raid
Dad Photographer
link: https://raid.smugmug.com/M240-Zeiss-Hologon-16mm8/
I received from DAG my Zeiss Hologon 16/8 modified to M with 6 bit code. Don advised me to set the camera to automatic lens detection and let the code take over the settings. It was a very bright day today, with strong sunlight during the period 1pm-2:30pm. I used the special ND filter 4X with the lens, setting ISO to 400. I took snapshots in downtown Pensacola, expecting some serious purple edges, and I was right. I don't know if the M9 sensor will behave differently from the M240 sensor. I can tomorrow try out the M8 with the Hologon. The images will be cropped to 21mm or so. I hope that some people here have used this lens or they understand what is happening when a lens gets that close to the sensor, and maybe I will get some useful tips. Of course, one tip will be "sell the lens"! This is premature after taking 40 snapshots or so. I could use this lens for B&W on my M8 and M9 and in color with a film Leica.
There is some software that treats the edges. I can look it up. Is anyone using such software with wide angle lenses on a digital camera?
I hope that I am not using this lens correctly and that there are some known steps to follow to get better results.
raid
Dad Photographer
Maybe I should use a small tripod?
I will work on getting better looking images.
Your feedback is welcome even if not positive.
I will work on getting better looking images.
Your feedback is welcome even if not positive.
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
Raid, I don't see anything terribly wrong, the images just don't seem to have a lot of snap, crackle and pop. Perhaps the contrast is low. I don't imagine a tripod will make much difference in sharpness with such a short focal length, as long as shutter speeds are reasonably high. A little post processing to augment sharpness and/or boost contrast ought to help.
raid
Dad Photographer
Hi Rob. yes, I want to see some additional "snap" as you have said. I need to get better with post processing.
It seems to me that this lens could not work well with the sensor in handling the strong sunlight with resulting high contrast portions in most images.
It seems to me that this lens could not work well with the sensor in handling the strong sunlight with resulting high contrast portions in most images.
Emile de Leon
Well-known
Those ultra WA lenses always take a bit of time to get to know.
NeonKnight
Established
I think the original Hologon had a bubble level to help tame distortion. Cornerfix might help with the color shift. But why didn't you consider the voigtlander 15mm? Seems like it would be much less of a hassle.
raid
Dad Photographer
I am planning to get CORNERFIX as it is recommended by many users of extra wide angle lenses. I bought the Hologon because I always wanted to try it out. I may still keep it and use it mainly with a film camera unless I find a good solution for the color issues. No other wide angle lens is corrected for distortion like this lens is. It is interesting to me to use an older design lens. This is the extra charm that I find in this lens.
raid
Dad Photographer
This is true. I very rarely use wide angle lenses with RF cameras, other than occasionally some SLR wide angle lenses with adapters. My widest Leica mount lens used to be a 28mm lens by Minolta. Now it is a 16mm lens with many challenges.
Emile de Leon
Well-known
I'd give it 3 to 6 mos to get to know it..and if you don't want it anymore..let me know...lol..
raid
Dad Photographer
I got a Hologon that is "new-old-stock" from some camera store where it was sitting on some shelf, followed by custom modification by DAG. It should not be difficult to sell it one day, but I hardly ever sell any of my lenses. 3-6 months sounds good to me. I can already see its usefulness for some type of photos. I will start with B&W images to get a handle on how to use this lens, and then I will have to learn using CORNERFIX for color images.
retinax
Well-known
The shots with trees and their shadows look particularly promising to me. The ultra wide angle draws me in. If you find a better way to integrate foreground, this will sing! Ships and buildings are maybe more difficult because perspective distortion makes them look unnatural more easily? Good luck on this exciting journey! Maybe one day I'll try something similarly wide, the Voigtländer perhaps.
Erik van Straten
Veteran
Congratulations with your Hologon, Raid. Try to do some close-ups!
Erik.
Erik.
robert blu
quiet photographer
Hi Raid, nice to know you have "your lens".
I know it's not so easy to understand such an extreme wide angle lens and to learn it in order to get the maximum.
If I can comment, just my own opinion is very important to keep in mind what retinas said: buildings (and ships in your case) are difficult because of the natural perspective distortion which is what makes your photo#1 looks a little bit unnatural (#8 as well) not so much #5 probably you were a little bit more far away (small difference in distance become huge with an SVA!).
More natural subject are easier because usually they do not have straight lines and orthogonal corners, #2 is almost ok (IMO) not sure if a different post processing could improve it, maybe yes, maybe not!
Always from my point of view #7 (porch) would be good if vertical were vertical ! And maybe with a little more contrast.
With these kind of lenses is important not to have too much empty space in foreground but (and this is difficult!) you need to be careful that what is in foreground is not too much distorted. Easy to say, not so much to do but I know you are a tough photographer ready to work hard
My conclusion is that you now started a long journey not simple but I'm sure it will give you many satisfactions!
robert
PS: as disclaimer I have to say I never had the Hologon but made experiences on film with both the CV 15 and later the 12 which I still have but rarely use. May be sometimes I'll try it on the M10 !
