JaKo wrote:
Gregg, I believe A7/R would give you more freedom in lenses selection. Shooting DSLR narrows down your choice of, say great German glass (I was going to say ALT lenses, but I am sure it would trigger posts with various brand suggestions) to Leica-R, Zeiss ZE/ZF or Contax. But then not all Leica-R or Zeiss lenses are out of this world; some are spectacular, some are OK.
Just few months ago when shooting Nikon DSLR I was seriously considering, despite its need for modification and price, Leica Summilux-R 50 E60. Few other Leica-R lenses had my interest: Summilux-R 35 and eventually Summicron-R 90 ASPH. Well, A7R changed my options. Summicron-M 90 ASPH is often available in great condition for much le$$ than its R counterpart, and the M version is also smaller to top it. The same story with Summilux 50; M version is smaller (no need for 1” long R E adapter) and available brand new for le$$ than R. Heck, the gorgeous Voigtlander Nokton 50/1.5 ASPH LM, which supposed by be a copy of Summilux 50 pre-ASPH can be purchased brand new for $1000!
Compactness of rangefinders lenses is a very luring option for me. I am putting some of my Zeiss ZF glass on the market just to replace it with Zeiss ZM and Leica M versions. Forum member Ron Scheffler posted interesting reviews on various rangefinder lenses’ performance on Sony A7/R. His reviews may help you with your decision making.
For me; I am keeping my current Leica-R glass, Zeiss optical marvels like Distagon 21/2.8 or Makro-Planar 100/2 and few other DSLR oddballs, but my future purchases will most likely be Leica/Zeiss rangefinders lenses. ...Show more →
Jack,
I recall reading somewhere in the Alt lens thread that the 50mm summilux-M smears a bit at the corners (possibly only on the A7r and not the A7) and the 50mm summilux-R is the way to go if you want a Leica 50mm 1.4 without the corner issues. Have you heard of this too? Or maybe I'm mixing up another lens.
I recall reading somewhere in the Alt lens thread that the 50mm summilux-M smears a bit at the corners (possibly only on the A7r and not the A7) and the 50mm summilux-R is the way to go if you want a Leica 50mm 1.4 without the corner issues. Have you heard of this too? Or maybe I'm mixing up another lens.
Thank you Adam,
First of all my apologies for high jacking this R thread, but I will make it quick.
Yes, you're right it was Summilux-M 50 ASPH and Pre-ASPH that raised some peoples’ concern.
But you know what, just like with everything else there will be negative opinions about all gear out there. Based on posted images I can easily live with A7R/Summilux-M 50 combo. Secondly, you get a fast lens to shoot WO and not to worry about corners, especially at infinity.
Just inherited an R kit from my Grandmother. Included is an R4, Elmarit 24mm/2.8, Macro-Elmarit 60mm/2.8 and Vario-Elmar 75-200/4.5. All with hoods and the 1:1 adapter for the 60mm.
I'd appreciate a bit of a summary on this gear. Its strengths and weaknesses etc, as this is my first foray into the (quite large) world of Leica.
I've got an A7 that I plan to use them on as well as get into some film (which I've never done before).
And because this is a photo thread, one with the 60mm on the A7:
Mmacro, love the colors and the lines in that abstract!
Cams, what a kit to inherit! And a great start with the cat portrait. I am pretty new to Leica, and don't have any from the R set you have. There should be several posters here who can provide input. I can say that the 50 and 90mm Summicron f2 and the 180 3.4 Apo Telyt are superb lenses. The 180's minimum close focus distance is longer than I would like, that's about the only weakness I have come across, among the three that I have.
Here's another cat portrait, with the 90mm Summicron. Had to mount that after seeing Gregg's marvelous sets with it.
cams884 wrote:
Just inherited an R kit from my Grandmother. Included is an R4, Elmarit 24mm/2.8, Macro-Elmarit 60mm/2.8 and Vario-Elmar 75-200/4.5. All with hoods and the 1:1 adapter for the 60mm.
I'd appreciate a bit of a summary on this gear. Its strengths and weaknesses etc, as this is my first foray into the (quite large) world of Leica.
I've got an A7 that I plan to use them on as well as get into some film (which I've never done before).
Congrats Cam on that Leica-R inheritance, and on that really nice cat portrait.
