p.6 #2 · Light Lens Lab 50mm f/1.5 S21 and APO 35mm f/2 ASPH
My take is that once they started tweaking the optical design, albeit just a little bit, the rendering would be affected. That is physics - no way around it. With that being said, as the tweak was minor, the rendering shall remain fairly similar in general.
I have seen some comparisons on RedNote, but nothing very scientific. My impression is that they are similar enough. However, I could also say the Prominent Nokton and the S21 are also similar enough based on similarly non-scientific comparisons . So I will just treat the Z21 as a new lens which gives you a similar rendering. Any of the three mentioned above will still be, however, obviously different from other older 6/4 Double Gauss lenses, e.g., Biotar, Super-Six, SP II, S1... For me that is a good enough reason to consider the Z21.
Fred Miranda wrote:
I wonder if LLL was able to improve the S21's wide open performance while keeping its distinctive rendering style. I won't have a S21 to compare side by side, but I’m sure someone will do it before long.
Also compared with chart shot with light lens lab 50mm SPII (sold the lens some time back), spII does have smoother rendering across the frame before f4. but z21 is sharper at the center. At f4 and above difference on rendering smoothness is insignificant.
Also compared with chart shot with light lens lab 50mm SPII (sold the lens some time back), spII does have smoother rendering across the frame before f4. but z21 is sharper at the center. At f4 and above difference on rendering smoothness is insignificant.
Even with all the spherical aberration, the 50/2 SP2 still shows fine detail, even off-center. I’m a bit surprised you found the Z21 sharper in the center...but no complaints here.
p.6 #6 · Light Lens Lab 50mm f/1.5 S21 and APO 35mm f/2 ASPH
Fred Miranda wrote:
Even with all the spherical aberration, the 50/2 SP2 still shows fine detail, even off-center. I’m a bit surprised you found the Z21 sharper in the center...but no complaints here.
p.6 #7 · Light Lens Lab 50mm f/1.5 S21 and APO 35mm f/2 ASPH
Was the SPII focused using live view/EVF? I know I had difficult times in trying to focus the SPII using the Sony camera EVF, due to high amount of SA (albeit with the not ideal EVF of the A7C).
But my SPII was pretty sharp across the frame, even at f/2, but that sharpness was masked by a "veil" of SA.
p.6 #8 · Light Lens Lab 50mm f/1.5 S21 and APO 35mm f/2 ASPH
catacore wrote:
But my SPII was pretty sharp across the frame, even at f/2, but that sharpness was masked by a "veil" of SA.
This, exactly.
I've posted quite a few samples showing how the SP2 delivers high resolution across the frame, even wide open all the way to the very corners. While contrast is low and there's noticeable veiling at f/2, the fine detail is definitely there...and that's what sets it apart from every other classic lens I've used.
p.6 #9 · Light Lens Lab 50mm f/1.5 S21 and APO 35mm f/2 ASPH
catacore wrote:
Was the SPII focused using live view/EVF? I know I had difficult times in trying to focus the SPII using the Sony camera EVF, due to high amount of SA (albeit with the not ideal EVF of the A7C).
But my SPII was pretty sharp across the frame, even at f/2, but that sharpness was masked by a "veil" of SA.
It was focused with zooming in 100% on EVF. Shutter on 2sec delay. Tripod used. I agree with you. The SPII is sharp. Here is one street photo I took using SPII wide open on Leica SL (the first one): https://www.instagram.com/reel/DAPIadzN3Ub/
To give a complete picture, I am posting the chart comparison between Z21 and SPII on all apertures.
p.6 #10 · Light Lens Lab 50mm f/1.5 S21 and APO 35mm f/2 ASPH
SonnarGauss wrote:
Just ordered a glossy black Z21 this morning. Might post a comparison with Z21, Heliar 1.5/50, MS Optics 1/50, Biotar 1.4/50 if time allows
I should be receiving a Z21 review copy soon since it has been delayed here in the US. Once it arrives, I plan to compare it with the MS Optics 50 f1 and possibly the Summarit too.
p.6 #11 · Light Lens Lab 50mm f/1.5 S21 and APO 35mm f/2 ASPH
Thanks for sharing!
Could you also share the Z21 at 1.5? I think that is what I will use most of the time, and I think I am not alone . visu wrote:
It was focused with zooming in 100% on EVF. Shutter on 2sec delay. Tripod used. I agree with you. The SPII is sharp. Here is one street photo I took using SPII wide open on Leica SL (the first one): https://www.instagram.com/reel/DAPIadzN3Ub/
To give a complete picture, I am posting the chart comparison between Z21 and SPII on all apertures.
p.6 #15 · Light Lens Lab 50mm f/1.5 S21 and APO 35mm f/2 ASPH
Thank you so much! Based on these, the Z21 at 1.5 is slightly shaper in the center than SPII at f2 - that is a surprise. Yes it does have the midframe dip and corners are not too bad...
p.6 #16 · Light Lens Lab 50mm f/1.5 S21 and APO 35mm f/2 ASPH
mdg137 wrote:
I scheduled a UPS delivery window today… and they attempted delivery 3 hours ahead of the scheduled window. When no one was home.
Now it’s wait until Monday.
When did you place your order? I've been waiting for two weeks now. Last time, with Speed Panchro, I got shipment updates a few days after order confirmation, and a bit over week for the delivery.
I was just wondering if there's some delay at the LLL end.
p.6 #17 · Light Lens Lab 50mm f/1.5 S21 and APO 35mm f/2 ASPH
tommmi wrote:
When did you place your order? I've been waiting for two weeks now. Last time, with Speed Panchro, I got shipment updates a few days after order confirmation, and a bit over week for the delivery.
I was just wondering if there's some delay at the LLL end.
Maybe I'll hit a message to them.
I placed my order from Popflash here in the US. Cannot import directly from LLL.
p.6 #19 · Light Lens Lab 50mm f/1.5 S21 and APO 35mm f/2 ASPH
Fred Miranda wrote:
Excited to share that I'll be reviewing the Light Lens Lab 50mm f/1.5 S21 soon. I should have it in hand within a week. Stay tuned!
I just got mine and it’s a gorgeous lens, I thought I was buying a weird looking fun lens but the photos don’t do it justice, in hands I find it to be LLL most beautiful lens.
Now I need to test it but it looks promising. It flares.
Can’t wait to read your thoughts on it.
p.6 #20 · Light Lens Lab 50mm f/1.5 S21 and APO 35mm f/2 ASPH
Mine's been quite delayed as well, but should be arriving Friday. Eager to do some comparisons 👍🏻
Fred Miranda wrote:
I should be receiving a Z21 review copy soon since it has been delayed here in the US. Once it arrives, I plan to compare it with the MS Optics 50 f1 and possibly the Summarit too.
. So I will just treat the Z21 as a new lens which gives you a similar rendering. Any of the three mentioned above will still be, however, obviously different from other older 6/4 Double Gauss lenses, e.g., Biotar, Super-Six, SP II, S1... For me that is a good enough reason to consider the Z21.