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Leica-M mount lenses on EPIC

Sanjin Jukic

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Now when amazing news are spreading over the forum for possible very soon shipping of Epic-X during late August or early September

then I was playing a bit in Photoshop about another great lens mount option for Epic.

It's about a possibility of making Leica-M mount for Epic.

Keep in mind that I'm not an engineer but my main goal with this tread is just to give all of you one more great idea.

If technically this option would be possible to realize then it's about RED team to give a kind of "Green Light" for many third party lens mount makers

to decide and investigate further options and possibilities to make Leica-M mount for Epic.

That lens mount option would open possibility to use many of small and lightweight Leica-M rangefinder FF35mm manual focus lenses from Leica, Carl Zeiss and Voigtländer.

At the end to add that if we would get one day Leica-M mount on EPIC than is also possible to use Leica-M to Leica R adopter

and with that give another option to use many of lightweight and wonderful Leica-R and Angenieux LR lenses.

I'm sure that many world famous photographers would pretty much appreciate this amazing lens mount option.

Also read about what Ken Rockwell think about in comparison between Leica -M, Canon L and Nikon G lenses:

LEICA vs. Canon vs. Nikon >>>>

EPIC_Right-side-noctilux.jpg

Photoshop draft about one possibility to make Leica-M mount lenses on EPIC.

To remind all of you that I had opportunity to mount and try out many of Leica-M lenses on RED1 M and MX.

Leica_NoctiluxF095_03.jpg

Leica Noctilux-M 50mm f/0.95 ASPH on RED1-M.

See the footage with Leica Noctilux-M 50mm on RED1-M shot in 2008>>>


leica-apo-summicron75mm-asph-02.jpg

Leica APO-Summicron-M 75mm f.2.0 ASPH on RED1-MX.

See the footage with R1-MX + Leica APO-Summicron-M 75mm ASPH >>>
 
I've just looked at the Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 ASPH drawing. No way it would fit EPIC IMO
 
I've just looked at the Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 ASPH drawing. No way it would fit EPIC IMO

Jacek,

and of course this has to be proofed.

EPIC-summilux35mm.jpg

Possible mounting of new Leica-M Summilux 35mm f/1.4 ASPH on EPIC.
 
I won't be proofing anything- my calculations are good enough for me:rolleyes5:
 
M lenses that have protruding back elements will not work without a relay of some sort.
 
M lenses that have protruding back elements will not work without a relay of some sort.

Jarred,

you are right here.

But maybe somebody could try out the whole thing and make a sort of compatibility list or a database.

Also the black shroud at the back of the lens can be removed!!!???

Some Pentax guys are doing it to use Leica-R lenses and also some 5DMK2 owners that I know they did it the same

with several "incompatible" Leica-R lenses for 5DMK2 (touching of the reflex mirror issue)...

Summilux-PerformanceProof_02.jpg

Shot on Leica M9 with Summilux 35mm f/1.4 ASPH (additional text and graphic by SJ)

Download the full res image here>>>
 
touching of stuff near the sensor makes me cringe...

If Noctilux compatibility could be properly proofed then I would do it just because of that lens only.

You can shoot very comfortably a feature with only that lens on Epic.

Epic with "King of the Night" (Leica Noctilux-M 50mm f/0.95 ASPH) would be unique and the most powerful camera/lens combo in the industry.
 
M lenses that have protruding back elements will not work without a relay of some sort.

If Noctilux compatibility could be properly proofed then I would do it just because of that lens only.

I'll have to look because I don't know if the Noctilux has protruding back elements, but if it worked without an optical relay and if it were approved by RED, I'd also buy a Leica M mount just for my Noctilux.
 
+1 - I'm with you Sanjin. I would pay for this mount in a heartbeat. I'm on the list for an M9-P and I LOVE that the Summilux M series has options of 21mm, 24mm, 35mm, 50mm and 75mm ... and then of course the Noctilux for even faster, and the many Summicron lenses at f2 would be great choices as well. The Summicron 90 is considered to be the best 90mm still lens, as so many of the Leica lenses are.

But I'm sure you already knew that :)
 
+1 - I'm with you Sanjin. I would pay for this mount in a heartbeat. I'm on the list for an M9-P and I LOVE that the Summilux M series has options of 21mm, 24mm, 35mm, 50mm and 75mm ... and then of course the Noctilux for even faster, and the many Summicron lenses at f2 would be great choices as well. The Summicron 90 is considered to be the best 90mm still lens, as so many of the Leica lenses are.

But I'm sure you already knew that :)

Anthony,

this for your support.

As you know well I'm sure there are excellent and even more affordable Leica M mount lenses from

Carl Zeiss (Ikon) ZM collection

and

Voigtländer Classic Collection M Lenses.

BTW, all made at Cosina Factory in Japan.

And again we would just need a compatibility list or EPIC to Leica M mount compatibility database.

Plus one more additional option that has Leica M to Leica R official Leica made adaptor will give you an opportunity to extend use of Epic with many of extraordinary Leica R FF35mm lenses (primes and zooms).