I know it's not so easy to understand such an extreme wide angle lens and to learn it in order to get the maximum.
If I can comment, just my own opinion is very important to keep in mind what retinas said: buildings (and ships in your case) are difficult because of the natural perspective distortion which is what makes your photo#1 looks a little bit unnatural (#8 as well) not so much #5 probably you were a little bit more far away (small difference in distance become huge with an SVA!).
More natural subject are easier because usually they do not have straight lines and orthogonal corners, #2 is almost ok (IMO) not sure if a different post processing could improve it, maybe yes, maybe not!
Always from my point of view #7 (porch) would be good if vertical were vertical ! And maybe with a little more contrast.
With these kind of lenses is important not to have too much empty space in foreground but (and this is difficult!) you need to be careful that what is in foreground is not too much distorted. Easy to say, not so much to do
but I know you are a tough photographer ready to work hard My conclusion is that you now started a long journey not simple but I'm sure it will give you many satisfactions!
robert
PS: as disclaimer I have to say I never had the Hologon but made experiences on film with both the CV 15 and later the 12 which I still have but rarely use. May be sometimes I'll try it on the M10 !
raid
Dad Photographer
I noticed then the light being evenly distributed across the scene without any harsh light wshing out points, so I took some photos there.
Yes, the foreground is extremely important in a 16mm lens.
raid
Dad Photographer
raid
Dad Photographer
Hi Raid, nice to know you have "your lens".
I know it's not so easy to understand such an extreme wide angle lens and to learn it in order to get the maximum.
If I can comment, just my own opinion is very important to keep in mind what retinas said: buildings (and ships in your case) are difficult because of the natural perspective distortion which is what makes your photo#1 looks a little bit unnatural (#8 as well) not so much #5 probably you were a little bit more far away (small difference in distance become huge with an SVA!).
More natural subject are easier because usually they do not have straight lines and orthogonal corners, #2 is almost ok (IMO) not sure if a different post processing could improve it, maybe yes, maybe not!
Always from my point of view #7 (porch) would be good if vertical were vertical ! And maybe with a little more contrast.
With these kind of lenses is important not to have too much empty space in foreground but (and this is difficult!) you need to be careful that what is in foreground is not too much distorted. Easy to say, not so much to do
My conclusion is that you now started a long journey not simple but I'm sure it will give you many satisfactions!
robert
PS: as disclaimer I have to say I never had the Hologon but made experiences on film with both the CV 15 and later the 12 which I still have but rarely use. May be sometimes I'll try it on the M10 !
Thank you Robert. These are all wise words and I will try to learn here.
I never thought before about boats being not ideal for this lens. You paint, so you have an extra sense for such issues. I am hoping that my "long journey" will keep me happy!
I will have to experiment with the settings and with composition and with carefully choosing the light and scene.I will most likely have this lens with me when we meet again. It will not be my main lens, though. I am still learning how to better use this lens.
robert blu
quiet photographer
raid
Dad Photographer
Yes, and other Milan buildings I have seen online. This is why I bought this lens. Same applies to Swiss towns and also for Lyon.
raid
Dad Photographer
Link for images with the M8: https://raid.smugmug.com/M8-Zeiss-Hologon/i-GPpcVMg
This morning we had overcast weather (but now we have brilliant sunshine!), and I went downtown for a cappuccino and bagel, but I had with me the M8 and the Hologon 16/8, There is a crop, as we all know, so maybe the purple bands are cropped off, but I was also curious to see if the older sensor was less brutal on the old lens. It may be a confounded effect. I will know better once I get back my M9 so that I can use FF with the Hologon.
The exposure times seemed quite long (by sound) even though I set ISO to 640. The AUTO setting seems to work very well with the M8, even though I read online that meters for the M8 and the M9 will not work with this lens.
There is a Farmer's Market each Saturday in Pensacola. This young man was selling salsa. He asked for a photo of himself.
There exists a Beer House!
The old clock and bell for the Old Court House in Pensacola on Palafox Street.
Outside an Irish pub in Pensacola:
Walter and I:
This morning we had overcast weather (but now we have brilliant sunshine!), and I went downtown for a cappuccino and bagel, but I had with me the M8 and the Hologon 16/8, There is a crop, as we all know, so maybe the purple bands are cropped off, but I was also curious to see if the older sensor was less brutal on the old lens. It may be a confounded effect. I will know better once I get back my M9 so that I can use FF with the Hologon.
The exposure times seemed quite long (by sound) even though I set ISO to 640. The AUTO setting seems to work very well with the M8, even though I read online that meters for the M8 and the M9 will not work with this lens.
There is a Farmer's Market each Saturday in Pensacola. This young man was selling salsa. He asked for a photo of himself.
There exists a Beer House!
The old clock and bell for the Old Court House in Pensacola on Palafox Street.
Outside an Irish pub in Pensacola:
Walter and I:
raid
Dad Photographer
The Hologon is useful for color images without any fixing of the edges with the M8 as a 21mm lens. This is a promising start!