ivor_quaggin

Another satisfied R user. I have had four R bodies- an RE, two

R7s and an R8. No problems whatever except my first R7 which

had dust in the finder right out of the box. The dealer exchanged

it for another without demur. Since then absolutely no trouble,

even with the R8 which is an early model.

Don't let Jay put you off the R9. I have an R8, early model, and

have had no problems whatever with it. I also have an R7 and

while I sometimes take that travelling because of its smaller

size, the R8 is my preference.

I also have the dreaded 28-70 and agree with Eastland that it is

beautifully made and very sharp. The problem with it is that there

is quite a large amount of distortion at both ends of the zoom

range and for that reason alone the 35-70 is a better bet,

particularly as they are the same price.

Richard. The answer is no. Both my collapsible Summicron

and Elmar are the same. The focus mark is way off centre but

both focus perfectly.

No. I have both the R7 and R8 and all my lenses are 3 cam

except for the 28-70 zoom.

That's the only benefit (to me ) of the ROM as it automatically

zooms the flash head. Otherwise all my lenses are fine with

both cameras although, of course, you will need the SCA 3501 or

3502 module for the R8, depending on which Metz flash you plan

to use. The 3501 is what I use with a 40MZ-2 but for the 54MZ-3

you will need the 3502. Either flash can be used on the R7 with

the 351 module.

My Metz 40MZ-2 has taken to going off at random when on my R8

(yes, the R8 is an early model). I am not sure what triggers it, but

it seems to occur when I move the flash head into bounce

position or adjust the angle or even just move the camera

quickly. The flash is fine on the R7.

Anyone else had this problem with an R8?

I find the advantage of ROM to be only with the zooms when

using flash. Otherwise all my older lenses are fine on the R8. I

have not heard of the vignetting characteristics being a factor in

matrix metering, but maybe that is so. It hasn't been a problem

for me with a non ROM 24 and 28.

Have there been any improvements in the latest Summicron

50mm R lens other than the ROM contacts which might justify

changing from a 20 year old lens? I understand the optical

formula has not changed but perhaps the coating has or maybe

some other tweaking has been done.

I use the Leica SF20 flashgun mounted on an aftermarket "hot

shoe" which slips into the cold shoe of my 111F and connects to

the camera's flash synch socket with an attached synch cord.

These gadgets are inexpensive and mine works perfectly.

Any flashgun with a standard cord will be fine. I just like the size

and weight of the SF 20.

A dumb question perhaps, but do the VC screwmount lenses,

when used with the converter on a Leica M bring up the

appropriate viewfinder frames?

I have the 2nd version 28-70 since it was released and like it.

Jay tends to disparage this lens because it is designed and

made in Japan and supposedly has inferior build quality. The

lens feels like a Leica lens should and ought to because it

shares the same barrel as the 35-70. Transparencies are

identical in colour rendition to my prime lenses and I have done

side by side comparisons many times. It has more elements

than the 35-70 so perhaps is more prone to flare, but I can't say I

have experienced any problem in this regard.

<p>

If edge sections of slides are projected really big it is possible to

detect a loss of detail compared with the primes, but it is

indistinguishable in normal use. I have read a lot of criticism of

this zoom on this site, to the extent that I have considered

ditching it and getting the 35-70 but whenever I think it through

and run yet another comparison with my prime lenses, I cannot

see what the critics are talking about. Meanwhile it is a great

travel lens where the extra coverage of the 28 is really of value

compared to the 35-70.

<p>

As to the Japanese connection, it is interesting that the

engraving on the barrel reads "Designed by Leica Camera.

Mfgd. in Japan.

John - sounds like Blacks have put you off slides. If you are in

Toronto have you tried Steichenlab? They are excellent, with two

hour processing, but they likely are more expensive than Blacks.

