How to get the look of the biogon formula?

[Phil_F_NM]

I've migrated to a Nikon D3, like it or not. I use it mostly for work but do some shooting for myself with it here and there.

I'm looking for a lens that can give as close to the look of the Biogon formula superwides like the 21mm Super Angulon, 2.1cm f/4 Nikkor (non-retrofocal), the 38mm Biogon of the Hassy SWC and the 50mm f/4 of the Mamiya 6, among others.

This old formulation is renowned for low distortion, high falloff and a rendering that is truly unique. Since the D3 doesn't offer full time mirror lockup, I can't use a true non-retrofocal design like that of the aforementioned 2.1cm Nikkor.

Egyptian solidarity protest against the Mubarak regime. Philadelphia, PA. Leica M9 / 21mm f/3.4 Super Angulon.

This is a look that I have missed since I got rid of my Super Angulon along with my M9 and the bulk of my Leica kit. I'm no longer shooting 35mm film, really. If it's film, I'm using my Mamiya 6. The issue is that I'd really like to find a lens that does close to what those lenses did for use on the D3.

I'm not sure if a Super Angulon R fits a Nikon with a Leitax adapter but I'm definitely game if someone has done the conversion. I've read about some of the other newer lenses such as the ZF 21mm but I like the look of older, lower contrast lenses.

I don't want to dodge in the light falloff in post. No, I'm not going to get a Leica M and a Super Angulon to scratch this itch. I *may* get an F2 or F3 to sue the 2.1cm f/4 Nikkor but again, that's film and it would be a special purpose lens. I have to keep the DSLR for work, so that's what I want to focus on here (pun intended.) I'd like to keep this thread aimed at what lenses folks have used on their full frame DSLRs and 35mm SLRs which had that look that is unique to the Biogon design, if any such animal has ever really existed.

Thanks all.

Phil Forrest

 

[DominikDUK]

Since the Biogon is a non retrofocus design you won't find a biogon design for SLRs that doesn't need mirror lock up. If you were a Canon user I would have said get a Flektogon (same source Carl Zeiss)with an M42 adapter. The Flektogon is known for having low distortion and is generally well corrected it also has light fall off close to a biogon. Another option is a Super Angulon-R 21/4 with Nikon mount (not true adapter) the earlier 3.4/21 requires mirror lock up. Good luck

 

[f16sunshine]

Tough one... The distortion of retro designs will be difficult to avoid.
Biogon style rendering is unique to symetrical wide angle designs.

 

[redisburning]

well, there you have it. slr 21s that dont require full time MLU are quite telecentric and that's exactly what you're trying to avoid.

if you want a lens with high high frequency contrast but low global contrast, low distortion and vignetting, I think your best bet is to Leitax a single coated Olympus 21/3.5. The OM lenses have a very different contrast profile than Nikkors, and it's more than just the size that is similar to Leica lenses.

 

[Matthew Runkel]

Using the wrong hood (a circular one intended for a longer lens) could approximate light fall-off through mechanical vignetting.

 

[Phil_F_NM]

Using the wrong hood (a circular one intended for a longer lens) could approximate light fall-off through mechanical vignetting.

It's not just the vignetting i want. I want the flat look of the non-retrofocal lenses and I'm wondering if any have been produced by any SLR manufacturers. Or if any have gotten close.

The Nikkors that I can use have way more curvature of field which is another thing I want to avoid. Granted, there are some stellar Nikkors around 20mm but since they are all retrofocal designs, we give up something in return for good illumination or less distortion or a faster aperture.

I don't care about a slow aperture at all, especially with a D3 and a super-wide.

well, there you have it. slr 21s that dont require full time MLU are quite telecentric and that's exactly what you're trying to avoid.

if you want a lens with high high frequency contrast but low global contrast, low distortion and vignetting, I think your best bet is to Leitax a single coated Olympus 21/3.5. The OM lenses have a very different contrast profile than Nikkors, and it's more than just the size that is similar to Leica lenses.

I'll look into the Olympus lens, thanks for the recommendation.

Phil Forrest