p.20 #1 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
Sonnar-7 wrote:
I’m really delighted, even more than I thought I would be. I really wanted that lens but the rarity of it plus the crazy prices of the ones that popped here and there so scarcely though made me abandon the thought of owning one.
A few years back I bought a very cheap Samyang 85mm 1.4, I never had a lens over the focal length of 50mm and it was a revelation for street photo, so fun.
Since I made the leap to m lenses, I found the options in the 75/85mm range a bit lacking to my taste.
75mm is not the most convenient everyday focal length and I had doubts looking so heavily for that lens, still the size of it and the rendering really change the game for me.
When you really dig a lens you work around it more than you’re frustrated by it.
The Sonnetar does live up to my expectations, it’s small, quite beautiful with its industrial efficient design, the rendering is great, I was a bit fearful as I read on this forum that a lot of people were saying that it needed some adjustment or that it was very fragile. My copy looks like it had some adventures but feels quite sturdy, so that’s good.
That’s great. You did well to secure one. And it’s encouraging to hear what you say about it being reasonably robust.
I know exactly what you mean about 75mm+, although I do find it rather useful at times. I have the CV 1.5/75 and a used (but excellent condition) Leica Elmarit-M 2.8/90. The Voigtländer is superb, but the Leica is a pleasure to use.
That’s enough of a digression, anyway. What you’ve posted, and the superb photos from Fred, Juha and others, are making me all the more excited about trying some MS-Optics lenses. Hopefully not long now (although I’m now waiting for UK customs processing at a place called Coventry, so I’m not holding my breath …. )
p.20 #2 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
Andrew CD wrote:
That’s great. You did well to secure one. And it’s encouraging to hear what you say about it being reasonably robust.
I know exactly what you mean about 75mm+, although I do find it rather useful at times. I have the CV 1.5/75 and a used (but excellent condition) Leica Elmarit-M 2.8/90. The Voigtländer is superb, but the Leica is a pleasure to use.
That’s enough of a digression, anyway. What you’ve posted, and the superb photos from Fred, Juha and others, are making me all the more excited about trying some MS-Optics lenses. Hopefully not long now (although I’m now waiting for UK customs processing at a place called Coventry, so I’m not holding my breath …. )...Show more →
Thank you! This thread begins to become quite a compendium of MS-Optics lenses capabilities.
These lenses are just so interesting, pure engineering design with some real thoughts put on the rendering. They are born from a desired type of results chosen from a menu of known optical effects, such a great way to conceive a piece of glass.
p.20 #5 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
MS-Optics are asking in their Instagram whether there is interest in Apollon 36/1.3 or the original Apoqualia 35/1.4. It looks like they are open to the idea of remaking one or the other or both in the near future.
I think it would be a great idea and they could definitely sell a good number of copies of either one. I have a perfectly good copy of Apollon so I wrote to them expressing my interest in a remake of original Apoqualia 35/1.4 as I'd surely like to add one of those to my set as well if there was an opportunity to buy a newly made one at a normal price. The 2nd hand prices of those are too high and availability is too limited these days. I did write that I think that Apollon is great option too but since I already have one, I would prefer the opportunity to get Apoqualia 35/1.4 instead.
p.20 #6 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
Juha Kannisto wrote:
MS-Optics are asking in their Instagram whether there is interest in Apollon 36/1.3 or the original Apoqualia 35/1.4. It looks like they are open to the idea of remaking one or the other or both in the near future.
I think it would be a great idea and they could definitely sell a good number of copies of either one. I have a perfectly good copy of Apollon so I wrote to them expressing my interest in a remake of original Apoqualia 35/1.4 as I'd surely like to add one of those to my set as well if there was an opportunity to buy a newly made one at a normal price. The 2nd hand prices of those are too high and availability is too limited these days. I did write that I think that Apollon is great option too but since I already have one, I would prefer the opportunity to get Apoqualia 35/1.4 instead.
Thanks for sharing the pictures from Yokohama Yuri. My wife and I had a lot of fun walking through that park surrounded by the huge modern Sony and Fuji buildings.
Regarding the Apollon 36/1.3 compared to the Apoqualia 35/1.4, I do not think these lenses are too different optically based on their designs. The Apoqualia is actually close to 36mm in focal length. If you look closely, MS Optics lists it as a 35.9mm lens. The aperture is also slower than f/1.4, being closer to f/1.5 (f/1.47 precisely), so you could more accurately call it a 36mm f/1.5 lens.
The Apollon is actually a 36.2mm focal length lens, so virtually the same as the Apoqualia in that regard, but it is faster at f/1.38 precisely, which makes it in reality a 36/1.4 lens.
