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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

Curtis boggs said:
Question for you Leica experts!

I haven't seen much said, or images posted from the 15mm 3.5.
How is that lens?, .. anyone have images to post from it?

How does the 15mm compare to the 19mm??

Thanks,

Curtis
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I've been pleasantly surprised with the performance of the 15mm 3.5. Like others stated, not as sharp as the much pricier 15 2.8 Asph in the corners, but depending on sensor coverage it may not be an issue and distortion, etc. is minimal too at most Red resolutions. Also like other Leicas it renders color just gorgeously. Overall not quite as good as the 19mm v1 but close imo.
 
Nahuel Lopez said:
Trailer for our upcoming feature-doc. Shot on Red Dragon with our beloved Leica-R Lens set. Thank you guys for sharing tons of inspiration and knowledge on this thread!

https://vimeo.com/226900722
Click to expand...

Great work Nahuel. Looks like you've been working on some interesting projects!
 
Aaron, glad you enjoyed it. I have always thought the Nikkors make really nice images.
 
Nahuel Lopez said:
Thanks Sabovic, the sound has had main importance for us in this production. Our sound guy Miguel Murrieta did an outstanding job. Not that easy with classical music. That's why he was always packed with a bunch of 9-12 Schoeps mics. Great that you mentioned the sound!
Click to expand...

Oh, Schoeps...why am I not surprised? :rofl:

BTW, Daniel is a real "Könner"! :thumbsup:
 
Hey guys! Is there any "survival guide" for the Leica R lenses? I'm very confused with names and models. I want to buy a set of 24-50-85mm
Thanks in advance!
 
Francisco Parra said:
Hey guys! Is there any "survival guide" for the Leica R lenses? I'm very confused with names and models. I want to buy a set of 24-50-85mm
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...


So I don't own any Leica Lenses, but I have been researching them quite awhile cause they intrigue me (despite already owning a set of Contax Zeiss lenses).

While this isn't a survival guide, it does contain a good amount of useful information such as what the different mounts mean (1 cam vs. 2 cam vs. 3 cam vs. ROM) and it lists out if there are multiple versions for each focal length:

https://www.apotelyt.com/photo-lens/leica-r-catalog

As far as names, you'll find 3 designations and they refer to how fast the lens is.

Summilux: f/1.4
Summicron: f/2.0
Elmarit: f/2.8 or slower

Vario just means it's a zoom.

As for what you're looking for in your set 24-50-85, here's what I've found in my research. In general you'll want higher serial numbers as that means it's a more recent copy.

24mm: You'll want one that says version 2 (which is the later version) although I haven't read about substantial differences between versions I and II.

50mm: So there's the Summicron which is f/2 and then there is the Summilux f/1.4.
- The 50mm Summicron f/2.0 is substantially cheaper but has great reviews. There are two versions supposedly, but I believe they are optically the same. I would just go for one that has a 3 cam mount.
- For the 50mm f/1.4, there are two versions depending on the filter size. The older 50mm f/1.4 has a filter size of 55mm and you can tell if the listing says "E55". This one is usually around $1300-$1600 for a good copy. Then there is the latest 50mm f/1.4 with a filter size of 60 which will say "E60". This one will go for $3000+

85mm: There isn't an 85mm focal length for Leica Rs. There is the 80mm f/1.4 Summilux, and then there are multiple 90mm lenses.
There is only one version of the 80mm f/1.4 and it's supposed to be fantastic. ($2000+ in general)

There are 3 notable versions of the 90mm
90mm f/2.8 Elmarit: Slower, but still supposedly very good
90mm f/2.0 Summicron (non APO): This is apparently a favorite of many for portraits. Cheaper than the 80mm f/1.4 and the APO 90mm
90mm f/2.0 Summicron APO: This is the APO version of the 90mm and by far the most expensive (usually $3500+). Supposed to be extremely sharp and have minimal CA.

Hope this helps!
 
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I also wanted to ask on this thread, where most of you guys have purchased your Leica R lenses? Is there a particular store any of you guys can recommend? Or is it just go the KEH/Ebay route?

I also can't believe how much higher the prices for Leica R lenses are now compared to just over a year ago. I've finished going through the thread and the prices some of you guys bought your lenses for just don't exist today :/
 
Tony Yang said:
So I don't own any Leica Lenses, but I have been researching them quite awhile cause they intrigue me (despite already owning a set of Contax Zeiss lenses).

While this isn't a survival guide, it does contain a good amount of useful information such as what the different mounts mean (1 cam vs. 2 cam vs. 3 cam vs. ROM) and it lists out if there are multiple versions for each focal length:

https://www.apotelyt.com/photo-lens/leica-r-catalog

As far as names, you'll find 3 designations and they refer to fast the lens is.

