Do we really need to buy newer Leica lenses?

[Rob-F]

Another way to approach this is that the main benefit of the new aspherical lens types is the improved performance at full aperture. Lenses that are well stopped down begin to look more similar than different. So maybe we ask the wrong question when we ask if digital capture call for better lenses. A better question may be, do we prefer the look of newer or older lenses for photos taken at, or close to, full aperture.

 

[Benjamin Marks]

Another way to approach this is that the main benefit of the new aspherical lens types is the improved performance at full aperture. Lenses that are well stopped down begin to look more similar than different. So maybe we ask the wrong question when we ask if digital capture call for better lenses. A better question may be, do we prefer the look of newer or older lenses for photos taken at, or close to, full aperture.

I often wonder about full aperture when I see kit zooms with a max aperture of f:5.6 or so. It strikes me that the lens designers are counting on the gain function of LED digital viewfinders and the good high ISO performance of modern imaging chips to keep the cost of the kit zooms down.

 

[Calzone]

Raid,

And some old lenses are just stunning on my SL2. BTW the SL2 is mucho much better than the SL with MF lenses, mostly because of the updated way Leica made things better and easier.

My Noct-Nikkor was serviced and cleaned recently, and my 50 Lux-R "E60" was also serviced recently (by Leica N.J.). A good point was made above that the lenses are clean.

The Noct-Nikkor has a hand ground ASPH lens, but the rendering differs from a Noctilux F1.2 in that the sharpness falls off in the corners. The center is mucho sharp, and this is where this lens is optimized. The Noctilux differs in that it is sharper across the frame, but light falls off in the corners.

Anyways I love the rendering of the Noct-Nikkor more than any Noctilux. Also the 58mm reach makes it a better portrait lens. Because of F1.2 the OOF and bokeh resembles that of a longer lens, also it does the shallow DOF thing of a telephoto without being monster huge.

The 50 Lux-R "E60" I don't think is ASPH. It has an extra element over the version one, so my guess it is more highly corrected. This lens is not only rare, but also kinda has perfect rendering. One word to describe it is "Smooth."

Some old glass does crazy good on digital.

BTW since I have all the adapters, using the Noct-Nikkor on a Leica CL digital creates an 87mm F1.2. This is a mucho crazy portrait rig that is small. Just imagine using the sweet spot of a Noct-Nikkor eliminating the soft corners and basically only using the most perfect part of that lens. Then you have F1.2 for shallow DOF and smooth OOF.

The CL with Noct-Nikkor is a killer rig.

Know that the 50 Lux-R "E60" creates a 75 Lux on the CL. I owned a 75 Lux V2, and wide open the rendering was kinda "dreamy." The 50 Lx "E60" rendering is less dreamy meaning more perfect. The OOF and bokeh have that Noctilux smoothness and beauty.

So in my examples these old lenses that pre-date digital are suburb. These are two great example of old glass that is no compromise on digital.

Well the new L-glass is autofocus...

Cal

 

[raid]

There is a lot of information shred by you here, and I thank you for it.

I will do the reasonable thing, which is to use lenses that I own with the recently acquired M10. I tried for 8 months a CMOS based M240, so I have an idea what to expect if the M10 renders images similarly what I got with an M240. Its sensor is different, but it is not a CCD sensor anymore.

 

[Calzone]

There is a lot of information shred by you here, and I thank you for it.

I will do the reasonable thing, which is to use lenses that I own with the recently acquired M10. I tried for 8 months a CMOS based M240, so I have an idea what to expect if the M10 renders images similarly what I got with an M240. Its sensor is different, but it is not a CCD sensor anymore.

Raid,

I bet your 75 Lux on a M10 will be a killer rig.

Cal

 

[raid]

Raid,

I bet your 75 Lux on a M10 will be a killer rig.

Cal

Yes, Cal, I am looking forward to my little used Summilux 75/1.4. I am also thinking of how I could use some lenses via LiveView and a non-RF coupled adapter maybe, such as the Zeiss 85/1.4 or Canon FD 85/1.2 (which may not be possible).

 

[Ricoh]

Hope the M10 live view is much improved compared to the M240. The M240’s live view is woeful, slow and focus peaking is almost useless. It’s no wonder I use it as a rangefinder, and not as a mirrorless.

