Juha Kannisto
Online
Upload & Sell: On
|
 MS-Optics Apollon 36mm f1.3 (Leica M-mount) | |
MS-Optics released a new 36mm f1.3 lens last week (official date of release 12/1). I got one from the first lot from MKDirect (it arrived on 12/2) and I've been playing with it on my Sony A7C since last Friday.
These can be ordered from MKDirect or from JCH:
https://www.mkdirect51.com/product-page/apollon1-3-36
https://www.japancamerahunter.com/product/ms-optics-apollon-36mm-1-3-m/
There are black and silver versions available. This one has some nice features for an M-mount lens, such as ability to focus to 0.3m natively (no markings on the lens beyond 0.8m though). The measured weight of my copy is 74g without the hood or caps, and 77g with the hood only. Official weight is 80g including hood & caps. Handling on this lens is pretty good for an MS-Optics lens, e.g. aperture can be controlled by turning the hood (while the hood is on), or from the dedicated aperture dial at the top part of the lens without special tricks. As usual for MS-Optics, aperture is clickless and the aperture ring rotates together with the focus helicoid, and focusing is done with a focusing stick.
I think it's a very nice option for a very small and light walk-around lens and it works quite well adapted on my Sony as well. Can even use it without close-focus adapter since it focuses so close anyway. No idea how much difference there would be on a Leica M body but many MS-Optics lenses work pretty well on Sony sensors and not always better on Leica. Compared to my MS-Optics Apoqualia 35mm f1.3 Slim II, I think this one does better with regards to corner-to-corner sharpness. It still requires around f8 for best infinity corner-to-corner sharpness on my A7C though.
The advertised difference in spec between this and Apoqualia 35/1.3 and 35/1.4 is that both Apoqualia have high contrast but low resolution wide open whereas Apollon has lower / poorer contrast but higher resolution from wide open and contrast improves dramatically when stopping down to f2 and further. Wide open shots have plenty of glow. All 3 lenses are based on Gauss-type optical design.
The lens comes with a small screw-in front cap and typically those are not the most user friendly so I looked for another front cap that can be used at the top of the hood. I found that Pentax Q 40.5mm front cap works perfectly for that purpose with a great fit. E.g. this version:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/823862-REG/Pentax_39944_40_5mm_Front_Lens_Cap.html
Some sample shots taken with my A7C (I did some PP on them, e.g. applied my favorite preset on C1 Pro 23):
Low light shoot at Nakano/Tokyo, mostly at f2, and some at f1.3:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/BbnxbVhybEK1bnDp9
Daylight shoot in Nakameguro, mostly at f8, f2, f1.3:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/sMAqzyrd38iAa3Lz8
First day shoot at Shirokanedai and Ebisu during extended lunch break, mostly at f8 and f1.3, a couple at f2:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/geU5pMaaCNSFQLGSA
EDIT: Additional samples from later shooting:
From Sunday 4th (walk to Ginza) to Thursday 8th of December (lunch break shooting in Ebisu), mostly f1.3, f8, and 1 at f4, 1 or 2 might be at f2:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/b1hL3LMJU7m9rUUt5
|
