The M files - Jörg-Peter Rau

The M files - Jörg-Peter Rau

Serious rangefinder photography - but affordable. Is that possible? If you look at the price development at Leica, doubts may arise. But there is, beyond the expensive Leica M system, much more to M Mount. A rather unique series explores this world: The M Files.

 

The M Files: How an idea became a knowledge base for cameras and lenses with M mount


It all started with a simple question. An acquaintance who knew about my love of rangefinder photography asked for a tip on how to get started. A used Leica M6 with one or two Leica lenses was way out of budget. We then talked about an M4 and a Zeiss lens (for me an excellent entry into the rangefinder world to this day) but the question wouldn't let me go: What is actually available for the M bayonet beyond the Leica M bodies, the Summicrons and Summiluxes?

Some new discoveries, some old friends

After some research, a surprisingly versatile world revealed itself: cameras from various manufacturers and a large selection of lenses. I found out, to my pleasure, that the Zeiss ZM lenses are actually still available new. I discovered the Minolta CLE as well as the Konica Hexar RF with their lenses. And that was actually only the beginning.

An idea turned into a passion

So, my curiosity and desire grew to systematically explore this world. Since I already had a certain readership as an author on the two relevant rangefinder photography blogs www.messsucherwelt.com (in German) and www.macfilos.com (in English), the idea for a series on these two platforms matured. Presenting selected cameras with a few matching lenses, that was the first idea. Later, a certain striving for completeness was added.

There are no PR articles - for no one, about nothing

So that's how the series that the baptized “The M Files” came into being. A few things were clear from the beginning: Firstly, I don't allow myself to be sponsored and I don't allow myself to be influenced by anyone to advertise a product. Secondly, I only use material that belongs to me or that I have borrowed from mainly private sources, without them expecting anything in return. Third: I do not do scientific tests but write reviews from a hands-on, real-life experience point of view. Fourthly: All this is done with passion and expertise, but not with any claim to ultimate truth.

Things really took off in Covid-19 lockdown 2020

My blog hosts Mike Evans and Claus Sassenberg also found the idea quite exciting, and with the lockdown 2020 I really plunged into the work. All the cameras were used with different films. In the beginning, I wrote texts that introduced a particular camera with one or more lenses - either the kit lens or another lens that seemed particularly appropriate to me.

Seven cameras, quite different, but all with M mount: Voigtländer Bessa T, Bessa R4M, Rollei 35RF, Minolta CLE,Zeiss Ikon, Leica CL, Hexar RF (left to right). All of them are reviewed in the M Files project.


That's how the first eight episodes were created, all of which I had finished before the first season went online (tip for anyone who wants to do something like this: Always stay ahead of the wave and produce content in advance). As the episodes progressed, the focus shifted to lenses, because there were still so many interesting things to discover and describe - both long-discontinued lenses and some of those currently available. 

At first, a new episode appeared every fortnight

Of course, the rhythm of one episode every fortnight was not the pace to keep in the long run, but as of this writing, there are 15 episodes of M-Files, and at least five more are planned or even already in the works. At some point I will build my own M-Files navigator, from which you can go directly to the camera or lens that you are most interested in. 

A picture often tells more than a thousand words

Such an almost encyclopaedic database of information, assessment and experiencs does not come about by itself. Apart from text and testing, a lot of work also lies in product and example photos. The latter are particularly important to me, and in my opinion, they also make up the M-Files. Many reviews sound quite clever, but you can't imagine much, and you don't know how competent the reviewer actually is as a photographer. 

Generous support from complete strangers

I am therefore grateful for help, which I have gladly accepted without questioning my above-mentioned principles. Readers of the two blogs have approached me and generously lent gear to me, a complete stranger to them. They have contributed information, helped fix mistakes, assisted with constructive criticism and, time and again, offered encouragement.


15 lenses out of many more: Zeiss, Voigtländer, Konica, Minolta, they also make or made beautiful lenses with M mount.

 

I was also helped several times by Jo Geier

Some dealers I particularly trust have helped me with hard-to-find facts and in a few cases lent me things that I simply would not have been able to get at all otherwise. In this context, a thank you to the JoGeier team, who follow the project with great interest. In return, I am happy to share my knowledge on this blog and to invite its readers – that’s you! – to discover The M Files in English or German. 

Here is an overview of the episodes that have appeared so far, they are published in English on www.macfilos.com and in German on www.messsucherwelt.com. Please feel free to click through. Both sites are completely non-commercial, ad-free and trustworthy. You can also comment on both sites - I am happy about polite feedback, and I do try to answer all questions.

 

Episode 1: Introduction to the topic


Why do M-Files exist at all? How do I work and why? What is good to consider when buying used equipment?

Read more here:
https://www.macfilos.com/2021/01/11/the-m-files-not-quite-leica-m-but-really-interesting/

 

Episode 2: Voigtländer Bessa R4M with the 1.4/35 and the 4/21



A wide-angle specialist with a rangefinder for 21-millimetre lenses. Plus two particularly affordable optics that together open up almost infinite possibilities. I also tested them in digital use (as I did with all the lenses in the series). 

Read more here: https://www.macfilos.com/2021/01/18/wide-perspectives-bessa-r4m-with-voigtlaender-lenses/

 

Episode 3: Konica Hexar RF with the M-Hexanon 2/50



Is the Konica the camera the M7 was supposed to be? How does this thoroughly modern rangefinder camera with fast shutter and motor drive perform in practice? Is it a sensibly buy of long after discontinuation?

Read more here: https://www.macfilos.com/2021/02/01/modern-features-konica-hexar-rf-with-konica-502/

 

Episode 4: Rollei 35 RF with the Sonnar 2.8/40


Similarities with the Voigtländer Bessas are not coincidental. But what makes this camera, which has now also become a collectors’ item, with a big name and a somewhat unusual lens?

