Review: Leica R Lenses for Filmmaking Success

Mateo discusses the worth and versatility of his Leica R lens set, emphasizing their unique 3D pop and recommending them for filmmakers.

### Leica R Lenses: A Detailed Two-Year Review
* 💸 Despite the high cost of the Leica R lenses, with a set of five lenses now priced around $15,000, they are considered **worth the investment** by many filmmakers. Mateo has used these lenses for **99% of his work** over the past few years, including commercial projects, documentaries, and feature films, and clients have been **impressed with the results**.
* 🎥 The Leica R lenses are known for their unique "**3D pop**," **creamy bokeh**, and the ability to create **separation between subjects and the background**, even in wide-angle shots. When stopped down to **f/2.8 or f/4**, they are **incredibly sharp**, and their **distinct look** is often recognizable.
* 🔍 Some of the drawbacks of the Leica R lenses include **chromatic aberration and other artifacts** when shooting wide open in high-contrast situations. However, these issues are generally resolved when the lenses are **stopped down**.
* 🛠 Like any vintage lenses, the Leica R lenses require maintenance. While Mateo's lenses were in great condition when he bought them, he experienced issues with the aperture of the **19mm lens closing by itself**, which required servicing.
* 🔄 When it comes to alternatives to Leica R lenses, the Canon FD lenses are a popular choice, especially as **entry-level vintage lenses**. Nikkor lenses are also recommended and can still be found **new on eBay**.
* 📈 Since the Leica R lenses are discontinued and it is becoming increasingly difficult to find sets in good condition with close serial numbers, Mateo suggests that if you have the means, like the look of these lenses, and have upcoming projects, it may be a good time to **purchase them**. He believes that the **prices of these lenses will likely continue to rise**.

hey guys, Mateo here. Welcome back to a new video. Today, I want to talk about my Leica R set again. The reason is, it's been exactly two years since I purchased this set from Mark Manorella. So, I just want to tell you guys my opinion about my investment, if it was worth it, if there are alternatives to these lenses because I know they're super expensive. Now, what about the versatility? What did I shoot in these two years? I just want to go through some of these points and talk a little bit more about this incredible set. So, there are many versions of these. There's the Summicron, there's the Elmarit with the 2.8, the Summicron-R2, and the Summilux-R 1.4. Just to put it out there, I want to give you guys an idea of what I bought. So, the 19 is now Elmarit V1, serial number 3094 something. My latest acquisition, the Leica 28-millimeter.

merit as well 30 93 something so very close to the 19, but this 28-millimeter is a great focal length to work with on the pocket 6k. The URSA Mini, I really, really like it, and I think it's a great travel film lenses that I bring with me all the time. I just brought it to Boston where I shot some pretty cool stuff. So I'm shooting with a 35-millimeter f2 Summicron R, that is, I think a 31 serial this guy. 50-millimeter Summicron R f2, this is a 31 3161 something, and this is the 90-millimeter f2 Summicron R, and this guy is a 30 73 something serial number. So as you can tell, they're all between 30 and 31, so very close serial number color matched perfectly. Let's start with the first point I want to make. Were dislike worth the investment? Of course, I don't want to talk about money and their actual value right now, which is crazy.

because that doesn't make any sense with actual filmmaking, and uses these lenses for work. So in these years, I shot pretty much everything with these lenses, from commercial to documentaries, to corporate video feature films, short films, literally, you name it. And they've been great. And the crazy thing about this guy, as I mentioned in my first video, is that yes, they are vintage lenses, and they have the character, but they're very usable even for commercial or corporate videos. So the fact that I use these lenses for 99% of my work in the past few years, it's of course worth the investment. I've been charging clients, and they have been loving these lenses every time we check the footage on the big screen on the Flanders. They're shocked. They're like, Oh my gosh, what camera is that? I'm like, It's not the camera, it's the lens. And you can literally throw this guy on any camera, and it's gonna completely change the character of your footage. I can assure you that. So yes, in my opinion, there

absolutely worth the investment, and I would probably buy them again. Would I buy them right now for 15 grand? Probably. So yeah, because when you think about the fact that these guys are absolutely comparable to Cooke lenses, the S4, or the Panavision Primo, those sets they go for a hundred thousand dollars. We're talking about 15 grand here. So is it a lot of money? Yeah, it's a lot of money. About 15 grand for five lenses. These are top players. So when you think about the real cost, I think a 7-8,000 for a set, they were probably undervalued, and now they're going, you know, up in prices. Now, the second point I want to make is what makes these lenses so special. I think to me, it's the 3D pop. It's that combination of a kind of cream, the bokeh, which is super creamy, and the separation of the subjects from the background. What's crazy is that it gives you depth even on a wide-angle shot when technically everything is in focus.

the level of separation that you have here, it's not, of course, there's plenty sharp because these lenses when you close down to two eight to four, they're incredibly sharp. At f2, they might be a little softer, and the look they have is so unique. They become almost like recognizable, in my opinion. Super portable. I can use them for anything. I can stack it on a photo camera, take some photos. I can use it on my pocket 6k. You can use it on ursa. They're simply amazing. Now, what are the cons? Because, of course, these lenses are great, they have some cons. Sometimes, when you shoot at wide open with these lenses in a super high contrast situation, you might see some chromatic aberration, some artifacts, something. It's a vintage lens, so I'm absolutely okay with that. The good news is, once you step down to 2.8 or 4, it's gone, and it's plenty sharp, no defects whatsoever. It's just a perfect lens. So, this is true also for the Canon FD.

