[Leica] Lenses for Digital

[len-1 at comcast.net (Leonard Taupier)]

Chris,

I don't think there is an issue with Leica-R lenses on digital  
bodies. The DMR users should be able to confirm that. But I have been  
using them on a full frame Canon EOS 1Ds Mk II with no problem. That  
would be the 35-70 f4 ROM, 100mm f2.8 APO ROM, 180mm F3.4 APO, 280mm  
f2.8 APO, 80-200mm f4 , and both the 400mm and 560mm f6.8 Telyts. No  
problems.

Now Nikon is a slightly different issue. I have 40 Nikkors, half are  
AF or AFC, the other half are AI or AIS. I also use a D300 and also  
use them on the full frame Canon. Only the two DX lenses, the 10.5  
and 18-200 will not work on a full frame camera. The 4 micros, older  
55mm, 60mm, 85mm and 105mm  work fine on the full frame. I was not  
happy with the 200mm macro so I got rid of it. The only lens that has  
a problem full frame is the AFS 17-35mm which vignettes badly. It's  
fine on the D300. My dealer told me that everybody that has a D3 is  
having vignetting problems with the 17-35 and also the AFS VR 70-200  
lens but to a lesser degree.

As far as the M8 goes, I have tested 12 Leica lenses on two different  
M8 bodies and on new film bodies. My test was for focus shift. This  
included some screw mount lenses as well. In every case the focus  
will shift more towards back focus on the M8 but can be a problem  
mostly with the very fast lenses like the Noctilux, 75mm Summilux and  
to a lesser degree the 50mm Summilux ASPH. I found the older lenses  
going back to the LTM Xenon, Summarit, Summitar, Summar and all 50mm  
Summicrons have the focus better centered then the more modern  
lenses. The 135mm lenses can have focus issues as well. They are  
affected much more by slight rangefinder alignment then the shorter  
lenses.

I don't know what you mean by do Asph lenses work better. They are  
newer designs which are higher contrast lenses. The older lenses work  
the same on the M8 as they do on the film cameras. What I mean is  
their character remains the same. If they are good on film they are  
good on the M8.

I hope this helps.

Len


On May 30, 2008, at 5:34 AM, Christopher Birchenhall wrote:

> LUGers
>
> Apologies if this has been well covered already but can I ask about
> your experiences with legacy lenses on digital cameras. I ask  
> because I
> have been playing with a Nikon D300 and believe it performs best with
> newer lenses designed for digital use; this experience is based on  
> a new
> Nikon Micro 60mm, a Zeiss 25mm ZF and a Tamron standard zoom.
> In the Nikon communities there is a good deal of chatter about  
> previously
> highly regarded lenses not performing so well on the new cameras. My
> reading is that the latest sensors require tighter lens designs.
>
> This may be more an issue for Nikon and less for Leica but I am  
> concerned
> that our hopes of using legacy lenses on a new Leica digital R may  
> face
> similar issues.
>
> I have to also note I have not made the move to the M8. My aim has  
> been
> to gather some new wider lenses in anticipation of the impact of  
> the crop
> factor. My impression is that M8 owners are happy enough but I have
> heard about focusing issues with some lenses. Is there a noticeable
> difference between lenses on the M8 e.g. do ASPH worker better?
>
> Thanks for your patience, Chris B
>
> P.S. The D300 is impressive and is making me look seriously at  
> their D3.
>
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