GXR A12 M mount with Zeiss Planar Nikon F mount

[rainbowgrease]

Hello, first timer here.

I am about to buy the Ricoh GXR and wanted to use it with my existing Zeiss lenses, I am particularly looking to use the
85MM Zeiss Planar. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/6 ... m/alsVwDtl

Does anyone here use the GXR with larger lens such at the one linked above?
Is there a disadvantage or an advantage?

Any advice is appreciated.

 

[Ricohfanboy]

Well, I am using both M42 and Pentax K lenses, as well as a 135/4 Leica. The Leica, e.g., is 505 grams and is distinctly odd-looking on the tiny GXR. However, it does work very nicely. I have also used a very heavy Vivitar Series 1 70-210 via the PK adaptor -- and this 970 grams lens is really too much to hand-hold with a GXR (and I worried about the mechanical stress on the bajonet, too). IQ was good with even this lens -- but handling not tolerable anymore. So as for the 700 grams Zeiss -- I guess it's bordering on useable, or unuseable, depending on your willingness to adapt to a front-heavy setup... On a tripod, everything should be fine, btw (even the Vivitar was). Hope this helps!

 

[ayewing]

Hello, first timer here.

I am about to buy the Ricoh GXR and wanted to use it with my existing Zeiss lenses, I am particularly looking to use the
85MM Zeiss Planar. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/6 ... m/alsVwDtl

Does anyone here use the GXR with larger lens such at the one linked above?
Is there a disadvantage or an advantage?

Any advice is appreciated.

First of all, welcome to the forum!

One of the great advantages of the A12 M mount is that you can use almost any M mount lens and lots of other makes if you can find a suitable adapter. Remember that the M mount has no electronic connection between camera and lens so the aperture must be set manually so you want a lens with a proper aperture ring. I am not familiar with the Zeiss Planar you mention but from its specification it would appear to be suitable as it can be used in fully manual mode.

I use a variety of lenses, mainly Leica M but also Voigtlanders with the M mount. I also use my older long FL Visoflex lenses with a suitable spacer in place of the visoflex but being big and heavy they are best used with a tripod. With the larger lenses I mount the lens on the tripod.

Summicron 35mm


Tele Elmar 135mm



Telyt 280mm for Visoflex

 

[Campbell]

The Nikon-mount Zeiss 85 is quite a big lens and needs the adapter which makes it even longer. Have you considered the lovely Zeiss 85mm f4 Tele-Tessar T* M-mount? It is half the size of the Nikon mount 85 and cheaper too. Or, how about a used Leica Tele-Elmarit 90mm f2.8?

 

[ayewing]

I think rainbowgrease was intending to use an existing lens. However if he goes ahead with with buying a GXR with M mount he will enjoy trying different lenses. I can confirm that the Leica-Tele-Elmarit M 90mm would be a good choice. I have the "thin" version which is fairly small and light so is easy to hand hold with the Ricoh GXR. With the crop factor it is effectively a 135mm lens on the Ricoh GXR.

 

[rainbowgrease]

Wow - thanks for the great response, I am still awaiting for my Ricoh GXR in the mail.
I believe because of size I will most likely go with one of your suggestions.

Thanks again, kind regards