p.26 #1 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
Is anything actually in stock at Japan Exposures I just looked at the web site and scanning through all the ms-optics lens noting really seems to be in stock, or is it inquire ?
Fred Miranda wrote:
I am glad you mentioned the 50mm f1.5 Vario Prasma. It is a lens I have always wanted to try, mainly because of the SA ring. I just checked Japan Exposures and they had a black version in stock. I am not sure how many are available, but it is definitely worth taking a look. https://www.japanexposures.com/shop/camera-lens/ms-vario-plasmat-50-1.5.html
It reminds me of the Petz, with that distinctive aperture lever
I am not sure if that shot was taken wide open, it looks like it might be, and I do not know which SA setting was used. If I understand correctly, "6" is the normal setting for rangefinder use, and as you move toward "2", spherical aberration is progressively less corrected.
I got a new one from old stock in 2022 (from Camera no Naniwa / Lemonsha parent company's online store) but it had some problems with internal oil spill right from the start and I made some calls to Miyazaki-san and he agreed to service it, so I sent it to service right away. It came back well serviced and clean but I kind of never really connected with the lens and it worked for me for bokeh shots only (never got really satisfactory results stopped down so it was of a somewhat limited use). I used it with various settings when trying for various bokeh, usually changing the SA setting between various shots frequently.
On this album I used setting 2 all the time (I had written that when posting the same in Twitter, otherwise I wouldn't remember): https://photos.app.goo.gl/7BeC2Akx5hko5as98
Eventually I traded my copy away and I no longer have Vario Prasma. I'm not sure if my copy was a decent one or a bit less good but I've never tried getting another copy again afterwards. Dagonar 40/6.3 and 24/4 Perar are other 2 that I once had but didn't really connect with and ended up trading away. I tried 24/4 Perar twice with different copies but at the 2nd round I already had 24/2 which I found to be much better in every way. I still have my other ~20 unique MS-Optics lenses and I'm happy with all of those (my 50/3.5 Apoqualia (Heliar type) is not so well centered though but all others are good copies).
p.26 #3 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
EMH2025 wrote:
Is anything actually in stock at Japan Exposures I just looked at the web site and scanning through all the ms-optics lens noting really seems to be in stock, or is it inquire ?
Sometimes they do get some, especially with new releases. Once it's out of stock, I assume they only get more when a new batch is made. Right now, the MS Optics Xenomax 50mm f/3.5 (Silver) is in stock:
p.26 #4 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
Juha Kannisto wrote:
Vario Prasma 50/1.5 was one MS-Optics lens that I was really interested in and expected to like a lot especially after reading this article: https://www.cameranonaniwa.co.jp/blogs/2220565259/
I got a new one from old stock in 2022 (from Camera no Naniwa / Lemonsha parent company's online store) but it had some problems with internal oil spill right from the start and I made some calls to Miyazaki-san and he agreed to service it, so I sent it to service right away. It came back well serviced and clean but I kind of never really connected with the lens and it worked for me for bokeh shots only (never got really satisfactory results stopped down so it was of a somewhat limited use). I used it with various settings when trying for various bokeh, usually changing the SA setting between various shots frequently.
On this album I used setting 2 all the time (I had written that when posting the same in Twitter, otherwise I wouldn't remember): https://photos.app.goo.gl/7BeC2Akx5hko5as98
Eventually I traded my copy away and I no longer have Vario Prasma. I'm not sure if my copy was a decent one or a bit less good but I've never tried getting another copy again afterwards. Dagonar 40/6.3 and 24/4 Perar are other 2 that I once had but didn't really connect with and ended up trading away. I tried 24/4 Perar twice with different copies but at the 2nd round I already had 24/2 which I found to be much better in every way. I still have my other ~20 unique MS-Optics lenses and I'm happy with all of those (my 50/3.5 Apoqualia (Heliar type) is not so well centered though but all others are good copies)....Show more →
Thanks for confirming this, Juha. I figured you had set your lens to '3' or '2'.
p.26 #5 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
Fred Miranda wrote:
That's really interesting! From the reviews I've seen, everyone says setting '6' provides the most correction for SA and is the only one suitable for RF focusing, which the User Manual also confirms. Your copy might not be aligned with the RF to start with, which is fairly common with MS Optics lenses in my experience. Have you tried using Live View to focus and see if the RF lines up when set to P6?
