Charles, wonderful portrait with the 35Lux. I like this lens a lot!
Luka, nice shots. Like the first one with the 75Cron most. You're getting a very nice range of shots with this lens!
Charles, since you have all the nice tele lenses, can you share a shot with the 75Lux, 75Cron, 90Cron, 90 Elmarit for comparison of sizes next to each other?
I've got very good results from the M8 & M9 with both on and off camera flash but its no match for the Nikon or Canons. I use a Metz 54i in auto mode with 2nd curtain on the M8 & M9 which gives pretty good results (after some practice). Too much hassle shooting fully Manual with the Leicas and this is when I miss my Nikon TTL.
I read that because of the short register distances, it is easier to design good wides for rf's than slr's. Why are all indications that, in practice, ZM wides are not much better, if at all, than their ZE/ZF counterparts.
BTW, Luka, I feel that I could walk right into your zm18 shots, they have so much 3D.
ewadler wrote:
I read that because of the short register distances, it is easier to design good wides for rf's than slr's. Why are all indications that, in practice, ZM wides are not much better, if at all, than their ZE/ZF counterparts.
BTW, Luka, I feel that I could walk right into your zm18 shots, they have so much 3D.
Thanks - the ZM 18 is really a great lens.
Regarding the ZM vs ZE/ZF wides, we had a discussion about it here a while ago. The answer is not so clear cut. For instance the ZM 18 is much better than the ZE 18. The ZE 21 is a special case - it's possibly the best ultra wide angle lens ever made.
The ZMs are cheaper than the ZE and Zeiss for DSLRs are a high end alternative while the ZMs are a mid range alternative. Generalizing a bit but the ZEs tend to be sharper wide open while the ZMs tend to be better controlled for distortions and CA. Stopped down the ZMs tend to have an edge. That is at least what one can read from MTF charts (i.e. at infinity). In my own experience the ZEs are by far better for close ups but also generally speaking I have yet to see superb close up performance from an M-mount lens, regardless of make or focal length.
I have no experience with Leica wides but they have a reputation for very good performance across the frame especially when it comes to keeping various aberrations under control.
Joe, the coding takes care of it (coded as a 21 Elmarit pre-ASPH) in principle but there are still traces of red edges. Look for instance at the lower left corner. I'll try to make some cornerfix profiles later for when I need perfect corrections.
Thanks Luka Amazing shots and great compositions ! Great examples with all three lenses. The ZM 18 is an excellent lens! But I am also really liking the rendering with the 75 Cron, for landscapes. Beautiful window to Sweden in the Winter My son is leaving permanantly for Sweden in the few weeks to be with future fiancee in Gothenburg. So I will be visiting Sweden very soon
Thank you Boris I have the ZM 50/2 Planar and did have the ZM 35/2 Biogon. The 50 Planar is excellent lens. There are so many great examples of shots with this lens. It just works, no focus shift and beatiful rendering IMO.
The ZM 35/2, I did have for a brief period, but I did not like the rendering of my copy. Luka has done some great shots with the lens though. Understanding the ZM 35/2, its supposed weakness is flaring, which I did see a lot of us, shooting landscapes. I would attribute this to the fact we have very harsh lighting for the majority of the time in Australia, and any weaknesses here would show up as lack of contrast and colour. I did see this afterwards in Reid's reports. If I compare this lens to the 28 Elmarit, this lens you point into the mid afternnoon sun, no flare great contrast and detail, some examples earlier on with B&W conversions.
Ron, I have recently acquired the SF 58 for low light functions. This flash is larger than what I would like, but it works well with the M9 TTL functions. It just means the fill in work more reliably, and bounce flash works great. In reality, I don't like the look of a lot of flash shots, but more often it is technique that is lacking... in my case
Thank you Joe! I am really liking the 35 Lux II. Would it be the first lens I pick, probably not. This may have more to do with way we like to see certain FL's and images in our mind.
The pick of the tele/portrait lenses is the 75 Lux by far. It is so unique, and yet so easy to focus. MFD is something like 0.75m, marginally less than the 75 Cron AA. In the hand, I do not notice the slightly larger size and weight of the 75 Lux either. I do have a handgrip on the M9 and did have the thumbs up, but I have since taken it off with the hand grip attached. For me, this is the best ergonomics, as the M9 feels very secure and safe, yet easy to handle. I have found that it is either the thumbs up or handgrip, but not both.
