Sigma SD9 lenses on a Sigma SD!$

Bulletsholes wrote:

Just a quick question. Will SD9 AF lenses work in AF on an SD14?

I see no reason why they shouldn't. The lens protocol hasn't been changed between the dSLR models, so whatever worked in the SD9 ought to work in later models, too, expect possible newer features introduced in the new models. I've tried an SD9/14 -era lens on a SDQH and it worked, although AF was rather erratic. Not an issue with SD15, though.

Also, does anyone know where I can get a new SD14 SA mount plate for this camera body?

You could try asking the Sigma rep. in your region, but I bet your best option would be to look for eBay offerings. Or look for a broken/defect body or the cheapest functional SD14 body you can find and use it as spare parts. Many second hand camera dealers have a box full of defect camera bodies they might sell for peanuts.

This body I have has a Leica R mount, making the camera almost useless for automatic stuff,

But still useful for manual stuff. Which is often the preferred method for some.

and REALLY expensive (unnecessarily) to buy lenses for.

Some of the Leica R-mount lenses aren't really that dear, but they're still pretty nice lenses. I've seen some fine Elmarit R specimen around from around $400 to $600 and thereabouts. Some of the newer and faster Summilux-R's and such with the 6-bit code might be five times more than that, though.

Nevertheless, often it seems that even the inexpensive Leica R lenses are easier to find used (or even as new, in stock, ftm) than Sigma SA lenses.

In that sense keeping the converted version as it is or even looking for another inexpensive SD14/15 unit to accompany it might not be such a bad idea, either. It's a matter of taste as much as budget in this case.

I would like to put it back to the Sigma SA mount. Any help is MUCH appreciated...

Going back to the original mount ought to be a straightforward job, provided that it doesn't need to be shimmed. I don't recall if it does, and I believe all you need to do is to screw on the SA mount ring. As long as you've got one, and the camera has the electronic ribbon still intact. Or that you'll get one as a spare as well. But it'll work in M mode without it, too.

Good luck with the ring hunt.
Or with the second SD14 body hunt.

That would be wonderful, but I would feel obligated to send you something in return. Perhaps maybe just do the favor forward? I'm pretty notorious for that actually. My personal email is "similar" to my handle in this forum, followed by @yahoo.com. Send me a note, and we can discuss. THANKS SO MUCH!!!

All AWESOME advice. I really like the little camera, but I was sort of bothered with focusing the 30-70 Vario-Elmar. The viewfinder made it really difficult to determine if I was "ON", as far as good focus. I think I might take your advice though, and hunt out another SD 14 for this mount, and play with it a little... THANKS SO MUCH!!!

Bulletsholes wrote:

All AWESOME advice. I really like the little camera, but I was sort of bothered with focusing the 30-70 Vario-Elmar. The viewfinder made it really difficult to determine if I was "ON", as far as good focus.

Yeah, too bad the SD14 has no live view to see or magnify the focus point.
Or, too bad the focusing screen of the SD14 is not interchangeable, like it was in many SLRs, including the Leica R bodies.

I mean it would be kinda cool to be able to use a classic focusing screen in a camera like the SD14 or SD 15 with both microprism and split screen... Nostalgic camera geekery.