freitz Posted January 24, 2017 Share #1 Posted January 24, 2017 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) All, Attached file is a picture of my screen through a phone. I wanted to get everyone opinion on what is going on here. I purchased my Lens used through a Leica dealer and the date manufactured was well after the Lens Flare issue. However this happened a few times when near the direction of the sun. Is this the issue everyone was having during launch? To Note. This only happened two times and it was almost direct sunlight from the top left corner. I Just want to make sure this is normal for the apo. Thanks for the help Fred Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Edited January 24, 2017 by freitz Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/268607-50-apo-sun-flare/?do=findComment&comment=3195171'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 24, 2017 Posted January 24, 2017 Hi freitz, Take a look here 50 apo Sun Flare?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
B-A-C Posted January 24, 2017 Share #2 Posted January 24, 2017 At what serial number did the flare issue stop? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
freitz Posted January 24, 2017 Author Share #3 Posted January 24, 2017 (edited) At what serial number did the flare issue stop? It was only on that one picture SN#4189586 Edited January 24, 2017 by freitz Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
anickpick Posted January 24, 2017 Share #4 Posted January 24, 2017 (edited) I'm not surprised to see flare in your picture: The 50 Apo is one of the more flare prone modern leica lenses. The integrated shade is almost useless in this regard. I would say it is most critical when the sun is just outside the frame. Edited January 24, 2017 by anickpick 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
helged Posted January 24, 2017 Share #5 Posted January 24, 2017 (edited) Yes, the reported flaring looks normal for the APO 50. Early incarnations of the lens had some flaring/loss of central contrast issues, discussed here. If you look at post #120 and #121 of the linked thread, plus Adam's explanation (posts #149, #161 and #163) - you will find the same pattern as seen in your photo: The upper part of the image appears to be in 'shadow' or is 'protected' from flaring. This is to be expected when the light source is located just outside of the frame (Adam's figure in post #161). If you are using bodies with EVF or live view, you can actually check whether this phenomena occurs in similar light conditions. Slightly adjusting the angle of the body wrt to light source can be sufficient to strongly reducing/eliminating the flare. Or, conversely, you can maximise the flaring if this adds drama/effect to the image. Enjoy the APO 50! Edited January 24, 2017 by helged 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
freitz Posted January 24, 2017 Author Share #6 Posted January 24, 2017 I'm not surprised to see flare in your picture: The 50 Apo is one of the more flare prone modern leica lenses. The integrated shade is almost useless in this regard. I would say it is most critical when the sun is just outside the frame. I think it was in the upper left corner Yes, the reported flaring looks normal for the APO 50. Early incarnations of the lens had some flaring/loss of central contrast issues, discussed here. If you look at post #120 and #121 of the linked thread, plus Adam's explanation (posts #149, #161 and #163) - you will find the same pattern as seen in your photo: The upper part of the image appears to be in 'shadow' or is 'protected' from flaring. This is to be expected when the light source is located just outside of the frame (Adam's figure in post #161). If you are using bodies with EVF or live view, you can actually check whether this phenomena occurs in similar light conditions. Slightly adjusting the angle of the body wrt to light source can be sufficient to strongly reducing/eliminating the flare. Or, conversely, you can maximise the flaring if this adds drama/effect to the image. Enjoy the APO 50! Okay so all is fine with my APO? I have had it for about 6 months and really enjoy it. I think this is the first time I have had this flare issue but it was indeed direct sunlight. It was strange because it you look it also has a straight line above the flare. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
helged Posted January 24, 2017 Share #7 Posted January 24, 2017 Advertisement (gone after registration) Yes, everything as expected - at least based on my experience and what I have seen. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