So if we round the precise numbers provided by MS Optics:
Apoqualia 35/1.4 is actually a 36/1.5 lens
Apollon 36/1.3 is actually a 36/1.4 lens
I love the Apollon 36/1.3, although I have never tried the Apoqualia. My favorite feature is that I can stop it down slightly to f/1.7, improve performance and still keep some glow without changing the rendering too much. The aperture mechanism provides virtually rounded bokeh at any aperture. This gives me many lenses in one with different looks. Wide open it is very glowy and this works well many times, at f/1.7 it is perfect for most of my shooting, at f/2 it produces a look similar to the Leica 8-Element, and at f/2.8 it becomes much more modern in appearance while still keeping an interesting character. The beauty is that its only 80 grams!
p.20 #8 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
I added my vote for a remake of the 35/1.4 Apoqualia to their Instagram page when I saw it this morning, wow, that would be great. They are completely out of sight, price-wise, on the used market. Out of all the MS Optics lenses I think that might be my favorite (based on images I've seen; I've never used it myself). I have never been a fan of "sexy model photos" but this guy's photos with this lens do at least illustrate some of what it's capable of: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmpG2UNy
p.20 #9 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
Fred Miranda wrote:
Thanks for sharing the pictures from Yokohama Yuri. My wife and I had a lot of fun walking through that park surrounded by the huge modern Sony and Fuji buildings.
Regarding the Apollon 36/1.3 compared to the Apoqualia 35/1.4, I do not think these lenses are too different optically based on their designs. The Apoqualia is actually close to 36mm in focal length. If you look closely, MS Optics lists it as a 35.9mm lens. The aperture is also slower than f/1.4, being closer to f/1.5 (f/1.47 precisely), so you could more accurately call it a 36mm f/1.5 lens.
The Apollon is actually a 36.2mm focal length lens, so virtually the same as the Apoqualia in that regard, but it is faster at f/1.38 precisely, which makes it in reality a 36/1.4 lens.
So if we round the precise numbers provided by MS Optics:
Apoqualia 35/1.4 is actually a 36/1.5 lens
Apollon 36/1.3 is actually a 36/1.4 lens
I love the Apollon 36/1.3, although I have never tried the Apoqualia. My favorite feature is that I can stop it down slightly to f/1.7, improve performance and still keep some glow without changing the rendering too much. The aperture mechanism provides virtually rounded bokeh at any aperture. This gives me many lenses in one with different looks. Wide open it is very glowy and this works well many times, at f/1.7 it is perfect for most of my shooting, at f/2 it produces a look similar to the Leica 8-Element, and at f/2.8 it becomes much more modern in appearance while still keeping an interesting character. The beauty is that its only 80 grams! ...Show more →
Thanks! I believe there are some noticeable differences between each version of the fast 35-36mm MS-Optics lenses, although I have never had the original 35/1.4. I have the Apoqualia 35/1.3 Slim II and Apollon 36/1.3 and those are quite different in certain aspects in terms of rendering etc. The original 35/1.4 has a lot of fans, as does Apollon. The 35/1.3 Slim II wasn't as popular I think due to being extra difficult to focus (highest contrast and resolution are not on the same plane before f4) and it has quite noticeable sharpening towards corners in bokeh shots. According to MS-Optics, the first 2 Apoqualia (35/1.4, 35/1.3 Slim II) have higher contrast but lower resolution at widest apertures, whereas Apollon is the other way around (at least in the closer focusing range). I'd love to have all versions so I'm definitely interested in getting the Apoqualia 35/1.4 as welll now that it seems to be possible without paying a huge premium in the 2nd hand market. I've done bidding on some of those a few times at Yahoo Japan auctions but the prices went always beyond what I was willing to pay with the risks that come with auctions. Also the Map Camera limited edition Reiroal versions (only 100 made, same optics as original 35/1.4) are sometimes available but usually >300K yen.
p.20 #10 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
I owned the 35/1.4 (twice) and then the 36/1.3, but I enjoyed the 35/1.4 more. In fact, had I not purchased a 35/1.4 Summilux pre-asph, I would have kept the 35/1.4 Apoqualia as my character 35mm of choice. It's really got a lovely draw. Sure they 36/1.3 and 35/1.4 are similar, but if one is attuned to nuances, you'll feel the difference.
If they remade it, but I would be tempted to buy it even though I shouldn't! The 35/1.4 and 73/1.5 make a great pair.
p.20 #11 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
bjhurley wrote:
I added my vote for a remake of the 35/1.4 Apoqualia to their Instagram page when I saw it this morning, wow, that would be great. They are completely out of sight, price-wise, on the used market. Out of all the MS Optics lenses I think that might be my favorite (based on images I've seen; I've never used it myself). I have never been a fan of "sexy model photos" but this guy's photos with this lens do at least illustrate some of what it's capable of: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmpG2UNy
Yeah, those portraits look very nice and overall the original version has a great reputation for rendering. I've been on the lookout for adding this lens to my MS-Optics set (now at 19 unique lenses) for a couple of years as well but the 2nd hand prices have been around 250K yen or more for the regular Apoqualia version and around 300K or more for the Reiroal versions with very low availability, and the more affordable options have been usually questionable in terms of copy quality without proper return options... So I've never pulled the trigger on those.
It seems the 35/1.4 Apoqualia remake is already planned and expected availability will be around March next year. I already made a reservation for one.
