I tried the 55mm vented hood, similar to the one in the link I posted above, and it hard vignettes at f8-f16 at the corner tips. So yeah, you need a 55-58 step up ring, and a 58mm lens hood (which I already use but figured out I'd test the 55 of the same version).
Desmolicious wrote:
I tried the 55mm vented hood, similar to the one in the link I posted above, and it hard vignettes at f8-f16 at the corner tips. So yeah, you need a 55-58 step up ring, and a 58mm lens hood (which I already use but figured out I'd test the 55 of the same version).
Thanks for the heads up. I was actually looking at that same one.
I did end up keeping the square one from Haoge that I posted earlier in the thread and have kept it on since. It does cause noticeable vignette in some scenarios but hasn't presented itself to be a significant issue as I am generally shooting at or near wide open with it (never stopped down further than f2.8). The times where there is some vignette that I wasn't pleased with, it hasn't been enough that a slight/minimal (+10) correction in capture one didn't clean it up.
I am definitely not opposed to picking up a 58mm square hood when one presents itself though. I still haven't seen an equivalent of the Haoge in that size which is odd since I would imagine 58mm is a more common thread size (at least in dealing with lenses I have owned). :/
I’m having real trouble with getting this lens to focus in AF-C mode on my A7RIII in low light on the TAP... it hunts a lot and never locks focus and may sporadically detect an eye but only for a moment then lost and face detection is no good at f/1.1
AF-S seems more reliable as it’s less likely to hunt. But it could be my shooting conditions... low light lounge shots of my better half. I’ll have to try it in better light and see how it does. But if anyone has some rips I’d appreciate it.
virtualrain wrote:
I’m having real trouble with getting this lens to focus in AF-C mode on my A7RIII in low light on the TAP... it hunts a lot and never locks focus and may sporadically detect an eye but only for a moment then lost and face detection is no good at f/1.1
AF-S seems more reliable as it’s less likely to hunt. But it could be my shooting conditions... low light lounge shots of my better half. I’ll have to try it in better light and see how it does. But if anyone has some rips I’d appreciate it.
I can't speak to the level of function on the R3 as I don't have one. But as far as shooting pics with your wife in the lounge, are you at closer distances at or near MFD? I ran into similar issues at the beginning also but quickly got used to having to adjust the focus distance on the lens for closer shots.
As far as shooting mode goes, I almost never take it out of AF-C. The TAP does tend to not perform so well when the light gets extremely low so that could be a factor also. It definitely doesn't do as well as my other adapters like the MB or MC-11.
Edit: Went back to check the exposure levels that I've been able to focus at. This image I posted earlier in the thread was at 1/200th, ISO 10,000 @ f/1.1 so it was pretty dark in the room. Edit 2: checked the edits in post and it looks like it was pushed almost a stop so it probably should've been closer to ISO 16-20k. A9 + 7Artisans 50/1.1 + TAP by John Dizzo, on Flickr
After struggling with what lens to get for my newly acquired Leica M7, and putting the 7artisans in my Amazon cart a few times, I finally decided on the VM Nokton 50/1.5. The struggle was about the cost (The 7artisans is 1/2 the price), the f-stop (1.1 vs 1.5) and the way it would "look" on the M7. (silver chrome M7 with the silver 7artisans would look amazing!) But I eventually decided the Nokton had the edge in IQ, which is what it's really all about. (And the Noct in chrome will look stunning on the M7.)
But this last photo has me wondering if I made the right choice. lol
Activatedfx wrote:
LOVE this latest photo!! Magical.
After struggling with what lens to get for my newly acquired Leica M7, and putting the 7artisans in my Amazon cart a few times, I finally decided on the VM Nokton 50/1.5. The struggle was about the cost (The 7artisans is 1/2 the price), the f-stop (1.1 vs 1.5) and the way it would "look" on the M7. (silver chrome M7 with the silver 7artisans would look amazing!) But I eventually decided the Nokton had the edge in IQ, which is what it's really all about. (And the Noct in chrome will look stunning on the M7.)
But this last photo has me wondering if I made the right choice. lol...Show more →
Thanks! @Activatedfx. It was actually one from earlier in the thread but I wanted to cite it as an example for the light levels at which the setup was able to achieve AF.