Kronik - this is a perennial problem with projection, especially if

slides are not glass mounted for absolute flatness. Also, your

projector should be absolutely aligned with the flattest screen

you can find. Make sure the lens projector is at a height which

brings the lens at the midway point of the screen and is not

angled up or down or from right to left. There is very little depth of

field. Any "keystoning" of the projected image means you do not

have the projector parallel and you will never get an all over

sharp image, even with glass mounts. As to the curved field

lens, it does make a big difference on most slides not in glass,

but it is not a perfect solution as not all slides have identical

curvature. The CF lens is worth having though if most of your

slides will be in cardboard or plastic mounts. Hope this helps.

I have recently acquired an Epson2450 and I am delighted with

the performance. It too is in the $450 range.

With respect to Luther, you only need to set your shutter speed

dial to X when using non SCA flashes, which the Metz 45CL is. If

you have an SCA flash with appropriate module (3501 for earlier

series or 3502 for current series flashes) you do not need to set

the dial to X. The camera will do it for you as explained in my

earlier answer. I use a Metz 40MZ2 with 3501 on my R8 and

have never used the X setting.

Alex- the F mode is for for metering flash exposure to determine

correct flash settings (instead of using a separate flash meter) I

find I rarely use it. When the camera and flash are both switched

on you can use A or P setting without regard to the shutter speed

dial as the camera will set 1/250 automatically. For the most

comprehensive automation of the flash, you will probably find P

works best. In T mode, if you select a shutter speed longer than

1/250 this is the speed the camera will use. If a speed above

1/250 is set, the camera will default to 1/250. It will not let you

set a shorter speed than 1/250.

<p>

The whole business of flash with the R* is a little confusing at

first, but works extremely well. If you do not have the R8 manual,

where the flash functions are explained, you will find them

covered well in Jonathan Eastland's book on the R8. I hope this

is helpful. Good Luck.

Oops! Should engage my brain when reading, I see you live in

Texas Pam. Over to the US contributors.......

I am sure you will get several recommendations from people in

the US and elsewhere, since where you live may determine

where you want to go for service. You probably don't want to be

shipping out of country if you can avoid it. As a Canadian

resident, I highly recommend Kindermann Canada in Toronto.

They still service screwmount Leicas and have a great stock of

parts for them. Gerry Smith, their technician, is first class. I

recently had a 111F serviced there and their prices are still very

reasonable.

Just received my 111f back from Kindermann after CLA and it

feels like new. In its absence, I bought a Voigtlander 50mm

brightline finder since everyone knows the 111F finder is on the

squinty side. I was surprised to find that the 111F finder shows

a good deal more than the Voigtlander. Perhaps the 111F finder

is 100% whereas the Voigtlander shows about the same field as

my R8 finder. Anyone know the actual field shown by these two

finders.? I will do my own hands on test by taking photographs

of course, but am interested to know if anyone else has

experience with the Voigtlander finder.

PD- I recommend joining the LHSA whose magazine

"Viewfinder" is a very well produced enthusiasts' publication. For

a book on the M6TTL, I would suggest Jonathan Eastland's book

which can be had from many bookstores, including Finger Lakes

Books who have a large range of photography books and a

website. Amazon will have it also.

Rollei 35. Dropped on pavement long ago and suffering a

massive ding, but still capable of great pictures. Also a 111F,

but now at Kindermann for CLA, thus maybe moving out of the

beater class. Finally a Voigtlander Vito 111 folder with the great

Ultron f2 lens. This one acquired used for sentimental reasons.

I had one new in 1953, but sold it many years ago and regretted

it.

Yes, there are differences in the color of coatings on otherwise

identical lenses. I have two 50mm Summicron Rs, one has a

magenta/brown reflection and the other a deep royal blue. Both

are mid 80s vintage. There is no discernible difference in

photographs. I did ask on this thread some time ago if anyone

had any info on what the reason for such differences might be,

but no one had an answer. Presumably Leitz (as then was) had

their reasons other than running out of raw material for one or

the other!

Jay is too hard on the 28-70. I have not used the new 35-70 so

can't speak to a comparison, but I do own the 28-70 and use it a

lot. Resolution and contrast are excellent and transparencies

show identical color rendition with my other Leica lenses.

<p>

I have not used it for critical work, but I can say that in all normal

circumstances there is no "notable distortion". The extra reach

of the 28 end makes this an ideal travel lens IMO.