Summilux: f/1.4
Summicron: f/2.0
Elmarit: f/2.8 or slower

Vario just means it's a zoom.

As for what you're looking for in your set 24-50-85, here's what I've found in my research. In general you'll want higher serial numbers as that means it's a more recent copy.

24mm: You'll want one that says version 2 (which is the later version) although I haven't read about substantial differences between versions I and II.

50mm: So there's the Summicron which is f/2 and then there is the Summilux f/1.4.
- The 50mm Summicron f/2.0 is substantially cheaper but has great reviews. There are two versions supposedly, but I believe they are optically the same. I would just go for one that has a 3 cam mount.
- For the 50mm f/1.4, there are two versions depending on the filter size. The older 50mm f/1.4 has a filter size of 55mm and you can tell if the listing says "E55". This one is usually around $1300-$1600 for a good copy. Then there is the latest 50mm f/1.4 with a filter size of 60 which will say "E60". This one will go for $3000+

85mm: There isn't an 85mm focal length for Leica Rs. There is the 80mm f/1.4 Summilux, and then there are multiple 90mm lenses.
There is only one version of the 80mm f/1.4 and it's supposed to be fantastic. ($2000+ in general)

There are 3 notable versions of the 90mm
90mm f/2.8 Elmarit: Slower, but still supposedly very good
90mm f/2.0 Summicron (non APO): This is apparently a favorite of many for portraits. Cheaper than the 80mm f/1.4 and the APO 90mm
90mm f/2.0 Summicron APO: This is the APO version of the 90mm and by far the most expensive (usually $3500+). Supposed to be extremely sharp and have minimal CA.

Hope this help!
Click to expand...

Thank you so much!
Now it's time to start searching for the best values on every focal length. Is there any preferred model for 24mm, 50mm and 90mm? Or it's something like "cheaper = worst / expensive = best?
The 50mm and 90mm f/2.0 are good enough and retain the Leica look? Or this look is only for the most expensive ones?
 
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Hello all,

Well i've bitten the bullet a little and testing the waters of the Leica R range. I have many, many other lenses and set of Contax. But never been 100% happy and the logical choice is the R range.

So far i have a 28mm MkII 370xxx serial. So a late version, looks in perfect condition. I'm just waiting for a R to EF adapter for my Epic to test side by side with many 28s that i have already. But i have popped it on an A7s to check.

First thoughts, awesome sharpness and contrast, fantastic definition.

But what kind of field curvature does this lens normally show? Is it quite flat? I ask because i do feel that the focus plane is odd on the edges, but i need to do some more testing but as i have no frame of reference then it's difficult to judge right now.

So thought i would throw this out there, for all those with a 28mm. If you focus on a plane about 15m away wide open, what would you expect to see?

When i have the adapter i will get some real testing done, as the EW isn't full frame and i only really care how it performs on there.

cheers
Paul
 
Paul, the 28 v2 shouldn't show much distortion at all. Its great for architecture, etc. where you want straight lines. I'd reserve judgement until testing it on Epic, where it should shine.
 
Francisco Parra said:
Thank you so much!
Now it's time to start searching for the best values on every focal length. Is there any preferred model for 24mm, 50mm and 90mm? Or it's something like "cheaper = worst / expensive = best?
The 50mm and 90mm f/2.0 are good enough and retain the Leica look? Or this look is only for the most expensive ones?
Click to expand...

There's only one 24mm design, whereas there are 3 different 50/90s. If you want sharp and modern, go with latest models you can afford (at least #36...).
The last 90 is the APO Asph, which is rather pricey but great.

Whereas if you want more of a Leica vintage look (softer, more golden, etc.), you may be happier with earlier versions in the SN 30... to #33.... range, which are easier on the wallet too.

Try to keep all lenses within a few years of one another to match.
 
Hey Mark, I'm currently looking into the 28mm f/2.8 V.2 and 35-70mm f/4. I just wanted to ask if all the versions of the 35-70mm f/4 and V.2s of the 28mm are ROM mounts? I haven't seen a single 3 cam version of either.
 
Tony, the 35-70 F4 only comes in ROM mount, whereas the 28 v2 is both 3-cam and ROM. In general SN 36s... are 3-cam and post #370... are ROM.
 
Mark M said:
Tony, the 35-70 F4 only comes in ROM mount, whereas the 28 v2 is both 3-cam and ROM. In general SN 36s... are 3-cam and post #370... are ROM.
Click to expand...

Gotcha. Thanks for the response. I was also wondering if you could share any insight on the difference between the E55 and E60 versions of the 50mm f/1.4 Summilux? It's about a $2000 difference between the two and I haven't found much if any information comparing the two lenses.
 
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