Here is what I gathered as to how this lens should work:
At P6 (the highest/standard/default position on the SA ring), the MS Optics Vario Prasma 50mm f/1.5 operates at its most corrected setting for spherical aberration -- effectively near-neutral (minimal residual SA) rather than over-corrected -- delivering the sharpest wide-open performance at f/1.5 with crisp center resolution, good contrast and detail in the focus plane, more defined/structured bokeh highlights that can show light outlining or crisp edges on specular highlights, minimal glow/haze/veil, relatively clean background transitions, and the best rangefinder coupling accuracy without significant focus shift.
As the SA ring is moved toward P2 (progressively increasing under-correction of spherical aberration down to the lowest position), the lens introduces more positive SA, resulting in softer subject focus with increasing halo/glow/veil around highlights and in-focus areas, smoother and creamier bokeh transitions that suppress outlining on specular highlights, stronger cat's-eye vignetting, more pronounced dreamy haze, and an overall artistic, diffused Plasmat-like character with reduced sharpness and definition....Show more →
Perhaps the spherical aberration is best at 6, I'm more basing what I call optimal performance on the largest circle of sharpness, which, with side by side comparisons of all SA settings and half-settings at f/8, the largest circle of sharpness is at SA2.5 or 3. Also the rf is definitely coupled properly because at SA6 infinity focus lines up perfectly.
p.26 #6 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
brla-brla wrote:
Perhaps the spherical aberration is best at 6, I'm more basing what I call optimal performance on the largest circle of sharpness, which, with side by side comparisons of all SA settings and half-settings at f/8, the largest circle of sharpness is at SA2.5 or 3. Also the rf is definitely coupled properly because at SA6 infinity focus lines up perfectly.
Thanks for your insight and for sprinkling some extra curiosity around this lens. I will definitely be testing it further once my copy arrives.
p.26 #7 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
I recently picked up a used copy of the Varioprasma and my copy seems to be best corrected/RF coupled at setting 2 and has more SA and a focus distance of ~1m when at infinity with setting 6. I have only shot with it once and it was a bad time to try and get used to a new lens with a focal length I don't use too often in low light with no IBIS. Here are a couple samples (all should be wide-open) but as you can see a lot of the pics are blurry/misfocused. I have been wanting to pick up a Visoflex for my M11-P Safari to try and help with some of the more difficult lenses wide open.
I am also wondering if some of my elements got flipped as turning the adjustment ring past 6 will pop off the front ring and two elements can come out pretty easily so it is a possibility this happened before it made its way to me.
p.26 #8 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
endergemini wrote:
I recently picked up a used copy of the Varioprasma and my copy seems to be best corrected/RF coupled at setting 2 and has more SA and a focus distance of ~1m when at infinity with setting 6. I have only shot with it once and it was a bad time to try and get used to a new lens with a focal length I don't use too often in low light with no IBIS. Here are a couple samples (all should be wide-open) but as you can see a lot of the pics are blurry/misfocused. I have been wanting to pick up a Visoflex for my M11-P Safari to try and help with some of the more difficult lenses wide open.
I am also wondering if some of my elements got flipped as turning the adjustment ring past 6 will pop off the front ring and two elements can come out pretty easily so it is a possibility this happened before it made its way to me.
Can you try a simple test? First set the lens' SA ring to "6" which is the default setting for RF accuracy. Then focus on a subject at about 2 meters, not infinity, using Live View on the LCD or the Visoflex. After that without refocusing, just check the rangefinder patch and see if it is perfectly lined up.
If it doesn’t, that would suggest the lens is not properly aligned with the rangefinder and would need calibration for optimal results. (Which is not uncommon with MS Optical lenses)
p.26 #9 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
Fred Miranda wrote:
Can you try a simple test? First set the lens' SA ring to "6" which is the default setting for RF accuracy. Then focus on a subject at about 2 meters, not infinity, using Live View on the LCD or the Visoflex. After that without refocusing, just check the rangefinder patch and see if it is perfectly lined up.
