[Leica] 20D Leica lens with adapter focusing test.

[tedgrant at shaw.ca (Ted Grant)]

As some of you may recall I said I'd go completely against my normal routine 
of using a camera lens and put the camera on a "tripod" (unless absolutely 
required for the assignment) However,(mother forgive me for I have sinned!) 
;-) And make a number of "controlled exposures with manual focusing tests." 
IE: Using a new 20D Canon digi camera with Leica glass..

The following lenses were used out side, mild, sun through clouds. Heavy 
duty Manfrotto tripod, no wind, dry day.

Camera meter set for 100asa.

each lens was used wide open 3 exposures   f2.8 ........ f8.0, 3 
exps.......... f16, 3 exps. On same subject.Tree bark, edges of leaves, some 
rocks... but no ferns! ;-)

280 ..........2.8......... f8.0......... f16
400 ..........4.0..........f8.0......... f16
560           5.6..........f8.0..........f16

The above 280 2.8 also with 1.4 extender. 400 f f.4...
                                          2.0 extender. 560 f5.6
Both 1.4 + 2X mated on 280............. 800 f.8.0 wide open
I did however with this lens combination set ASA to 800 with lens stopped 
down for higher shutter speed to avoid potential for any wigglies.

In every case the image was fine and sharp as I expected it would be.

In some cases the extreme length of the lens was a tad difficult to focus, 
(f16)  however by going wide open first, focusing  then stopping down it 
worked quite well.

The 80-200 with adapter I didn't bother with because it had proven itself on 
a shoot in Hawaii last week  Both wide open at 80 & 200. on the beach, 
excellent results. And obviously the focal lengths were changed due to 
sensor size which actually became a bonus for focal length. And yes some 
shot wide open and others f 8.0 and all hand held manual focus at 100ASA. So 
why bother to do it again. ;-) Off a tripod!

21-35  & 35-70 zooms ran the same test of 3 stops wide open, f8.0 & f16 
without any problems.  Nor did I try the 100 2.8 macro as I had used it a 
number of times with excellent results hand held as has Nathan Wajsman in 
Europe.

After looking at some of the first results on the computer screen and 
knocking off a couple of prints of these and the 80mm 1.4 using the same 
method, I stopped! Why? It was obvious it was becoming a stupid waste of 
time I don't have! And if others are or have had lesser results I may 
suggest " it might be their lack of handling the camera and the ability to 
focus carefully!" Please note I said "it might be and not that it was!" Or 
in the wildest, they may not have a "good camera!" And if that's the case 
change it or wait for the Leica digi back! But for heaven sake don't whine 
about it, fix it!

Obviously it isn't the brilliant R8 viewfinder and a touch extra care is 
required when working wide open with minimum depth to cover yer ass in case 
of a manual focus error. Or if necessary to be stopped down to f16, you 
might consider focusing wide open first, then stopping down. I imagine about 
90% of the old timers have done that routine sometime during their sordid 
lives as photographers. ;-)

For what it's worth and I'm not a bench test kind of guy by the wildest of 
imagination. But for my money that's the end of the "20D -Leica glass 
focusing" situation........... unless I find other wise. But for the moment 
every Leica R lens I have will just get clicked onto the body and shoot 
away. If by some sorry instance something goes click-clank, 
OOPS!............. I'll live with it at the time and get on with using this 
wonderfully interesting camera and Leica lens combinations with no fear.

regards,
ted
Ted Grant Photography Limited
Victoria, Canada