LLL 50mm f/1.2 ASPH "1966"

[raid]

I have several lenses from Brian, so I don't really need a lens by LLL that recreates lenses from the past. The first LLL lens was different for me. I used to own two Summicron V1 8-element lenses; one with goggles and one without. I traded off the one without goggles towards an M9 then, so I missed having that lens. The LLL lens was without goggles. I have since then bought a CV 50/1.1 and a CV 50/1.0 and a CV 50/2 APO. This is enough lens purchasing for me. I think, I skipped getting the CV 50/1.2. My 50/1.2 is the Canon ltm 50/1.2.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Brain, life is short, while you can enjoy the real stuff. My kids have no interests in camera/photograph, so my stuff will be either end up in goodwill or dumpster.

My investment Broker has instructions to sell off the collection using a shop that will sell on consignment.
My Bucket List of lenses- Nikkor-SC 5cm F1.5 from the same batch that DDD bought, and the first-batch CZJ Sonnar 5cm F1.5- done.
PopFlash and one other person are on the short list. I guess the day will come when the market is flooded with pre-war 5cm Sonnars and Jupiter-3s in LTM. Somebody will find out what decades of cherry picking Sonnars will have come to.

 

[JeffS7444]

Light Lens Lab 50mm f/1.2 ASPH "1966"

A recreation of the mythical and highly sought-after 50mm f/1.2 ASPH from 1966. Down to the lanthanide-infused glass code named: "900403". We are proud of our development with the polishing aspherical process, using classic high-temperature grinding and polishing processes. There were several...

lightlenslab.myshopify.com

Gotta love the use of communist icons as a tool for peddling wares to the bourgeoisie.

 

[Evergreen States]

I don't want to speak on behalf of James, but having a thread title single out a forum member strikes me as gauche

 

[Duofold RF]

Maybe politically incorrect, but I have too many fun conversations with Mr. Liam in here and other sites, I actually like some his point of views/opinions.

 

[Coldkennels]

Maybe politically incorrect, but I have too many fun conversations with Mr. Liam in here and other sites

Surely you mean Comrade Liam, tovarisch?

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Gotta love the use of communist icons as a tool for peddling wares to the bourgeoisie.

Lenin famously said that the capitalists are so greedy that they'll gladly sell rope to the Communists that will be used to hang the capitalists.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

James Liam has not signed onto RFF for over 6 months now.

There is a more comprehensive thread on the LLL 50/1.2 on RFF already.

LLL 50mm f/1.2 ASPH "1966"

$2K to $2500 remake of the Leica 50mm f/1.2 1966 https://lightlenslab.myshopify.com/products/light-lens-lab-50mm-1-2-asph-1966-pre-order Review at

www.rangefinderforum.com

It is an interesting 6/4 fast fifty, the idea that the aspheric surface basically allowed less elements to be used for the fast F1.2 aperture. BUT- sample-to-sample variation was high, and performance over the field varied wildly, according to tests. I've never shot with one, if I walk into one for cheap at an antique shop- would grab it. The pictures I've seen taken with it are not enough to make me want the $2K LLL version.

The LLL incarnation will be interesting to watch. About 1/4th the price of the new Leica version, which itself goes for about 1/4th the price of an original.
The modern Leica incarnation of this lens seems to get little attention here.

 

[wlewisiii]

Am I tempted? It's not a Sonnar. I've dropped more in Sonnars in the last year than this lens cost. But with those- I convert them to LTM and can always get an immediate increase in value. I was informed that one of my lenses was sold in Europe for about the price of this one.

Exquisite.

 

[Duofold RF]

I have no interest in this lens. I was surprised the LLL ”official site” which is targeting western consumers is promoting CCCP/commu log. I guess there is no political correctness education in China.

 

[Coldkennels]

I was surprised the LLL ”official site” which is targeting western consumers is promoting CCCP/commu log. I guess there is no political correctness education in China.

To be fair, I imagine that if you're from a Communist nation, putting a hammer and sickle on something is no more controversial or tasteless than the American tendency to slap a stars-and-stripes on basically everything. "They're so proud of their nation; why can't we be proud of ours?", and so on.

 

[Duofold RF]

To be fair, I imagine that if you're from a Communist nation, putting a hammer and sickle on something is no more controversial or tasteless than the American tendency to slap a stars-and-stripes on basically everything. "They're so proud of their nation; why can't we be proud of ours?", and so on.

