Comparison of Millennium 50/1.4 with Summilux 50/1.4 aspheric

[NIKON KIU]

I'm confused, you bought Meleica's Millennium Nikkor?

Yes I did....NAS struck me with no mercy...this is my second Millennium Nikkor.
kiu

 

[raid]

Congrats, Kiu. What a beauty.

Raid

 

[NIKON KIU]

I had to bump this thread!

It's been almost a year, My extra Millenium is now in Korea enjoying the scenery of the far east....I had to revisit this thread!! 🙁

Kiu

 

[Ed Schwartzreic]

I've been using the one I got a year ago with my M8 and the proper filter. I still think it is a wonderful lens, and was a bargain!!

 

[NIKON KIU]

Ed,
What is the limiting factor when using a Millenium Nikkor on a Leica M8?
I am assuming you are using the Vintage "Orion" adapter?

Does the lens limit the camera or vice versa? Is this lens "Worthy" of Leica M8?

I would love to see a little thread/blog regarding your adventures with the M8/Millenium Nikkor combo😎

So, with the 1.3 factor,you have a 65mm f1.4?? Hmmm🙂

Glad I revived this thread,
Kiu

 

[Ed Schwartzreic]

Hi Kiu,

I don't really find any limiting factor for the Millennum Nikkor on the M8, unless it is the fact that it focuses in the other direction than Leica lenses, and that the proper adapter is so expensive. The lens is simply one of the best lenses I have ever used. On the M8, with the benefit of 10+ MP, it really shines.

My wife and I are the official photographers for a local symphony orchestra. The administrators wanted a portrait of the entire orchestra, and I took a tripod-mounted shot from the back of the balconey, where the Millennium Nikkor just encompassed the stage. The contrast was fierce and the heads of the orchestra members was overexposed, but even at f/2 the faces of all the members were clearly identifiable. Take a look.

 

[jonmanjiro]

Here's a few shots taken with the Millenium Nikkor on an S2 using Fuji Superia 100 print film. Stats are f1.4 - f2 and 1/30 to 1/60 sec.

Awesome lens 😀

 

[Ed Schwartzreic]

Very nice, jonmanjiro!

One thing about use of the Millennium nikkor on the M8 is that is more evident resolution from its digital sensor than from 100 ISO film. The M8's output is more like that of a medium format film camera, and it would take Tech Pan or similar to get all there is out of the lens in a film setting. Lens resolution seemingly gets hidden in the grain structure of otherwise quite good film.

I tried several rolls of Tri-X, obviously not a fine grain medium, with the lens on its S3, and I could not enlarge even the best images much above 11x14 without the image breaking down beyond my satisfaction. This is similar performance for me with other good 50's with Tri-X, even those of less amazing performance.

Here are two of them I really like -- S3 and Nikkor. -- Tri-X, but with the above caveat.

 

[jonmanjiro]

Very nice, jonmanjiro!

One thing about use of the Millennium nikkor on the M8 is that is more evident resolution from its digital sensor than from 100 ISO film. The M8's output is more like that of a medium format film camera, and it would take Tech Pan or similar to get all there is out of the lens in a film setting. Lens resolution seemingly gets hidden in the grain structure of otherwise quite good film.

I tried several rolls of Tri-X, obviously not a fine grain medium, with the lens on its S3, and I could not enlarge even the best images much above 11x14 without the image breaking down beyond my satisfaction. This is similar performance for me with other good 50's with Tri-X, even those of less amazing performance.

Here are two of them I really like -- S3 and Nikkor. -- Tri-X, but with the above caveat.

Thanks 🙂

Here's a few more from the same roll.

 

[Kevin]

One thing about use of the Millennium nikkor on the M8 is that is more evident resolution from its digital sensor than from 100 ISO film. The M8's output is more like that of a medium format film camera, and it would take Tech Pan or similar to get all there is out of the lens in a film setting.

That digital sensor's output is nowhere close to the IQ of medium format film.

 

[Turtle]

So, in response to a previous thread, would this Nikkor lens on a Leica M8 body be better than MF film? 😀

 

[raid]

I suggest having such a comparison thread outside the Nikon Forum to keep things balanced.

 

[raid]

I can show you a few shots taken with Kiu's 50/1.4 Millenium lens:

http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=5311391
http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=5311433
http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=5311327
http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=5311379
http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=5311325
http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=5311318

 

[Turtle]

I suggest having such a comparison thread outside the Nikon Forum to keep things balanced.

I was only kidding.

 

[raid]

I was only kidding.

I did not mean you only;the entire thread would "do better" if it were not listed here.

Raid

 

[NIKON KIU]

I did not mean you only;the entire thread would "do better" if it were not listed here.

Raid

You think so??
What do you suggest? The Leica M forum??
It is doing fine here....as long as I can help it!!

Kiu