Old lenses on M9

[george_conboy1]

<p>My M6s have sat neglected for about a year while I have messed around with digital, trying to make my peace with it. Bought a Nikon DSLR and took a course on how to figure out all the tiny buttons. The most important thing I learned is that I prefer Leica M to a hulking DSLR.<br>

Have finally decided to get an M9, and am wondering about using my existing lenses. I know they will mount on the camera, and none are collapsible, but what issues am I likely to encounter? Something about coding, so the camera know which lens is mounted? Would appreciate any other suggestions about what to be aware of. My main lens is an old Summilux 35. Also use a Voightlander 15, Elmarit 21, and infrequently a Summicron 50 and an Elmarit 90.<br>

Thanks, George</p>

[stuart_richardson]

<p>They work well in my experience...some of the wider angle lenses might give you a lot of vignetting, or even possibly a reddish edge or slightly cyan vignetting, but that can be minimised by selecting that lens (or a similar lens) in the lens coding menu. You no longer need to have the lens itself coded (although it is convenient and prevents you from forgetting to change the coding when you put on a different lens). But most of all, that is one of the great advantages of the M9 over the M8...you can just use the old lenses without IR filters or special coding. <br>

Here's a sample shot with a Canon 35/1.8 from the sixties...super soft wide open but it has a nice look. <br>

<img src="http://www.stuartrichardson.com/selfell-soft1.jpg" alt="" /></p>

[SolaresLarrave]

Like it happens with digital Nikon bodies sporting older AIS glass... the camera will reveal the possible flaws in the lens. Other than that, if I were in your shoes I wouldn't worry one bit. Just make sure to get the coding kit for your lenses. That'll help adding the information in the EXIF and also for the camera controls (in case it has an antivignetting feature).

[paul_neuthaler]

<p>Pretty, Stuart.</p>

[stuart_richardson]

<p>Thanks Paul. </p>

[john_shriver]

<p>There are a few LTM and M-mount lenses whose rear nodal points are just too close to the sensor, and the colors come out screwy. Ken Rockwell (for better or worse) points out several wide-angle lenses that are just "no go" on the M9.<br>

For instance, he notes the Voigtländer 15mm is a no-go on the M9.<br>

Your other lenses sound fine for M9.</p>

[aplumpton]

<p>The advantage of the 6 bit coding is also the correction made by the software for the light fall off of the Leica lenses, especially but not uniquely the very fast lenses. This was made evident in past reviews of each of the modern Leica M lenses in one of the two principal photo magazines from France (I forget which, would have to look it up). How the vignetting of older lenses is programmed by 6 bit after market kits is unsure. They give equivalents to modern lenses, but how good those are I don't know. Of course, correction can very likely be made with some post exposure computer software.</p>

[bill_caulfeild_browne]

<p>John, I believe the 15 mm Voigt will work on the M9. I have the 12 mm Heliar and it works just fine.<br>

Bill</p>

[stuart_richardson]

<p>The 15mm works on the M9, but there is lots of vignetting and cyan corners etc. Cornerfix would take care of it, but it is a lens that would require a bit more work to get good results with. It also depends a lot on what your expectations are -- even brightness and color across the frame won't happen with that lens, but it will still be a sharp 15mm lens with fairly low distortion. </p>

[GlennS]

<p>Have heard that the old version (pre-ASPH) 35mm Summilux has problems mounting on the M9. Apparently the shroud at the back of the lens hits part of the camera. I saved a diagram (found on the web) that shows how to modify this lens to fit an M9, will attach it to this message.<br /> The 21mm Super Angulon protrudes deeply into the body and is another lens that doesn't do well on the M9. Likely the old 28mm would have similar problems to the 21. Have thought of buying an M9 but having to replace my 21mm SA and modify the 35mm turns me off.</p>

[george_conboy1]

<p>Thanks all. It was so much easier years ago when I went from an M3 to the M6. I am not going to get into having lens mounts machined. Much easier to get another lens. But I haven't bought a Leica lens in at least ten years and I see the market has moved way up.</p>

[seth_honeyman]

I have 28mm Elmarit v2, a1985 50mm Summicron, a 1974 Elmar-C, and an old Tele-Elmar 135mm. All work just fine

on the M9.