micke.vmix wrote:
I think all are shot wide open or 1.8. It's tricky to remember, EXIF only shows 1.5. Would be nice if there were choises to set in the manual lens data and choose from with the aperture wheel. Wasn't that a feature in the firmware in some of the Nikons? Or is it just wishful thinking from me...
I really like the effect you created...the dark, melancholic mood comes through beautifully. Also, a clever way to compose and position your subject to get the most out of this lens.
Has anyone thought about the forthcoming 75/1.5 version of the Z21? As some other Chinese optical houses have done, the same design is to be made in both longer (already done) and shorter focal lengths, unless my comprehension is slipping. The narrower field of view and greater longitudinal compression will render the 75mm as a very different proposition as compared to the 50mm.
LLL website: '..plans to expand into other focal lengths based on its optical performance characteristics for photography and cinematic use in 2026.' and from the Bobby Tonelli video: 'I have a series plan' - 'ACDK'. The intention seems to be a work in progress that is targeted at cine use, with Angenieux, Cooke, Dallmeyer and Kinoptik aesthetic influences.
The other lens of serious interest being developed at present is the remake of the Summicron-M 35/2 APO, with modified internals (an extra element and changed mechanicals) inside a closely resembling exterior. I've been anticipating someone doing this.
Can anyone tell me the main differences between this and the Heliar 50mm f1.5. Is it sharper in the centre? I have the Heliar and like it a lot for portraits and close ups. Not sure if the Z21 would add anything different, though it does look to have nicer, less funky bokeh.
damonnomonon wrote:
Can anyone tell me the main differences between this and the Heliar 50mm f1.5. Is it sharper in the centre? I have the Heliar and like it a lot for portraits and close ups. Not sure if the Z21 would add anything different, though it does look to have nicer, less funky bokeh.
I had both, I mean I have the Z21 stil now. The Z21 is sharper in the center, it’s pretty good actually there, it falls apart maybe quicker than the Heliar. The flares are quite different, the Heliar is not easy to make it flare contrary to what it is said of it, it can veil easy and not that much but that’s all.
The Z21 can flare more easily and the nature of the artefacts are quite different, there are some rainbow effects but unlike most of old lenses where it is referred as such, those are warm and colorful and come from any light source, it’s rather elegant and not jarring.
It glows a lot too but the center keep it clean there.
It swirls also, the Heliar doesn’t really swirl, it bends at most.
The bokeh is pretty funky but I prefer it indeed.
The Z21 this morning, almost the one, in Tucson the Ocotillo are in bloom and the red flowers glow in the early morning light, it is special and it is spring. The Ocotillo is on my driveway so a short walk morning coffee in hand with the plant angled nicely for morning light. During the week or two I have for this I have been trying various lenses, mostly vintage render ones to try to capture the red glowing flowers. The Z21 is fairly good, tried it this morning, but it misses in the shadow render that renders the shadows of the branches into blue that I find distracting, so close, but still not the right lens, try another tomorrow. It is better for a wider scene I can still get the red glowing flowers but the small branches are less obvious when a blue shadow falls on them, so the Z21 works better wider scene for this than closer in. The blue render of the shadow is something I'll have to watch for in other uses. M11 EV1 and Z21.
EMH2025 wrote:
The Z21 this morning, almost the one, in Tucson the Ocotillo are in bloom and the red flowers glow in the early morning light, it is special and it is spring. The Ocotillo is on my driveway so a short walk morning coffee in hand with the plant angled nicely for morning light. During the week or two I have for this I have been trying various lenses, mostly vintage render ones to try to capture the red glowing flowers. The Z21 is fairly good, tried it this morning, but it misses in the shadow render that renders the shadows of the branches into blue that I find distracting, so close, but still not the right lens, try another tomorrow. It is better for a wider scene I can still get the red glowing flowers but the small branches are less obvious when a blue shadow falls on them, so the Z21 works better wider scene for this than closer in. The blue render of the shadow is something I'll have to watch for in other uses. M11 EV1 and Z21....Show more →
The main thing that turns me off about the Heliar are the aberrations on colour film. The Z21 doesn't appear to do that does it? At the moment I shooting it with some Kodak XX to see if it's nice on B+W. On film just a little stepped down it's amazing for portraits but not sure of any other uses.
Mine just arrived earlier in the week. A really interesting lens. I do appreciate the unpredictability of the lens across the frame ... kind of like a Cracker Jack box surprise. I'll add a few photos in the next few days. My only problem is that I've become so accustomed to focusing and recomposing on an M that it's difficult to remember to keep my subject in the middle.
Took the LLL 50/1.5 to the local guitar shop since I thought it might be a fun place to highlight the quirkiness of the lens. It's a fun lens to use in the right settings.
Light Lens Lab could very well develop their own 35mm f/1.5 Z21, using the rendering and performance characteristics of the 50mm f/1.5 Z21 as a reference. However, that would be an original Light Lens Lab design rather than a recreation of a historical lens, since there was never a direct 35mm Angenieux S21 counterpart get inspired from.
I believe, the closest Angenieux candidate would probably be the 35mm f/2.5 R1 but this lens is not as desirable as the 50mm S21.
Fred Miranda wrote:
Light Lens Lab could very well develop their own 35mm f/1.5 Z21, using the rendering and performance characteristics of the 50mm f/1.5 Z21 as a reference. However, that would be an original Light Lens Lab design rather than a recreation of a historical lens, since there was never a direct 35mm Angenieux S21 counterpart get inspired from.
I believe, the closest Angenieux candidate would probably be the 35mm f/2.5 R1 but this lens is not as desirable as the 50mm S21.
It could really bring something on the table, they had quite some success with their 35mm 1.4 and I think it’s more than the Summilux legacy but the care they did put into it(plus the big marketing) so they could want to give it a shot.
You said they managed to have the 75mm behave more tamed mid frame, if the 35 could achieve that and keep the Z21 characteristics, what a lens it would be.
Sonnar-7 wrote:
You said they managed to have the 75mm behave more tamed mid frame, if the 35 could achieve that and keep the Z21 characteristics, what a lens it would be.
Just to be clear, I don't think I said that. I was referring to the image Light Lens Lab shared showing a new, as yet unreleased lens together with its MTF chart. Since nothing has been officially announced, I'm trying to avoid making assumptions about the lens or its specifications.
Fred Miranda wrote:
Just to be clear, I don't think I said that. I was referring to the image Light Lens Lab shared showing a new, as yet unreleased lens together with its MTF chart. Since nothing has been officially announced, I'm trying to avoid making assumptions about the lens or its specifications.
My bad. The charts indeed let suggest some stronger performances in that regard, based on that I would stand on the same reasoning, based on the graph.