Still waiting on the 90 Cron AA from Solms.
Alright members, I need some advice. I'm discussing the purchase of a used m9.. 4 months old at a reduction of about 22%. Were I to buy it it would become my main camera. That said what would you advise for a 35mm lens. I can only justify one lens for a bit, not a matter of afford but certainly a matter of justify, and I prefer 35mm for people photos. Caveat, it has to be fast because I like low light.
I'm comfortable with zone focusing on the m, I also know I'll get faster..what I don't know yet is which lens to choose.
Appreciate the recommendations...and certainly I have to be cautious in the used market. This m is unregistered with original receipt
Leica did their job as the thoughts of springing for the m9 are much stronger since the academy event. Were leica to put the 15% price drop in effect for the us, combined with the rebate certificate, it wouldn't be worth buying used..alas, they haven't.
The other consideration is keep the x1, get the thumbs up, vf, and maybe grip...and get a 5dmk2..alternately 5dmk2 and m8 with a lens or two, depending on cost. Overall I want to keep the cost to $8k or so
Looking for all thoughts hre, but luka I know you have exposure with both. Please be verbose all
ewadler wrote:
I read that because of the short register distances, it is easier to design good wides for rf's than slr's. Why are all indications that, in practice, ZM wides are not much better, if at all, than their ZE/ZF counterparts.
We did discuss this before. There's more to a lens then just it's contrast and sharpness. Look at the ZM's distortion (much lower), size (much smaller), and number of elements/complexity of the design (lower) compared to the ZE lenses. There are also other factors like evenness across the frame, bokeh, color, and a multitude of aberrations.
Traditionally, distortion was a big characteristic that symmetric lens designs excel at.
Tobin, great street shots!!! Great combo the 35 Cron Asph and M8u. Beautiful tones and rendering.
Edward, I purchased my M9 unregistered, and registered shortly afterwards. Other than having the M9 RF calibrated free of charge, it has been brilliant. I have already shared my thoughts and feelings, so I will leave it open for others. With budget constraints, I would opt for a used 35 Cron, earlier version. Maybe the ZM 35/2 may be a good choice too. Cost effective, available and there are very good reviews. In the meantime, this would allow for you to become accustomed to the camera, and if the lens does not suit move it on.
h00ligan wrote:
Alright members, I need some advice. I'm discussing the purchase of a used m9.. 4 months old at a reduction of about 22%. Were I to buy it it would become my main camera. That said what would you advise for a 35mm lens. I can only justify one lens for a bit, not a matter of afford but certainly a matter of justify, and I prefer 35mm for people photos. Caveat, it has to be fast because I like low light.
I'm comfortable with zone focusing on the m, I also know I'll get faster..what I don't know yet is which lens to choose.
Appreciate the recommendations...and certainly I have to be cautious in the used market. This m is unregistered with original receipt
If you buy used, check if it has been registered online. If not registered online, you will be eligible for the Leica factory warranty, not the full 2 years but from the date when the camera was first sold. Also check if the LR3 has been registered or if the owner will transfer the serial to you. I've seen prices below $6k, or I understand from other forum members that you can also buy a used one with dealer warranty for slightly above $6k.
35mm lens? That's my favorite focal length but a PITA because I like fast (f/1.4) but there aren't much choices - either the Nokton 35/1.4 or the 35Lux Asph.
Cost not a constrain? 35Lux Asph II
Cost somewhat constrain? older 35Lux Asph .. but there is focus shift from f/2 to f/4 or thereabouts.
Don't need f/1.4? 35Cron Asph (sharp) or 35CronIV (less sharp but has a more classical rendering)
I'm sure the rest will chip in with their Zeiss recommendations. Personally I prefer the neutral rendering of Leica glass.
Good luck and keep us informed!
Joe
Note: correction, Leica will also honor the warranty if you have the original receipts
Charles, that's pretty amazing for pushing 3-4 stops. I like the tonality of those images too. It seems the 50 Lux has a nice combination of smoothness and sharpness. It almost seems it should be a contradiction and not possible to achieve, but it does.
