New 50mm f1.1

[james.liam]

Yesterday morning before it got too hot, I ran around town with a ND8 filter on the lens.
The focus across a wide range of distances seems to hold at f/1.1 - so it seems that the lens is perfectly useable with film cameras ( f/5.6 also seemed okay )

Good grief.

I just don't get what all this attention is about. All for barely usable ƒ/1.1?!?
One would be far better served by adapting a Nikkor 50/1.2 to an M240 or M10.

 

[FrozenInTime]

Good grief.

I just don't get what all this attention is about. All for barely usable ƒ/1.1?!?
One would be far better served by adapting a Nikkor 50/1.2 to an M240 or M10.

I think you are missing the point of the images I posted:
These were warts and all examples - including bad bokeh and were taken on film.
For film rangefinder users there is no way to pre-visualize the good,bad and ugly nature of a lens without looking though examples.

The wide open contrast of the lens does seem to be better than the 1980's era Zuiko 50/1.2 I have on a OM-1. If this cheap lens was generally available 20 years ago it would be legend for it's useable speed.

I bought it for fun and experimentation.
Perhaps akin to a cheap car, I should put a 'My other Lens is a Noctilux 50/0.95' sticker on the barrel.

 

[Chubberino]

I think you are missing the point of the images I posted:
These were warts and all examples - including bad bokeh and were taken on film.
For film rangefinder users there is no way to pre-visualize the good,bad and ugly nature of a lens without looking though examples.

The wide open contrast of the lens does seem to be better than the 1980's era Zuiko 50/1.2 I have on a OM-1. If this cheap lens was generally available 20 years ago it would be legend for it's useable speed.

I bought it for fun and experimentation.
Perhaps akin to a cheap car, I should put a 'My other Lens is a Noctilux 50/0.95' sticker on the barrel.

I'd say anyone slagging it off is missing the point, but really if they are missing the point then they aren't worth discussing it with overall.

 

[xayraa33]

This new Chinese speed lens has generated more excitement then the Sweeneyfied version of the original LTM Jupiter 3 lens in the early years of this forum.

 

[Chubberino]

 

[ferider]

A few basic tests with my lens: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=161976.

 

[Chubberino]

A few basic tests with my lens: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=161976.

Awesome. Results definitely mirror my experiences. It has some major faults and the the price may turn some off because of this, but has potential in the right scenarios. f/1.1 is definitely fairly rough.

 

[raid]

Exactly. It has its uses.
Great comparisons, Roland. Thanks.

 

[Dante_Stella]

Awesome. Results definitely mirror my experiences. It has some major faults and the the price may turn some off because of this, but has potential in the right scenarios. f/1.1 is definitely fairly rough.

If f/1.1 is fairly rough, then query whether you are better off using it or simply cranking up the ISO and taking the extra grain but getting a sharper picture from a 1.4. Or just extending your development 10%.

From the images, it looks about on par with the average example of a Canon 50/1.2. But with less veiling flare and also less sharpness. In Ferider's tests, it is looks to be at f/2.8 where the Sonnetar is at f/1.6 (where it is set to maximize sharpness close-up), and where the ZM Sonnar is at f/2.

The other thing that is not really fleshed out is that the big difference between a Sonnetar and a 7artisans in terms of "focus" adjustment is that there is a big difference in how they adjust focus.

--- A Sonnetar adjusts the rear group, which changes the focal length (and rate of focus relative to the cam) and allows for either having a hypercorrected view at one distance and aperture or a somewhat softer (or balanced) performance across a wider range.

--- The 7artisans, at least per the description on its site, only changes the relationship between the cell and the cam. This means that the aberration performance will always be "what it is" and that you are not going to be able to change up how the lens behaves. So you will be able to move the place where the focus is sharpest on a test chart, but you won't be able to influence how sharp it is relative to the numbers above and below.

Of course, the 7artisans is also 1/3 to 1/4 the price of a Sonnetar, so if you like what it does, then that's that. And it's more predictable. The Sonnetar can be tough to use and easy to accidentally "unset" even by using the wrong rear lens cap.

Dante

 

[Film Daze]

This is my first post after a long period of viewing.

