As an amateur I do wonder how LLL is going to make a 35mm APO lens that can outshine already established lenses - Voightlander 35mm APO lens and command double/triple the price. As a disclaimer - i did pre-order the Titanium version but that was before I learned about voightlander.
lens_payoff_0l wrote:
As an amateur I do wonder how LLL is going to make a 35mm APO lens that can outshine already established lenses - Voightlander 35mm APO lens and command double/triple the price. As a disclaimer - i did pre-order the Titanium version but that was before I learned about voightlander.
highdesertmesa wrote:
Hah. Yeah, the side-by-side face shot was interesting. I much prefer the LLL shot. The Leica has too much microcontrast for portraits, IMO, so that makes the LLL way more versatile.
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JAUrrutia9 wrote:
I didn't want to say it, but same for me. I much preferred the LLL image!
...It's one comparison. I'm sure other tests will be more thorough.
Also, on the portrait comparison he posted, I preferred the LLL image too, without knowing which was which. I'd describe it as a kind of "high-frequency detail gentleness". I don't think that's an easy optical design tweak, but it works great for portraits: you get all the APO color error correction and fine, high-frequency detail, but with slightly gentler contrast, which benefits every part of the image, especially the out-of-focus background.
Bringing back the point about 33×44 sensor coverage, it is absolutely crystal clear from the examples (vignette, cats eye etc) there is zero chance this covers a 33×44 sensor with anything approaching acceptable quality from a rendering perspective.
Looks great on Leica M though, that's for sure.
The product shots definitely don't look like Leica quality to me, but I will reserve judgement until someone like Fred gets a production unit.
lens_payoff_0l wrote:
Completely missed that !!! Therefore I m glad I joined this forum !
But other than size- any other reason major difference between Voightlander and lll ?
Nobody knows for sure, but when I receive an LLL 35/2 APO to review, I'll test it side by side against the Voigtländer 35/2 APO-Lanthar. I think it will be hard to beat the Voigtlander but let's see: https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1695782/
Fred Miranda wrote:
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Also, on the portrait comparison he posted, I preferred the LLL image too, without knowing which was which. I'd describe it as a kind of "high-frequency detail gentleness". I don't think that's an easy optical design tweak, but it works great for portraits: you get all the APO color error correction and fine, high-frequency detail, but with slightly gentler contrast, which benefits every part of the image, especially the out-of-focus background.
I have read that different lens designs can have similar sharpness/contrast just shifted to different detail frequencies. The Leica lens clearly is designed like a macro lens to hit the high frequency details with a load of contrast, hence the pores on the subject’s face will jump off the screen at you. Lens coatings are probably different, too, which will impact contrast.
Those portrait shots are kinda making my Leica APO a little nervous!
But also, i know it’s not an exact image and he may have shifted a bit, but the Leica image Bobby is literally coming off the screen - incredible to what both lenses can do.
lens_payoff_0l wrote:
As an amateur I do wonder how LLL is going to make a 35mm APO lens that can outshine already established lenses - Voightlander 35mm APO lens and command double/triple the price. As a disclaimer - i did pre-order the Titanium version but that was before I learned about voightlander.
Mystik wrote:
The LLL is a lot smaller than the Voigtlander APO
The criticism of the Voigtlander, other than size, is that it is a very sharp lens but at certain distances and subject to background ratios, out of focus background blur can be on the busy/distracting/structured side. While I have not shot with the Leica 35 APO, many photos I've seen from it suggest that Leica found a much better balance of high sharpness in the plane of focus with pleasing out of focus rendering. If the LLL can get close to the Leica, it may well be the sweet spot.
Okay, I must say in terms of the side-by-side photo from the video, I was able to tell which was which.
Don't get me wrong, it was close, but the Leica image was a bit different with regard to the color rendering and clarity (an edge here) especially on the shirt and background right. I must admit however that I sought of cheated. Recently I had a used copy of the Leica which I shot extensively for about a couple of weeks or so then returned. Nevertheless, I do like the LLL image as well, not better but as good. The difference I noted was not worth the extra cash. It helped me decide to ordere the titanium from Light Lens Lab w/o knurling.
And sure, Leica might have an edge in build quality, reliability and design/usability but the ones I have from LLL aren't bad at all. I'll see how the Light Lens one does when it comes. I'm pretty sure I'll like it.
Joe D
