MindsEye

Here are some more photos showing helicoid extension from mini-review- previous post

I just received my Leica M to L-Mount lens adapter by Light Lens Lab. In a word, Marvelous. This adapter is not in general release yet in the U.S. but you can pre-order from Popflash or on eBay if you are comfortable ordering from a third party in China (QyCamera) The construction is first rate and will pair nicely with well constructed lenses like Leica and Voigtlander. As a result it’s on the heavy side at 99 grams but like good lenses the weight for the size inspires confidence. The best part, in my opinion, is the locking mechanism for the helicoid. It works like vintage Leica lenses with a push-in cone shaped button (see photos) that allows you to easily lock/unlock it at infinity position or use the helicoid for closer-than-rangefinder focusing while using M lenses on your L-mount camera body. All without taking your eye from the camera. Compared to: I also have a Voigtlander M to E adapter with helicoid but the lock isn’t nearly as convenient and a little fiddly, taking extra time to engage or disengage. I also had (and returned) a third party Haoge adapter with a helicoid. It had a decent feel but I always had to double check the helicoid was at infinity as it had no lock. And as it turned out, the infinity position was not accurate. The only real downside I can see so far is that unlike the Leica adapter (at 3X the price) it doesn’t transfer 6 bit coding. That doesn’t bother me as the helicoid is more useful for me and the Leica adapter doesn’t have that. But for those of you with 6 bit coded lenses it may be meaningful. This is a first look and I’ll add more as I get some miles on it. *Before and after of helicoid extension next post*

Thanks for the links and info! Since my last post I got hold of a Sony body and will be testing it with VM 21mm f1.8 Ultron and VM 75mm f1.9 Ultron. When I have some comparisons between that and S5 IIx I'll share my thoughts. I may have already mentioned I tried a couple lenses at Leica store with SL2 and Lumix S5 IIx and I shot a few on my Q3 to compare with Leica 28mm Summicron-M.

Agreed. The Q3 resolution was key for me in deciding to finally get a Q. I do like the tilty screen too. But having multiple virtual lenses is fabulous. I would like to see a digital zoom that is true to its name and see the magnified views, at least as an option. We all need to keep bugging Leica about that. I like the framelines but sure would appreciate a zoom feature as well. No camera is perfect but this one comes damn close for a carry-it-with-me-everywhere camera. I'm using it way more than I anticipated, even for work.

Very nice! My favorite is the motorcycle. 🏍️😎

Of course. I hope it helps some others. When I get some time I'll test the VM 21mm f1.8 Ultron Asph properly. Ultimately I may end up getting a Tri-Elmar 16-18-21 (aka WATE). I really liked that lens when I owned it. Though that was on an M8, which of course, is a cropped format. The VM 21mm is large-ish for an M lens but still tiny compared to native FF L-mount or E-mount lenses. Thanks again to @soccerrick10 @Archiver @Babylonia, et al, for the valuable input. I will update here when I get some more time on lenses and bodies. Happy shooting! Joel

If you haven't already seen Phillip Reeve's reviews of these lenses, you may find it helpful. He tests them on an M body and Sony, that latter being of no use for an SL but the M is kind of a best case scenario and could be useful for you. He also has a post comparing several very fast 50mm lenses. In that one I believe he/his reviewer found the VM 50mm 1.2 Nokton to be best overall but there are so many criteria and results you can use whatever applies to you. Guessing you'll happy with almost any of those but good luck on your final choice!

This is helpful. Thanks. I think I forgot to mention that my VM 75mm f1.9 Ultron performs extremely well on the S5IIx, even at 96MP. But I sort of expected that and was most interested in (the more challenging) wide angle performace. I had a chance to go to a Leica store near me and compare some lenses and cameras. I shot on an SL2, the S5IIx, and my IR modified X-T5. I shoot a lot of infrared so that's a consideration for me too but that's really a different discussion. I was limited to their used gear. I shot using a VM 21mm f1.8 Ultron Asph. and a Leica 28mm f2.8 Elmarit. I was surprised how well the VM 21mm performed on the S5II. I ended up buying it. I wish I was able to compare directly to a Sony body because I would prefer the size and weight of that body but there is the issue of the stack being 0.6mm thicker than S5II. My tests weren't very well controlled in the store as they would be in my studio. But it was still helpful.

