p.248 #2 · What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
freaklikeme wrote:
The Leica has a noticeable resolution advantage up to f/5.6 and slightly higher contrast, making it a little easier to manually focus without digital aid. It pays for both of those in bokeh, though, which retains more structure at like apertures and distances when compared to the Mamiya. The Mamiya's also a little warmer, so if you've got the camera and your PP software set to start at a neutral profile, the Mamiya shots have bit more oomph straight out of the camera. They're about equally corrected for lateral CA with the Leica better corrected for spherochromatism (though, again, wide open, it's still possible to make it evident).
From a usability perspective, both are very well built lenses. Mamiya lenses tend to have less resistance in the focus action- not so much less that it won't hold focus or is easier to accidentally move, but enough that it's easier to focus on the fly. Both lenses have built in hoods that are very useful. The Mamiya only has full stop indents on the aperture ring, where Leica gives you their typical half stops. The Leica's smaller and lighter, even more so when you consider the differences in adapter sizes, and doesn't extend during focusing. The Mamiya starts out feeling front heavy, a feeling that only gets worse the closer you focus. I don't know that this would be as big a deal on a DSLR, but on a mirrorless body, it gets a bit unwieldily.
If I were looking for a portrait 200ish that was also a strong landscaper, the decision would've been more difficult. I don't shoot a lot of portraits (people are not my favorite animal) and when I do, I go for something shorter with lower resolution and contrast. The Mamiya was an awfully close second otherwise....Show more →
Thanks for this! When you say the Leica pays for its resolution with structure in the bokeh I assume you're saying the Elmarit has onion rings like the Summicron and the Mamiya does not. And about the Mamiya having less focus ring resistance, I've read that at least some Elmarits have *too much*, was that your experience?
And your conclusion paragraph, you're saying you might've chosen the Mamiya for portraits because the Elmarit is a little *too* sharp for that?
p.248 #3 · What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
Lee Saxon wrote:
Thanks for this! When you say the Leica pays for its resolution with structure in the bokeh I assume you're saying the Elmarit has onion rings like the Summicron and the Mamiya does not. And about the Mamiya having less focus ring resistance, I've read that at least some Elmarits have *too much*, was that your experience?
And your conclusion paragraph, you're saying you might've chosen the Mamiya for portraits because the Elmarit is a little *too* sharp for that?
You know, I haven't even checked for onion rings. I just don't use it in scenarios where that would be obvious. No, what I'm talking about is more like the difference between a bowl of oatmeal and a bowl of soggy rice crispies (to continue the food analogies). I don't know what it is about Mamiya lenses exactly, but the 120/4, 150/2.8, and 200/2.8 generally produce creamier bokeh than other lenses of the same focal length. Maybe it's their use of anomalous dispersion elements. I'll see if I can dig up some samples, though I could shoot a more direct comparison using the 120/4 and the APO-Elmarit 100.
Edited to add... as for the focus, I can see why some might complain about the tension on Leica lenses (teles in particular). I actually prefer it because it makes pulling focus, to borrow a cine term, when you're tracking an object to be a much smoother experience.
Yeah, I think it's too much resolution, even wide open, for casual portraits. I see plenty of nice portraits shot with high resolution lenses that I would never point at a person unless I wanted to make the world their dermatologist, but I don't shoot models who have had high def make-up airbrushed on.
p.248 #4 · What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
freaklikeme wrote:
... No, what I'm talking about is more like the difference between a bowl of oatmeal and a bowl of soggy rice crispies (to continue the food analogies).
Would you be talking about these sparkly things? That's a sample shot from the Summicron. I was hoping the Elmarit, not requiring the same sort of exotic design, might not have whatever weird problem caused these. I tend to do a fair bit of this big bokeh stuff so maybe I better take a look at this Mamiya (or the Nikon fatboy, looks like it has pretty smooth bokeh too). I love the bokeh (and other performance) from my new 150/2.8 A so if it's similar I'm sure I'll enjoy it.
p.248 #5 · What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
Lee Saxon wrote:
Would you be talking about these sparkly things? That's a sample shot from the Summicron. I was hoping the Elmarit, not requiring the same sort of exotic design, might not have whatever weird problem caused these. I tend to do a fair bit of this big bokeh stuff so maybe I better take a look at this Mamiya (or the Nikon fatboy, looks like it has pretty smooth bokeh too). I love the bokeh (and other performance) from my new 150/2.8 A so if it's similar I'm sure I'll enjoy it.
Take a look at the Summarit-S 180 (which, in draw, is very close to the APO-Elmarit R) and the Mamiya 200 on page 4. A bit of the difference is attributable to the longer focal length used for the same perspective, but not all of it. The review itself is worthwhile and his sample gallery is gorgeous (far better than anything I have to post from the lens).
I'll have to check on the rainbow effect in OOF highlights with the Elmarit. I haven't seen it, but that's not surprising. If I'm not shooting a landscape or pano with it, the most action mine sees is in rodeo arenas, and I'm not really focused on getting beauty shots of the bulls or their riders.
p.248 #10 · What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
Found a barely used 35L II and couldn't pass it up. Alt, since it'll get used on the a7rII. I had a hard time returning the one I rented, so I'm really looking forward to it.
p.248 #15 · What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
Vivitar Series 1 105mm f2.5 Macro. KEH 20% off off-brand lens coupon suckered me in. EX condition with case and caps for $186 shipped. Been wanting a 1:1 macro for me E-M1. Will know if a couple of days if I like it or not.
p.248 #17 · What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH should be arriving tomorrow, and I am VERY excited to finally try one out.
Cool thing is, if I find that it's not for me, I can always go back to a Summicron
p.248 #20 · What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
Bought Fred's 16-35mm a few weeks ago, love it but I need to take it out more. Once I get the 55mm FE, I think I'll be set for good unless I really catch an 85mm itch
Too much lenses to review now, hope I'll get that sorted 
