Leica R Cine Conversion - aprox $8000 high quality 7 lens prime set in Canon EF

[Mark M]

Have a newer v2 35 Cron on its way, along with an older v1. After they arrive I'll repeat the comparison but throw the v1 Cron into the mix as well. Should be interesting...

 

[Mark M]

The 35 Summicron v1 arrived today and I squeezed in a 20 min test/comparison with two 35 Summilux v2s and a Summicrons v2. These are screen grabs from Scarlet 5k 12fps 1/48 5:1 @ f2 with a minimal grade.

The images are very similar, but with a few striking differences that came as a surprise. (Cntrl-click pics to view at higher res.)

All @ F2

35 Summilux v2 'Lens A'

35 Summilux v2 'Lens B'

35 Summicron v2

35 Summicron v1

Some things that stood out, especially when A/B-ing

• Both Crons were noticeably wider than the Luxes. The v1 Cron was a little wider than the v2 Cron.
• v2 Cron showed the most vignetting by far. v1 Cron was next.
• In some ways the v1 Cron renders more similarly to the Summiluxes than v2 Cron
• Bokeh characteristics seems fairly consistent across all lenses
• Waning sunlight had an effect. These are in the order they were taken.

...

At a glance these look very similar but my overall pick is the Summilux. It seems to have a little extra something. In some ways prefer the v1 Cron vs. v2 here. But then again v2 seems to have the most unique look, at least @ f2 with stronger vignetting and a flatter image (similar to Lux @ 1.4). But certainly can't go wrong with any of these Leica options...

 

[Mark Andersen]

I just order a 19 v2, want a wide lens for landscapes with Dragon, most of the cine glass doesn't cover 6K. I've heard that the 19 is the best wide lens there is, optically. I am concerned about the protrusion of the rear housing and if it will hit the motion mount. I pretty sure the standard mount is OK. Any thoughts on Canon motion mounts and the 19 v2?

 

[Nick Morrison]

I just order a 19 v2, want a wide lens for landscapes with Dragon, most of the cine glass doesn't cover 6K. I've heard that the 19 is the best wide lens there is, optically. I am concerned about the protrusion of the rear housing and if it will hit the motion mount. I pretty sure the standard mount is OK. Any thoughts on Canon motion mounts and the 19 v2?

Leica 19 is the best yes, along with the Contax 21! (sorry, couldn't resist).

 

[Mark Andersen]

Next question. Leica summilux 50 E55 ver 2 vs. the much more expensive E60 version. What is the major difference? Is it worth the extra cash?

 

[Mark Pedersen]

The E60 is one of the best 50mm lenses ever made. And in good company with the 19mm V2, and 90mm Summicron ASPH, 100mm APO and 180mm APO - some of Leica's best.

I haven't tested a 35mm Summicron. The 35mm Lux seems a tad softer than the 'cron. The 80mm Lux is a bit of an odd duck. Very organic, soft and low contrast at 1.4, shapes up nicely around f2.

M

 

[Mark Andersen]

Still wondering about the Leica 19mm v2 with a Canon adaptor and the Canon motion mount. If it's not compatible it's not a total deal killer but it would limit my use of the 19mm

 

[A. Clint Litton]

Can't say with complete confidence but I doubt it would be a problem. The issue with the 19v2 on a 5d was mirror clearance, requiring a slight shave of the rear shroud or a shave of the mirror. Do you know what the clearance required for canon MM is? The 19v2 rear shroud doesn't protrude a ton.

 

[Dave Blackham]

Can't say with complete confidence but I doubt it would be a problem. The issue with the 19v2 on a 5d was mirror clearance, requiring a slight shave of the rear shroud or a shave of the mirror. Do you know what the clearance required for canon MM is? The 19v2 rear shroud doesn't protrude a ton.

The 5D2 and 5D3 have different mirror clearance for some reason, lenses can catch on a small black object top of the sensor well, I think its may be the focus screen latch. Also on the 35mm Lux the lens extends so clears at some points of focus and catches at others. Cant recall if the 19mm is the same. Theres no issue on Epic with either. Both are great lenses. The Cron and Lux lenses appear identical in terms of sharpness at a given aperture.

 

[Tommaso Alvisi]

Still wondering about the Leica 19mm v2 with a Canon adaptor and the Canon motion mount. If it's not compatible it's not a total deal killer but it would limit my use of the 19mm

Mark,
I have the 19 V2 but I don't have the Motion Mount.
I can do some measuring if you need to check clearance.

When will you get the 19 V2? Have you already bought it?
I'm tempted to sell mine to finance my Scarlet upgrade...

 

[Mark Andersen]

Mark,
I have the 19 V2 but I don't have the Motion Mount.
I can do some measuring if you need to check clearance.

When will you get the 19 V2? Have you already bought it?
I'm tempted to sell mine to finance my Scarlet upgrade...

Thanks Tommaso,

I already purchased a 19mm ( I may slowly aquire a whole set to cine vise ). It seems that on Motion Mount and Regular mounts there is not an open round exposure all the back to the OLPF but a rectangular shaped port that is much smaller than the opening as a whole. It looks like the motion mount would be any different that the standard, if the 19mm (with a Canon adaptor) fits ok on the regular mount then it should be fine with the MM. I assume you have put the Leica 19 on an Epic/Scarlet?

 

[Tommaso Alvisi]

Yes I have

 

[Samir Patel]

Anyone ever had the focusing ring come loose from the rest of the lens element? On a 28v1 my focus ring came loose I can push it back in and still focus the lens but every now and then when I focus I jar it loose again. Would like a DIY fix if possible since I feel this may be a recurring issue.

 

[Mark M]

Just finished color-correcting a piece I filmed on a University campus a couple weeks ago almost entirely captured on 19 v2 at 48fps on my Scarlet X.

Client didn't want any shallow dof and with the 19 that wasn't a problem. Imagery was beautiful and turned out even better than expected.

+1 for the 19 v2

 

[Tommaso Alvisi]

Mark, you forgot to embed it... :auto:

:drool:

 

[Mark M]

Wish I could Tommaso... its not posted anywhere yet and still awaiting client approval, but hopefully here soon!

:emote_head_explode:

"It'll blow your mind..." (JK - just looking for an excuse to post that smiley

 

[Tommaso Alvisi]

:grouphug:

 

[Mark M]

Has anyone used (or know if) any of the non-RED Leica R mount options (like A-mount) are strong enough to support heavier Leica R lenses?

There are a couple bigger ones I'm considering using that I wouldn't trust on my regular RED EF mount.
Due to weight and length it could get ugly... :scared:

 

[Tommaso Alvisi]

You could go the Titanium Mount + Leitax route I'd say, but I suggest a nice lens support bracket instead.

Cheaper, safer.

 

[Mark M]

Good point. The Chrosziel Universal lens support looks nice.