Having a hard time to find what lens profile to use in m240, for LLL 35 M mount?
The vignetting is a little too much, and as I understand, as much as the Summicron
Was this discussed already? Cant seem to find it here, thanks all
SP II arrived today but I was sent the wrong one – black instead of black with brassing. Rangefinder also stopped just short of infinity and focus felt slightly scratchy in spots. Lens was clearly marked on the front ring as "V2", so they must have made some changes already, not sure what. I only have an M6 at the moment, so I can't post any quick sample shots.
Having a hard time to find what lens profile to use in m240, for LLL 35 M mount?
The vignetting is a little too much, and as I understand, as much as the Summicron
Was this discussed already? Cant seem to find it here, thanks all
I use the 35 Cron non-ASPH code/profile (11310/11311) with the LLL 35 Cron and M240. I find at least my copy of the LLL 35 Cron replica is noticeably cooler in overall color temperature than all of my other, modern M glass (mostly Leica but also some Voigtlander) and using that profile help somewhat, but it remains noticeably cooler. IMO use of the profile primarily helps with correction of some edge color shift and does somewhat moderate vignetting, but it does not eliminate it (which is Leica's intent).
Can you post some samples so we can judge if rendering and performance is still in the same ballpark?
highdesertmesa wrote:
SP II arrived today but I was sent the wrong one – black instead of black with brassing. Rangefinder also stopped just short of infinity and focus felt slightly scratchy in spots. Lens was clearly marked on the front ring as "V2", so they must have made some changes already, not sure what. I only have an M6 at the moment, so I can't post any quick sample shots.
Fred Miranda wrote:
Can you post some samples so we can judge if rendering and performance is still in the same ballpark?
I'm currently without a digital camera at the moment. I only have the M6 and send everything to a lab. Still deciding "what's next" for digital, which I think will be anything but an M body. I think I have lost all sanity for dealing with the quirks of the M camera/lens rangefinder combination. Trying to decide between grabbing an R5 or GFX 50SII since I already have a boatload of adapters for both.
I'm shipping out the return to Popflash today, so I should have the replacement copy next week along with a digital body so I can post some test shots. I have asked Popflash if they would ask LLL what changed for the V2.
highdesertmesa wrote:
SP II arrived today but I was sent the wrong one – black instead of black with brassing. Rangefinder also stopped just short of infinity and focus felt slightly scratchy in spots. Lens was clearly marked on the front ring as "V2", so they must have made some changes already, not sure what. I only have an M6 at the moment, so I can't post any quick sample shots.
I've read a few reviews now where they complained about inconsistent/rough focus feeling. One mentioned that he opened his up and re-greased it, and all is fine now.
Desmolicious wrote:
I've read a few reviews now where they complained about inconsistent/rough focus feeling. One mentioned that he opened his up and re-greased it, and all is fine now.
Yeah, thinking about just sending it to DAG for a quick once-over regardless of which copy I end up with.
Popflash is currently looking at their inventory – they have some black ones not marked as V2 (the one photographed on their site doesn't have "V2" on the lens), so the V2 is definitely not just about it being black.
Edit/update: Their current inventory of silver and black w/brassing do not say "V2", and they are out of the regular black, so I'll be keeping this copy.
I just got my silver color copy of the SP II from Popflash (4th of July sale). My copy does not have the designation of 'V2" I tested the lens around the house and it doesn't have any notable issues regarding focus accuracy, de-centering/tilt, and infinity focusing. The focus feel of the lens is very similar to other LLL copies I have (35/2 8e and 50/2 Elcan replicas). In comparison, it is very similar to the CV lenses and a bit smother than my Zeiss ZM lenses that I have. Overall built quality and material used are excellent. Optical performance of the lens is very interesting reminding me of similarities with the CV 50/1.5 Classic and Leica Summarit 50/1.5. I hope to take it for an outing this coming weekend.
Few quick snapshots with the SPII V2 in less than ideal midday sun. These are on the GFX 50SII in 35mm crop mode except one as indicated (full GFX 44x33 frame gives very heavy, very large hard vignette/monocular effect – but can still shoot 1:1 or XPan or 35mm crop). Given that this is a replica of a non-M lens, the images may not be affected by the thick GFX cover glass over the sensor.
My summary of this lens would be: This is a 50mm f/2 version of the 35mm Steel Rim reissue with a hint of Elcan bokeh That's what it looks like to me anyway.
Correctly focused, the glow at f/2 seem well controlled. Like the 35 Lux Steel Rim reissue or 35 Lux pre-ASPH v2, there is still a sharp core in the focused areas wide open. This does differ from the prototype, though, in that I saw zero glow there. I think I like this better than the prototype as it's now a dual-character, dual-purpose lens. Not seeing much flare yet. Prototype veiling flare was out of control, so I'm assuming it had some uncoated elements that may have snuck into the v1 production units – just a guess, though. Still need to test for flare with more direct sun – will report back.
All images are screenshots of straight-out-of-camera JPEGs in C1. All taken using default Provia film style except for the 1:1 square image, which was Nostalgic Negative.
Multiple shots at f/2 focused to different distances as indicated by red box
Multiple shots at f/2 focused to different distances as indicated by red box
Single shot at f/2 with crops
Single shot at f/2 with crops
Single shot at f/2 with crops (1:1 square of full GFX frame)
Hard to say since I'm not using it on an M camera. All these tiny M lenses adapted to the GFX are a little awkward. The SPII feels like a kazoo
The hood actually makes the lens look more natural on the GFX. The lens is not as heavy as I expected with the brass construction (prototype was very light). All the weight is near the mount, which helps.
The lens is easier to focus with the ring versus the moose antler focus tab, so might be removing the tab, still deciding. Focusing feel has smoothed out since I first started using it.
I will say that the production version is a more interesting lens than the prototype. The prototype was too close to the 50 Cron v5 to be worth the extra length. The production version bokeh is very close to the Elcan in rendering when shot wide open, but unlike the Elcan, it stays sharp enough off axis to be usable. It does have a glow at the point of focus that the Elcan doesn't have, though. The glow is stronger than the 8 Element at f/2. It's about the same strength as the 35 SR and Pre-A v2. I need to explore the glow more today in bright light at f/2 and report back.
I was pleasantly surprised how well the SP II performs at infinity at f/5.6-8 – about the same results as the 50 Cron v5, with perhaps slightly less micro-contrast. And that's on the GFX with its mile-deep cover glass, so it may do better on the M10-R and M11.
I'm keeping the jury out for now. But even without any further pleasant surprises, I think it's worth keeping just from a nostalgic point of view, especially given the sub-1K price point to have a Cooke replica with new, unmolested glass. I think this lens will really shine for anyone wanting to shoot casual video on mirrorless. Being able to switch from vintage glow at f/2 to moderate contrast at f/2.8 and smaller is pretty cool. In that sense, it also reminds me of the Steel Rim – two lenses in one.
Took a few aperture series shots this evening to see how this lens renders in better light.
These were shot on the GFX 50SII in 35mm crop mode. RAW files were used but no edits were made to the default Provia profile (except the last attachment as noted).
It was made for the M where you should try it. Perfect size and weight. I did not use the ugly large hood and instead opted for a vented variety hood.
It has been mentioned that Hollywood used it around f4, but I got it for f2 use. Might try it on an SL2S to see how a 24MP sensor accepts its special features-which ever one a person decides matter.
That's what it looks like to me anyway.