I'm not sure how many will be made and whether the prices are same for overseas buyers as for Japan, but I think all who definitely want one should contact MS-Optics by e-mail (msopticsmiyazaki @ gmail.com without the spaces) early on for making a reservation since these might get fully booked quite soon depending on the planned volumes for the remake.
I think the same applies to those who are interested in Apollon remake.
p.20 #12 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
Juha Kannisto wrote:
Thanks! I believe there are some noticeable differences between each version of the fast 35-36mm MS-Optics lenses, although I have never had the original 35/1.4. I have the Apoqualia 35/1.3 Slim II and Apollon 36/1.3 and those are quite different in certain aspects in terms of rendering etc. The original 35/1.4 has a lot of fans, as does Apollon. The 35/1.3 Slim II wasn't as popular I think due to being extra difficult to focus (highest contrast and resolution are not on the same plane before f4) and it has quite noticeable sharpening towards corners in bokeh shots. According to MS-Optics, the first 2 Apoqualia (35/1.4, 35/1.3 Slim II) have higher contrast but lower resolution at widest apertures, whereas Apollon is the other way around (at least in the closer focusing range). I'd love to have all versions so I'm definitely interested in getting the Apoqualia 35/1.4 as welll now that it seems to be possible without paying a huge premium in the 2nd hand market. I've done bidding on some of those a few times at Yahoo Japan auctions but the prices went always beyond what I was willing to pay with the risks that come with auctions. Also the Map Camera limited edition Reiroal versions (only 100 made, same optics as original 35/1.4) are sometimes available but usually >300K yen....Show more →
Yep, I meant the optical design is similar, but I agree the rendering is a bit different from what I've seen, and the Apollon is actually a bit faster at ~ f/1.4 (1.38) compared to the ~ f/1.5 Apoqualia (1.47). I've reserved a 35mm f/1.4 Apoqualia in black paint and hopefully they can ship it directly to the US.
I think Kamii's idea to re-release these two lenses is excellent. Resellers have driven prices up due to their rarity, and I'm sure this will give a strong boost to MS Optics' bottom line.
p.20 #13 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
Fred Miranda wrote:
Yep, I meant the optical design is similar, but I agree the rendering is a bit different from what I've seen, and the Apollon is actually a bit faster at ~ f/1.4 (1.38) compared to the ~ f/1.5 Apoqualia (1.47). I've reserved a 35mm f/1.4 Apoqualia in black paint and hopefully they can ship it directly to the US.
I think Kamii's idea to re-release these two lenses is excellent. Resellers have driven prices up due to their rarity, and I'm sure this will give a strong boost to MS Optics' bottom line.
I also reserved a Black Paint version. I haven't had BP versions of any MS-Optics before but they look nice in product pics and it will probably be a little less common version as usually I think their BP production numbers have been more limited compared to Black and Silver.
I agree that it's a great move to re-release these 2 lenses. The 2nd hand market pricing and availability hasn't been very healthy anymore especially with the original Apoqualia and Apollon has been moving in the same direction. Recently there's one Apoqualia available in one of the Japanese 2nd hand seller sites for 328K (seller seems to ship within Japan only)...
p.20 #16 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
I saw a half dozen new in box MS-OPTICS Elnomaxim 55mm F/1.2 Leica M for sale at a good price so I bought one, delivered yesterday, afternoon, I aimed it outside over breakfast and shot a couple of images open and stopped down of the Cook Inlet in Anchorage, really soft open but stopped down color contrast is quite good, and center sharpens up nicely with corners still very soft. Amazing light weight lens especially compared something like a LLL 1966 even the glass might be light form (or thin). Captured with a M11P looks good (silver) on a M11P safari. Hopefully get a chance to do a walk about in Anchorage next days and give it a try as a street lens.
p.20 #19 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
Nah—owned it twice and sold it both times because I prefer the 35 Lux pre-asph. I had a chance to purchase the 35/1.4 Relorial years back, but also passed on it. Not a collector, so it it doesn’t get used or it’s a duplicate, a lens won’t stay.
But, I did happen upon a e58 Noct f1 I purchased. Thought you’d find that interesting. I strongly prefer my V2.
Do you have any idea (or influence) about if they’ll re-release the 24/2?
Fred Miranda wrote:
Did you manage to secure a copy of the MS Optics 35mm f/1.4 Apoqualia? I've reserved a black paint version, and it's scheduled to ship in March 2026.
p.20 #20 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
nehemiahphoto wrote:
Nah—owned it twice and sold it both times because I prefer the 35 Lux pre-asph. I had a chance to purchase the 35/1.4 Relorial years back, but also passed on it. Not a collector, so it it doesn’t get used or it’s a duplicate, a lens won’t stay.
But, I did happen upon a e58 Noct f1 I purchased. Thought you’d find that interesting. I strongly prefer my V2.
Do you have any idea (or influence) about if they’ll re-release the 24/2?
I think so far they've only decided to make additional copies of the 35/1.4 Apoqualia and the 36/1.3 Apollon.
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