Problems with 90 APO on BW Film

[Erik van Straten]

What I see in the B+W pictures of the OP here, is that their histogram is not properly adjusted before scanning. The lights are flat and lack drawing and the blacks are not black, but muddy gray.

I don't know if his scanner offers the possibility to adapt the histogram, but for quality B+W scanning that is absolutely necessary.

Erik.

 

[Hern]

What I'm seeing is misfocus probably from a shorter baselength rangefinder, especially critical for 90mm and above.

Might I suggest a solution that involves buying a M3? 😛

 

[2wenty]

Sorry for the delay, been working on stuff that needs to be sent out for art basel.

The scanner I'm using is a Noritsu LS 600.

As far as I know the focus is dead on, at least with the 50 1.4. If you look at this photo I was focusing on her glasses at 1.4 and its the only thing in focus. Not half bad for a candid shot focusing in low light.


breeze (film) by 2wenty, on Flickr


I should be able to do the test roll sometime this week.

 

[Huss]

Sorry for the delay, been working on stuff that needs to be sent out for art basel.

The scanner I'm using is a Noritsu LS 600.

As far as I know the focus is dead on, at least with the 50 1.4. If you look at this photo I was focusing on her glasses at 1.4 and its the only thing in focus. Not half bad for a candid shot focusing in low light.


breeze (film) by 2wenty, on Flickr




I should be able to do the test roll sometime this week.

While the focus is dead on with the 50 1.4, the issue you are having with is with the 90mm lens. And the examples you have shown from it show out of focus shots.
To put this issue to rest, put the camera on a tripod and perform test shots with the 90 to check focus. Once you have determined whether you can nail focus is when you can judge the character of the lens.

 

[f16sunshine]

I don’t think it can be over emphasized that 90mm creates challenges for focussing on rangefinders.
As Huss says above^^ If I was the OP I would start by setting up a tripod test and burning a roll checkkng focus compatabilty between lens and camera.
Check at near, mid, and longer range. Check wide open and at f4-5.6 to see if there is focus shift.
You gotta triage this puppy. It’s performing on digital which indicates it’s not de-centered or otherwise faulty.

 

[sepiareverb]

I don’t think it can be over emphasized that 90mm creates challenges for focussing on rangefinders.

Absolutely. Especially an f2 90.

 

[Michael Markey]

I was never happy with my 90 Elmarit on any of my RFs but it performs fine on my Sony A7s.