Leica M vs R lenses: IQ Equal?

[ripgriffith]

I'm sure someone has run real-world shooting tests on equivalent Leica M and R lenses; I'm looking to add some Leica glass for my Sony Nex, and there are adapters for both lenses.  I am drawn to the mechanical simplicity of the M lenses, but here in Russia, an R lens is significantly cheaper than its M counterpart.  Any thoughts?

[wildlightphoto]

Depends on the particular models.

[ripgriffith]

Depends on the particular models.

OK. let's say 50mm Summicron f2,  same year of issue.

[wildlightphoto]

I'm more familiar with the R models than M.  There were two optical versions of the 50mm Summicron-R; they differ in the details but both are very high quality and pretty much comparable to the contemporaneous M models.

[hasselbladfan]

In my experience, the M versions has been more frequently redesigned, which has given the M lenses an edge over the (mostly older) R designs.

The M 35mm f1.4 versions are always better than the R version.
The M 50mm f1.4 and f2 are better than the R versions.

When they are both from the same generation, there is little difference.

The R 80mm f1.4 is equal to the 75mm f1.4. The latest 28mm 2.8 are both very similar. The Apo 90mm f2s are very similar.

The real R heros in my view are the R 19mm, the R 60mm Macro, the 180mm APO 2.8 and the Modular APO-Telyts.

[wildlightphoto]

The real R heros in my view are the R 19mm, the R 60mm Macro, the 180mm APO 2.8 and the Modular APO-Telyts.

Pretty much any of the Leica R APO lenses IMHO.

[IWC Doppel]

I guess it also depends on what you are looking for. I have numerous Leica books with all of the technical and subjective analysis and 8 M lenses, I love some lenses that are technically lower in performance than others.

One thing is for sure, they have made some stunners....

If I was looking for R lenses I would start now, given the adapter for the new M and the likelihood of increased demand

[ErikKaffehr]

Hi,

According to Erwin Puts late generation R lenses are very good. I would suggest that R-lenses would be preferable on NEX because lenses designed for SLRs generally work better on the NEX. The microlenses on NEX are not optimized for M lenses but would work well with R lenses.

Best regards
Erik

I'm sure someone has run real-world shooting tests on equivalent Leica M and R lenses; I'm looking to add some Leica glass for my Sony Nex, and there are adapters for both lenses.  I am drawn to the mechanical simplicity of the M lenses, but here in Russia, an R lens is significantly cheaper than its M counterpart.  Any thoughts?

[WaitingForAnR10]

In my experience, the M versions has been more frequently redesigned, which has given the M lenses an edge over the (mostly older) R designs.

The M 35mm f1.4 versions are always better than the R version.
The M 50mm f1.4 and f2 are better than the R versions.

When they are both from the same generation, there is little difference.

The R 80mm f1.4 is equal to the 75mm f1.4. The latest 28mm 2.8 are both very similar. The Apo 90mm f2s are very similar.

The real R heros in my view are the R 19mm, the R 60mm Macro, the 180mm APO 2.8 and the Modular APO-Telyts.

My favorite is the R 100/f2.8 APO macro.

[ndevlin]

The newest lenses are best, especially for digital. Even the less expensive newer ones.

- N.

[Rob C]

This may help:

http://www.zeitblen.de/summicron/page2.html

Rob C