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Advice on used lenses

rexel

Well-Known Member
I have recently acquired an R8 and have started off with second hand 50mm f2 Sumicron and also a 90mm f2 Sumicron. I am very happy with both lenses. I really need a wide angle now. There do seem to be a number of different options. IM not bothered about having a ROM lens.
 
Richard, As long as you have three cammed lenses, you do not need to worry about ROMed lenses. As to a wide angle, you would be wise to consider either 28mm or 24mm lenses. Either woiuld serve you well.
Happy Snaps,
Sal
 
I would like to hear any voices of experience on using tamron adaptall ring on my R3.Please.. no lectures on leicalense /leica body,its all about cost for now.
 
>I've used a Tamron Adaptall on my R6 and it works fine. I've got the >little Tamron 70-210 f4.0-5.6 which is so convenient for travelling. I've >also got the adapters for screw mounts and Nikon, so I can use this lens >with all my systems. The Tamron lens is not quite the quality of Leitz, or >my Asahi Super Takumar 90mm f1.9, but it is very adequate. The R6 and the >little Tamron is a great travelling combo.
 
> The Tamron 80-200 f2.8 Adaptall is an awesome lens. I have used it on my OM too, and I think it is a great bargain. Not quite a Leica 80-200 but at a third the price and a stop faster, it is a great lens. My only other experience was a 17mm and it was not great.

- marc
 
I have just acquired an R8 and am looking for lenses. What do you gain by having a lens with ROM, versus an older lens in top condition? I am an intermediate amateur with 28 years Minolta experience.
thanks, and yes I am new to this site.
Neil
 
I have and use Leicaflex SL with 50 f2 summicron and 90 f2.8 elmarit. I was fortunate to locate Tamron SL adapter, somewhat hard to find. I used it with early Tamron 17 f3.5 with built in filters and was very happy with this lens. (By the way my 90 f2.8 macro one to one Tamron SP does not fit the SL adaptall). I use this lens on Nikon and Konica systems.
 
Hi Neil,

ROM stands for Read Only Memory, and indicates a microchip being present. This microchip relays data to the camera body (in this case the R8 or R9) such as lens focal length and aperture and is essential for the Multi Pattern Metering option on the camera.

As for ROM vs non ROM, the ROM bit has no effect whatsoever on the optical performance, however Leica have updated some of their lens designs and generally speaking improve on their predecessors. In some instances the design change is generally little more than improvements to the lens coating used but in others substantial changes have resulted in complete new optical designs. Two ex&les are the 50mm f1.4 Summilux-R and the 90mm f2 APO Summicron-R, both of which offer improved full aperture performance over their illustrious predecessors.

In all honesty,IMHO you may still be very pleased with some of the lenses made say about 20yrs ago. For ex&le a 50mm f2 Summicron-R, 100mm f2.8 APO Elmarit-R and a 180mm f3.4 APO Telyt-R of this vintage will still deliver outstanding results. However the corresponding newer designs (where appropriate),generally speaking will offer improvements though not so much in terms of whats seen such as resolution and contrast-but what is not seen i.e improved resistance to flare,distortion and vignetting.

My advice would be to decide what you want and what you can reasonably afford and visit a specialist Leica dealer in person. It can be more expensive initially but it will prove to be better in the long run. A Leica dealer will have specialist advice on hand and may have supplied the lens to its original customer,so being fully familiar with the service history of the lens. Of course this option will present the opportunity to examine the lens before purchase.IMHO these benefits surpass the potential cost saving of buying via an Internet auction site which sadly may lead to a short term bargain but a long term headache.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Peter
 
I can recommend the 50/2. I've got the 'made in Canada' version. You should be able to get this relatively cheaply, at least compared to the other lenses mentioned.

I've bought Leica gear on Ebay. For ex&le, I got the 1:1 Elpro attachment for my 100/2.8. I was very pleased because I paid only a fraction of the price Adorama were advertising.
 
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