Summicron R 50/2 in Nikon mount

[longzoom]

It is looking like me only (so far!) used to use Nikon F2R body with old R mount, a lot of years ago. The 21, 35, 50, 100-135(?), 280R lenses were in my possession. Much later I had Angenieux 28-70 zoom, converted to R mount. Having had very bad experience with all Leicaflex bodies before, I've turned myself to that Nikon F2R, and got clear piece of mind, finally. This body had never ever let me down. And yes, couple of my Leica lenses were foggy, what I used to clean them  myself, if it was possible, of course. Much later, I used these skills to fix my Nikkors, including very first Noct. Just to say. THX! LZ

[pluton]

In addition to those already mentioned, the Leica R 19mm/2.8(mk2,compact) was reputed to be a Minolta Product.  Also, the R 15/3.5 was a rehoused Zeiss 15/3.5 that Zeiss originally producedt for the Contax RTS.
I haven't used any Leica M or R lenses since I gave up film in 2006, but they always seemed to live up to the Leica marketing literature that stated their lenses would be useable at all stops, from wide open to stopped all the way down. 

[Almass]

I went sometime ago with compiling a list of the lenses "not to acquire" for my collection of Leica R glass as follows:

And in order to be factual. The following Leica R lenses were produced by:

Minolta
- 16mm f/2.8 Elmarit
- 24mm f/2.8 Elmarit
- 35mm–70mm f/3.5 Vario-Elmar
- 75mm–200mm f/4.5 Vario-Elmar
- 70mm–210mm f/4 Vario-Elmar
- 80mm–200mm f/4.5 Vario-Elmar
- 500mm f/8 MR-Telyt

Both Elmarit 28/2.8 are not Minolta as the Minolta has 5/5 elements and the Leica R has 8/7 and 8/8 respectively.

Zeiss
- 15mm f/3.5 Super-Elmar

Schneider-Kreuznach
- 15mm f/2.8 Super-Elmarit
- 21mm f/3.4 Super-Angulon
- 21mm f/4 Super-Angulon
- 28mm f/2.8 PC-Super-Angulon
- 35mm f/4 PA-Curtagon.

Sigma
- 28mm–70mm f/3.5–4.5 Vario Elmar

Kyocera
- 35mm–70mm f/4 Vario-Elmar
- 80mm–200mm f/4 Vario-Elmar


If you have lot of time on your hands, you can check the Minolta Lens Chronology here:

http://thesybersite.com/minolta/historical/Minolta_Lens_Chronology.htm

[John Geerts]

Did Angenieux not make lenses for Leica?  The 45-90?

[Akira]

Wrong post.  Deleted.  Sorry!

[Almass]

Did Angenieux not make lenses for Leica?  The 45-90?

Not for the Leica R, they did not.

There is no 45-90 R.

[Hugh_3170]

My understanding is that the Angenieux 45-90mm zoom lens in R-mount was marketed by Leitz, but not as a Leica lens. 

In other words it was marketed as an Angenieux lens suitable for Leica-R cameras.

An ugly one is currently on sale on Ebay:  http://www.ebay.com/itm/P-Angenieux-Paris-45-90mm-f-2-8-Camera-Lens-For-Leica-R-SN-1258485-/121073775862

[David H. Hartman]

Some said that Leica products were not very resistant to the humidity.  As well as the coatings, the copper printed patterns of circuit boards in Leica R4 or M6 were corroded too easily, compared to those in the cameras of Japanese brands.

I believe the F3's printed circuits are epoxy coated. I think I read this at Photography in Malaysia.

Dave

[John Geerts]

My understanding is that the Angenieux 45-90mm zoom lens in R-mount was marketed by Leitz, but not as a Leica lens. 

"The 45-90mm Angenieux Zoom lens was the only non-Leica lens that Leica endorsed and sold as part of the Leicaflex kit. For a brief period, it was also marketed in a 3-Cam version for use with the then New Leica R3".   So, it's a non-Leica lens 

[Airy]

Saw the lenses minutes ago. One is latest design (ser no > 2777651). Excellent condition, no scratches or dents, little dust, no apparent veiling. Focus ring rather stiff (like Zeiss 50/2), diaph ring very loose (ditto), so setting diaph "by feel" is somewhat difficult. Df set to 50/2 AI lens, so that exposure is correctly measured when diaph is closed immediately before triggering the shutter. In a mode with autoISO one, it works with acceptable ergonomics. Builtin telescopic hood is nice.

IQ : from first tests (streetshots), pretty sharp indeed, with low vignetting and aberrations. Impossible to focus using the focus confirmation dot, as the "in focus" zone is too wide, and the best focus does not seem to be centered in that zone, but is rather close to one edge (just before the dot starts blinking). Focussing on the matte screen (wide open) or in LV is the only way, and not particularly difficult. The lens may not be overwhelmingly superior to many others, but is probably one of the better performers. I'll have a second at the shots this evening.

Bottom line: lens reserved, I'll pick it up next Friday.

[Olivier]

I guess you'll soon be ready to write a book titled "50 shades of normal lens", right?

[Airy]

I'd like to. You already could preview some chapters here and elsewhere.

[Akira]

I believe the F3's printed circuits are epoxy coated. I think I read this at Photography in Malaysia.

Dave

I have an original F3 catalog.  So far as this image is concerned, only the onboard chips are epoxy coated and not the entire circuit board.

[Airy]

Addition : after having looked at the pics on screen (using LR), I can tell you that there is nearly no visible CA. Just some LoCA becoming apparent on high contrast edges (leaves shot against the sunlight). Clean pics indeed, no mush, good work against the sunlight.

Some glow off center on shiny or bright parts against a dark background, blue rather than pink. Bokeh : average; there is definitely outlining of bokeh bubbles (on shiny parts) that may lead to double edging. Attached is a 100% crop of a treetop (pic was shot wide open).

The diaphragm is 6-bladed, but with rounded blades, so it is not likely to make things worse. Still, I am not sure about the lens nighttime performance.

[Almass]

Congrats on your newly acquired lens.

You have now entered the world of Leica R glass......there is no turning back