keith_merrill Posted February 20, 2004 Share Posted February 20, 2004 So my wife bought me a gift on ebay for my birthday. She has seen that I have taken a liking to leica M cameras and so, behind my back, bought me a 50mm Summicron. Its a mint quality lens that in appearance is like new and she didn't pay much for it. There is one problem though, Its an R summicron, not an M summicron, and I don't own a leica R camera. I tried to get the guy to take it back, but he will not, saying there are no returns unless the condition was misrepresented. Fair enough, but now I have an R Summicron and no body to use it on, so I want a body. I shoot with a pentax slr so I don't have canon bodies to use an adapter with, and I have been reading some horror stories on this forum of the R series. I would really like to shoot with the lens and see how good it is, but need a body. Can anybody give me a recommendation as to a manual R series camera that has a good track record for repairs and wont break the bank, or just scratch the idea and try to sell back on ebay. What does everybody think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vic_. Posted February 20, 2004 Share Posted February 20, 2004 Your wife sounds like an angel, I wish all women were like her. Sell the lens and buy her a gift. Then get yourself a M lens in a few months! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_lazzarini Posted February 20, 2004 Share Posted February 20, 2004 Keith,<br> From an old married man, Vic's suggestion is the way to go.<p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert meier Posted February 20, 2004 Share Posted February 20, 2004 No, get an R3 and take some great pictures. R3's are going for very little and they are great workhorse cameras. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivan_g Posted February 20, 2004 Share Posted February 20, 2004 Another married man, me, agrees with Vic. Take good care of your wife (and your self)and good luck! Ivan G (of sweden) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan_brown4 Posted February 20, 2004 Share Posted February 20, 2004 I suggest picking up a user R body and shooting the thing, maybe even give it to your wife to use as her "quality" camera. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno_menilli Posted February 20, 2004 Share Posted February 20, 2004 Keith Buy an R3, as well as a present for your wife! Regards Bruno Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wgpinc Posted February 20, 2004 Share Posted February 20, 2004 You can get an EOS body plus adapter that will use your R lens with an autowinder and great focusing. Elan II for <$150 second hand (which I use occasionally) or EOS 3 for around $500. Or you could really bust out to the dark side and get the DRebel for $899 and have yourself an 80mm equivalent summicron and be digital. Just don't get an Elan 7 because it is the only EOS camera that doesn't work for some reason with the Leica R adapter. You can get the R4s which I use and like for +/- $350 and have a great film machine. Later pick up the 90mm or 135mm or 180mm cheap and have a great usable system that compliments the M that you will eventually have. Or maybe somebody will trade your lens for an M version. I don't see how you can lose. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff_rivera5 Posted February 20, 2004 Share Posted February 20, 2004 R3, $205 Bargin at KEH. Go get it. And don't sell the lens, ever. Thoughtful gifts from a spouse should be treasuered forever. You can always use it on a 10D with the novaflex adaptor when film goes away! 8*) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy_piper2 Posted February 20, 2004 Share Posted February 20, 2004 You could also consider a Leicaflex body - BUT - recent 50 Summicrons are not compatable; Leica started leaving off the aperture-linkage- levers ("cams") for Leicaflex use to save money about 1984 (serial no. in the 33xxxxxx range somewhere). If your lens is the newer type, it should have small engraving somewhere on the side of the barrel to the effect of "R-Only". In which case you must get an R3...R9 body of your choice. Alternatively, look inside the back of the lens - a 3-cam lens will have two visible silvery wedge-like ramps concentric to the rear element, plus a small black stairstepped cam, all of which move when you turn the aperture ring; a single-cam "R-only" lens will have just the stair-stepped cam. If it does turn out to be a "3-cam" Leicaflex-compatible lens - then a Leicaflex SL is a wonderful, all mechnical, 'hockey-puck' camera body, available for $300-$500 depending on cosmetics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay_. Posted February 20, 2004 Share Posted February 20, 2004 Here's the thing: you've got an M system and an R lens. The suggestions that you get a body, R (heaven help you) or EOS+Adaptor all involve spending more money, thus taking you further from getting the Summicron-M you really want. I'm with the guys who said to sell the lens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Blackwell Images Posted February 20, 