Like nhchen I also purchased a 7Artisan's 50mm on 22nd July using the 10% discount promo eBay Australia had.

It arrived on Tuesday 12th Sept.
I'm wondering if this is the start of the new batch as it fits (locks into place) on my M4 (serial no M4 - 11793xx). I didn't think it would, hence my post.
The lens serial number is 6507xx.

I'm not sure if my M4 had been modified or if the 7Artisans has been updated, but it has a section of the lens cut out near the release button.
I've tried to take a quick photo.

I must confess I never thought I'd own anything faster than 50mm f/1.4 but the price of this was too tempting.
Build quality reminds me of the modern Russian medium format stuff I used to buy 15 years ago, but better.
The glass is spotless. Images are better than I expected.
Sometimes sharpness is *not* the answer to everything.
It is a fun lens.
Money wasted? No.
There are haters of this lens, like most things on the web opinions are polarized. I just ignored them and am happy that I did.

This lens inspires me to take photos and I can't see that being a bad thing.

Grant

 

[Chubberino]

I'm still loving the character of this lens. It's a bit long on my Fuji kit but on the X-Pro1 it's a nice combo. Keeping it black and white for now.

 

[robert blu]

@ Film Daze: welcome to RFF and any photos from you will be welcome!
robert

 

[Film Daze]

Thank you.

Well, it only came earlier this week so I haven't even had a weekend to try it out yet.
Being a f/1.1 lens though I have been able to capture the kids in their native environment with primary illumination from the TV.

Here is a sample:

Taken with a Ricoh GXR M mount sensor.
Wide open at f/1.1, 1/200 sec, ISO 1600

Grant

 

[Film Daze]

A bit of a cliché, but here is another shot taken at 1.1.

This time with a Fuji X-Pro 1 at 1/125 sec, ISO 1600.

Grant

 

[raid]

Nicely done. Thanks for posting.

 

[Film Daze]

I appreciate your time and response Raid.

I have read a lot of your posts over the last couple of years and have found them helpful when considering new gear. 🙂

Grant

 

[Huss]

I like this lens, a lot. For the price it really is stunning. Rusty Jupiter 3s are going for more on ebay now. It has glow at 1.1, but if this was a Leica lens that cost 10x as much, people would be falling over themselves describing in orgasmic delight that Leica glow..
😉
I use a lens for a specific purpose. This lens will be used when I want that Leica glow. Funny thing is none of my Leica lenses give me that glow! They are all pin sharp at every aperture.
It's also why I completed a recent shoot with a Petzval lens. I needed that Petzval look where it is only sharp in the middle, blurring out to the sides. There isn't a problem with this lens, the problem is with people thinking that all lenses should behave the same, and give the same look.

I also tested its fit on my different Leica bodies:
1. Leica M240 - no issues and nice and snug
2. Leica M5 - no issues and nice and snug
3. Leica M7 - no issues and nice and snug
4. Leica M4-2 - no issues but seems a tiny bit loose mounted. Not sure if that would affect anything until I use it.
5. Leica M3 SS - no issues but tight fit on the lens mount.
6. Leica M3 DS (buddha ears version) - lens release button collar rubs on the lens body causing a rub mark on the lens. Really tight fit, but still fits.
7. Minolta CLE - no issues but size of lens blocks rf patch so (for me) un-useable.

I do not have an M4, but I heard it may not fit on that camera. It fits perfectly on my M4-2.
The only fit issue I have is with the M3 DS. But it is still useable.

Selection of test images below, all shot at 1.1

L1001248 by desmolicious, on Flickr

MyBoyS-1 by desmolicious, on Flickr
KissingKikiS-1 by desmolicious, on Flickr

 

[chambrenoire]

Ordered the lens Tuesday, got it Friday (from Hong Kong to Sweden). Tried it out yesterday evening out at a club, very low light environment. Worked rather well I think! All shot on a Sony A7R. Here are some pics:

 

[Huss]

Nice shots Mattia! Yep, I see nothing wrong with those results!
And remember, this is currently the cheapest Leica M mount lens you can buy new.

 

[raid]

I have no regrets at all for buying such a lens. I intend to use it side by side with some of my other lenses. The posted images look very nice. Thanks for posting them here.