Tobin, very nice street images. I really like your processing as well, and the portrait stands out for me, followed closely by the mannequin.
h00ligan wrote:
Alright members, I need some advice. I'm discussing the purchase of a used m9.. 4 months old at a reduction of about 22%. Were I to buy it it would become my main camera. That said what would you advise for a 35mm lens. I can only justify one lens for a bit, not a matter of afford but certainly a matter of justify, and I prefer 35mm for people photos. Caveat, it has to be fast because I like low light.
I'm comfortable with zone focusing on the m, I also know I'll get faster..what I don't know yet is which lens to choose.
Appreciate the recommendations...and certainly I have to be cautious in the used market. This m is unregistered with original receipt
Leica did their job as the thoughts of springing for the m9 are much stronger since the academy event. Were leica to put the 15% price drop in effect for the us, combined with the rebate certificate, it wouldn't be worth buying used..alas, they haven't.
The other consideration is keep the x1, get the thumbs up, vf, and maybe grip...and get a 5dmk2..alternately 5dmk2 and m8 with a lens or two, depending on cost. Overall I want to keep the cost to $8k or so
Looking for all thoughts hre, but luka I know you have exposure with both. Please be verbose all ...Show more →
That sounds very much like the situation I found myself in for the used M9. Similar price. I was able to register it with Leica and also activate Lightroom.
I think under 8K is very doable with either Zeiss glass or perhaps used Leica, though with that I'm less familiar. Zeiss needs to get a move on and make a ZM 35 f/1.4. Even if it was around $2K I think it would sell well. I'd probably buy one. There is such a gap between the CV and Leica options that Zeiss would have a lot of leeway in finding a workable price for performance point.
A couple more from the ZM 21 2.8:
You can see in the second image that while the Zeiss charts indicate the lens has some mustache type distortion, it's really not that evident. I guess this is similar to the ZE, in that some seem to get hung up by the prospects of there being distortion but in real world shooting it's not significant.
Regarding the question about the ZM vs. ZE/ZF lenses. I don't have any ZE lenses but as I think I mentioned, I've been very impressed with my two ZMs and their absolute lack of CA. I have yet to see any. The size is also amazing, coming from a couple decades of f/2.8 SLR zoom lenses. I'll admit I would have liked if the ZM 21 2.8 was sharper into the corners wide open, but for the price point I can't complain. Wide open the central region is actually very good and the drop off into the corners is gentle.
A bunch more from the ZM 35 f/2.8:
Sorry for dumping so many here in one post, but I'll be traveling for the next couple weeks and want to clear these out.
And perhaps my favourite from Friday's test session:
joe88 wrote:
If you buy used, check if it has been registered online. If not registered online, you will be eligible for the Leica factory warranty, not the full 2 years but from the date when the camera was first sold. Also check if the LR3 has been registered or if the owner will transfer the serial to you. I've seen prices below $6k, or I understand from other forum members that you can also buy a used one with dealer warranty for slightly above $6k.
35mm lens? That's my favorite focal length but a PITA because I like fast (f/1.4) but there aren't much choices - either the Nokton 35/1.4 or the 35Lux Asph.
Cost not a constrain? 35Lux Asph II
Cost somewhat constrain? older 35Lux Asph .. but there is focus shift from f/2 to f/4 or thereabouts.
Don't need f/1.4? 35Cron Asph (sharp) or 35CronIV (less sharp but has a more classical rendering)
I'm sure the rest will chip in with their Zeiss recommendations. Personally I prefer the neutral rendering of Leica glass.
So how do you register your M9 online?
Is it that Leica Owners area?
Also where in Santa Fa CA would one buy a M9 for a reasonable price. Is Sammy's the only worthwhile shop in California?
adamdewilde wrote:
So how do you register your M9 online?
Is it that Leica Owners area?
Also where in Santa Fa CA would one buy a M9 for a reasonable price. Is Sammy's the only worthwhile shop in California?
Charles, nice portraits, the 75lux is pretty creamy, yet sharpens up where needed. I've already registered it, was just wondering if that was the place to do it.
rscheffler - I notice morie all the time with the M9, it's pretty bad in a lot of shots I take. Shows up a lot more then with the 5DII, and I don't understand your comment about getting rid of it, I would have no idea how to do that. Banding only happens for me at higher ISOs or if I bring up a dark file to much.
Also, if you are able to register your Leica, it means it hasn't been registered before?
So if I sold my Leica, the new owner couldn't register it online?
I was also told by Leica that the warranty follows the camera not the person, and that all you need is the original invoice.
