Thinking @ retooling my bag a bit ... wondering what others have high regard for in a prime lens in the 60-75 range for FF bodies. There doesn't seem to be much in this FL ... was hoping others might expand my options.
RustyBug wrote:
Thinking @ retooling my bag a bit ... wondering what others have high regard for in a prime lens in the 60-75 range for FF bodies. There doesn't seem to be much in this FL ... was hoping others might expand my options.
One obvious choice - but certainly not the only one - is the Leica 60mm Macro-Elmarit-R.
The two 60mm prime lenses I have are the Contax Makro Planar C and the Distagon C for Hasselblad. I use and like both very much but of the opposite reasons. The former close up, the latter at longer distance. Very different, still very zeissy.
There is also the Cosina Voigtlander 75mm f/2.5 that is no longer in production, but was available in F mount and I believe K mount as well. They have also announced a 75mm f/1.8 in F mount and EOS mount, but a shipping date has not been announced yet.
I've got the "honorary prime" and the 80/4 Macro ... hence the narrow range. I rarely shoot a 50 (I have C/Y 1.7 & 1.4 versions), but sometimes the 80 is just a bit long. Also, it and the 35-70/3.4 can be a touch slow at times.
+1 @ "neutral" glass with the M645 glass (45/2.8 N, 80/4 Macro, 110/2.8 N, 150/2.8 A)
If I dare bring up a af lens...
There's also the Sigma 70/2.8 Macro. Really really sharp lens with great bokeh. So-so focusing ring though. I always tell myself to use it more as the results have never disappointed me. Quite awkward focal length for me, not for you as it seems.
Actually, the Leica 60 and the Sigma 70 are the two that I was specifically trying to remember. But don't stop there ... keep 'em coming.
Now if someone just made a tack sharp 65/2.0 macro with excellent bokeh at both mfd & infinity (not possible I know) and tons of micro-contrast with smooth transitions for around $100 ... did someone say "Coastal Optics" at 100X the $$$.
RustyBug wrote:
Jim ... thanks for the link ... sounds interesting. Time for some research. How would you say the sekor drawing style compares with the M645 glass?
Kent, I hate to admit that I can't tell you. My daughter has been using it for field work with bees, for most of the time that I've had it - or not had it, if you know what I mean. I'm happy that it's a relatively small and very sharp little macro (goes to 1:1). But I haven't used it enough recently to comment on its style.
Slightly weak outer frame wide open, terrific everywhere by f5.6, might 'beat' your best lens handily, which may be worth something to you - Zeiss like flat lines. It's a 6/5 lens and 400 grams light, 62mm x 68mm, deep recessed elements at both ends.
Many consider it the best 'normal' lens one can buy. Pix at the Leica R thread. Different from most of your other lenses too. Cheapish - well, Leica cheap anyway, many have a bit of cosmetic wear, they get plenty of use, I'd say.
ONe more vote for the Leica R 60mm Makro. Although, as noted, it does all very well, from macro to landscape, close up to infinity. I use it on my Sony NEX 5N, so it is also versatile from the cam body POV.
The Contax MP60/2.8 MTF data don't look as good as the Leica's. It looks like the Contax has a lot more astigmatism. The Contax is optimized for 1:10 though, and MTFs look quite good at 1:10. Leica doesn't provide MTFs for 1:10 or 1:2 unfortunately. The Leica charts give the impression that the lens is without weaknesses, which may be a bit optimistic. One thing I've seen in some shots from the Leica is some cyan LoCA, which surprised me a bit because I haven't really seen much of that in other 50-60mm lenses with such a moderate aperture.
@Kent: Did you consider the Oly 50/2 Macro? (I know, not 60-75mm but the rendering and performance may be unique enough.)
I wasn't specifically looking for a macro, but I'm not opposed to it either. I'm trying (still) to get my bag "established" as to what I want to "always" carry. In the "old days" (read young sailor with no money) I carried a bag that had this lineup:
Sigma 28mm Macro
Nikon 50/2.0 (little used)
Nikon 75-150 Series E
Tamron 300/5.6
Vivitar 2X
That was it, shot chrome, life was simple (i.e. ignorance is bliss).
Today ... thanks to the wonderful members of FM ... ignorance has been obliterated, but I'm still yearning for that (elusive) bag. The biggest problem is that now that I've been exposed to the alt realm ... I haven't met an alt that I didn't like.
Of course, that's been an ongoing problem of many a "lens-a-holic" ... but I'd like to make a move away from that and I recently purchased a 24 TS-E that is intended to "anchor" my bag as a "lifetime" lens because there is no "alt" for it.
So, that puts me thinking something like 24 tilt, 60-75 (knowing I don't like 50's), 90-110 & Sigma 100-300/4 with a 1.4X as my "ready for anything" bag.
But, as many of you know choosing between such glass as the Leica 90/2.8, Nikon 105/2.5 & Mamiya 110/2.8 for your "100" is no easy task either ... kinda like choosing between a brunette, a blonde & a redhead. (My wife never has learned to appreciate that analogy.)
Anyway, my profile has the laundry list of glass I currently own. Feel free to make a bag retooling recommendation ... kind of a pick 4 or pick 5 ... looking at IQ and versatility to build the "ready" kit.
I suppose if I were to build it myself today (with what I've got) it would look like this:
Oly 18/3.5
Canon 24/3.5 TSE
C/Y 35-70/3.4
M645 80/4 Macro
Leica 90/2.8 R
Sigma 100-300/4
Sigma 1.4X
That being said, I'm looking at the 60-75 range as a way of maybe removing the 35-70 and/or the 80 from the equation with something a bit faster ... hence, the OP.
Again, thanks for the input.
Also, Jim ... you got any pics/links for that Sekor your daughter has stolen from you?
RB, I have both C/Y 35-70 and Leica 60mm. It is no contest, and I will sell the C/Y. That also rids you of one adapter, as you already have a Leica R 90...
