All the superfast 50s on the RD1s and Leica M7 - any tips?

[cam]

Because the base length of the R-D1's rangefinder is too short to get the same hit rate with faster lenses. The M8 is not much better from this viewpoint as its finder magnification (.68x) is much wider than that of the R-D1 (1:1). In both cases a magnifier like the 1.25x Leica or the 1.30x Megaperls will help though.

Yes a magnifier is a big help in focusing shallow DOF lenses on the R-D1. AFAIK the Leica adapter doesn't fit the R-D1 (or Bessas or ZI). But because of patent restrictions, Dirk can't sell the Megaperls adapter in the US for use on a RF. That 1.30x adapter fits Nikon digital bodies, though.

that makes sense... i have been using Megaperls magnifier and *love* it with the 50 Lux when i'm able to take to the time to compose and focus wide open. for the street, using my 35mm, i'm not as crazy about it as i seem to knock the adjustment out quite frequently...

i'm very tempted to bid on that Canon lens after seeing the examples here, but i'm kind of loathe to bid against Mani before his holiday... then again, he's got the Nocti (my maor lust) so how can i feel sorry for him?

 

[santi-u]

I was trying yesterday my Canon 50/1.2. I find really difficult to accurate focus wide open. After some shots, i become a bit headache and some lightning artifacts around my view 😛
It's easier on the M6 i think, due to the bigger rangefinder base.
The lens seems to focus well with the R-D1, but i think i need a better and accurate view that i'm loosing while i'm becoming older.

Some shots at f:1.2
These are jpg's direct from the camera with a few levels correction and some unsharped mask after saving for web.

 

[mani]

That looks like exactly what I'm after. 😉 Maybe it doesn't have the almost 'abstract' out-of-focus that the Noctilux has, but I'm interested in seeing all the differences that these lenses offer.
And luckily my eyesight is still perfect (knock on wood). 🙂

 

[santi-u]

Maybe i would have to look for a better background more lightner to get more "abstract" forms and my shots are not the best example of the out of focus rendition of the lens.
One thing i can see from it's personality is the "glow" that Krosya appointed in some of his examples.
If you look at my third shot is clearly visible on the front leaves. Nice characteristic!

 

[cam]

so who got the eBay lens???

(i fell asleep...)

 

[georgef]

Ill second the 50 1.2 on the RD1. I think this lens has more "charisma" than people give it. Not the sharpest of the bunch, but certainly has identity.

 

[mani]

Mmmmmmm - I'm really looking forward to getting this lens - probably coming sometime at the beginning of next week I hope!

I think I asked this already, but with the filters are there any issues with the lens surface touching the filter? Any special manufacturers that have deeper filters? Apparently the lens takes a 55mm thread, and I'm gonna get a Neutral Density for daytime use. I really love the effect that ND filters have on wide-open lenses - there's a slight reduction in contrast, and maybe I imagine slightly more saturated colors.

Great fun with these fast lenses!

 

[mani]

So the Canon 50 1,2 LTM arrived this morning - nicely packaged just like Christmas! 🙂 And I couldn't be more happy with it!
Smaller and lighter than the Noctilux - maybe not as handsome, but perfect as a vacation-Nocti: great for the beach or late night strolls in unfamiliar surroundings.
Here was a very quick test I did - the Noctilux needed to be stopped down one stop to take the same image without over-exposing - so therefore the difference in brightness values. But otherwise everything processed 'As shot' in Epson Raw and CS3.

The character of the lenses is definitely close - but the Noctilux (as expected) sharper in focus, and with much more precise DOF. Still the Canon feels like a great lens - and I'm really pleased!

The Canon first in each pair (100% crops first):

 

[mani]

The whole images:

 

[santi-u]

Nice Mani, hope you will enjoy it! 😉

 

[Jim Watts]

Even alowing for slight differences in Sharpness/DOF the Canon seems to front focus slightly compared to the Noctilux assuming the same point of focus. Which book was the focus point?

 

[mani]

It does indeed front-focus slightly - the Nocti focuses perfectly on all my M-mount cameras. But the beauty of the Epson is that, because the Canon is the only lens I'll be taking on vacation, I altered the focus point to suit the lens.

I actually think that the camera can be tweaked to allow the two lenses to co-exist because of the extra dof of the 1,2 - but for now I did a quick fix, and the focus for the Canon is spot-on.

Next on the list is the 0,95 I think - the others are probably similar in character, and I can wait...

 

[kds315]

Hi Mani,

I found a 1.2/60mm Hexanon new in box here in Germany. If you're interested, I'll let you know. email me postmaster@macrolenses.de

Cheers, Klaus

 

[mani]

Hi Mani,

I found a 1.2/60mm Hexanon new in box here in Germany. If you're interested, I'll let you know. email me postmaster@macrolenses.de

Cheers, Klaus

Hi Klaus - I sent you a mail. Thanks for the heads-up!