Fast Lenses on R-D1

Well, here's the first piece of interesting news: the R-D1 can indeed focus the Noctilux accurately. I think the reason for this, in part, is that the lens has such a slow focus ring ratio (lots of ring turning for a little focus change)that it encourages precision. Needless to say, at F/1 there ain't a lot of margin for focus error with any camera but I've just done about 20 pictures in regular household light at night (handheld) and they were focused where they were supposed to be. So far, I'd say that one can indeed use this lens on the R-D1. So much for theory vs. practice. Score one for practice.

Sean
 
Hi Sean,

I was wondering if Leica send you the 24 Elmarit ASPH? I would like see how it compares to Zeiss 25 Distagon.

Howard
 
Hi Howard,

They didn't for this test because the cutoff for this group was F/2. I would like to test that lens sometime.

Cheers,

Sean
 
Hi Sean,

If you have a comparable (to the Noctilux) quick conclusion about the 75 1.4 summilux, please let me know.
I'm interested in accuray of focussing and workability without an additional finder for that lens on a r-d1.
That lens is high on my list ...... probably as a replacement for the 85 1.2L on the 1Ds.

Han
 
I received my copy of the new Zeiss 50mm last night. Since I got home kinda late I only had time to take some quick snaps around the house. But so far it looks good. Build quality is very good, the focus & aperture rings are smooth & positive. Focusing is accurate on my R-D1.

I've posted a few of the snaps at photo.net. Nothing exciting, just evidence that the lens works. :)

Oh, forgot to post the link. Here 'tis:

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00BRQ8

-Dave-
 
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Thanks David. The samples look great: sharp, tonality is nice...

Cheers,

Sean
 
Sean, I know that you are testing lenses on the RD-1 specifically for their performance on a digital platorm & especially for issues like vignetting that have special relevance there. To what extent would you say that your conclusions can be generalized to performance of these same lenses on film cameras?

Thanks,
Huck
 
Han,

I'll try the 75 soon and get back to you.

Huck,

I couldn't say, unfortunately. Sorry,

Sean
 
Any results yet with the 75 mm f 1.4???

What finder will (or did you use)????

Martin
 
Speaking of the 75/1.4, I couldn't resist this. How often do you get to take R-D1 pictures while actually sitting at your computer? Well, a few minutes ago a spider started to drop down the screen, so I grabbed the aforesaid 75 with the 105 BL finder, backed up, and shot, @ f/2.8. Then I saw the wording on the screen.

A bit cropped, white-balanced and sharpened.

Ed
 
Let's have a round of applause and buy a virtual beer for jlw who just sent me not one but three fast Canon LTM lens to be tested along with the others for this article? (He's a man after my own heart with his careful packing too...) They include the Canon 50/1.8 (later version), 50/1.4 and 50/1.2. They are in beautiful shape with perfect glass. I must admit that I have a real fondness for Canon LTM lenses (esp. on the R-D1). I own the 28/2.8 and 35/2.8 and will likely buy more. That doesn't affect my objectivity but I hope they do well in the tests. They're almost always so compact, so beautiful and so nicely made.

Does anyone have one of the fast Canon LTM 35mm lenses (F/2 or faster) that they would be willing to lend me for testing (about 3 - 4 weeks)? F/2 is the cutoff for this particular test. If so, please e-mail me at sreid@sover.net

jlw...you did say, "just keep em' afterwards" right. <G>

Cheers,

Sean
 
Thanks to Ed Schwartzreich, I'll soon have a Canon 35/2 to test as well. Does anyone have the faster 35mm lenses?

Cheers,

Sean
 
Where can I find the results of your tests on the 28mmF2?? I am trying to figure out which wide angle to buy to supplement my 50.F2. Thanks Edie
 
fotografz said:
Hmm, you'd need a 200mm shoe finder to use the 135/3.4 on this camera. Was any ever made?
Click to expand...

The Tewe zoom finder I own goes up to 200mm.

However, if you want to use a 135 and retain Epson's 85% frameline coverage (which I've found to be a very good idea, to provide a safety margin for minor misalignments and close-focus field size change) then you'd need a 243mm finder! Now that's going to be a difficult bird to find!

(Unless you want to carry a Kodak Ektra just to use as a viewfinder... its built-in varifocal finder went up to 254mm! Finally, a good use for your Ektra with an inoperable shutter...)
 
Thanks to Ed I now have a copy of the Canon 35/2 to test. Thank you kindly, Ed. I haven't made samples yet but what a beautiful little lens this is. Compact, solid, silky smooth focusing (recent CLA?). I may have to get one of these.

Cheers,

Sean
 
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