 

[raid]

Hope the M10 live view is much improved compared to the M240. The M240’s live view is woeful, slow and focus peaking is almost useless. It’s no wonder I use it as a rangefinder, and not as a mirrorless.

I bought the M10 for being a RF camera. If LiveView works well, then I will use it once on a while to improve focusing until I one day get an EVF.

 

[robert blu]

Hope the M10 live view is much improved compared to the M240. The M240’s live view is woeful, slow and focus peaking is almost useless. It’s no wonder I use it as a rangefinder, and not as a mirrorless.

The M10 is a rangefinder camera ! Live view and EVF are accessory, addition. I sometimes use the EVF and it seems me not bad at all. But I bought the M10 because it is a rangefinder camera 🙂

 

[raid]

The M10 is a rangefinder camera ! Live view and EVF are accessory, addition. I sometimes use the EVF and it seems me not bad at all. But I bought the M10 because it is a rangefinder camera 🙂

Hi Robert. Did you buy the EVF that is for the M10 or a previous model (if it fits)?

 

[Ricoh]

In practice I operate live view using the Olympus branded EVF for checking Rangefiner calibration, eg for 7Artisans lenses. Nothing else. I chose the M240 (back in 2015) because it is a rangefinder, not for live view, not for video (I have the button disabled).

 

[robert blu]

In practice I operate live view using the Olympus branded EVF for checking Rangefiner calibration, eg for 7Artisans lenses. Nothing else. I chose the M240 (back in 2015) because it is a rangefinder, not for live view, not for video (I have the button disabled).

I have no experience with thw M240 but I have been told Live view is much better on the M10. You are correct, live view can be very useful for calibration of lenses or RF if you know how to do it ! I had no idea LOL

 

[robert blu]

Hi Robert. Did you buy the EVF that is for the M10 or a previous model (if it fits)?

Not absolutely sure but I think the EVF 020 is the only one working onthe M10 becasue of different shoe pins. And anyway I was told much better than the previous one.
Only draw back is battery consumption and in a coule of cases in summer I had overheating problem, the camera switcched off. But ok after a couple of minutes.

 

[Pál_K]

... In the past I was under the impression that most people purchased a Leica camera primarily for the purpose of (as well as the association with) Leitz glass. Browsing about on the web these days I get the impression that few Leica camera owners today actually use Leica glass ...

It's difficult to determine. Perhaps people who mount non-Leica lenses are more inclined to post about it than the "all-Leica" users.

I won't put even an off-brand strap on a camera. Anyway, these are all Leica lenses...

 

[raid]

In practice I operate live view using the Olympus branded EVF for checking Rangefiner calibration, eg for 7Artisans lenses. Nothing else. I chose the M240 (back in 2015) because it is a rangefinder, not for live view, not for video (I have the button disabled).

Such a finder will not work with an M10.

 

[raid]

Not absolutely sure but I think the EVF 020 is the only one working onthe M10 becasue of different shoe pins. And anyway I was told much better than the previous one.
Only draw back is battery consumption and in a coule of cases in summer I had overheating problem, the camera switcched off. But ok after a couple of minutes.

Yes, it is the only EVF that works with an M10. I will look for a used one. Maybe. 😀

 

[Miles.]

Good thoughts here, thanks everyone.

 

[84Bravo]

I'm a professional photographer who mainly works in editorial and photojournalism. I use M10p bodies mostly (and M8 bodies for personal BW work). I have a lot of older lenses from my film days in addition to some of the latest asph lenses. I have no issues at all with my 35mm f2 (IV) and 50mm f2 (IV) that date from the 70's and 90's. I also have the modern 35mm f1.4 asph and 50mm f1.4 asph that of course render splendidly with the new 24mp cameras. Granted, I am not a pixel peeper so the older 35 and 50 lenses look the same to me as they did with film.

I'm a fan of older lenses for their signature. My favorite is the coated 50mm f2 Summitar for its distinctive bokeh.

I guess the jury is still out once we all move to 40mp or more and perhaps the older lenses will lack sufficient resolution, but I doubt that will be the case for most users.

 

[cboy]

Same can be argued to getting a next m11... As everyone has pointed out it depends on use case. With GAS however its always nice to try out new stuff lol. I just think people are more concerned with gear more now than before due to covid. lol...my two cents

 

[agfa100]

Raid, I watched this today for 2 hours it will answer your question very well

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_Rgs8otVC0

Take you time with this alot of information