Adam, I love the 50 Nocti for street shots, as you have such a variety of renderings you can choose from at different f stops. The renderings change very quickly from 1.0 to 1.2, and again to 1.4. Like 3 different lenses. The issue with the 50 Nocti f/1.0 last version, not having the aspherical elements, is the focus shift, and being very mindful of it. In my case at MFD, at f/1.0, 1.2, 1.4 and f1.8 the focus is spot on. After f/1.8 to 2.0 there is some back focus at MFD, but at 1.5m this is fine. At f/2.8 to 4.0 there is back focus at MFD, but again at 1.5 to 2.0m this is within the DOF. This is great for the full portrait street shots. Then by f/5.6 the MFD and further the focus is spot on again. Of course, the lens does need to be closely matched to your M9 to make sure this does not drive you crazy!
With the 50 Lux, it is an amazing lens too, light, ergonomic and accurate focusing you cannot go past it, as it just works brilliantly!
Edwin, the 50 Lux is a better choice 90% of the time
Thanks Charles, I think I've asked you this in the past. But it's always good to hear things a second time, as opinions change over time (with extended usage).
Optically does anyone have opinions on the 75 vs the 90?
I know the 75 is easier to focus and frame, but curious about people's views on the lens characteristics, which lens is more interesting/better? And does having a magnifier make it easier to focus/frame a 90?
Adam, I will let the forum offer discuss the merits of the 75 vs 90, as you already my views, but with respect to magnifier, both for the 75 and 90 IMO, it is not needed if you have the correct diopter for your vision, and the M9 is well calibrated
Yeah Charles, I think I share your point of view on the two lenses, especially the .7 vs .9 focusing... I'm just curious about IQ at this point I suppose.. It's really just because I can't find a 75cron and I'm getting impatient.
Gary - the second shot has nice colors, in the third shot it looks like the beach needs a cleaning
Charles - I think the noct is always very neat looking when taking pictures at minimum focusing distances (flowers, etc). Seems like your lens is pretty spot on (shot of the girl). Yeah for the long end of the M9, I just need to pick a lens and work with it for a while... Really gunning for the 75cron, but can't seem to find one here in SG.
Though I think that I'll end up with more then two lenses (already have 4 in mind that I MUST try for at least a while). Still though, trying to keep it to two lenses.
Gary, looks like you're in a sketchy neighborhood to be walking the streets at night with a M9
Charles, 15th with f/1 musta been real dark, hard to even focus in the dark!
hk_mtbr - cool series, lots of panning motion!
Here are a few more with the 35/2 ZM, not sure if I dig the focal length.
hk_mtbr, excellent action shots! Really like the first two shots!
Adam, very nice shots! Love the second shot! You may well be 50mm FL person
Gary, nice silhoutte and composition
Charles, on my DSLR for work I use 35 and 85, but for play I find myself gravitating towards either the 50 (if I know I'll be taking a wide array of things) or the 85 (if I have portraits in mind).
So I'm sure that must translate to a 50 and or a 75 for the M9p + maybe a wide (28 or 35)..
I can get a 75lux or 28cron or 35luxasph for $3300 USD, so they're all actually the same price! Still holding out for the 75cron though
Gary, really nice set! I particularly love the B&W shots, and still feel the M8 at base ISO has an advantage over the M9 for B&W conversions Very nice tonality and detail in the second shot.
Adam, I would strongly suggest to try out the 75 Lux, as you know I am a convert for this lens If it is an excellent copy, focusing spot on, it is an amazing lens with the MFD of 0.7m. It is heavier than the 75 Cron AA, but feels the same as the 90 Cron AA.
Gary, I like the one with ice blue very much. the ones from Italy are beautiful too, very proper PPed
Charles, The 2nd flower shot is very beautiful. The portrait at night is also very very nice.
Adam, I like those portrait shots, are they wide open? I recently add zm35f2 too, more discuss following.
Hk, like 2nd panning motion shot.
Some from past weekend from short trip to SF with new acquired lens: 35 biogon f2 and 21 biogon f2.8.
35mm first. Stop down:
Moscone center:
WO before night fall:
21mm at f2.8 compose without viewfinder: yellow shirt with yellow elevator
A shot description:
35mm, I did a brief test before bring it: to my surprise, there is focus shift on this lens. I don't see anywhere mention this before. At minimal distance, WO it is front focus about 1-2cm, from f2.8 to f4, it is gone. I am puzzled to see people complain it is soft wide open, at least not from MTF I can tell, is that possible it is the small focus shift hidden? After f4, I don’t know how it can be improved to be honest; most lenses will do just fine after f4 if I am not pixel PP.
21mm, very good center sharpness at f2.8, however, my copy has to stop down f5.6 to have the extreme corner tight up. But I am very impressed with its performance. For environment portrait, I can/like use it without viewfinder with my imagination. It is a fun lens.
zhangyue wrote:
21mm, very good center sharpness at f2.8, however, my copy has to stop down f5.6 to have the extreme corner tight up. But I am very impressed with its performance. For environment portrait, I can/like use it without viewfinder with my imagination. It is a fun lens.
That is exactly the same as my experience. I don't think there's much copy variation with this lens to hope for any chance of finding a better one out there. It's just the way it is, which is fine for most applications where you're going to use it at or near wide open. I was impressed that it has zero CA. Every Leica lens I've tried has had CA, though it isn't difficult to fix that in post. For better optical performance, the ZM21 f/4.5 would be a better pick, but not on the M9 due to the very strong vignetting and colour shift. Really, I think for M system 21mm perfection, it's the new SE-M, but the ZM21 f/2.8 is difficult to beat for the price.
I stopped using viewfinders with 21mm for a while, and agree, it's kind of fun to just wing it and see what happens.
I really like the first two. Not having used the 35mm, I can't comment on the apparent focus shift...