the nikon for all other vintage lenses. They have some defects and some problems, but that's what they make a vintage live special. So if you want the perfect lens, the super cynical lens, get a sigma 18 to 35. Perfect. No artifacts. Nothing that lsno is so flat. It doesn't have a character. It doesn't hit me when I see footage shot on the 18-35. Can you still get some really cool shot? Absolutely. But I'm at a point where I want something to be special, and I wanted to be able to have a feeling every time I capture a shot, and these guys give me something like emotion. Those sigma, those rocking others, they don't. They're just good lenses. No breathing, nothing, but they don't have personality. Now let's talk about something else because uh, as any vintage piece comes maintenance. I bought them modded from duklos, and they came in great condition. The only problem I had it was with the 19 mil. After a while, the aperture closed by itself. So it happened a couple of times.

that I was at 2.8, and then I was checking out my footage. I was like, Wow, it's kind of dark. And I was looking at it, and it was at 4. I sent this to Duclos in May 2021 to get serviced. It came back, and it was pretty much the same. So now I have to call Nucleus again. It's not as bad, to be completely honest, but I need to fix that. This is something you have to keep in mind, guys. There might be some issues, some troubles, but that's why you want to get this guy from a reputable seller, someone like Mark, someone that can take care of you and you know what it's doing. Now, another question that I keep getting from people is, What's a good alternative to, like, R? I never use the contacts Zeiss lenses. You can find plenty of information on the forums online. What I did use was the Canon FD, which I love, and I think it's a great entry-level lens for everybody. In order to use this Canon FD on an EF

pocket. For example, you need to convert them to EF. You can't use any adapter. Another vintage glass that I use and I highly recommend are the Nikkor lenses. Those are awesome. You can still buy them new actually on eBay. I think they go for 500 to 700 bucks a lens. I use them on the URSA Mini too and I like them. I think they're great. Now to the final point I wanted to make about these lenses. Should you buy them now? If you have the money, if you like the look, if you have works coming in, yes, I will buy them now. They're discontinued. It's not that Leica makes these guys anymore. Finding them in good condition, color match with a very close serial number, it's almost impossible at the moment. So if you see a set for 15k, again, don't sell your house, don't sell your car for them. If you have the money parked in your bank and you think you're gonna use these lenses, yes. Will they keep climbing up? Yeah, I think they will. Will they ever

go down everything is possible but you have the money. You're confident you're gonna use them buy them from a reputable dealer. Again, I'm gonna leave mark contacts in the description below. He's probably buried with emails already and he told me that he can't find his lenses but every once in a while they come up. Send him an email tell him I sent you. He's gonna waive you the shipping fee probably going to give you some discount. Good luck to everyone who want to purchase a set of leica. Thanks for watching guys and I see the next one. [Music]

My biggest filmmaking investment after 2 years - Was it worth it? | Leica R set

Director and Cinematographer based in Lisbon, Portugal.

Licensing Representation - Filmsupply.com - licensing@filmsupply.com

https://www.butteryluts.com/
http://www.matteobertoli.me
http://www.instagram.com/matteobertoli

Matteo Bertoli

Review of Leica R Lens Set After Two Years

Mateo discusses the worth of his investment in the Leica R lens set after two years of use, considering their high cost and alternatives.

He also highlights the versatility of the lenses, covering various focal lengths and their performance for travel filmmaking.

Mateo emphasizes the close serial numbers and color matching of his lenses, indicating his satisfaction with the set.

The Versatility and Value of Vintage Lenses in Filmmaking

Vintage lenses have been the go-to choice for the creator's work across a wide range of projects, impressing clients with their unique character and versatility on any camera.

Despite the high cost, the lenses are considered a worthy investment, especially when compared to other top players in the market.

Their special 3D pop, creamy bokeh, and the ability to create depth even in wide-angle shots set these lenses apart and make them truly special for filmmaking.

The Sigma 18-35 lens is highly versatile and portable, suitable for various cameras and shooting purposes.

It offers unique and recognizable image quality, especially when stopped down to 2.

8 or 4, although it may have some chromatic aberration when shot wide open.

The lens is praised for its character and emotion it brings to the shots, setting it apart from more technically perfect lenses, but it may require maintenance, such as aperture issues in some cases.

Dealing with Camera Lens Issues and Alternatives

Footage appears dark due to a lens issue, despite being serviced, requiring further action.

The Canon FD and Nikkor lenses are recommended as alternatives, especially for their unique look and availability.

Investing in these lenses is advised if they fit the budget and are needed for upcoming projects, as their value is expected to continue rising.

Consider buying from a reputable dealer to make anything possible with enough money.

Contact Mark for a chance to purchase Leica lenses, as he may offer a discount and waive the shipping fee.

Keep an eye out for his occasional availability, buried in emails, to increase your chances of success.