Also keep in mind that EPIC coupled even with a limited range of some extraordinary and lightweight Leica-M lenses will became a really unique digital camera in the history of photography and moving images.

It would be really EPIC in digital acquisition!!!
 
Sanjin, here is the potential problem. Even assuming a dumb mount, the rear element of the lens has to be some distance away from the sensor matte. See picture of the Epic with the lens plate removed. Hope this helps you understand the problem.
 

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Sanjin, here is the potential problem. Even assuming a dumb mount, the rear element of the lens has to be some distance away from the sensor matte. See picture of the Epic with the lens plate removed. Hope this helps you understand the problem.

attachment.php


Pawel thanks for the image.

Also I know very well it's not so much space left but could be possible to get some lenses to work!?

It's about to keep lightweight and still use as much as possible some of those optically excellent lenses.

One limited range of the lenses that could be possible to fit EPIC will start with wide angle lenses @ 35mm and end with telephoto lens @ 135mm...

Wide angle:

Voigtländer Nokton 35mm f/1.4

Leica Summarit-M 35mm f/2.5

Voigtländer Nokton 40mm f/1.4

Standard lenses:

Leica Noctilux-M 50 mm f/0.95 ASPH

Leica Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4

Voigtländer Nokton 50mm f/1.1

Carl Zeiss C SonnarT*1,5/50 ZM

Leica Summicron-M f/2.0

Voigtländer Heliar 50mm f/2.0

Leica Summarit-M 50 mm f/2.5

Telephoto lenses:

LEICA APO-SUMMICRON-M 75 mm f/2 ASPH

LEICA SUMMARIT-M 75 mm f/2.5

LEICA APO-SUMMICRON-M 90 mm f/2 ASPH

LEICA SUMMARIT-M 90 mm f/2.5

LEICA APO-TELYT-M 135 mm f/3.4 ASPH

Voigtländer 75 mm / F 1,8 Heliar

Carl Zeiss Planar T* 2/50 ZM

Carl Zeiss Tele-Tessar T* 4 / 85 ZM

Also don't forget many vintage lenses from those and other brands in that focal range can be very good as an additional option.

A 2 or 3 lens system can therefore easily be carried in the pockets of a sports jacket.

Rangefinder Light Weight Small Lenses by Luminous Landscape>>>
 
You can also use a small matte box with Leica M lenses

Leica_SummicronM35mm_asph_01.jpg

Leica Summicron M 35mm f/2.0 on RED1 MX with 4x4 Vocas matte box.

RED1 was somehow a big camera for Leica M lenses but EPIC today could fit a perfect, call it EPIC-Leica-M for photography and motion picture!!!

Is there are any high-end digital acquisition system like this?

No any!

the closest systems can shoot 1080p HD motion @ 60p and about their low-res 1080 HD photography we do not have to talk about at all.

Leica_SummicronM50mm_01.jpg

Leica Summicron M 50mm f/2.0 on RED1MX.
 
Plus one more additional option that has Leica M to Leica R official Leica made adaptor will give you an opportunity to extend use of Epic with many of extraordinary Leica R FF35mm lenses (primes and zooms).

Is that actually in the works or just an idea? If so, that'd be awesome!
 
Is that actually in the works or just an idea? If so, that'd be awesome!

Leica R adapter is ready - just don't know if it really needs approval this time from RED, since the EPIC mount is much easier to remove - Stuart you reading this:)?. I also had the impression, that the Low pass filter of the EPIC is further up front - if this is the case, then no M-mount possible. Otherwise I see no problem:).
 
This looks too good to be true .
spacecam is making a leica-m mount for epic. Can someone please confirm on this? Is this mount approved?
Anyway using leica m for ariel cinematography makes a whole lot of sense. If this is works ?- Epic is going to fly.

http://spacecam-accessories.myshopify.com/
mount
 
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Charles lim yi yong thanks for the link!!!

That means that SpeceCam was listening to me!!!

But the main question still remains unanswered: IS IT APPROVED by RED???

The latest reply from Jarred who said that is not approved by RED.

So guys let's sent the mount to RED for approval.



leica_50mm_front_cropped_large.jpg

Leica-M 50mm Noctilux f/0.95 on EPIC-M



LINK>>>

Actually that's all what you need.

Epic with Leica Noctilux 50mm f/0.95, Bomb EVF, battery, charger, matte box, lightweight tripod, and basic handheld rig, follow focus, some filters and cables all in a small travel bag.

Reinventing moviemaking Part 2.
 
So Im guessing this adaptor is only for a limited selection of M lenses due to the protruding rear flange or has some form of optic in it ? Any one know for sure ?
 
So Im guessing this adaptor is only for a limited selection of M lenses due to the protruding rear flange or has some form of optic in it ? Any one know for sure ?

Dave,

as I did a little research above in the tread#post786084 but of course that nothing is confirmed yet!!!???

Also I'm working to fix my Leica R to M adaptor (original Leitz 22228/500934) that means it would be able to swap all Leica R lenses (zooms and primes) on EPIC with that option.

More about it later.

Stay tuned.
 
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