Leica R lenses on the D3 - the 180mm f2.8

[madshutter]

After seeing the possibility of mounting Leica R lenses on Nikon cameras through the use of the Leitax adapter, I decided to give it a try and got a few of these to modify my R lenses and be able to use them on my Nikon F mount cameras. So far I modified the 180 mm f2.8 R, 100 mm f2.8 R Micro, 35 mm f2. The optical quality of R lenses is fantastic, their ergonomics great for those of us who like to use manual lenses; focus is smooth, diaphragm works perfectly; the quality of the adapter is also top notch, doing the modification is very easy, is reversible and takes the whole of ten minutes. The only con is that you have to use stop down metering: not a deal breaker for many, but something you have to be aware of.

Anyway, after doing the modification and checking out that the lenses worked fine with the D3, I decided to give the 180 a go on a shooting; the results? In a word, I loved it.

Here is a couple of samples for you:





All with the D3, Profoto lights, Chimera sofboxes & modifiers. The whole gallery, for those interested, is here:
http://www.pbase.com/vieripbase/triolibero_root

I thought the forum would be interested in the new possibilities that the Leitax mount adapter opens!

[tml]

Awesome shot #1. Tri.

[madshutter]

Originally Posted by tml

Awesome shot #1. Tri.

Thank you Tri, glad you enjoyed!

[venchka]

Fabulous!

Don't tell the C & N folks that there are better lenses out there.

Where's Stovall?

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by venchka

Don't tell the C & N folks that there are better lenses out there.

Oh, I'm well aware. I just can't afford them right now.

[madshutter]

Originally Posted by venchka

Fabulous!

Don't tell the C & N folks that there are better lenses out there.

Where's Stovall?

Originally Posted by JohnT

Oh, I'm well aware. I just can't afford them right now.

Thank you for the comments, much appreciated! About affordability, a s/h Leica R lens can be had for much less than it used to, and it's comparable with a new Nikkor of the same focal length (at least it is in my local); more, s/h R lenses are generally minty. I have yet to see one that has been mistreated or heavily used...

[texxter]

Love the first image!

[lyncca]

The heavy shadowing under the right eye in both shots is kinda distracting. They guy looks like someone punched him in the second one :)

And the second one looks a little over-exposed. The detail around their noses is almost completely gone.

I do think they are nice portraits though :)

[venchka]

Reminder:

I must replay the Mantra: It's not the gear. It's the person using the gear.

Grinning!

Lyncca: Chances are good to great that what we see here is the JPEG effect at work.

[toverman]

Love the first one.

I hope there will continue to be more awesome lens+crummy camera adapters out there in the future so I can join the party, too.

[lhdvies]

Love the first one.

[Wes]

Is it just me, or does the guy look like Paul McCartney?

Love the first image.

[venchka]

Originally Posted by toverman

Love the first one.

I hope there will continue to be more awesome lens+crummy camera adapters out there in the future so I can join the party, too.

I have a combination for you:

Panasonic G1
Nikkor 50/1.4 and 85/2.0 in Leica thread mount