I have the Macro-Elmarit 60/2.8 and 1:1 adapter, using them on a Canon 5D MK III until recently and will now bias their use on a new A7R.
The 60 is IMHO, a fantastic lens and is also useful for gen purpose photography, only inhibited in that regard by the long focus throw due its macro bias. Either with or without the adapter it gives wonderful macro results, with beautiful bokeh, as in fact is nicely seen on the LHS side of your cat pic.
The 24/2.8 is I believe already regarded as a good performer on the A7(R). I just tried to buy one advertised
on Gumtree but the interstate seller wasn't interested in posting. Pls let me know if you want to sell yours!
The beauty of the Sony A7 / Nex E mount system in general is that you get to keep your lenses in native R mount AND use them easily on the Sony.
I have no experience of the R4 and 75-200, however your plan to buy film is a great move.
Speaking of shooting wide open, all lenses exhibit unique character that photogs fall for or not. This is one of lenses, IMO that shows its 'pleasing' side at full aperture. http://www.kozera.ca/photos/images/_DSC1144_1600.jpg
saph wrote:
Mmacro, love the colors and the lines in that abstract!
Cams, what a kit to inherit! And a great start with the cat portrait. I am pretty new to Leica, and don't have any from the R set you have. There should be several posters here who can provide input. I can say that the 50 and 90mm Summicron f2 and the 180 3.4 Apo Telyt are superb lenses. The 180's minimum close focus distance is longer than I would like, that's about the only weakness I have come across, among the three that I have.
Here's another cat portrait, with the 90mm Summicron. Had to mount that after seeing Gregg's marvelous sets with it.
lenticular11 wrote:
Congrats Cam on that Leica-R inheritance, and on that really nice cat portrait.
I have the Macro-Elmarit 60/2.8 and 1:1 adapter, using them on a Canon 5D MK III until recently and will now bias their use on a new A7R.
The 60 is IMHO, a fantastic lens and is also useful for gen purpose photography, only inhibited in that regard by the long focus throw due its macro bias. Either with or without the adapter it gives wonderful macro results, with beautiful bokeh, as in fact is nicely seen on the LHS side of your cat pic.
The 24/2.8 is I believe already regarded as a good performer on the A7(R). I just tried to buy one advertised
on Gumtree but the interstate seller wasn't interested in posting. Pls let me know if you want to sell yours!
I have no experience of the R4 and 75-200, however your plan to buy film is a great move. The beauty of the Sony A7 / Nex E mount system in general is that you get to keep your lenses in native R mount AND use them easily on the Sony.
Thanks for the information David. I'll have a look at your flickr album. I did notice the focus throw. However, it seems perfectly normal after using the Alpa/Kern 50/1.8 Macro that I also got from her last year which rotates about 3 times completely. That lens is away being serviced currently so I'm glad to have another great lens to use in the mean time.
It's a shame to have doubled up on both systems that I've inherited (she was obviously a bit of a macro nut) with respect to filling out my modern kit. So I think getting into film with both systems will be the best way to make the most of the gear.
That's a shame about the seller not wanting to post the lens. It's a bit of a non issue in this day and age with insurance etc. I won't be selling any of the gear at least while my dear Grandmother is still alive as I think she would disown me if she found out. haha
Worldinlens...your landscapes summer weather shots are very nice. Love the 28 E55!1 Is it version ll?
saph...Gregg, beautiful sets with the 90 Cron and 50 lux..Thank you...more to follow! I like the composition of "Slow burns".. interesting building, too?
mmacro...the silk abstract with the 35 Lux is great!!
cams884...Welcome to the board! Very nice inheritance!! Very nice cat shot the 60 Elmarit...supposedly one of the best lenses are far as corner sharpness, and bokeh!! Quite jealous!
Saph...againHad to mount that after seeing Gregg's marvelous sets with it...Thanks again, and very nice kitty!!
And, some 50 Lux shots from today...
Gregg
Wide open
shot at f5.6, with PP, but no sharpening at all!!!!
And here are a couple 90 Cron...This lens is SO versatile...I'm loving it! And I now really understand why this is such a favorite portrait lens. The 2 shots of Gio are completely untouched, straight .dng and exported from LR5.3
Gregg
) and the 50mm summilux-R is the way to go if you want a Leica 50mm 1.4 without the corner issues. Have you heard of this too? Or maybe I'm mixing up another lens. 