If it doesn’t, that would suggest the lens is not properly aligned with the rangefinder and would need calibration for optimal results. (Which is not uncommon with MS Optical lenses)
It is not aligned at setting 6, but it IS aligned at setting 2 when doing this
p.26 #10 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
endergemini wrote:
It is not aligned at setting 6, but it IS aligned at setting 2 when doing this
Here are pics showing how far the setting dot goes when fully tightened down. Moving to setting 2 it unscrews a little bit and by setting 6 there is thread showing.
p.26 #11 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
Hi everyone. I really like these lenses and use them almost exclusively. Some a lot more than others, but haven't tried a lens I don't like yet.
The ones I'm missing (shorter list). 19mm Hipolion, Sonnetar 50mm 1.1, MS Mode 50mm 1.3, Lumitar 50mm 3.5, and 135mm. Those are the ones off the top of my head. I have a few rebodied ones, including a Nikon 28mm from a point and shoot which I will be testing shortly. I have the 28/1.7, but not any of the /2 versions. I also have the Vario version if there's a Vario and Non available.
I shoot them only on film and hence don't have the colour shift or heavy vignetting problems. Generally focus is not an issue in my use, but I do have a 50mm 1.3 Slim that needs calibration.
I'm quite interested in using a 19mm. I've actually never seen an example picture taken on film with this lens.
The 135 with rangefinder linkage that would also be hard to pass up. I have heard conflicting reports on whether or not they exist. There's mention of them, have not seen a picture of one, have been told they were discontinued because of heavy vignetting and focus accuracy issues, and also that they've never been made.
I'm told there's a chance of a new fast wide lens coming in the next while. That would be extremely interesting.
Obviously, I'm very happy to chat about these lenses.
p.26 #12 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
I'm sure the 135mm with rangefinder coupling was never released to market, although there might have been some prototype(s) somewhere. I have never seen any rangefinder coupled version ever or even a picture of one. I believe it was planned but abandoned before release (which is what I have also read from reputable sources). There's a T-mount version in addition to the "mirrorless" non-coupled M version.
I had a non-coupled version in 2017 but it wasn't a good copy and I returned it. I rebought another one a couple of years ago and I'm really happy with that one (although I still think the build of the 135mm is not the most stable one in general).
p.26 #13 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
The ones I've never had are the widest 2 (17mm and 19mm) and the fastest 2 (50/1, 50/1.1) and also any versions of the 35/1.4 but that should be remedied this year I've also never had the first MS-Mode 50/1.3 but I don't go after that since they are quite expensive and I understand 50/1.3 Sonnetar is like an improved remake.
I missed the widest ones since I don't shoot that wide often and combining lots of character with so wide angle doesn't appeal to me as much. I missed the fastest ones because I wasn't in the market for MS-Optics lenses when they were new and since the resale prices of used ones are too high nowadays for great copies. I think it could make sense for MS-Optics to re-release 50/1 and 50/1.1 at some point, with some improvements as well.
p.26 #14 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
I have heard the same things about the 135. I'm more of a wide than long guy, but when I needed a long lens, having a good small one is great.
Yes, if you look at the MTF charts, the 50 1.3 Slim is a slightly better MS Mode 1.3. Also word is the MS Mode is difficult to service due to the way it was made.
Well, you seem to know about the 35/1.4 and 36/1.3 reissues. I'll be looking to get a black 36/1.3 likely.
I plan on doing a bunch of general tests soon when the weather gets better in order to confirm that my general suspicions are true. Most simply, in the same focal length, the fast version is significantly more prone to flare, so if you're walking around doing general photography, you're better off with a slower version. Whether or not the other slight improvements at F8+ shown on the MTF make a meaningful difference on film remains to be seen.
I got the 17mm mainly for if I go to digital sometime, MTF looks good, but the wavy distortion is significant. I'll do some tests with it to see how much it matters in general photography.
p.26 #15 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
endergemini wrote:
It is not aligned at setting 6, but it IS aligned at setting 2 when doing this
That's what I suspected. If you set the lens to "6" focus on a subject at around 2 meters using Live View, and then see that the rangefinder patch is not aligned, that confirms your copy is not properly calibrated to the rangefinder. Unfortunately, this is quite common with MS Optics lenses, especially older ones.
It needs to be calibrated so the RF aligns properly when using the P6 setting. I need to get my copy to confirm how this particular lens is adjusted, but typically this is done by rotating the rangefinder cam adjustment ring at the rear of the lens to fine tune the alignment.
