a Guy converts his 5Dmk2 to take Leica-M lenses

[Smoli4]

http://72.32.6.157/~rbensonarch/blog/?page_id=247

a pretty destructive conversion. i guess it takes drastic measures to be able to get best of both worlds

[enliten]

I like it... and to be fair, what he is charging, for the body and the conversion isn't too bad IMO

[Smoli4]

Yes. its alot of careful work, if I had a Leica 50mm f/1.0 lens, its a whole better solution (in durability \ performance\ productivity) then getting an M9 camera.

[Attila]

Quite silly, I doubt he can't find same IQ lens what is fit on 5D with an adapter, he has more money than brain if you shoot side by side with a Leica M lens + a top SLR lens there is not much difference is there any at all.

[fermy]

Not that silly. The camera is cheaper than M9, has better features, can use all the lenses that M9 can and then some. Not sure about IQ v M9, high ISO will be loads better on Canon, low ISO might be better on M9.

I am happy with a crop mirrorless, but if you must have a FF, this seems like the best available solution for manual glass user.

[Attila]

[fermy]

[Aanything]

Well, I wouldn't pay $ 3000 for a butchered 5dII.
I'd rather buy one for $ 1800 and use it with c/y glass, or buy a film Leica M.
Not that I can't see the logic behind this stuff, it just seems a bit too much (both money and butchering) to me.

[iangreenhalgh1]

I find it pretty idiotic really. Plenty of other lenses you can put on a 5D2 without destroying it.

[Lightshow]

I'm just curious how the sensor handles WA RF lenses, if color shift and smearing is minimal, that bodes well for a future EVIL FF.

[my_photography]

I have to admit this guy is very brave and knowledgeable until he can do such modification. I have not used any rangefinder but I have always thought one of the reason using rangefinder is its relatively small size.

[IAZA]

I think I saw a 5DII long time ago, modified to Leica M. not this guy. its different look.
For most people this is silly. But I understand his feeling. there's no satisfaction in this field.
and I really appriciate his skill and courage.

[martinsmith99]

[std]

It is stupid to butcher a good DSLR just to use it rarely with one lens.
I don't see anything special in the images he has posted which cannot be accomplished with lenses compatible with 5DII.

If you want to use Leica buy Leica. If you don't like it sell it - it will still hold it's value.
Why trow your money.

[enliten]

you guys are forgetting that leica M mount is 27.80 mm focal flange distance. Now with adapters he'll be able to use more glass than a standard 5D2...

Konica AR, Canon FL/FD, Minolta, and of course leica M and M39...

This dude has made himself a way of using most of the glass digitally on full frame that we only wish we could use.

Yes, he "butchered" it... But I'd rather see this than see lenses irreversibly modified.

[berraneck]

it is quite irrational to cut SLR like this to use lenses in price range of thousands dollars. If you have enough money for Noctilux, I think you also can buy Leica M digital body. On the other side, it has some pluses over M body. But I don´t understand so harsh comments and calling someone idiot?

[themoleman342]

[Orio]

[cambug]

This modification is nothing new, sombody had done that more than 2 years ago.... have a look on this link:


http://oldlensclub.hk/viewtopic.php?f=61&t=2753

Unfortunately this is in Chinese ( Hong Kong style ), but with so many pictures shown, it is quite easy to understand what was going on...In this digital age, camera would not last forever, just like the computer I am using, in few years' time, 90% of its value would be gone. I am sure the owner of this 5D2 can offord a m9, but consider the number of lenses he owns and the focusing problem on m9 ( no life view ), a modified 5D2 can be more attractive.

Today we are still talking about and discuss the use of lenses 50 or 60 years old, but what would happen to these latest digital cameras in half centry's time?

[sammo]

[ForenSeil]

The big problem for me would be the missing rangefinder, the missing viewfinder and the larger size

The M9 and her sucessors are very nice because it's smaller, more slient and more inofficious than any other digital FF camera, not only because of the great lenses in the Leica M system.

[Aanything]

Ok, bodies are expendable, lenses not: I agree on this, and I understand the spirit in which the mod was done.
On the other hand I would never pay such money for such a work.
Maybe I would do it myself, if I was able to, or I would send my used 5dII if I was sure I'm not needing any of its auto functions anymore.

[Misha_M]

[iangreenhalgh1]

I think it just starkly illustrates how overpriced Leica cameras are that someone couldn't afford one and had to cut up an expensive Canon.

Leica are missing out on a market sector by not producing a sensibly priced product as well as fantasy megabucks ones.