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M-Monochrom and Zeiss glass


Mr. Doug

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File this under "Blasphemy" if you'd like...

 

I've never liked the color tone and contrast from the Zeiss lenses on my M9. Everything always felt a little 'plastic' for me.

 

I had sold my Biogon 35/2 to a guy in Russia, but customs kicked it back to me. I snapped it on my M-Monochrom today and actually like it a lot more than on the M9. Even more than my Summicron 35. Like...a lot more.

 

I'll post some pics after I can get home to properly A/B the Summicron 35 and 50 against the Biogon 35 and Sonnar 50. Could be a perfect match if you ask me.

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I never used Zeiss but from what I've seen it never appeals to me..at least on the M9..But I fell into a deal for a used M9 that comes with a 50mm Zeiss 1.5 and I am curious to test it on the MM..I can see how it might work..should be interesting..

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I have 2 Zeiss sitting nearby - they will get some use on the MM this weekend. The Sonnar is one of my preferred ones on the M9, the 18 not so much....

 

In the last 2 weeks I mainly used some 35 FLE or 24 Lux or Cron 35/50... my preffered ones so far are the 50 Rigid and the 24 Lux.

 

MM is fun - so much to rediscover!

 

JP

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I now use Zeiss lenses only on my Leica MM, i also have Leica lenses but prefer Zeiss.

Zeiss has a classic look which is very appealing and also shows more character

than the Leica lenses...i will probably get shot for saying this, but i this is my opinion... :)

 

I have this lenses:

 

Zeiss Planar T* 50/2

Zeiss Biogon T* 35/2

Zeiss Sonnar T* 50/1.5

Zeiss Biogon T* 21/4.5

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I would be interested in seeing results and some comparison thoughts since I was thinking of selling my Zeiss ZM lenses in the new year. I have not used them for over one year now and 2 of them have been used for 100 shots total. I have the Biogon 35/2 which sounds like one to try out. Also have the 24 plus the 18/4 and the 50/1.5. Too bad I am not back home for over 2 weeks.

 

This could be reason to keep them. How about old Mandler glass on the MM?

Edited by algrove
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  • 1 year later...

I only have one ZM lens, and to be truthful I can't find anything wrong with it, it even worked without red edge on my M9, and it's the 21mm f/2.8 Biogon. I posted a picture in the Landscape Photo Forum yesterday made with it and the MM, called 'Through the window'.

 

Steve

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I won’t shoot you (except with a Monochrom, should the opportunity present itself :p), as I fully agree. My preferred basic lens set on the Monochrom consists of:

 

-Zeiss C-Biogon 35/2.8

-Canon LTM 50/1.8

-Zeiss Tele-Tessar 85/4.0

 

I use mainly Leica lenses on my colour digital M.

I now use Zeiss lenses only on my Leica MM, i also have Leica lenses but prefer Zeiss.

Zeiss has a classic look which is very appealing and also shows more character

than the Leica lenses...i will probably get shot for saying this, but i this is my opinion... :)

 

Edited by jaapv
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I have used two Zeiss ZM lenses on my MM: 25 f2.8 Biogon and 85 F2 Sonnar. Both lenses give more appealing images to me on the MM than on M9 or M240. I am not sure why this is the case, but particularly the Biogon renders really smooth images on MM with perhaps a bit less contrast... in terms of photographs (a couple of which I have posted in other threads), as opposed to pixel-edge counting, I rate my Biogon as being best lens on MM along with Noct 0.95.

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I've used Zeiss since I could shoot. So that would be forever. Mostly on my old Blads and then on my Nikon and then on my Sony. Most of my personal work and much of my commercial work is B&W so when I purchased my Mono I reached for what was familiar and less expensive. I use a 21mm Biogon 2.8 and 50mm Planar 2.0. Both lenses are stellar. I have no complains. This is my first Leica so I have no experience with colour and Leica.

 

Planar 50mm 2.0 -------->>> http://mulcahey.com/Molly2012.jpg

 

G

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I have used two Zeiss ZM lenses on my MM: 25 f2.8 Biogon and 85 F2 Sonnar. Both lenses give more appealing images to me on the MM than on M9 or M240. I am not sure why this is the case, but particularly the Biogon renders really smooth images on MM with perhaps a bit less contrast... in terms of photographs (a couple of which I have posted in other threads), as opposed to pixel-edge counting, I rate my Biogon as being best lens on MM along with Noct 0.95.

 

That is interesting because at the back of my mind I have the impression I didn't like my ZM lens as much with my M9 as I do with the MM. Put it this way, all of a sudden I've started using it because I see a wealth of tone in skies that I've yearned for in the past.

 

Steve

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Interesting stuff here. Thanks.

 

I've used Leica M since 1984 and reckon if I sold up today it would have cost me nothing, so good are the lenses for their lack of depreciation.

 

On the other hand, I love the Zeiss glass on my Hasselblads and indeed insist on Zeiss glass for my spectacles.

 

I think my bias has been due to "nothing beats Leica glass"; how do you get Leica to calibrate a Zeiss/Canon/CV lens with a Leica body; and the depreciation issue.

 

However, I recently bought a Monochrom and have added a 50mm Canon f1.4 and a CV 15mm and at first sight they are pleasing. Fact is, they cost so very little that depreciation is of no consequence.

 

I'd love to use Ziess glass, so I'll be looking forward to viewing your images. I hope you will oblige and add lens details to your images.

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This is my first Leica so I have no experience with colour and Leica.

Planar 50mm 2.0 -------->>> http://mulcahey.com/Molly2012.jpg

G

 

Gary, welcome to this Forum.

 

Yesterday and this morning I viewed your blog, website and your Monochrom diary. Very interesting comments on the Monochrom and some beautiful images throughout. Hope you update the blog more frequently. Ha.

 

Also interested in your comment that you're picking up fee paying b&w work with your Monochrom. Is that new, or has b&w always been part of your mix ?

 

Gary

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Steve, just to put it on record; you were a very significant influencer in me buying the Monochrom. I normally view your stuff on Flickr and you're building a fine portfolio of images with it.

 

Gary

 

P.s. and Alexander too. :-)

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Thank you for the welcome Rolo.

I will get on that blog thing. It's that I don't like the site software and have been looking about for a new blog format. I will have it rectified in the next while.

I have made my living for 30+ years with my cameras and much of it B&W. Now that I have the Mono I take it along and press it into action and try to make it pay its way. Also I have it with me all the time anyway.

About the comment on depreciation. I assume you were talking about depreciation of return on a resale of the lens. I have never thought of my photographic gear in that way. Cameras and lenses have always been tools to me like a hammer is to a carpenter. A carpenter doesn't buy his tools with depreciation in mind. I have only ever sold one camera along with a few lenses to go with it. That was an old studio view camera that was taking up space and not being used once I stopped shooting all product work. I still have just about every camera and lens I have ever purchased. And it all has character. My Nikon F2 or the Hasselblads or the Graflex and now my Mono have character that lacks in most of the plastic computers that are cameras today. I just can't part with the stuff. Maybe there is something wrong with me. :o

 

 

G

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I have made my living for 30+ years with my cameras ..... tools to me like a hammer is to a carpenter. ....... I just can't part with the stuff. Maybe there is something wrong with me. :o

G

 

Ha, there must be something wrong with you. There is with all of us here !

 

I fully understand your comparison with a carpenter and since becoming a photographer as a second career, I've had a different view. But before that, the only way to get the gear that I wanted was by trading up and adding a little cash each year. Mortgages, school fees and motorbikes all competing for the same cash. Over 35 years, I've accumulated a nice set of kit, but I've also passed on some wonderful stuff as well. An Ebony 45SU LF outfit was my pride and joy, but it went to allow me to get into the digital wedding business. :confused:

 

I didn't always sell and I've now got far too much gear and now feel the need to knock a system out. It's not because I urgently need the cash, it's more about focus and space. I've just bought the Monochrom - will I really need my film MP, or my 3 Hasselblads, going forward ? It's just playtime. :D

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Eagerly await your feedback on the MM Gary.

 

Hi Jeff,

 

As you know, I was awaiting the MM 240 version, but I got tired of standing back and am unsure if it'll be any better from an image quality viewpoint.

 

It'll be a while before I've got a portfolio from it, Jeff, as I took it for it's first walk yesterday and that was for only 3 hours including a large latte. :D The day was really quite grey and I've needed to push the files around to get near what I'm looking for. I'm not seeking an HDR look at all, but grey is grey and I'm keen to see something from it.

 

I was also learning how to use a 15mm Voigtlander lens that I bought last week and that was attached for most of the time. Playing with that lens is real fun and it only cost £350, although the lens might not meet LUF standards.

 

However, I'm extremely impressed by the initial results from both of them which I'll show below, if the Moderators allow. If not, you can see them larger on my Flickr site and more too.

 

I also shot a couple of frames on 50mm Summilux Version 1, which I bought for £500, knowing it was the runt in the litter, but WOW am I pleased with it on this body ! I need to add that I sold off my 2 M9s and all my Asph lenses last year, so am rebuilding slowly.

 

In operation, I've followed much of the advice given here and pushed the histogram towards the right, but I've set the Clipping levels really low to stay away from dreaded white holes. Using a 15mm with sky is courting disaster, but I got away with it for a first shoot. If I see Clipping, I know i have a tiny bit of headroom.

 

I shot a lens chart with it on a rainy day :rolleyes: and can display a comparison between a 35mm Summarit-S and a 35mm Summicron-M Asph. The S wins hands down, but the MM is no slouch and is really quite close and shows a lot more resolution than I achieved with the M9.

 

Re your situation, selling my film MP, in advance of confirming I'm happy with this, was not something I wanted to do, but a couple more outings and some really bright, contrasty days will probably confirm it, one way or the other. It's obviously not film, but it something else that is very enjoyable. Email, or phone me if you want something more.

 

BTW, a filter makes a massive difference to the sky, much more so than pushing a B&W converted sky on the M9. These were shot with a yellow filter. It's fit and forget.

 

Gary

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Edited by Rolo
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