I have six MS Optics lenses, and with the exception of the 50/1 ISM, all of them were significantly miscalibrated and had to be tweaked to work properly with the Leica M rangefinder.
p.26 #16 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
The 50/1.1 is a hard sell for me. For that speed, I think I quite prefer the 50/1 and the 50/1.3 appears to be a smaller and better behaved version of the 50/1.1. So, I just don't see myself using it.
I have been quite pleased with the 50/1.5. I find no serious faults with it besides some slightly odd flare with strong points of light right at the edge of the frame, but they're not a guarantee, it needs to be in a specific spot. Otherwise, it's quite compact and competent.
The 55/1.2 seems to struggle with the extreme corners and is significantly bigger and heavier than all my other ~50mm lenses. Because of the size and weight, I haven't used it very much.
p.26 #17 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
endergemini wrote:
Here are pics showing how far the setting dot goes when fully tightened down. Moving to setting 2 it unscrews a little bit and by setting 6 there is thread showing.
Oh, my dude, I know exactly what your problem is. Your front part is screwed on wrong. It's happened to me a couple of times when I over-unscrewed it for closer focus shots and ended up completely unscrewing it off, and when I screwed it back on I noticed my infinity mark didn't line up the same at my chosen SA3 setting, and I unscrewed it off and tried and failed a couple of times before I was able to screw it back on correctly so that SA6 and infinity matched up again, and SA3 had my normal infinity mark of just past 1.5m. You just have to catch the right thread when screwing it back on. It's a total guessing game and you won't know you got it right until the infinity mark is correct at SA6
p.26 #18 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
brla-brla wrote:
Oh, my dude, I know exactly what your problem is. Your front part is screwed on wrong. It's happened to me a couple of times when I over-unscrewed it for closer focus shots and ended up completely unscrewing it off, and when I screwed it back on I noticed my infinity mark didn't line up the same at my chosen SA3 setting, and I unscrewed it off and tried and failed a couple of times before I was able to screw it back on correctly so that SA6 and infinity matched up again, and SA3 had my normal infinity mark of just past 1.5m. You just have to catch the right thread when screwing it back on. It's a total guessing game and you won't know you got it right until the infinity mark is correct at SA6...Show more →
I thought this might be the case but tried for a good 15m to try to thread it back on differently. I was worried about cross threading it and didn't want to chance it due to rarity/color. Will definitely try again though to see if it fixes it. Appreciate the heads-up about your experience!
p.26 #19 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
Fred Miranda wrote:
That's what I suspected. If you set the lens to "6" focus on a subject at around 2 meters using Live View, and then see that the rangefinder patch is not aligned, that confirms your copy is not properly calibrated to the rangefinder. Unfortunately, this is quite common with MS Optics lenses, especially older ones.
It needs to be calibrated so the RF aligns properly when using the “6” setting. I need to get my copy to confirm how this particular lens is adjusted, but typically this is done by rotating the rangefinder cam adjustment ring at the rear of the lens to fine tune the alignment.
I have six MS Optics lenses, and with the exception of the 50/1 ISM, all of them were significantly miscalibrated and had to be tweaked to work properly with the Leica M rangefinder....Show more →
Is adjusting difficult to do? I've never had to do it because all of my lenses except the 35 apoqualia were perfectly calibrated. I came pretty late to the party though, I take it they've gotten better about rangefinder calibration in recent years as compared to their earlier lenses. That said, I'm very interested in changing the rangefinder calibration for my varioprasma. I'd really love for rangefinder calibration at SA3 rather than 6. I don't know the first thing about doing it, though.
p.26 #20 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
endergemini wrote:
I thought this might be the case but tried for a good 15m to try to thread it back on differently. I was worried about cross threading it and didn't want to chance it due to rarity/color. Will definitely try again though to see if it fixes it. Appreciate the heads-up about your experience!
Try carefully to start from a different position. When a thread catches, try to note where it caught so that if it doesn't work you know to try elsewhere if the thread catches there again. Yeah, when the front part unscrews, screwing it back on properly is quite a pain.
I've also never had the first MS-Mode 50/1.3 but I don't go after that since they are quite expensive and I understand 50/1.3 Sonnetar is like an improved remake.