Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/06/25
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]On Mon, 25 June 2001, lea wrote: > > What are "cams" relative to the R system, what do they do, why are they > important and does their presence or lack thereof mean certain lenses > can't be used with certain bodies? > > Do cams only show up in the R system? > > -- > Lea Murphy > Whiny Dog Press > 816-333-9111 > Lea, The cams are the lens' communication with an R body's metering system. For the most part a lack of a cam meant the body will not meter correctly with the lens. One of the major exceptions is any ROM lens cannot be used on any Leicaflex body: ) a 1-cam lens is for the original Leicaflex ) 2-cam is for Leicaflex, Leicaflex SL and Leicaflex SL2 with a couple of exceptions, explained below. ) 3-cam lenses works on any Leica reflex body, Leicaflex or R, with the exceptions explained below. ) 3rd-cam lenses have only the R-series meter cam and will meter only on these bodies, but may fit on a Leicaflex. (same exceptions, below). Some people don't know the distinction between 3rd-cam and 3-cam. A 3rd-cam lens lacks the metering cams for Leicaflexes. 4) ROM lenses are for R bodies only. They have the 3rd cam and also an electronic contact strip that is used for some of the R8's functions. The exceptions: some lenses, for example the 24mm Elmarit-R, the 16mm Fisheye, and the old 80-200 f.4.5 Vario, require more clearance between the mirror and the back of the lens than a Leicaflex or Leicaflex SL has. If not a ROM lens, these can be used on a Leicaflex SL2 but not on the earlier Leicaflexes. HTH Doug Herr Birdman of Sacramento http://www.wildlightphoto.com ___________________________________________________ The ALL NEW CS2000 from CompuServe Better! Faster! More Powerful! 250 FREE hours! Sign-on Now! http://www.compuserve.com/trycsrv/cs2000/webmail/