Most folks here are happy to answer questions, but I didn't see any in there. :-) 16 year-old Leica R glass is practically brand new. A few finish imperfections and minor front-element scratches should in no way affect any lens' performance in the field, so it only affects a Leica's value for those who own them to collect them.
With any new-to-you lens, I'd recommend taking some test shots of boring but predictable subjects and make sure the lens performs harmoniously. In other words, the four corners should appear about the same as each of the others, out-of-focus subjects in the center of the frame shouldn't be blurred in one direction or another, the lens should focus to infinity, and all the controls should work smoothly.
Enjoy your new lens, and share a few shots! If you do have questions, have another go at letting us know what they are.
aFrIcanSH wrote:
Hey all, not sure if this is the right place to ask this but 1 or 2 quick questions
I bought an 80lux online from the leicashop vienna, rated A- and described as mint. The exterior is pretty much mint, 1 little nick but the hood arrived unscrewed (so i screwed it back and now its fine, but a tad loose). Is this normal/alright? Not too fussed about this
The hood assembly is supposed to screw off, but it's normally affixed with a tiny screw near the seam. You should check whether that screw is in place. (My Lux 80 is undergoing CLA right now but I know my Lux 35 is like this. Someone should correct me if the 80 is different.)
I think it's rather disturbing that the hood came to you unscrewed. If it's loose enough to unscrew itself in transit, they should've noticed and mentioned it.
I recently bought a R lens from Austria (not Leicashop but another big seller) that was somewhat sneakily described as with "moderate marks," which I'd assumed to refer to cosmetics. Turns out the lens also has some optically irrelevant subtle marks on the glass. I'm more concerned about them from a reselling perspective.
Prior to this I'd always assumed that German-speaking dealers were rigorous and accurate.
I actually tried to unscrew the hood again to check, but i couldn't (even after applying some force) so i think it should be alright. The hood itself is a bit loose and slides in and out easily but when i pull it out and shoot it rarely slides in entirely so I'm not too bothered. I've read that some others have hoods like mine. The aperture ring has a bit of play at 1.4 and f16, not horrible but certainly not like my zeiss 50mp which has some play but is more secure. Not too fussed about this though as the aperture works and clicks fine.
aly324, I assumed so as well. But when i googled cleaning marks and had a look at some pictures, these are no where as bad. They're rather subtle compared to the others but these weren't mentioned at all. Sometimes I wonder if i'm too meticulous. The lens as a whole shoots fine, sharp from f2, glow-y but still sharp at f1.4. Haven't noticed anything odd about it. I'm likewise most concerned about resale prices partly because I paid a bit over my budget for this lens but since i've developed a bad habit of selling off and buying gear all too frequently I think i'll make a conscious effort to hold on to this lens.
I shot a little last night, imo they're not worthy of being posted online but since they're labelled as test shots I'll cut myself some slack
Alpha_Geist wrote:
I have family in Puyallup area and I see such great photographic opportunities whenever I make the road trip to Washington to visit them. Much more than where I am. I wish the sunsets over here weren't as dull over here (everything is flat). The sunsets and activity on the water over at the Puget Sound and Olympics are fantastic! I could watch the boats all day.
I had the 135/2 APO Zeiss in ZE mount, and boy was that and the a7 combo a bit awkward to use. The lens was bigger than the camera that I felt at times the camera wasn't there and I was peering down into the back of the lens mount like a spotting telescope! I wish I had the 135/2 in the Nikon mount. I don't think I would have sold it if it were, but there are the R Telyts though....hmmmm. You are right though, the magnified view and focus peaking of the a7 make MF a breeze. Even with custom focusing screens in my previous DLSRs, I had a bit of trouble nailing focus with MF glass. I think my eyes aren't what they use to be. Haha!
I notice you have a collection of tele's that you use on your a7r. Do you have any other R glass that you've adapted as well? After thinning out my R flock, I 'll only have the 35 & 50 cron and a 35-70/4 vario-elmar to leitax. Once I get the mounts, I'll be sure to post once again in this thread. ...Show more →
Nope, just the 180/3.4 Telyt for R glass, though that 280/4 APO Telyt sure looks nice . . .
Didn't quite nail focus, but that doesn't show at web resolutions. :-) This is also the first image of mine where I've seen dramatic differences between how different programs downsize the image. Makes me want to learn more about output sharpening and such.
Elmarit-R 35, Speed Booster, NEX-7. Probably about f/4.8.
Just performed a Leitax conversion of my 50 Cron-R (two cam) to Nikon F mount. I work the swing/grave shift, and this was all that was interesting a little after midnight after the conversion.
Here are some images cross posted in the Sony A7/A7/r/A7s Image Thread and taken last evening just before and in Magic Hour along Carpet Road, New Tripoli, PA. All images taken with my tripod mounted Leica R 180mm f3.4 Apo Telyt lens and my A7r and processed in LR5.6
Didn't quite nail focus, but that doesn't show at web resolutions. :-) This is also the first image of mine where I've seen dramatic differences between how different programs downsize the image. Makes me want to learn more about output sharpening and such.
Elmarit-R 35, Speed Booster, NEX-7. Probably about f/4.8.
sebboh wrote:
very nice, is this taken from oaks bottom?
Thank you, and yes it was.
One nice thing about Oregon is that the waterways and beaches are all public, so when the water gets as low as this you can walk as far as you want along the river. I might have to put on my sturdy boots and go for a hike this weekend, maybe even when the sun is up. :-)
I'd love to take my camera and cron to work! But such devices aren't allowed. I'd probably get in "trouble" with the feds. Lots of great portrait opportunities though.
Did you capture that shot on your way to work? I wish I could walk to work. Would be nice to have photo ops to and from work.
You are right though, the magnified view and focus peaking of the a7 make MF a breeze. Even with custom focusing screens in my previous DLSRs, I had a bit of trouble nailing focus with MF glass. I think my eyes aren't what they use to be. Haha!