Read more here: https://www.macfilos.com/2021/02/15/retro-style-rollei-35-rf-with-sonnar-40-2-8/



Episode 5: Zeiss Ikon ZM with the Biogon lenses 2.8/25, 2.8/35 and the Planar 2.0/50


This is another camera that some consider to be the better M7. Rightly so? And what can you expect from the big-name lenses, even in digital?

Read more here: https://www.macfilos.com/2021/03/01/zeiss-ikon-zm-with-25-2-8-and-35-2-8-and-50-2/



Episode 6: Voigtländer Bessa T with Voigtländer lenses 4.5/15 version 1 and 2.5/35

An oddball with a rangefinder but no viewfinder, it naturally cries out to be used with a super-wide angle. But how does a bread-and-butter 35 do on it, which is also one of the cheapest brand-new M-mount lenses?

Read more here:
https://www.macfilos.com/2021/03/15/rangefinder-oddity-bessa-t-with-voigtlander-35-2-5-and-15-4-5/



Episode 7: Leica CL with the Summicron 2.0/40 and the Elmar 4.0/90

Leica's own answer, with quite some help from Japan, to the fact that the actual M system was already out of budget for many customers in the 70s. All the same, it came with a fully compatible M Mount. Do the lenses deserve the big brand name?

Read more here: https://www.macfilos.com/2021/03/29/leica-alternative-leica-cl-with-leicas-40-2-and-90-4/

 


Episode 8: Minolta CLE with the Rokkor lenses 2.8/28, 2.0/40 and 4.0/90

Minolta CLE w.Rokkor 28 f/2.8, 40 f/2.0 and 90 F/4,0

When Leica pulled out of the joint project with Minolta and let the CL die, the Japanese continued on their own. What they set up is still remarkable today and certainly does not receive enough appreciation.

Read more here: https://www.macfilos.com/2021/04/12/forgotten-innovation-minolta-cle-with-40-2-28-2-8-and-the-21mm-wide-angles/

 


Episode 9: Preliminary Summary

What do the cameras presented here have in common, and what distinguishes them? How and where can you find good examples? And: Why four simple questions can make a purchase decision so much easier.

Read more here:
https://www.macfilos.com/2021/04/26/the-m-files-conclusion-measuring-the-wide-rangefinder-world/

 


Episode 10: Five particularly recommendable lenses

Once again, a cross-section article that includes a hit list with the most recommendable of the lenses presented up to that point. It would be presumptuous to say, these are the best M-mount lenses that do not come from the Leica M system. But they are also more than my personal favourites.

Read more here: https://www.macfilos.com/2021/05/10/the-m-files-encore-five-top-lenses/

 


Episode 11: Zeiss Distagon ZM 4.0/18 and 1.4/35

ZEISS Distagon ZM 18 f/4.0 and 35 f/1.4

Two lenses from the house of Zeiss (and manufactured by Cosina) that stand out in various respects. And they also cut a very good figure on modern digital rangefinder cameras. You could almost call them insider tips.

Read more here:
https://www.macfilos.com/2021/10/01/the-m-files-11-distagon-revisited-the-zeiss-zm-18-and-35-mm-lenses/




Episode 12: Zeiss Biogon 2.8/21, 2.8/28 and 4.0/85

ZEISS Biogon 21 f/2.8, 28 f/2.8 and 85 f/4.0

Once again, three exciting lenses from Zeiss’ ZM series. Has the 21 earned its almost legendary reputation? And why does the 28mm get so little attention? With this article, the review of the ZM lenses is slowly approaching completeness.

Read more here:
https://www.macfilos.com/2022/01/07/the-m-files-12-zeiss-zm-biogons-21-and-28-and-tele-tessar-85/

 


Episode 13: Konica Hexanon 2.8/28, 2.8/90 and the Dual 3.4-4.0/21-35

Konica Hexanon 28 f/2.8, 90 f/2.8 and Dual 21-35 f/3.4-4.0

The Hexar RF (see episode 3) was followed by other lenses. This part of M-Files takes a close look at the entire Konica line-up, albeit with the exception of two regrettable gaps. Having used one the M-Hexanon lenses, one inevitably asks: Why, Leica, didn't you...?

Read more here: https://www.macfilos.com/2022/04/08/the-m-files-13-three-lenses-from-konica-one-of-them-is-a-real-gem-and-truly-exotic/



Episode 14: Voigtländer APO Lanthar 2.0/35, 2.0/50 and APO Lanthar 2.8/90

Voigtländer APO Lanthar 35 f/2.0, 50 f/2.0 and 90 f/2.8

Funny, just as Leica was about to come out with an APO version of the Summicon 35, Voitgländer also stepped forward. The APO Lanthar 50 can also be seen as a declaration of war, while the 90 promises to fill an interesting gap. But how big are the compromises that the demanding rangefinder camera enthusiast has to make?

Read more here: https://www.macfilos.com/2022/07/08/the-m-files-14-voigtlander-apo-35-50-and-90-the-attack-on-leicas-heart/



Episode 15: Zeiss Contax Planar 2.0/45 and 1.4/50, converted for Leica

ZEISS Contax Planar 45 f/2.0 and 50 f/1.4 converted for Leica

The Zeiss Planar 45 was once built for the Contax G system, the Zeiss Planar 50 for the SLR range with Contax/Yashica bayonet. How do the two lenses perform on the Leica M? How good is the conversion, including the rangefinder coupling, which was made in Scotland for the one lens and in China for the other one?

Read more here: https://www.macfilos.com/2022/10/03/the-m-files-15-contax-planar-lenses-by-zeiss-converted-for-m-mount/