Other/Uncategorized MS Sonnetar m 50mm 1.1

Other Screw mount bodies/lenses
Monochrom

Monochrom

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Hi, IS anybody using the MS optical sonnetar 50mm f1.1?

I wonder how good is this lens...for its shape and size i´d say it´s ok, but another story is its perfomance!

In the past i used the apoqualia, great little lens.

I sold it because the lens was too flare prone and when collapsed it didn´t had a lining like leicas to keep them in place.

But the lens was superb in optically.

Bye!
 
I use mine when I need it in very dark situation. It is a very small and light lens for that aperture. The handling is "interesting" but a little bit quirky. When stepped down, image quality improves drastically, wide open, it is usable. And I like it much better than the Voigtländer 1.1 Nokton.
 
And tell me please if that lever or setting for reducing spherical aberration works ok?

Many years ago i learned to make a variable optimization in my sonnar zm, i turned the rear element 90º counter clock wise and optimized that way at 1.5, if turned the other way i could set it at 2.8 etc.
It worked perfectly, but i wonder if the sonnetar makes the same!
 
Monochrom said:
And tell me please if that lever or setting for reducing spherical aberration works ok?
...
It worked perfectly, but i wonder if the sonnetar makes the same!
Click to expand...

Well, yes, it works, but it needs some testing to find the right setting. It is easy to use and the effect is clearly visible. But I would not use this feature on a film camera (I use it on the Leica M), because I would not throw away a few frames for finding the right setting. Also, I think, the focusing point changes a little bit with the setting.

If you're interested, I can generate some test shots at the weekend and show the difference it makes.
 
Great, it would be sound!

I made this finding when i had my epson rd1s, i bought a jupiter 8 in ltm mount, but it was originally made for contax, so after some study i concluded i had to make elements closer in order to leave it up to leica standard length.

Of course making it on digital RF made it possible.

In fact the exact amount of screwing was 90º left, there was no way of calculating, but with digital was easy, so i made a some marks and then forgot about it.

Perhaps on the sonnetar you can make that way?
 
IMHO, the good side, this lens is very tiny compare to most of the fast 50mm lenses. In short productions so it may become a collection item in the future. The bad side, its wide open is so bad that I don't think it's usable. Sonnetar's bokeh is weird... When this lens use on digital camera, you can easily get purple edge and its performance become worse... Its performance will be better when use on film.

Not my cup of tea...
 
The lens is totally usable, even wide open. It's just a bit painterly:

tumblr_n0bzo2w0fK1qh1w8lo1_1280.jpg


This was in practically no light at all, wide open.

On M43 I've noticed that I've been able to cull the glow if I turn the coma adjust to the left. The photo was taken before I figured that out!

I don't have a digital M so I can't tell you the best settings for that. It's a wonderful, small lens. The standard 52mm filter thread is a great touch.

If you can find one, try it out.
 
nice example, for sure has tons of coma, but taht can be reduced with underexposing at least one stop!

would be very interesting at some pictures taken at 1.1 with compensation and without.

Hard light subjects are even more interesting for such a test!
 
This lens has quickly become one of my favourites. It's really a perfect balance of speed, good handling, and compact design. I think it's great ergonomically, as long as you don't mind the reversed, clickless aperture ring and rotating front element. Definitely useable wide open - I've seen some tests that show it's just as good or better than the Noctilux F1!
 
Yes, my understanding is that the Sonnetar's coma adjustment ring basically changes the focal length of the lens by moving the rear element. This lets you control focus shift to your own liking. And it's already marked for different distances: infinity, 4m (factory default), 2m, & 1m. The lens comes w/English instructions on a slip of paper (I keep a scanned version on my iPhone for easy reference). For most of my photography, I set the dial just short of the 4m setting.

Monochrom said:
And tell me please if that lever or setting for reducing spherical aberration works ok?

Many years ago i learned to make a variable optimization in my sonnar zm, i turned the rear element 90º counter clock wise and optimized that way at 1.5, if turned the other way i could set it at 2.8 etc.
It worked perfectly, but i wonder if the sonnetar makes the same!
Click to expand...
 
It is a very nice lens. IMHO it works just fine wide open but you have to be on the money with it or it will certainly look soft. I do like the fact that you can adjust the focal length to suit your needs though this is best done with a digital camera. But I use it most of the time with the ZI, the size and weight seem to fit that camera perfectly.
 
Try it on a live view camera, such as the A7. Easier to focus wide open, which is quite sharp. Sharper than Nikkor SC 5cm/1.4. On an M9, more challenging to focus correctly wide open, leading some folks to blame the lens. Bokeh is well structured and pleasant. Physically, very small and light lens.


Kenwood_121413_115.jpg by IdealCamera, on Flickr
 
This lens is shipping again.

I have just ordered one and they say it will be in the mail next week :)

I have the CV 50/1.1 which I really like and works very well on both M9 and A7, but it's such a monster, and I've always loved the crazy sonnar bokeh.

My A7 should return with new thin sensor stack about the same time as this lens arrives, and it will be really fun to see it go wide open with the hawks close focus helicoid on that rig :)

You can see some fine work with this lens here:
https://www.flickr.com/search/?tags=msopticalsonnetar50mmf11
 
Congratulations to your new lens. I sold mine some time ago, because I never got really accustomed and confident with it. I was too slow for my style of shooting with it. I don't know... I admit though, that it is very special and if you are really into it, it may be a very good companion.
 
I enjoy mine. Through testing I have learned that the coma ring gives me the best results when set very close to the red mark. The only time I change it is when I am shooting downtown at night. Then I move it to the infinity mark.

Just like most fast lenses, critical focus can be difficult to achieve wide open. I do find the transition from in focus to out of focus is very smooth and the out of focus blur is nice.
 
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