Thank you so much for doing this! I don't love doing tests either and I appreciate you doing this. I understand your cynicism when posting to forums. It's nice that you gave me all the details. That helps. I've only looked at a few so far but will look at the rest of them. All best, Joel

Thanks for this information. Different models of M-mount lenses vary a lot with their performance when adapted. Phillip Reeve's site has many M lenses tested on both Sony and Leica M bodies In your case I would fully expect the Sigma L mount lens to outperform an adapted lens. I'm just assuming that the slightly thinner stack on the Lumix S5II will do better than the Sony but I've also read that the a7 and a7R series perform noicteably different from each other with adapted M lenses. So it's all conjecture on my part. I will likely visit my local Leica store and try some comparisons. I'll report back if I learn anything useful.

No worries on the link. Good to know the source. Thanks!

Thanks for this. 😎 Are you able to provide any specifics using your 50 and 28 M lenses on the S5ii? Such as wide open versus stopped down, best apertures, distances you tested, or center/mid frame/edge performance? Even if you just did a casual test, it's good to know that you didn't see big issues with these lenses.

Thanks for pointing this out. The very compact size of the M-lenses is one of the main attractions. I also like the feel of the lenses and manual focus. It forces me to be more considered and slow down a bit. I have an ample Fujifilm kit with multiple bodies and lenses for work. I have had M film and digital bodies in the past and love using my Q3. Photography is my full time gig. A rig for M-mount lenses is more of a personal project though I'm not opposed to doing some professional work with it. So a Sony or Lumix body will be a transition thing...with an eye on an M body down the road. If cost were no object, I would get an M11-P with a Visoflex 2. I know I can also pick up a used 240 or M10 body but it's still potentially thousands more than the S5II for an M body in nice shape ($3K+ for 240 on low end.) If I get a Sony body, I will likely get a used one. My goal was not to go above $2K for a poor man's version of a Leica body in the short term. Once I find out how much I'm using a compact rig with M-mount lenses, I'll know how much I can justify in terms of getting a real M body. I must admit I am spoiled by the fact that all my current cameras have real dials for shutter speed, ISO, etc. I've owned many Sonys in the past and it always felt a bit like a computer with a lens attached. The S5II feels a bit like that too, though a little more user friendly.

Hi @Simone_DF, Thanks for your response. Where did you find these numbers? I'm familiar with Roger Cicala/LensRentals sensor thickness database but they don't have Panasonic FF and show a variety of numbers for different models within a brand. I assume there must be other sources and would love to know where to find them. Can you please provide (a) link(s)?

I'm trying to find out if anyone has done a direct comparison using M-mount wide and/or ultra wide lenses on a Lumix S5II / S5IIx versus Sony a7R series body, preferably a7R III or newer? I recently purchased a Lumix S5IIx based on the hope that it might also have a thinner filter stack like the SL series and thus perform well with M-mount lenses. Only conjecture on my part. My idea is to use it for M-mount manual focus lenses. I realize the SL2 would work well but it is too big and heavy for me, not to mention much more expensive. I already find the S5IIx on the large side. So far the only M-mount lens I have is a CM 75mm f1.9 Ultron and before I acquire wide or ultra wide M-mount lenses, I'd like to have some solid information on performance. My main interest is in ultra wide lenses as I already have 28mm covered with my Q3. If there isn't going to be a significant difference overall between the S5II and a Sony body, I would rather have the Sony for its compactness, higher resolution than the 24MP of the Lumix and wider variety of adapters available (6 bit coded, auto-focus, etc.) Also a few other things. But before I invest in lenses, the body I use might influence the best matchups for M-mount lenses. I still have a few days left to return the Lumix. I don't have access to the bodies and lenses to do an accurate comparison at the moment so hoping some of you have done such a comparison. 🤞Thanks! Joel

You bring up a couple points, each of which could be threads of their own. I appreciate your weighing in. Bottom line for Zaza's galleries, like any art, is in the eye of the beholder. Regarding shooting for my full time living: I've worked very hard and perhaps have also been lucky with my timing. For most of my career I've enjoyed following my passion. The hard work part has allowed me to reach a point where I shoot what I like to shoot. Fortunately, my patrons also like it. Although I've done well for myself, I won't encourage my tween-age daughter to go into photography. Video may be viable for awhile but still photography is a dying art, or at the very least, there are much easier ways to make a good living. I've reinvented my business more than once to stay ahead of the curve in photography. These days I love many of the AI tools. But AI will ultimately be a nail in the coffin for professional stills shooters. I'm thankful to be in the twilight years of my career. It's no easy task to make major changes to one's business and after awhile you get "change fatigue" Back to the point of my original post, I think Zaza wrote a useful review, augmented by some fabulous images. And of course, you don't have to like the images. I fully expected differing opinions, because, as you say, what would be the fun, otherwise. