p.22 #2 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
I do wish there was a solution nd filter wise.
34mm filters are quite scarce but 34mm nd filters are almost chimeric.
It’s odd since there were lenses with that filter size and Voigtlander has a bunch of them still in 2025 for example.
The MS-Optics reverse thing doesn’t help though.
p.22 #3 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
I brought my 73/1.5 Sonnetar to a dance event this past weekend and I am glad I did. I didn't even mind the "turkey tail" flares it produces; they added to the mood.
p.22 #5 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
I used my MS Optics Sonnetar 73/1.5 and Apoqualia 28/2 last night at a concert. The Apoqualia is so much fun; the field curvature effects that look bad in everyday shooting when used on a Sony camera end up adding to the mood for concert photos (at least for certain kinds of music).
p.22 #7 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
bjhurley wrote:
I used my MS Optics Sonnetar 73/1.5 and Apoqualia 28/2 last night at a concert. The Apoqualia is so much fun; the field curvature effects that look bad in everyday shooting when used on a Sony camera end up adding to the mood for concert photos (at least for certain kinds of music).
How is the Sonnetar for landscapes? Some reviews seem to show corners never get all that sharp. It's a very intriguing lens. I'm looking for a small 75mm.
I have been using this lens as a landscaper for years. A couple considerations are that it is not a super high contrast lens, even stopped down. It has a very pleasant mid contrast globally that I think handles landscapes quite well.
Resolution is quite good across the frame from F4 upwards on a 42 MP pixel full frame camera. See the bottom of the page here:
The flair resistance you do have to be somewhat careful with sun behind or just outside the frame. The other major issues I have run into is when shooting in weather below freezing, the grease used on the lens causes the focusing in aperture to become unusually stiff.
Overall, I think it’s a fantastic lens for landscape in my experience with those considerations. The size is simply unbeatable for hikes.
I will be curious to hear what Brad thinks. I always enjoy his input and thoughts.
I do think, unless you are using the lens wide open a lot, there are better small landscape alternatives.
I have been using this lens as a landscaper for years. A couple considerations are that it is not a super high contrast lens, even stopped down. It has a very pleasant mid contrast globally that I think handles landscapes quite well.
Resolution is quite good across the frame from F4 upwards on a 42 MP pixel full frame camera. See the bottom of the page here:
The flair resistance you do have to be somewhat careful with sun behind or just outside the frame. The other major issues I have run into is when shooting in weather below freezing, the grease used on the lens causes the focusing in aperture to become unusually stiff.
Overall, I think it’s a fantastic lens for landscape in my experience with those considerations. The size is simply unbeatable for hikes.
I will be curious to hear what Brad thinks. I always enjoy his input and thoughts.
I do think so, unless you are using the lens wide open lot, there are better small landscape alternatives...Show more →
That's pretty cool. I like the rendering. It's like a character lens but somehow works for landscapes if you like a softer rendering. There isn't much options in the 75mm M mount world that's small. I really don't like the voigtlander construction for both their 75 f1.9 or f1.5. I think the 75mm f2.4 or f2.5 Leica may be the most reasonable option. I always wanted to try MS Optics.
p.22 #10 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
nehemiahphoto wrote:
I will be curious to hear what Brad thinks. I always enjoy his input and thoughts.
Thanks, but I don't have anything to add -- I've only used it for one or two landscape photos and loved the results but I'm not very critical; I mainly use it for portraits, concerts, and dances.
p.22 #13 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
nehemiahphoto wrote:
I purchased mine at launch. For years they were floating around. I bet you can find some on the used market and boutique shops. What’s your budget?
I'm not even sure what the appropriate price is. I prefer buying here to make sure I get a good copy. I heard there is significant quality control issues with MS.
p.22 #14 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
gordec wrote:
No one sells the 73mm Sonnetar other than random EBay sellers. Did most people buy upon initial release?
It's been one of the most popular MS-Optics lenses and they made more than one production run but they've always been sold relatively fast. Even today the lens is not marked as sold out at MKDirect (MS-Optics own online shop) although it is out of stock there so there could be a chance that they can still make more.
https://www.mkdirect51.com/shop
Overseas buyers could contact MS-Optics directly by e-mail at msopticsmiyazaki @ gmail.com and ask about possibility of bying a new one from there. If they still have parts they might be able to make them based on orders.
p.22 #15 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
I bought a new copy of an uncoated version of Lumitar 50/3.5 at I.C.S. old camera/lens fair from GoGoCamera's booth today. Will be interesting to see how it compares to the MC version I already have. They had a display card that mentioned that overall volume of MC version of the lens is 150 copies (seems to be quite low volume product) and non-coat version is 70 (this 70 was mentioned at MKDirect as well).
I'm not sure if the non-coat version is 100% uncoated as the text non-coat would imply, but I believe so. On the other hand GoGoCamera's description of the lens called it monocoat. There is no visible coating color reflection when looking at the lens so I think it should be really uncoated like the original Leica/Leitz Elmax that the designed is based on was originally.
Non-coat versions haven't been available from MKDirect anymore in recent weeks.
p.22 #16 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
gordec wrote:
No one sells the 73mm Sonnetar other than random EBay sellers. Did most people buy upon initial release?
I got mine from eBay (same for nearly all the lenses and cameras I own).
One caution is that the lens is held together with small screws that can loosen over time, causing the parts to disengage from each other. It happened to me a few times while shooting so I put a tiny dab of loctite on the screws and it has held together ever since.
p.22 #17 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
Sonnar-7 wrote:
I do wish there was a solution nd filter wise.
34mm filters are quite scarce but 34mm nd filters are almost chimeric.
It’s odd since there were lenses with that filter size and Voigtlander has a bunch of them still in 2025 for example.
The MS-Optics reverse thing doesn’t help though.
My dude (or dudette) look up Edmund Optics. I've gotten several 34mm nd filters and even 22.5mm nd filters (for the 40mm prot) and a couple of other funky sizes I can't remember offhand. The only issue is the filter threads are pretty shallow, easy to lose if you don't rehouse the glass in a more standard filter housing. I bought a cheap tool and a cheap tiffen filter set to rehouse them.
p.22 #19 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
The Aporia is my all-time favorite 24mm, but your low-light Lumitar shots look nice too. They have less blur, yet the flare is really appealing to my taste.
Everything was shot either at f8 or at wide open (f2 on Aporia, f3.5 on Lumitar).
I didn’t think that I would ever be interested in a good resolving lens at 3.5 maximum aperture but looking at your pictures I give it some serious consideration. It looks like it gives modern results in terms of sharpness in the overall frame but the halation, the flares and the glow add some serious character to that and I don’t think of a lens that can produce that mix.
It’s super interesting.
