Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/02/08
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]It's been a while since I posted this, so I'll do it now. Please save it in a mailbox for future reference. Jim R lenses & cams 101: Leica R lenses for Leicaflex cameras with external meter are single-cam lenses (one axial cam.) Leica R lenses for TTL meter Leicaflex cameras are two-cam lenses (two axial cams.) Leica R lenses for Leica-R cameras (R3 - R8) are three-cam lenses (two axial & one rotational cam.) You may use any Leicaflex or Leica R lens on any reflex body without worry of damaging your camera or lens. Exception: p62 R8 manual. There are four lens versions: One axial cam for use with the original Leicaflex (external metering), Two axial cams for all Leicaflex cameras, Two axial & one rotational cam for use on all Leicaflex and Leica R cameras, and a 50mm f/2 Summicron-R with only the rotational cam, for use on the Leica R only. However, all reflex lenses will work on any Leicaflex or Leica R camera body. If you use a one or two cam lens on a Leica R body, you must stop down the lens to take a meter reading. Otherwise the reading will be wrong. Likewise using a one cam lens on a Leicaflex with TTL metering. The above information came directly from "Applied Leica Technique" by Gunter Osterloh, published by Umschau Verlag. The information is on pages 84 & 85. "If an R lens without rotational cam is used accidently on a Leica R camera, it will produce incorrect exposure. But it does not cause any physical damage to camera or lens." Simply stop down to take a correct exposure reading. A Leica R lens without a rotational cam is a Leicaflex lens. CONVERSION OF LEICAFLEX LENSES FOR USE ON LEICA R MODELS: Existing LEICAFLEX lenses can be fitted with an additional cam for the full utilization of the LEICA R exposure facilities. The use of modified lenses on all LEICAFLEX models remains unrestricted. Modification through Technical Service Center, Ernst Leitz Wetzlar GmbH, or authorized workshops of the Leitz National Agencies. CONVERSION OF LEICA R LENSES TO FILTER THREAD E 55: 60 mm MACRO-ELMARIT f/2.8 up to Serial No.3013650 90 mm ELMARIT-R f/2.8 up to Serial No.2809000 90 mm SUMMICRON-R f/2 up to Serial No.2770950 100 mm MACRO-ELMAR f/4 up to Serial No.2933350 135 mm ELMARIT-R f/2.8 up to Serial No. 2772 618 CONVERSION OF LEICA R LENSES TO FILTER THREAD E 60: 180 mm APO-TELYT-R f/3.4 up to Serial No.2947024 Modification through Technical Service, Ernst Leitz Wetzlar GmbH, or authorized workshops of the Leitz National Agencies. CONVERSION OF LEICA R LENSES FOR ADDITIONAL USE EN LEICAFLEX MODELS From the stated serial numbers onwards, the following lenses fit on all LEICA R models but no longer on the LEICAFLEX models. Most of these lenses can be equipped with the control cams necessary for use on the LEICAFLEX models by the Technical Service of Ernst Leitz GmbH or in authorized workshops. CAN BE EQUIPPED FOR LEICAFLEX MODELS: 28 mm ELMARIT-R f/2.8 from 3367501 - all models 35 mm ELMARIT-R f/2.8 from 3332801 - all 50 mm SUMMILUX-R f/1.4 from 3291801 - all 60 mm MACRO-ELMAR-R f/2.8 from 3335501 - SL/5L2 models 80 mm SUMMILUX R f/1.4 from 3267301 - no 90 mm SUMMICRON-R f/2 from 3381677 - all 90 mm ELMARIT-R f/2.8 from 3384201 - SL/5L2 models Hope this helps, Jim