If willing to look outside the Canon EF mount, there is hope. Via a Leitax adapter kit, the 24mm Elmarit can be used on a Nikon body (click here). And also the Sony A900 (click here). I am not Nikon or Sony owner, so email David at Leitax and he can walk you through the process.

•Leica 28mm F2.8 Elmarit R - Model 11259 and Model 11333

Applies to the Canon 5D Family

The status for these two lenses has been changed to “I” (iffy) because of conflicting reports with the Canon 5D Mark II. Optically these lenses are identical, model #11333 is simply the ROM version. There have been mixed results with #11333 on the Canon 5D (and Mark II), so it was already coded as “I”. Subsequently, another person reported their 28mm Elmarit (#11259) fit fine on the Canon 5D Mark II. Even though he had success, I still coded the lens as an “I” because it is the same mount, etc. as model 11333. So, the 28mm Elmarit may work on a Canon 5D / 5D Mark II; however, some people may encounter clearance issues due to adapter thickness and/or production variances the mirror box.

•Leica 35mm Summilux (available at B&H Photo)

Applies to the Canon 1Ds Family, Canon 1D Family and 5D Family

The 35mm Summilux-R will not clear the mirror on Canon full-frame bodies. If you are willing to shave the mirror on your 1Ds or 5D, then maybe. Such as the 19mm Elmarit, these are extreme measures not recommended. If you would like to learn more, again, try www.fredmiranda.com “Alternative Digital Systems & Lenses” forum.

Some options include the Canon 7D or other Canon EF-s dSLR. The EF-s bodies have smaller mirrors, so there are no clearance problems. If willing to look outside the Canon EF mount, there is hope with a Leitax adapter kit for the Sony A900 / A850! The 35mm Summilux with the A900 is noted on the Leitax pages, but not a sure thing because it has not been tested (yet). Contact David for clarification.

•Leica 35-70mm F2.8 F2.8 ASPH Vario-Elmar R

Applies to the Canon 1Ds Family, Canon 1D Family and potentially the Canon 5D Family

Like the Leica 21-35mm F2.8 ASPH Vario-Elmar R, the plastic shroud at the rear of the lens may interfere with the Canon 1Ds (Mark I, Mark II and Mark III) mirror. Three small jewelers screws hold the plastic shroud in place - unscrew them, remove the shroud, put the screws back in place for safe keeping. The entire process takes less than a minute with the proper screw driver and is 100% reversible. The shroud is a cosmetic piece (probably intended to protect the lens’ inner workings from dust and debris), removing it has no effect on the lens’ operation or performance.

This solution may work for the Canon 5D and 5D Mark II; however, there have been no user reports to verify whether or not this solution will work.

•Leica 50mm Summilux-R E60 (Last / Current Version)

Applies to the Canon 1Ds Family, Canon 1D Family and 5D Family

With a minor modification the last version of the 50mm Summilux-R (Model #11344, E60 filter and sliding hood) will work on Canon FF dSLRs. There is a rubber ring protecting the rear element. This ring needs to be removed (it is similar to a fancy rubber band) and the mirror will clear. For people who have already shaved their dSLR’s mirror, most likely the the rubber ring will be fine as-is.

I have this lens and I am currently using it on a Canon 1Ds Mark III without any problems (using a Leitax adapter kit). The Leitax website (I have no affiliation with Leitax) has some images showing the removal is the rubber ring. Scroll down about 60-70% of the page and there is an image showing a white plastic tool freeing the rubber ring (click here). The all important disclaimer - the rubber ring is there to protect the rear element’s edge, so with the rubber ring removed exercise extra care to avoid any potential damage to the rear element. The adapter adds around 3mm of thickness to the lens, so the rear element really is quite protected. My review of the Leitax Leica-R / Canon EOS Adapter is available here.

•Leica 70-180mm F2.8 Vario APO Elmarit-R Zoom Lens

Applies to the Canon Teleconverters

I received some feedback about the 70-180mm and the 1.4x APO Extender. The information is somewhat cryptic, so I am posting the sender’s email with some minor edits:

The Leica APO-Extender-R 1.4x does not fit Leica 70-180mm F2.8 Vario APO Elmarit-R. I mounted a Canon 2x Tele-Converter by mounting 25mm Canon extension tube in between, it worked. Canon 2x TC would not mount directly to 70-180mm because of the protruding tube on Canon. (Agnius July 2010)

Agnius is referring to the Canon 2x EF Extender II (Teleconverter) and the Canon EF 25 II Extension Tube. Agnius went on to say that the lens worked fine on his Canon 1Ds Mark III with the HappyPageHK and Fotodiox adapters. Agnius has a blog as well, click here for more info. For more information about the Leica 70-180mm F2.8 Vario APO Elmarit-R, here is Leica’s PDF and a review from Erwin Puts.

•Leica 350mm F4.8 Telyt-R

Applies to the Canon Teleconverters

Also from Agnius (some minor editing applied) -

The Leica 350mm F4.8 Telyt-R mounts on the Canon 1Ds Mark III without any problems. The Canon 2x TC fits with 1mm of metal shaved off from TC. Leica 1.4x TC does not fit, but according to advice from Doug Herr, if the 350mm’s baffle is changed from a conical to a cylindrical (he suggested 135mm elmarit as a donor) then the 1.4x Leica TC would fit. (Agnius July 2010)

Agnius went on to say that the lens worked fine on his Canon 1Ds Mark III with the HappyPageHK and Fotodiox adapters. Agnius has a blog as well, click here for more info.