During the past year or two I’ve been heading toward a conclusion that while Leica was without peer when it came to optics and mechanics, they are now without hope when it comes to electronics. But there’s not enough space here to get into that one.

After reacquiring an R-Adapter-L and vaguely remembering that there were some things I didn’t like about the previous copy, I quickly got reminded of what one was: wake-up time of the camera when a non-ROM lens is attached. The camera wakes quickly when the “dumb” Novoflex is attached.

But I discovered something else. When using a non-ROM lens with the R-Adapter-L AND selecting the corresponding lens profile from the camera menu, Perspective Control does not work. However, when the “Other lens” option is used and the appropriate focal length is selected, Perspective Control works perfectly.

Wait. That’s not all. When the Novoflex LET/LER is attached, Perspective Control works with either the profile or the “Other lens” option!

What kept me from getting an R-Adapter-L when it was first introduced was the lack of support for the ROM version of the APO-Extender-R 2X (the 1.4X never had a ROM version). The lack thereof necessitated selecting a lens profile closest to the focal length of the lens plus extender in order to ensure that IBIS would work correctly.

Of course Leica conveniently insisted at the time that IBIS would work even when no focal length was set. Then, of course, there’d be no lens info in EXIF for future reference.

I guess I don’t need to explain my recent foray back into the world of R glass, but I will: great optics, great mechanics, minimal electronics, amazing durability, and no need for a camera’s unreliable autofocus.

Oh, yeah . . . and it’ll also be easier to switch camera brands when Leica’s next L-mount turns up with even more glitches than the M11 and SL3!

SL2/1:2.8-4.5 Vario-Elmarit-R 28-90mm . . .