I'm pretty new to Leica but do any non telephoto M mount lenses have truly smooth bokeh compared to the latest mirrorless (large) designs? I spend less time looking at out of focus areas these days so it doesn't bother me but this was one the things that stood out when I started really looking at M mount glass (both Leica and Voigtlander).
In what situation? The bokeh of a low contrast, front-lit background is more likely to look smooth than a high contrast, back-lit background. And most any lens makes smoother bokeh when the aperture is stopped down two stops.
Mystik wrote:
I'm pretty new to Leica but do any non telephoto M mount lenses have truly smooth bokeh compared to the latest mirrorless (large) designs? I spend less time looking at out of focus areas these days so it doesn't bother me but this was one the things that stood out when I started really looking at M mount glass (both Leica and Voigtlander).
The Leica 50mm f/1.4 Summilux ASPH is a non-telephoto and renders smoothly (almost no outlining in highlights)...a bit too smoothly for my preference, it remains a prime example of a classic Leica lens producing that signature character you may appreciate.
Mentioning telephoto, I've rear that LLL has plans for a 135mm APO lens too!
Fred Miranda wrote:
The Leica 50mm f/1.4 Summilux ASPH is a non-telephoto and renders smoothly (almost no outlining in highlights)...a bit too smoothly for my preference, it remains a prime example of a classic Leica lens producing that signature character you may appreciate.
Mentioning telephoto, I've rear that LLL has plans for a 135mm APO lens too!
Another 50mm lens with quite smooth bokeh is the Voigtlander 50 f/1.2 Asph.
RoamingScott wrote:
You aren't finding the glacial readout of the X2Dii to be prohibitive to your creativity with these lenses? I'd test it if a dumb adapter wasn't $150.
I've mainly used it to shoot cars (not in motion) and people who I instruct to keep pretty still. As you know, when you go down to 14 bit the readout is a teeeeeny bit faster, so it hasn't been an issue. It is FAR from ideal, and won't work in most scenarios, but I've had success adapting lenses. I've got 3 XCD lenses, two of them are phenomenal (25V and 90V), the other is just OK to me (55V), but it's cool to get a different look and feel out of the Hasselblad system.
RomanMF wrote:
I've mainly used it to shoot cars (not in motion) and people who I instruct to keep pretty still. As you know, when you go down to 14 bit the readout is a teeeeeny bit faster, so it hasn't been an issue. It is FAR from ideal, and won't work in most scenarios, but I've had success adapting lenses. I've got 3 XCD lenses, two of them are phenomenal (25V and 90V), the other is just OK to me (55V), but it's cool to get a different look and feel out of the Hasselblad system.
Adapting is definitely the big thing I miss about GFX, but I don't miss it enough to do anything about it. Funny you and I had the same reaction to the 55V. I'm loving the 35-100 so much more in terms of IQ, which I didn't expect. I'd love that 90V someday.
I keep contemplating selling the 55V and getting the 38V, which is way more my speed.
RoamingScott wrote:
Adapting is definitely the big thing I miss about GFX, but I don't miss it enough to do anything about it. Funny you and I had the same reaction to the 55V. I'm loving the 35-100 so much more in terms of IQ, which I didn't expect. I'd love that 90V someday.
Fred Miranda wrote:
I'll post samples showing the specular highlights once I get a review copy. None of the "aspherical" LLL lenses have clean inner structure. The LLL 50/1.2 "1966" is the worst offender, but I've learned to like it since Leica's original 50/1.2 also had rough bokeh.
Hi Fred, do you know if you'll be receiving the test copy before the Titanium 9/10 deadline? Really hoping you do!
Illuminating the sensor with a smeary mess is less than ideal. Hopefully my GFX with no LPF2 will have a thin enough sensor stack for good performance. The 21/3.5 VM is sharp on my GFX surprisingly, but doesn't quite cover.
Fred Miranda wrote:
Most Light Lens Lab lenses cover a 4433mm sensor, and it's great to see that the new 35mm f/2 APO is no exception.
mas_akala wrote:
Hi Fred, do you know if you'll be receiving the test copy before the Titanium 9/10 deadline? Really hoping you do!
I honestly don't know when a review copy will arrive. It will be a production unit though, as I prefer to review production rather than prototype, to make sure what I get is what everyone gets.
Fred Miranda wrote:
The Leica 50mm f/1.4 Summilux ASPH is a non-telephoto and renders smoothly (almost no outlining in highlights)...a bit too smoothly for my preference, it remains a prime example of a classic Leica lens producing that signature character you may appreciate.
Mentioning telephoto, I've rear that LLL has plans for a 135mm APO lens too!
Yeah after years of shooting lenses like the Bigma 35 f1.2, I honestly find the super smooth bokeh to be kind of boring now and appreciate the character that less than perfect bokeh introduces...especially in the age of creepy looking overly perfect AI photos.
135mm APO would be tempting! I struggle enough focusing the 75 nokton though