I'm certain you will be happy with the Nokton as well as it appears to be a great lens also. Have you considered just picking up both and keeping the one you like better? I will probably give the VM a go myself at some point when I get bored and need a new toy to play with again. lol.
Agreed re the physical appearance of the lens itself. As you can see, I have an affinity for these silver lenses. lol. X-Pro2 + 35 WR + Freemod XCap2 by John Dizzo, on Flickr
Activatedfx wrote:
LOVE this latest photo!! Magical.
After struggling with what lens to get for my newly acquired Leica M7, and putting the 7artisans in my Amazon cart a few times, I finally decided on the VM Nokton 50/1.5. The struggle was about the cost (The 7artisans is 1/2 the price), the f-stop (1.1 vs 1.5) and the way it would "look" on the M7. (silver chrome M7 with the silver 7artisans would look amazing!) But I eventually decided the Nokton had the edge in IQ, which is what it's really all about. (And the Noct in chrome will look stunning on the M7.)
But this last photo has me wondering if I made the right choice. lol...Show more →
I dunno man.I just picked up a second 7Artisans in black this time to use on my black bodies. It looks incredible on them (M4, M7). The silver one looks incredible on my M3.
But I did not just pick it on looks, but the rendering of the images. This lens is really fantastic on film, and it is my favourite 50mm film lens. To give you an idea, I also have a Summilux 50 Asph 1.4, Nokton 50 1.1, Planar ZM 50 f2, Sonnar ZM 50 1.5, Summicrons, Jupiters etc...
It, IMO, does not work well on Leica digi bodies, but as John has shown it does work really well on Sonys. But it is fantastic on Leica film bodies. I'd pick it over the VM 50 1.5 even if they were the same money.
p.s. I picked this one off FM classifieds for quite a bit less than a new one, which also helps! The focus was way off but it looked like the seller had messed up the setting. There were marks on the focus adjustment screws. It took me about 10 minutes to get it back to where it was meant to be using my digi M240.
I have a feeling that is why he sold it.
Desmolicious wrote:
I dunno man.I just picked up a second 7Artisans in black this time to use on my black bodies. It looks incredible on them (M4, M7). The silver one looks incredible on my M3.
But I did not just pick it on looks, but the rendering of the images. This lens is really fantastic on film, and it is my favourite 50mm film lens. To give you an idea, I also have a Summilux 50 Asph 1.4, Nokton 50 1.1, Planar ZM 50 f2, Sonnar ZM 50 1.5, Summicrons, Jupiters etc...
It, IMO, does not work well on Leica digi bodies, but as John has shown it does work really well on Sonys. But it is fantastic on Leica film bodies. I'd pick it over the VM 50 1.5 even if they were the same money.
p.s. I picked this one off FM classifieds for quite a bit less than a new one, which also helps! The focus was way off but it looked like the seller had messed up the setting. There were marks on the focus adjustment screws. It took me about 10 minutes to get it back to where it was meant to be using my digi M240.
I have a feeling that is why he sold it.
Huss - You are WAY better at all of this than I am! I'm a veteran photographer, and I use mostly adapted lenses on my A7ii (Contax C/Y, etc.) but this will be my first Leica M experience!
Aside form the cost/f-stop/looks, my other deciding factors were that the Nokton focus will (hopefully) play nicely with the RF on the M7 right out of the box. I don't have a digital M to tweak the focus on a 7artisans. I know it can be done via ground glass on the film plane, but I want the most "painless" experience right now. I just had a heck of a time with a Canonet that was CLA'ed, but was not adjusted properly. 2 re-adjustments later, and it seems to be a lost cause. :-( AND, I've burned more than I paid for it in film and processing!!! Don't want to go through that again.
Also, f/1.5 will give me the shallow DOF look I'm after, and it will be a lot easier to achieve critical focus compared to the 1.1.
