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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

Can I get peoples opinions on what you think the BEST Leica R set is?

I do a mixture of branded content/commercials, music videos and narrative work, all low key but I use my set for a range of stuff.

My set consists of:
Leica 19mm elmarit-r f/2.8 i 320 (1982)
Leica 28mm elmarit-r f/2.8 i 327 (1983)
Leica 35mm summicron r f/2 ii 290 (1978)
Leica 50mm summicron r f/2 ii 311 (1981)
Leica 60mm elmarit r macro f/2.8 320 (1982)
Leica 90mm summicron r f/2 307 (1980)

Waiting to finish a couple projects before I get the cine modified by TLS (can't afford the rehouse). But one day I'll sell my kidneys to afford it. I'm generally very happy with my set apart from a couple annoying niggles. The 19mm has terrible CA (Thanks Tomasso for pointing that out!) and the 28mm vignettes horribly when shooting full frame wide open.

Anyone had any experiences with later gen models? Any focal lengths that I should consider getting? Should I make the switch to summiluxes? If I do get the set rehoused I'd preferably like to keep my lenses to a minimum. I've been considering upgrading my 19mm to the v2 and getting the summilux 80. I've also been considering ditching the 60mm macro and relying on diopters instead. Any advice/feedback would be really helpful.

Also on a completely different note, is there anywhere respectable that rehouse/modify Leica M lenses? Got a couple that I don't really use anymore that could make the start of an interesting set...
 
Matthew,

19 V2 is completely different, more clinical but not too much. Just beautiful and I find it pairs with crons better then luxes generally speaking.

19 V1 is wonderful but you can't really use it in high contrast scenes unless you close past 5.6
which is a bummer since often low light scenes has some portions with hot highlights to be managed
and too much CA can kill a scene imho (or immediately giving it the '70ies bad 16mm zooms look ha!)

I suggest to not mix the 80 with 35 and 50 cron because it has a markedly different character til 2.8/4 (especially in the bokeh and spherical aberrations).

90 can focus really close which is insanely useful so in theory you can get away without the 60 for most close up shots unless in real macro territory...
BUT if you ask me about selling my 60 I'd reply...from my cold, dead hands!!!!!!! It's just wonderful in everything, really and not only as a macro...

About the Leica -Ms just keep in mind that under 35mm there are huge problems in the corners (sharpness and colored vignette) on most sensors.
These lenses are not telecentric and their designs simply does not go well with digital sensors (unless of course that sensor is a Leica one with microlenses of course ha!)
 
Matthew,

19 V2 is completely different, more clinical but not too much. Just beautiful and I find it pairs with crons better then luxes generally speaking.

19 V1 is wonderful but you can't really use it in high contrast scenes unless you close past 5.6
which is a bummer since often low light scenes has some portions with hot highlights to be managed
and too much CA can kill a scene imho (or immediately giving it the '70ies bad 16mm zooms look ha!)

I suggest to not mix the 80 with 35 and 50 cron because it has a markedly different character til 2.8/4 (especially in the bokeh and spherical aberrations).

90 can focus really close which is insanely useful so in theory you can get away without the 60 for most close up shots unless in real macro territory...
BUT if you ask me about selling my 60 I'd reply...from my cold, dead hands!!!!!!! It's just wonderful in everything, really and not only as a macro...

About the Leica -Ms just keep in mind that under 35mm there are huge problems in the corners (sharpness and colored vignette) on most sensors.
These lenses are not telecentric and their designs simply does not go well with digital sensors (unless of course that sensor is a Leica one with microlenses of course ha!)

Thanks Tommaso

Would there be any colour differences between the 19mm v2 (360) and my set of summicrons (300-320)?
Would you not recommend the 35 & 50mm summilux?
Or the 24mm elmarit?

And interesting about the M's, didn't know that!
 
Last edited:
Selling my Leica R set to fund the upgrade to match my 19mm V2.

Set consists of:

Leica 19mm elmarit-r f/2.8 i 320 (1982)
Leica 28mm elmarit-r f/2.8 i 327 (1983)
Leica 35mm summicron r f/2 ii 290 (1978)
Leica 50mm summicron r f/2 ii 311 (1981)
Leica 60mm elmarit r macro f/2.8 320 (1982)
Leica 90mm summicron r f/2 307 (1980)

All lenses are in excellent optical and physical condition with no fungus or haze.

Pictures will follow.

UK based

£4000
 
if in original housing but moded with a standard step down ring (from TLS in the UK or Duclos in US) then there is a BT adaptor ring that can be screwed on. Use this the whole time
 
Anyone know if I can clamp a Bright Tangerine Misfit Atom Matte Box to the Leica R's in their original housing? Will I destroy the lens if I try?


if in original housing but moded with a standard step down ring (from TLS in the UK or Duclos in US) then there is a BT adaptor ring that can be screwed on. Use this the whole time
 
Hi,

Can someone please guide me on how to remove Lens hood on Leica R Summicron 90mm F2!

Thanks
Uday
 
Hmm I noticed on the specs that the summilux-r 35mm is 0,5m min focu distance and that the summicron is 0,3m min focus distance. I was thinking about upgrading my summicrons to summiluxes but minimum focus distance is a important one for me, as I like to be really close to the talent.
 
Hmm I noticed on the specs that the summilux-r 35mm is 0,5m min focu distance and that the summicron is 0,3m min focus distance. I was thinking about upgrading my summicrons to summiluxes but minimum focus distance is a important one for me, as I like to be really close to the talent.

That's a good point Joe. But on the flip-side the 35mm Summilux employs a floating element design, partially to improve close-up performance. So from .5m to 3m or so the Summilux should capture more micro-contrast, etc.
 
Hi Everyone,

I already posted this in the "Shot On Red" section but as suggested by Mark, here's a short film I've shot with my Leica R set on both Monstro and Helium.

I owe a lot to the "Leica R on Red: Pictures" thread as it is where I pretty much found all the knowledge and infos to build my set... Let's be honest, I also found some lenses here ;)

Big up to David who created it and to Mark, Tommaso and all the other Redusers always ready to share advices and knowledge.

For those who've seen it, sorry for double posting, for the others here's Island Hopping, hope you enjoy it:

https://vimeo.com/328840907


Nice work Vincent..curious was that a Beneteau?
 
Hello.

Any tips on a good lens support for leica r lenses with the leitax EF mount? I always have micro shifts in the picture when focusing on my leicas.
Thanx!

The only way are locking mounts like RED or Canon or on some Metabones Speed Boosters (Cine versions).
 
[video=vimeo;346627087]
Here's a quick test that I've done with my matched set from 1977-1979, to try edge to edge sharpness and vignetting on full frame cameras.

I had to cut that short, because I could see that these lenses weren't doing well at the edges. I suspect it's because of the sensor's cover glass. I really think that where digital cameras are concerned, you need to test lenses on each one separately.
 
I thought I would let you all know that a film I shot almost exclusively on Leica Rs is now on Showtime.
 

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Nice work Vincent..curious was that a Beneteau?

Thanks Scot, yes pretty sure that was a Beneteau (and sorry for the late reply)

I thought I would let you all know that a film I shot almost exclusively on Leica Rs is now on Showtime.

Well done Larry!!! Can't wait to watch it.
 
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