anyone using leica R WA on xpan?

[rbelyell]

i am new to the xpan world and loving it so far. i note that leica R lenses can be easily adapted to xpan mount. since the xpan 30mm is priced out for me, i was wondering if anyone is using the R 28/2.8 elmarit on the xpan?

if so, i'd love to get your perspective and maybe even see some of your results!
thanks
tony

[rbelyell]

really? not one person of all the xpan folk has ever used a leica R lens instead of the $3000 fuji 30mm?!
tony

[jkcampbell]

Most 35 format lens don't have a image circle large enough to cover the xpan format. Exceptions are shift lens that cast a large image circle. I use the Nikon 28mm shift lens on my xpan with decent results. jc

[rbelyell]

thanks jk. i understand your comment, but i remain very curious why there then exists this one and only adapter for the xpan. i would understand it better if either no adapters existed or if many different kinds existed. but why only leica r>xpan if it diesnt work correctly? makes me think perhaps the R series is an exception, at least at 35mm and wider...
tony

[veraikon]

There are at least two sources for adaptors for the xpan. The from flea bay "well known" source from China, and Zörkendörfer .
I use a Schneider PC 2.8/28mm "R" with an Zörken[dörfer] adaptor on my xpan. The image circle is 63mm - you have to cut off some mms. And you have to stop down to f8 -f11. As finder I use a 15mm Voigtländer with a self painted frame.

There are also the 35mm PC Curtagon for "R" . The image circle should be some mms narrower (60?) - but you don´t need a seperate finder. The full xpan finder = 35mm

[veraikon]

Originally Posted by rbelyell

but why only leica r>xpan if it diesnt work correctly? makes me think perhaps the R series is an exception, at least at 35mm and wider...

IMHO the R-> xpan is well known, because the Schneider PC 28mm was one of the best 28mm PC-lenses and it is wide spread. You can change the mount by yourself.
Perhaps this and the availability of the 35mm PC Curtagon is also a reason for the wide spreading.
I wouldn´t take a "normal" (non-PC) Leica lens for the xpan.
If you can wait (some weeks) I know some one who uses R lenses - perhaps I can "rent" a normal 28mm R Elmarit for a short test.

PS: you can use the R rear cap also on the xpan mount. It fits.

[rbelyell]

thanks guys. if i may ask what may seem a stupid question, what is a 'PC' lens compared to a 'regular' R mount lens?

my peculiar interest is in using a 28mm R mount lens on the X. for me the difference between the native 45 and a non native 35 doesnt justify a multihundred dollar expenditure. but i personally could justify it for what would be the radically different perspective a 28 would yield. so 'yes' veraikon i would be very imterested in your elmarit test!
tony

[veraikon]

PC = perspective control - you can shift the lens up to 11mm (Schneider PC 28mm) because the lens has a greater immage circle (e.g. @ Schneider PC 63mm -like a medium format lens). A normal (non shift, non PC) has a image circle who just fit the 36mm of the 135 full format (24x36mm) SWAs (super wide angles) have some greater imagecircle because of their construction, but I doubt if a normal wide lens (like 28mm R-Elmarit) will have a comparable circle .