gordec wrote:
I won't get it until next year. Can't wait. The longer I'm with M, the more I'm drifting toward character lenses. This is definitely a gem.
Character is where it’s at! Even most of the “modern” lenses I like have quite a lot of character. I think and hope you’ll love the 73/1.5. It’s my favorite of the MS-Optics lenses I have used.
stgrove wrote:
So is this lens better for character than the Leica 75/1.4?
I agree with Fred about character, but I'd say there are two things to watch out for in the original version; not having tried the new version I don't know if anything is different.
1. Wide open at 1.5, this lens is quite soft and out-of-focus highlights take on a strange shape. I like that for some things like this concert shot, but I usually close it down a bit, closer to 2 (the aperture dial is clickless so it's hard to be precise).
837.65 todays rate including shipping- tarriff not stated but I assume that will be an add on by delivey service. + fee so likely in 900+ after all is done. I did my payment today- since the lenses are ready to ship, or at least mine, I assume once payment is confirmed it will be on its way with arrival next week.
Also note the Ebay or prices from used camera stores on line were much higher- often in 1500$+ range (bottom now dropped out). Ms-optics lenses are built to be very light weight and perhaps just a little fragile, buying used even if optically good has its risks- so it is great to get a new one to use as I wish.
EMH2025 wrote:
837.65 todays rate including shipping- tarriff not stated but I assume that will be an add on by delivey service. + fee so likely in 900+ after all is done. I did my payment today- since the lenses are ready to ship, or at least mine, I assume once payment is confirmed it will be on its way with arrival next week.
Also note the Ebay or prices from used camera stores on line were much higher- often in 1500$+ range (bottom now dropped out). Ms-optics lenses are built to be very light weight and perhaps just a little fragile, buying used even if optically good has its risks- so it is great to get a new one to use as I wish....Show more →
Nice, I think I may pull the trigger on one. I don't have a 75mm yet and this looks like a nice character lens. Thanks for the info!
73/1.5 Sonnetar is also one of my very favorite MS-Optics lenses (I have around 20 unique ones at the moment). I have a Silver one, #36. I bought it from Lemonsha Akihabara store in December 2022 as it was the last new one I could find in any Tokyo shop at around that time after getting heavily into MS-Optics lenses again from Spring in the same year.
I mostly use mine wide open (I like it's characterful wide open rendering) and at f8 for long distance shots where I want good corner-to-corner sharpness. My copy is perfectly aligned for hard infinity on my Rayqual (non-helicoid) and "Map Camera x Shoten limited helicoid" adapters that have perfectly accurate adapter thickness so at f8 I often use it at hard infinity. This lens also works very well on TechArt LM-EA9 AF adapter and AF works better than with most other lenses with that setup.
Since my current copy is working fine for me and remains in great condition (and can be used for closer focusing on helicoid adapters on my Sony cameras), I'm not currently looking to buy the re-release version but I'd also recommend one highly if one doesn't already have the lens and is curious / interested in MS-Optics lenses.
At the end, Fred compared the CV 75/1.9 to the 73/1.5.
In this review, I compared the CV 75/1.9 to both the Leica 75/1.4 Lux and the MS Optics 73/1.5 Sonnetar. While I didn't do a direct side by side comparison, you can still see how the Leica and MS Optics lenses perform in terms of resolution and contrast. Rendering, however, was not compared.
I no longer have the Leica because I prefer the Sonnetar's much smaller size, which still offers beautiful rendering and solid performance without feeling overly modern or corrected.
Fred Miranda wrote:
In this review, I compared the CV 75/1.9 to both the Leica 75/1.4 Lux and the MS Optics 73/1.5 Sonnetar. While I didn't do a direct side by side comparison, you can still see how the Leica and MS Optics lenses perform in terms of resolution and contrast. Rendering, however, was not compared.
Yes, I remember that one! To be honest, the only reason I am interested in these fun lenses is rendering.
I personally don’t see too much of a point comparing the technical image quality of these old lenses as it pretty much always sucks—that’s why we have modern glass
And I’m like you, I vastly prefer the size of the Sonnetar. But if both lenses were the same size and price, which would you use?
My 73/1.5 arrives this thursday- I paid 138.00 tariff and fees for mine to USA so under 1K$ in total (837 lens)
Yamato transport links to UPS- UPS collects fees and makes delivery
I'll clear my testing (playing with) my new VM 50/3.5 (see Safari thread) so I can turn my attention to this lens- I'll post a
pic of it on M11 unless some does before me when it arrives- and then give it test run
MS-Optics informed me they are creating a web page in 26 for info and orders accessible to all of us (english translation)
