anitasanger
Well-known
Greetings:
I have a Leica M6 with a pre asph 50mm Summicron. I've got to say that I am not happy with the lens. I can't seem to get the look I like with this lens. The problem is, I don't really understand what the look I like is. I'm not very well versed on lens terminology, but I have supplied a few photographs I took with my old Pentax SLR that I really like. Perhaps my summicron looks a little too harsh, maybe too sharp or clinical? I don't know. I like the skin tones and the slightly surrealistic tone of the provided pics.
I love my Leica body, but need to get a lens to compliment it. I considered getting a K mount to M converter, but then found out that I wouldn't be able to utilize the range finder's focus. I am considering the Nokton 1.1. Would that lens create images similar to the ones below? I find it ironic that I love the whacky range finder body, but don't like the highly revered glass that is among the finest available.
Anyway, if you guys could steer me in the right way and suggest a lens that may render images similar to the ones I took below, I would greatly appreciate it.
Thank you, Luke
img074 by saveamerika, on Flickr
img153 by saveamerika, on Flickr
img220 by saveamerika, on Flickr
img227 by saveamerika, on Flickr
img852 by saveamerika, on Flickr
img900 by saveamerika, on Flickr
I have a Leica M6 with a pre asph 50mm Summicron. I've got to say that I am not happy with the lens. I can't seem to get the look I like with this lens. The problem is, I don't really understand what the look I like is. I'm not very well versed on lens terminology, but I have supplied a few photographs I took with my old Pentax SLR that I really like. Perhaps my summicron looks a little too harsh, maybe too sharp or clinical? I don't know. I like the skin tones and the slightly surrealistic tone of the provided pics.
I love my Leica body, but need to get a lens to compliment it. I considered getting a K mount to M converter, but then found out that I wouldn't be able to utilize the range finder's focus. I am considering the Nokton 1.1. Would that lens create images similar to the ones below? I find it ironic that I love the whacky range finder body, but don't like the highly revered glass that is among the finest available.
Anyway, if you guys could steer me in the right way and suggest a lens that may render images similar to the ones I took below, I would greatly appreciate it.
Thank you, Luke
img074 by saveamerika, on Flickr
img153 by saveamerika, on Flickr
img220 by saveamerika, on Flickr
img227 by saveamerika, on Flickr
img852 by saveamerika, on Flickr
img900 by saveamerika, on Flickr
lilmsmaggie
Established
Just curious - but what elements are consistent, e.g., focal length, film emulsion and speed. You don't really say if anything else has changed aside from the camera body and Pentax vs. Leica glass.
anitasanger
Well-known
Everything has remained constant. 50mm lenses, Tri-X 400 in D76 1:1. All I did was change to a Leica Summicron 50 with my m6 Classic.
Thank you, Luke
Thank you, Luke
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
A 50mm Summilux pre-ASPH would do. Or for cheaper, the Canon 50mm f/1.4 LTM lens. I think you just wanted a wider aperture for less DOF but you can get really good separation with a summicron wide open too.
Phil Forrest
Phil Forrest
davidbivins
Established
It looks like you just need to try some different lenses. I love my old collapsible Summicron, and I also love my newer (but pre-ASPH) Summicrons (35 and 50). I was blown away by a Jupiter 8 that I got, and I love trying out old Leica thread-mount lenses on my M bodies, including Nikkors, Canons, and Cosina-Voigtlanders. They really do all have a "look," and I think that look has a lot to do with how the photographer likes to work--wide open versus stopped down, etc.
From these photos, I think you are looking to do something with a lens that's faster than a Summicron. Try a Jupiter 8 with an adapter. It will cost you very little, and you may love it. And if you don't love it, try another Jupiter 8
There are some differences in quality in some of those Kiev lenses!
From these photos, I think you are looking to do something with a lens that's faster than a Summicron. Try a Jupiter 8 with an adapter. It will cost you very little, and you may love it. And if you don't love it, try another Jupiter 8
There are some differences in quality in some of those Kiev lenses!anitasanger
Well-known
Yeah, I do realize that I am a fan of shallow DOF and hoped that the cron would provide me with a look that I like. For some reason, the way that the cron renders an image doesn't move me. It may be the edge to edge sharpness that I don't like. Maybe I like softer lenses? I'm not really sure. What characteristics aside from shallow DOF do the images I submitted provide? Are they softish? I'm just not really well versed enough to technically convey what I like about a lens.
Would a 50 summilux or a 1.1 noctilux render more similar to these pentax images?
Would a 50 summilux or a 1.1 noctilux render more similar to these pentax images?
anitasanger
Well-known
Jupiter 8, okay I will check them out. Is it faster than a Cron?
nobbylon
Veteran
Luke,
which pentax lens was it?
which pentax lens was it?
anitasanger
Well-known
It was an old SMC 50mm.
nobbylon
Veteran
was it the f2 or 1.4? looks like 1.4
nobbylon
Veteran
One thought, the lens you used on the Pentax probably focused down to .45m? The dof at the shorter distance which seems evident in most of the shots is very shallow at that distance.
anitasanger
Well-known
Yes it was 1.4
Freakscene
Obscure member
You probably are seeking a lens with lower contrast. I assume you mean a six-element 50 mm Summicron - there are no aspherical 50 mm Summicrons, but the first generations had seven elements and the subsequent ones have six. These have high contrast.
The issue with the depth-of-field is exacerbated by the difference in close focus ability between the Pentax and Leica lenses. Depth of field is much shallower as you focus closer.
Assuming you want to stick with a50 mm lens, my suggestion would be to get an older lens in good shape - a collapsible, rigid., or DR (all seven element) Summicron, a 50/1.5 Summarit (not the modern f2.5 Summarit), or a 50/1 Noctilux. The Noctilux, because it is f1, will give you the depth of field you're looking for, even though its close focus is 1 m. Apart from the Noctilux, these lenses flare more than six element Summicrons, particularly with light sources in the frame. The six element Summicrons have flare problems with light sources just outside the frame, but control bright light sources in the frame exceedingly well.
You're obviously just bringing your technique for developing film from your Pentax, so the problem is unlikely to be in that part of the image chain, but make sure that you are exposing enough and not developing too much. The look you like depends on having a moderate contrast lens and negative.
Good luck,
Marty
The issue with the depth-of-field is exacerbated by the difference in close focus ability between the Pentax and Leica lenses. Depth of field is much shallower as you focus closer.
Assuming you want to stick with a50 mm lens, my suggestion would be to get an older lens in good shape - a collapsible, rigid., or DR (all seven element) Summicron, a 50/1.5 Summarit (not the modern f2.5 Summarit), or a 50/1 Noctilux. The Noctilux, because it is f1, will give you the depth of field you're looking for, even though its close focus is 1 m. Apart from the Noctilux, these lenses flare more than six element Summicrons, particularly with light sources in the frame. The six element Summicrons have flare problems with light sources just outside the frame, but control bright light sources in the frame exceedingly well.
You're obviously just bringing your technique for developing film from your Pentax, so the problem is unlikely to be in that part of the image chain, but make sure that you are exposing enough and not developing too much. The look you like depends on having a moderate contrast lens and negative.
Good luck,
Marty
sc_rufctr
Leica nuts
Once again... DR Summicron. lol
Note: Kodak Pro 100Tmax...
Note: Kodak Pro 100Tmax...
nobbylon
Veteran
35mm summilux pre asph at 1.4
Jamie Pillers
Skeptic
Stay with the pentax! You create great images with that system. When you leave this gear for M-mount, it can be like jumping down the rabbit hole. Sell that M6 kit and get the K-5! You can use your wonderful pentax glass on it and now you'd be set to go film or digital.
anitasanger
Well-known
Yes in some cases, the focus was pretty close, but I still prefer the look at longer distances too such as these:
img550 by saveamerika, on Flickr
img636 by saveamerika, on Flickr
img446 by saveamerika, on Flickr
img550 by saveamerika, on Flickr
img636 by saveamerika, on Flickr
img446 by saveamerika, on Flickr
Freakscene
Obscure member
It's the lower contrast of the Pentax lens.
I've been into that Amoeba Records store, strangely, since I live in Australia.
Marty
I've been into that Amoeba Records store, strangely, since I live in Australia.
Marty
W
wlewisiii
Guest
Decrease contrast.
Either a collapsible Summicron or Summitar (both 50/2) would probably suit you much better than that Pre-Asph. Another strong possibility if you need speed would be the Canon 50/1.2 LTM. Big glass but it might well help get the look you want.
Good luck!
William
Either a collapsible Summicron or Summitar (both 50/2) would probably suit you much better than that Pre-Asph. Another strong possibility if you need speed would be the Canon 50/1.2 LTM. Big glass but it might well help get the look you want.
Good luck!
William