freitz Posted January 25, 2017 Author Share #8 Posted January 25, 2017 Thanks. It was only this batch of photos 5 of this same shot. Not a single other shot in the entire batch of 600. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Lucan Posted January 27, 2017 Share #9 Posted January 27, 2017 Thanks. It was only this batch of photos 5 of this same shot. Not a single other shot in the entire batch of 600. Please treat it as character. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougg Posted January 28, 2017 Share #10 Posted January 28, 2017 A little surprising given that the early flare issue was supposedly "fixed" in later issue lenses. My APO also tends to flare easily so I took it to my nearest Leica Store where they compared it with a new APO from stock against their display lights. Both lenses showed the same amount of flare, so that confirms mine is not out of line. A bit comforting to know, and this thread reassures as well! OTOH my 2/50 Heliar collapsible is virtually immune to flare, but then it's no APO... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jared Posted January 31, 2017 Share #11 Posted January 31, 2017 The earlier flare issues were, indeed, "fixed" in later serial numbers. However, no lens is completely immune to flare (though some are better than others, of course). My 50mm APO flares more than, I think, any of my other Leica lenses, but it's still an issue for only about 1% or so of my outdoor images. You need a bright light source like the Sun in just the right spot, slightly out of the field of view. Otherwise, no problems. - Jared Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
padam Posted February 1, 2017 Share #12 Posted February 1, 2017 (edited) The simple truth is, the built-in hood is just inadequate, as said before. But there is a custom fix for it using another original front lens cap, and milling it for extra shading. (Seriously, should one resort to find such solutions for a lens like this...) But anyway, this is with the stock hood And with the extra shading added Kind of late, but I guess they could still bring out an updated version with a bayonet hood, if they really care about fixing it 'properly'. Edited February 1, 2017 by padam 6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted February 2, 2017 Share #13 Posted February 2, 2017 Interesting that in the photos with the veiling flare there is a defined area at the top of the frame which isn't affected and suggests that there is some kind of internal baffling or lower part of the "film" gate blocking out the stray light. I wonder if the reflective surface of the sensor is coming into play and bouncing some of the light back? Has anyone who uses the lens with a film camera seen the same flare characteristic? I ask because I used to occasionally see some veiling glare (as distinguished from normal flare blobs and arcs, etc.) when using my 35 Summilux FLE with digital but I'm pretty sure I've never seen anything like it using the same lens with film. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
helged Posted February 2, 2017 Share #14 Posted February 2, 2017 Interesting that in the photos with the veiling flare there is a defined area at the top of the frame which isn't affected and suggests that there is some kind of internal baffling or lower part of the "film" gate blocking out the stray light. I wonder if the reflective surface of the sensor is coming into play and bouncing some of the light back? Has anyone who uses the lens with a film camera seen the same flare characteristic? I ask because I used to occasionally see some veiling glare (as distinguished from normal flare blobs and arcs, etc.) when using my 35 Summilux FLE with digital but I'm pretty sure I've never seen anything like it using the same lens with film. See this post from Adam (and post 5 further up). 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
helged Posted February 2, 2017 Share #15 Posted February 2, 2017 The simple truth is, the built-in hood is just inadequate, as said before. But there is a custom fix for it using another original front lens cap, and milling it for extra shading. Interesting! Can you provide the dimensions of the opening...? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Lucan Posted February 3, 2017 Share #16 Posted February 3, 2017 @padam, This could be an accessory of the year. The cap reminds me of,it is actually a lenshood,that comes with Sony ZE Distagon 35 f2.8. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
helged Posted February 6, 2017 Share #17 Posted February 6, 2017 Via padam (thanks!), I learned that the fix in post #12 originates from a blog at Banum (in Swedish; a google translate should do the job for non-Scandinavians). I contacted Bo, and he informed me that the size of the milled (original) lens shade is 32x26 mm. I will do some testing at various apertures and distances - and eventually do some milling on a spare lens shade myself - and I will report back on the findings after some testing and when time permits. Those using filter(s) on the APO 50mm-M, like b&w filters on an M monochrome, may have to increase the opening since the filter puts the lens shade forward on the lens (I may look into this). Furthermore, the lens shade should not rotate, and this may require a fix. And finally (?), some may want to put a cap onto the milled lens shade for protection. So although clever, the lens shade fix has its limitations... Feel free to chime in in case there are other fixes/ideas/experiences out there! See also a demanding test of the APO 50mm-M vs Otus 55mm a little down on the page here. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
coup de foudre Posted February 6, 2017 Share #18 Posted February 6, 2017 Please treat it as character. I actually do! I really enjoy trying to make it flare as it often adds character to an otherwise too perfect lens. Like a gauze scarf or vaseline on the lens -- without getting anything mucky. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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