Activatedfx wrote:
Aside form the cost/f-stop/looks, my other deciding factors were that the Nokton focus will (hopefully) play nicely with the RF on the M7 right out of the box. I don't have a digital M to tweak the focus on a 7artisans. I know it can be done via ground glass on the film plane, but I want the most "painless" experience right now. I just had a heck of a time with a Canonet that was CLA'ed, but was not adjusted properly. 2 re-adjustments later, and it seems to be a lost cause. :-( AND, I've burned more than I paid for it in film and processing!!! Don't want to go through that again.
Also, f/1.5 will give me the shallow DOF look I'm after, and it will be a lot easier to achieve critical focus compared to the 1.1....Show more →
From all I've read, the 7Artisans focuses perfectly out of the box with Leica Ms. My silver one did/does, the black one that I just picked up used didn't, but it was obvious that a previous user had messed around with the focus. I adjusted it back to perfect in under 10 minutes. AFAIK 7Artisans is the only mfg out there that allows you to correct the focus of your lens. My Zeiss Sonnar 50 1.5 front focuses, my CV 35 1.2 back focuses. I'd love to be able to adjust them myself, and as easily as with the 7Artisans.
You do know that you don't HAVE to use this lens at 1.1.. You can also shoot it at 1.5 (1.4) like the Nokton! I just cannot believe this is a $350 +- lens. ($300 used!)
If I had a Sony A7, this would be a no brainer for digital. If you have a film M, it's a no brainer for that too.
fsiagian wrote:
How do you correct focus on the lens?
It has two screws that you loosen by the rangefinder ramp inside the lens mount. You then rotate it very slightly clockwise or anti clockwise, depending on near or far focus. The lens comes with instructions, a screw driver (!), and a test focus target/chart in case you need to do this. The focus target is just cool to have to test focus on any of your lenses, let alone this one.
Of course you would not need to do any of this with an EVF camera, only for one that has a pure optical rangefinder like a Leica.
@Desmolicious - Read through what you wrote on the rangefinder forum. It is interesting that one copy registers on the Leica body and the other doesn't. Wondering if you could find a way to bring the other one up to spec.
Agreed re the feelings about the lens. It brings something very interesting to the table for both Leica and Sony shooters for a plethora of reasons.
JohnDizzo15 wrote:
@Desmolicious@ - Read through what you wrote on the rangefinder forum. It is interesting that one copy registers on the Leica body and the other doesn't. Wondering if you could find a way to bring the other one up to spec.
It seems to be an issue with mfg tolerances, as if I twist it slightly it registers as a coded lens, but then drops it.
I'm ok with it though as I can either set it manually, or just use the black one on my digi cam.
Forgot to ask, have you ever tried to focus it manually wide open on your Sony, or have you always used the AF adapter?
Desmolicious wrote:
Forgot to ask, have you ever tried to focus it manually wide open on your Sony, or have you always used the AF adapter?
I have only had it on the AF adapter but routinely use it in MF for when I am composing for a subject off center. AF only works in the central portion of the frame so the usability of the AF is pretty limited if you need it for anything outside of that. When MF'ing, it has been pretty easy with the A9. I have custom buttons set for both the AF/MF toggle and magnify which has made transitioning to MF very smooth and easy.
I have to admit, I am not all that up to speed on the range of Leica M mount glass that is out there. To my surprise, a buddy of mine brought the Voigtlander 50/1.1 to my attention.
Looking at both lenses (VM and 7A), they do seem to share some notable similarities as far as focal length, aperture range, and number of elements in the optical formula. There are some differences though in that the front elements/filter threads are slightly different and the 7A has 12 aperture blades as opposed to the 10 in the VM.
Has anyone ever had any hands on time with the VM? Wondering how it performs. Would be even better to hear from someone who has had time with both.
Edit: Brain fart @Desmolicious - looked back and saw that you had listed it as one of the 50s you had. Didn't recall if any talk of it though.
The Voigtlander 50 1.1 is much bigger than the 7Artisans, and sharper wide open but with,IMO, much poorer frenetic bokeh. It is a very modern lens in its draw. It's mfd is longer than the 7Artisans - I think it is 1M vs .7M.
I like it and it is pretty much attached to my M5 film camera, as that body's bigger size matches up well to the lens. The price is almost triple that of the 7Artisans, and if I was going to get one now I wouldn't. I much prefer the 7Artisans as its images are less sterile. Irrespective of price.
