Collected Info Sharing by: Tony Le Kim Thuan APSA HonEFIAP HonFICS EFIAP
To ICS Friends Photography with Leica M. The M:
The Leica M with its specific adapter for using R lens is in the market, now that every one is getting the M. The lens M series is cost very high if compare with lens R series, so what lens should ONE get to use with it?, I have used M8.2 and M9 with M lens 21, 35, 50 and 135mm but my favorite is M-50mm 1.4 lens. However, it depend on ICS photography friends select focal lens by h/she tast or to use R lens with M/R leica specific adapter to earn an M image quality.
Now, I love the M and I sold almost still cameras and lenses of mine to save some money in order to purchase a LEICA M and just ONE LENS to cover photograph what I like most. For myself just getting One and Only one M lens or one R lens with Leica M/R Adapter; I am sure will never miss a shot changing lens for intimate travel or with ICS photo session.
I like Leica M and its M lens 50mm. I have no experience R lens w/adapter in M body, but I am happy with leica M image quality. ICS photography friends may justic by yourself if using R lens or contact experienced leica photographers for further comments or information. If you do not have much experience to purchase used M/R lens for self inspection, the decision is yours but it may take a riskily; the best way, ICS member should save money to purchase a new one:
SUMMICROM M-50MM SUMMILUX M-50MM
* Leica Summicrom M-50mm f/2 filter size 39mm, 240g in black aluminum, 355g in chromed brass, from 1979-today.
* Leica Summicrom M-50mm f/2 filter size 39mm, 240g in black aluminum, 355g in chromed brass, from 1979-today.
* Leica Summilux M-50 f/1.4 ASPH filter size 46mm, built-in locking hood, 335g in black aluminum, 460g in chromed brass, from 2004-today.
The M Specific Adapter for R Lens:
The Leica M with M specific adapter for leica R Lenses, I have no experience but the ICS friends photography should understanding about Cams and Rom of R Lens before select a R lens for your Leica M.
Leica R lenses are 35mm manual focus lenses that fit on Leica R
SLR bodies. Most the lenses can be used on any Leica reflex camera body in a
non-metered mode (they physically fit onto the body). There are different designations
that denote the lenses cams, or cam-coupling, which is how meter-coupling is
carried out. So in order for the lens aperture information to make it to the
camera for proper metering, you must choose the appropriate lens and camera
combination.
Understanding CAMS and ROM:
A '1-CAM' or 'SINGLE CAM' is for original Leicaflex cameras. The cam looks like a sloped and curved chrome bar located in between the lens mount and the rear element of glass. It is not recommended to put these lenses on R8 or R9 cameras because it can damage the cameras ROM contacts.
A '1-CAM' or 'SINGLE CAM' is for original Leicaflex cameras. The cam looks like a sloped and curved chrome bar located in between the lens mount and the rear element of glass. It is not recommended to put these lenses on R8 or R9 cameras because it can damage the cameras ROM contacts.
2 CAM 3 CAM 3rd CAM 3rd CAM LOCATION 3 CAM - ROM
A '2-CAM' or 'TWIN CAM' is for the SL and SL2 models and original
Leicaflex. The 2 cams on these lenses also look like sloped and curved chrome
bars in between the lens mount and the rear element. These lenses are also not recommended to be put on the R8 or R9 cameras.
(The 1 and 2 cam lenses can be used on other bodies in stop-down metering mode
only.)
A '3-CAM' or 'TRIPLE CAM' will work on all Leica SLR models. The 3 cams on these lenses include the 2 cams previously mentioned (the 2 curvers chrome bars) plus a 3rd cam that is black, has a 3-tiered step shape, and is located inside the 2nd cam.
A '3rd-CAM' or 'ROM-ONLY CAM' is for R3 and later models.
This lens does not have the 1st or 2nd cam (the chrome
bars) at all. It only has the 3rd
cam (the black tiered cam) located in
between the lens mount and the rear element. These lenses also have a slightly
different mount shape that prevents it from fitting on earlier camera models
(Leicaflex).
ROM means that the lens is supplied with electrical contacts. These lenses are for use with the R8 and R9, although they are still compatible with earlier models but without the extra benefits from the contacts. This lens is also a 3rd cam lens, but has a strip of electrical contacts in between the mount and rear element. The contacts allow additional information to be communicated between the lens and the camera, such as the focal length of the lens for flash metering.