afd-UXF-400-at-800_Xtol-1+1-16min-68-degrees




Aug 09, 2026 at 02:25 PM
rico
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p.1 #19 · Using a system for a single particular lens?


pingflood wrote:
Anyone else who's delved into a particular mount or system just for That One Lens?

For sure. In the late 1990s I wanted the CZ Distagon 21/2.8 in Contax/Yashica mount, and acquired a Contax 159MM SLR. That lens has been superceded but reigned supreme at that FL well into the digital era. The second lens I craved was the Sony 100 STF that required my entry into the MILC era with a purchase of the A7ii in 2015. I didn't purchase a second OEM lens until last month (the quite awesome 28-60/4-5.6 FE kit zoom).

I own large Contax and moderate-sized Alpha systems.



Aug 10, 2026 at 02:47 AM
hkrazerx
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p.1 #20 · Using a system for a single particular lens?


Guilty guilty!

I have a Cooke 100mm Deep Field Panchro adapted to a Hasselblad F mount, so I own a 2000FCM just to be able to use it. Now with mirrorless I might sell the Hasselblad but on 6x6 it’s more useful as a standard lens.



Edited on Aug 11, 2026 at 03:41 PM · View previous versions



Aug 11, 2026 at 03:30 PM
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