Finding an M/LTM lens that looks like the QBM Planar HFT?

[Dchambers]

Hi all,

This is my first post on RFF! I am trying to see about finding an M or LTM lens that has image qualities similar to my Rollei QBM Planar HFT 50/1.4.

I love the results I get from the QBM Planar--deep saturation and gorgeous OOF rendering. To my eye, the OOF looks a bit similar to Sonnar OOF, but I know the lens is a Planar construction.

In general though, I don't see the same results from other lenses with Planar designs such as the Zeiss ZM Planar 50/2.

Here are some sample images that highlight what I'm after. (If I should use a different hosting option in the future, let me know).

Any ideas about a) what these distinctive features are, and b) any M or LTM lenses that might possess similar features?

Thank you!

EDIT: These were shot on fresh Portra 160.

 

[oldwino]

Rollei made a 40mm Sonnar lens in LTM mount. Really great rendering, and very small sized.

 

[CameraQuest]

Hi all,

This is my first post on RFF! I am trying to see about finding an M or LTM lens that has image qualities similar to my Rollei QBM Planar HFT 50/1.4.

I love the results I get from the QBM Planar--deep saturation and gorgeous OOF rendering. To my eye, the OOF looks a bit similar to Sonnar OOF, but I know the lens is a Planar construction.

In general though, I don't see the same results from other lenses with Planar designs such as the Zeiss ZM Planar 50/2.

Here are some sample images that highlight what I'm after. (If I should use a different hosting option in the future, let me know).

Any ideas about a) what these distinctive features are, and b) any M or LTM lenses that might possess similar features?

Thank you!

EDIT: These were shot on fresh Portra 160.

If you are shooting a live view Leica such as the M240 or M10, get a QBM to M adapter and shoot the lens you already have.


Stephen

 

[Dchambers]

If you are shooting a live view Leica such as the M240 or M10, get a QBM to M adapter and shoot the lens you already have.


Stephen

Ha, yes, this would be cool. Unfortunately I am using a Hexar RF and I'd really like a coupled lens rather than zone focusing.

BTW, I love your site! Thanks for all the great content you produce.

 

[raid]

I have used the QBM lenses on Rollei cameras and also on M 4/3 cameras. The 50/1.4 Planar is one of my favorite 50mm lenses. I use it as a portrait lens on M 4/3 cameras. I cannot 100% guarantee it, but the Pentax-M 50/1.4 may give similar results. I found one in Leica M mount.

 

[CharlesDAMorgan]

Given the Planar is a double gauss variant, I would for older style looks think about a Canon 50mm f1.4, or for more modern coatings either a Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f1.5 or Konica Hexanon M f2.

 

[Larry H-L]

My first thought was the 50mm 1.5 Nokton LTM, as they can be found at a reasonable price.

One thing to remember is that a standard rangefinder lens is not going to be able to focus as close, generally about 3 feet is the minimum. That may be skewing your perceptions of other Planar-design lenses, such as some of the Canon 50s, and the Zeiss ZM 50 f2.

 

[Dchambers]

My first thought was the 50mm 1.5 Nokton LTM, as they can be found at a reasonable price.

One thing to remember is that a standard rangefinder lens is not going to be able to focus as close, generally about 3 feet is the minimum. That may be skewing your perceptions of other Planar-design lenses, such as some of the Canon 50s, and the Zeiss ZM 50 f2.

That’s a good point. I think the close focus distance could be a factor.

I do think though that there’s some other quality to the OOF and saturation rendering of the QBM Planar that I haven’t seen in other SLR double-Gauss lenses including the C/Y Planar, Minolta Rokkor, Pentax Takumar, and Nikon F. I don’t know. Maybe I’m seeing something that’s not uniquely there in the QBM.

 

[astrobuoy]

I definitely agree with you. Having shot with and eventually sold the Planar 50/2 ZM, I think the Planar 50/1.4 has a specific rendering that's not so easy to find––though my C/Y Planar 50/1.4 AEJ looks, to me, to render almost exactly like your QBM Planar. I haven't seen lens diagrams so I can't say for certain, but it's possible that Zeiss did not change the optical design in moving from QBM to CY mount. I know that's true of some of the lenses, such as the Distagon 25mm f/2.8 which didn't change in the move from QBM until Zeiss quietly redesigned it at some point during the run of CY lenses. On the other hand, the QBM 85/2.8 Sonnar is a distinctly different design from the CY version, having one less element.

So, I'm not sure if you'd be interested, but there's a company called Skyllaney Opto-Mechanics based in the UK which is offering a conversion of CY 50/1.4 Planar lenses to Leica M mount, with the rangefinder coupling. I think they specifically have had success with the earlier AE (ninja star-apertured) lenses. I don't have any association with them, other than the fact that I recently sent my Planar AE off to them to get it converted. You can read more about it here: https://skyllaney.com/2020/04/02/leica-conversions/

Otherwise, I'd second (or third) the suggestion of the Voigtlander Nokton 50/1.5 LTM. Perhaps at least look at some photos taken with the lens and see if it hits somewhere close for you.

 

[astrobuoy]

...but the Pentax-M 50/1.4 may give similar results. I found one in Leica M mount.

Where?? That sounds amazing. Does it have a cam as well, or is it scale focus?

 

[raid]

Roland (Ferider) had a thread on RFF about the conversion. It has RF focusing like an M lens.

The Canon 50/1.4 is also an excellent lens.
The Prominent Nokton 50/1.5 is a great lens too.
The CV 50/1.5 ltm is a wonderful lens.

I prefer the QBM Planar 50/1.4.