2004 Share Posted February 20, 2004 Contact Tony Rose (805) 492-6548 and tell him your story. He'll give you a fair trade on an M lens of your choice and/or sell the R lens for you. I'll guarantee if you deal with him once you'll never go anywhere else for your new M gear. “When you come to a fork in the road, take it ...” – Yogi Berra Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan_brown4 Posted February 20, 2004 Share Posted February 20, 2004 Jeff R's answer is right. Your wife showed her love for you in getting you that lens. M's and R's notwithstanding, keep the lens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vic_. Posted February 20, 2004 Share Posted February 20, 2004 One of the toughest days I ever worked (many years ago, $4 per hour) was the day after Christmas in a department store. All the men bringing back the stuff their wives had lovingly bought. All the women bringing back the idiotic gifts their husbands had bought out of guilt. Don't wear a hair shirt for the rest of your days (R system). Get the M lens, and take pictures of your wife. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay_. Posted February 20, 2004 Share Posted February 20, 2004 <<Don't wear a hair shirt for the rest of your days (R system). >> Buy into the R system and you won't have a shirt for long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iza_schufflin Posted February 20, 2004 Share Posted February 20, 2004 <I>If it does turn out to be a "3-cam" Leicaflex-compatible lens - then a Leicaflex SL is a wonderful, all mechnical, 'hockey-puck' camera body, available for $300-$500 depending on cosmetics.</I> <P> Many supposedly "R-only" 50mm Summicrons can be used on the Leicaflexes without modification. They have a Leicaflex-compatible flange and only lack the first and second cams. This sort of lens can be used on the SL and SL2 with stop-down metering, and on the Leicaflex Standard with a hand-held meter or by using Sunny 16. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt_chamberlain Posted February 20, 2004 Share Posted February 20, 2004 I am not married but I hope that one day I marry such a thoughful woman. Just postulating, though, I would keep the lens no matter what, find a working R body, and for sure take some pics of your wife and give them to her as a gift. What a cool wife. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roberto_watson_garc_a Posted February 20, 2004 Share Posted February 20, 2004 You may got the wrong lens, but you got one of a kind wife. Get the R ant the M and give your wife a life of RoMance, she deserves it. And next time write down what´s your wishes are. :0) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keith_merrill Posted February 20, 2004 Author Share Posted February 20, 2004 Hey everyone, thanks for all the recommendations. My wife is one swell woman. I give her her fair share of gifts, but this one was out of left field. I haven't told her it is the wrong lens yet, and I don't know if I will because she was so excited to give it to me and I don't want to upset her any. I am going to mull over what I am going to do and take everybody's comments into consideration. Andy, thanks for all the info, based on your description it is a "3 cam" lens with a serial number of 311xxxx. 50mm is my favorite focal length length so I might look for a body just to use this lens and also get a 50 for the M. Still up in the air though. thanks all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_boyle3 Posted February 20, 2004 Share Posted February 20, 2004 Another vote for getting a Leicaflex SL. If the required cams are missing, they can be added. The SL is a fine camera and does not have the problems that Jay laments in the later R series. If you decide to look for the SL, try to find one with a clear finder and the metal lens release tab. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike_elek Posted February 20, 2004 Share Posted February 20, 2004 You could do a switcheroo -- trade it in for an M lens. She might not notice the difference. How many people here have added to their camera gear in such a manner? To non-photographers, a lens is a lens is a lens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike_elek Posted February 20, 2004 Share Posted February 20, 2004 ... I want to add that this option comes with moral consequences. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulstenquist Posted February 20, 2004 Share Posted February 20, 2004 Everyone has it wrong: Sell the lens and buy that Pentax *istD for your Pentax lenses. No brainer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travis1 Posted February 20, 2004 Share Posted February 20, 2004 Im with the "keep the lens because your wife bought it for you" camp. Get any cheap used R body. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary_pinkerton1 Posted February 20, 2004 Share Posted February 20, 2004 Keep it, thank your wife now, and again later when you see what an outstanding lens this is! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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