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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

LEICA R on RED: Pictures

Kirk, don't be afraid of the V1 19mm. While most people like the V2 better, the V1 doesn't stink. It is a Leica, after all. I have one and have never been embarrassed by the images it produces. In fact, I (and more importantly my clients) have always been happy with it.
 
I agree with Larry. A V1 19mm is a great lens to get your hands on as well.

David
 
+1 for the 19mm v1. Find the main difference between v1 and v2 is edge sharpness wide open to around f4. Otherwise its not easy telling them apart.
 
Thanks guys - I'll try to look for a good copy then.
 
I had the V1 & V2 at the same time, the CA on the V1 is horrendous! I was shooting in NYC, it was night so naturally I was wide open, as soon as I looked through the viewfinder I knew I couldn't use it wide open with lights (from passing cars, lights in store windows) anywhere in the frame, that's what made me sell it.

The V2 is night and day compared to the V1 in that respect.
 
Also the close focus on the v1 is not very good to be honest. 0.5m compared to 0.3m on the v2. (Canon FD 20mm has a nice close focus of 0.25m). This matters quite a lot when you want to do your in-your-face rap videos or your high angle Jean Pierre Jeunet close up ;-)
 
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some 135mm love from today:

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emt3.png
 
Guys, my 35mm lux is having a problem. There is a slight amount of play in the focus, and when I adjust focus and the play rotates, the aperture appears to change. I say this because the image gets lighter/darker with just a 5-degree rotation of the focus (no aperture wheel movement). Has anyone seen this before? I am tempted to look at correcting this myself. Duclos does not do Leica repairs. I know Steve's does but I am wondering just how complicated they really are inside.
 
Med D said:
Guys, my 35mm lux is having a problem. There is a slight amount of play in the focus, and when I adjust focus and the play rotates, the aperture appears to change. I say this because the image gets lighter/darker with just a 5-degree rotation of the focus (no aperture wheel movement). Has anyone seen this before? I am tempted to look at correcting this myself. Duclos does not do Leica repairs. I know Steve's does but I am wondering just how complicated they really are inside.
Click to expand...

I had the same exact issue with my 35mm Summicron and sent it to Steve's for a CLA to tighten the barrel and fix that issue (as well as loosening the focus ring). Cost $325, which seemed really high because they called me back the next day saying it was ready to be picked up already..

I was able to de-click the aperture myself pretty easily but I didn't trust myself to go further. It did seem pretty complicated for me and you really need the right tools for it.

Maybe you can learn something from this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SD7GYeG0QMo
 
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The Leica R lenses have a small ball bearing inside which regulates the clicks of the aperture. Nkion uses a little metal piece with two screws to create the stops. I know that the iris on the Leica R lenses can tend to creep a bit if you don't use the correct grease. To solve this what I had my tech here do was shave the ball bearing a little so that there is a light sensation of shifting stops but it's still smooth and doesn't drift.

Also, micro vibrations over time, flying, transport, etc, can loosen these systems (focus and iris) and every so often it is good to have them reset. I just had a 24mm tightened up with this very problem.

David
 
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Had some fun today with a spider and the Leica 100mm 2.8 macro. Really amazing little creatures.
 

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Med, sorry to hear about the 35 lux and yes its common but can be remedied. Over the last couple years I've noticed most 35 & 80 Luxes benefit from professional tweaks or even an overhaul at some point especially for follow focus. The 20-30+ year old dried up grease in the focus can cause issues (drag, jamming, etc. that stresses and loosen other parts) and they weren't designed with follow-focus in mind to begin with. Steve's is great for cine-tweaking and fast too, but there are other options for less but usually a MUCH longer turnaround. With focus play I've been told depending on what it is it may just be a matter of tightening a couple screws, or more...

While I'll change mounts and a few other tweaks I wouldn't dare try much more on a 35 lux. They have a floating element design that's more complex than most Leica R primes. At least practice on something like a beat up 50 Cron first :)
 
Lakis Amarantithis said:
Had some fun today with a spider and the Leica 100mm 2.8 macro. Really amazing little creatures.
Click to expand...

Have said it before but that's one lens can have on all day, especially in the macro world.

Great capture Lakis.
 
Hi Mark - Who are you referring to for the Leica r lens services? Steve?

Thanks
 
Nice stuff Kenny!

samir. I love the red mustang.

Lakis. The 100mm apo macro is a total gem!
 
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