1964–2009 · Flange 47 mm
Leitz introduced the R bayonet in 1964 on the Leicaflex, its first SLR, and kept it through the R3 to R9 until Leica announced the end of the R system in March 2009. The bayonet barely changed, though R-only lenses from 1988 have a slightly different shape that won't fit the old Leicaflex bodies. At 47mm the R flange is the longest in our catalog, so R adapters are the thickest.
R lenses tell the body their aperture through cams on the back, in 1-cam, 2-cam and 3-cam versions, then R-only lenses from 1988 and ROM lenses with electrical contacts from 1996. That matters on Leica's film bodies, but a plain adapter only uses the bayonet, so the cam version doesn't decide whether a lens fits. It still dates the lens, and a lens converted to ROM has had its sloped cams removed.
4 lenses we cover.
Leica · Leica R
1964–2009
$525–$825 typical ask
100 on eBay
Leica · Leica R
1970–2009
$700–$1,375 typical ask
46 on eBay
Leica · Leica R
About 1970–2009
$700–$1,150 typical ask
29 on eBay
Leica · Leica R
1972–2009
$525–$800 typical ask
38 on eBay