LLL is targeting market outside China. I do not think western consumers like hammer and sickle log, only tovarisch like them. LLL is a very proud tovarisch from the front name ring red China to CCCP hammer/sickle log. LLL may needs to hire a publicist.

 

[sojournerphoto]

To be fair, I imagine that if you're from a Communist nation, putting a hammer and sickle on something is no more controversial or tasteless than the American tendency to slap a stars-and-stripes on basically everything. "They're so proud of their nation; why can't we be proud of ours?", and so on.

I know a few Chinese people and they are proud of their nation. The people I know are, unsurprisingly, open, friendly and kind - and in so being break down our western stereotypes of the country. The most wealthy are open and acknowledge both what we see as challenges and inconsistencies, but are also quick to point out our blind spots about our own culture.

Nothing to do with this thread of course😉

 

[Rayt]

Where’s the hammer and sickle? On the lens? China is communist in the party name only. It’s purely capitalist not even a hint socialism. Call them a dictatorship if you want. I spent 30 years working in Asia mostly in China since the 90’s. If you see the photos I have posted all in various parts of Asia they were made when I snuck off from work.

 

[Coldkennels]

LLL is targeting market outside China. I do not think western consumers like hammer and sickle log, only tovarisch like them. LLL is a very proud tovarisch from the front name ring red China to CCCP hammer/sickle log. LLL may needs to hire a publicist.

To be fair, the people who will rage furiously at seeing a hammer and sickle on their website are the same people who furiously say they'll never buy a single thing from China anyway (even though they constantly do without realising). LLL will never get them "on side", no matter how much they spend on publicists; they'd have to move their entire operation to another country and be run by someone called John to win that crowd over.

Just look at the way people talk about LLL making nothing but "rip-offs" and "copies", while no one questions Cosina's modern Heliar reproductions or the fact that someone's producing a remake of the Rollei 35 (and yes, I know that now officially has the Rollei name on it... but still). The spectre of Mccarthy still looms large.

 

[Slumgullion]

Seems silly to comment on this post, but people that come on here to share their negative impressions on a topic (and seemingly ONLY their negative impressions) are vexing to me. This is a hobby website. Generally, hobbies are things that people enjoy. I'd love it if OP ever posted some of their photos or shared some of their passion for photographic things they like. It's easy to be negative, but it's quite tedious to keep reading the same thing over and over again. I get it. You don't like LLL, etc. Share some of your photos and tell us about stuff you like. Please and thanks.

 

[Slumgullion]

A couple examples of the out-of-focus rendering (including specular highlights). The blur discs are generally very evenly illuminated without hard edges...though the onion ring substructure is present. The out-of-focus is smooth (much smoother than similar high-speed gauss derivative lenses from the 60's/70's...at least from what I have used/seen).

Orange Wine by Jim Fischer, on Flickr

Pinot noir by Jim Fischer, on Flickr

Pinot noir by Jim Fischer, on Flickr

Sony A7RII, LLL 50mm f/1.2 '1966.'

 

[Slumgullion]

I will say that it is challenging to hit perfect focus on a rangefinder. Unsurprisingly, the field is curved with a strong mid-zone dip. Compared to a modern lens like the Nokton f/1, I miss more shots with the LLL.

Barnaby by Jim Fischer, on Flickr

Hoop by Jim Fischer, on Flickr

Sign by Jim Fischer, on Flickr

Leica M5, LLL 50mm f/1.2 '1966,' Kodak T-Max P3200 @ 800, Xtol 1:1.

 

[Slumgullion]

But, it is much smaller than the f/1 Nokton. The LLL is truly exceptionally well built. In a few short years, they've made a marked improvement in the feel of the lenses. For an upstart company, it's cool to see that progress. The fit n finish of the '1966' is top notch.

Dad and his Stereo by Jim Fischer, on Flickr

Lincoln Continental Mark VII by Jim Fischer, on Flickr

Mom, Gorcery Shopping by Jim Fischer, on Flickr

Leica M5, LLL 50mm f/1.2 '1966,' Fomapan 400 @ 200, Xtol 1:1

 

[Coldkennels]

I've gotta say @Slumgullion, I like the rendering of the lens in all of these shots. The one of your dad has a particularly great feel to it.