anitasanger
Well-known
Thank you Jamie, you are very kind. Yes indeed, I feel like I fell into the rabbit hole. Every now and then I look up toward the top and consider making the climb. One day I even started to tie my M6 to the end of a rope in hopes of throwing it to the top, catching it on something and climbing out. But when I picked up the Leica with rope in my hand, the camera's tactile perfection inspired me to wind the shutter. I did so, then followed with a crisp, whispered snap. I gently placed the Leica on the ground next to me, laid down and enjoyed yet another day in the rabbit hole.
nobbylon
Veteran
thanks Peter
Ranchu
Veteran
Look at lenses with the same number of elements, groups, and aperture. Canon made a 1.4 LTM, the Nikon's a Sonnar type though.
nobbylon
Veteran

50 pre asph lux V2.
I like your pics Luke and agree that it's a lower contrast look with shallow dof. You can always sort the contrast out in post process.
I think if you intend to stay with the M6 then the older Summilux's are the way to go if it's Leica glass you want. I can't comment on VC as I've never had any of their fast kit.
anitasanger
Well-known
thank you nobbylon. That is a beautiful pic you posted. ALso, thank you everyone else for all the tips and advice. Any more are all appreciated. It's nice to know that I prefer a lower contrast lens. I at least know what to look for now. Are summiluxes lower contrast the the cron?
anitasanger
Well-known
It's the lower contrast of the Pentax lens.
I've been into that Amoeba Records store, strangely, since I live in Australia.
Marty
Phenomenal! Everyone should go at least once! I love it.
You could have someone convert the Pentax 50/1.4 to Leica Mount. Be a lot cheaper than the Summilux.
The Pentax "50" is closer to the Leica 51.6mm standard. As per the Pop Photo 1976 lens test, the Pentax 50/1.4 was actually 51.7mm. You can probably get a 42mm thread mount to Leica M adapter. Then have someone make an RF cam for the lens to couple the focus. The rear of the lens just needs a piece of metal of the right length to could with the RF pickup of the camera.
The Pentax "50" is closer to the Leica 51.6mm standard. As per the Pop Photo 1976 lens test, the Pentax 50/1.4 was actually 51.7mm. You can probably get a 42mm thread mount to Leica M adapter. Then have someone make an RF cam for the lens to couple the focus. The rear of the lens just needs a piece of metal of the right length to could with the RF pickup of the camera.
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pphuang
brain drain...
Maybe a Zeiss Sonnar 50/1.5?


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anitasanger
Well-known
However, I did a roll of Trix exposed at 200 and developed in rodinal 1:50 and I liked the look better than anything else I'd done with the m6. Does that combination have a way of toning down the contrast I wonder?
anitasanger
Well-known
pphuang I love that look! Beautiful photos. I may look into that.
Brian Sweeney, that is the greatest thing I've ever heard of. I didn't know it was possible. Well, I know for sure that I can purchase a K mount to M mount adapter, so that part I have under control. So then, I would just need someone to convert it to accept a rangefinder camera, and work? Wow, if I could do this, I would be in heaven.
Do you know anyone who could do this for me and aprox how much I can expect to pay?
thamks.
Brian Sweeney, that is the greatest thing I've ever heard of. I didn't know it was possible. Well, I know for sure that I can purchase a K mount to M mount adapter, so that part I have under control. So then, I would just need someone to convert it to accept a rangefinder camera, and work? Wow, if I could do this, I would be in heaven.
Do you know anyone who could do this for me and aprox how much I can expect to pay?
thamks.
I would contact Amedeo, maker of a lot of adapters for Contax and Nikon mount lenses to Leica.
He is an RFF member, Amedeo Muscelli.
The Pentax 50/1.4 is a "double Gauss" lens, uses one radioactive element. It is a fine lens, single coated in the earlier years, went to "Super Multi-Coated" by the late 1960s. I have the Single-coated lens, the version you used. A fine lens. The Summilux is the same basic formula, but it is the "optical flaws and trade-offs" in a lens that give it character as you show.
He is an RFF member, Amedeo Muscelli.
The Pentax 50/1.4 is a "double Gauss" lens, uses one radioactive element. It is a fine lens, single coated in the earlier years, went to "Super Multi-Coated" by the late 1960s. I have the Single-coated lens, the version you used. A fine lens. The Summilux is the same basic formula, but it is the "optical flaws and trade-offs" in a lens that give it character as you show.
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MikeL
Go Fish
Luke, I wouldn't give up on the summicron, just process the film differently before printing/scanning.
Conditions+lens+exposure+development+processing='look'
I'd change one (development) in response to the other change (lens) and see where you get.
Conditions+lens+exposure+development+processing='look'
I'd change one (development) in response to the other change (lens) and see where you get.
Ranchu
Veteran
You could have someone convert the Pentax 50/1.4 to Leica Mount. Be a lot cheaper than the Summilux.
That is quite smart Brian, good idea!
anitasanger
Well-known
I've changed up developers and got a slightly more pleasing look out of the cron with rodinal. But I think the lens is just a bit too contrasty for me. I think I will keep it nonetheless. Thanks for the info Brian, I'll check into it. Again everyone, any advice is appreciated.
nobbylon
Veteran
I wouldn't say so no. I've not used a v1 Summilux 50 so can't comment on that one. The lux's I have all give good contrast however you can make them look, contrast wise, however you like in developement or post process in a digi workflow.
Ranchu
Veteran
Luke, I wouldn't give up on the summicron, just process the film differently before printing/scanning.
Conditions+lens+exposure+development+processing='look'
I'd change one (development) in response to the other change (lens) and see where you get.
Was thinking the shutter speeds might be different on the two cameras, the pentax a little slower...
The Canon 50/1.4 is about as close of a native RF lens that I have to the look given by the Pentax 50/1.4.
Wide-open on the M8, Canon 50/1.4.
But can be harsh Bokeh,
I love my Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 5cm F1.5's on the Leica, but optically- as far away from the Pentax as you can get.
Wide-open on the M8, Canon 50/1.4.
But can be harsh Bokeh,
I love my Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 5cm F1.5's on the Leica, but optically- as far away from the Pentax as you can get.
mto'brien
Well-known
hi, i think you are maybe after that elusive 'glow' as well? where the highlights are very active but not blown out?
the lowest contrast lens i have is a version 1 35/2 summicron, i love its low contrast and glow:
also nokton 35 1.2:
also look into the old school summar 50/2 and 50/1.5 summarit for 50mm low contrast lenses. I think it's harder (almost impossible?) to reduce contrast on a print using a high contrast neg. what i mean is, it's all about the lens. i really like your pics that you posted, btw.
the lowest contrast lens i have is a version 1 35/2 summicron, i love its low contrast and glow:

also nokton 35 1.2:

also look into the old school summar 50/2 and 50/1.5 summarit for 50mm low contrast lenses. I think it's harder (almost impossible?) to reduce contrast on a print using a high contrast neg. what i mean is, it's all about the lens. i really like your pics that you posted, btw.
anitasanger
Well-known
Thank you mto'brien, yep I think you nailed it. I tried to refrain from the G word so not to spark a glow war. But yeah, I think my Pentax glows and the shots you submitted definitely glow! So, what is the lowest contrast, glow(iest) version of the summilux I can get? ALso, anyone want to trade their summilux 50 for my sharp and contrasty summicron?
anitasanger
Well-known
and you are right. Even though I HATE post processing outside of the darkroom, I tried to manipulate the scans to look like the pentax. No dice.
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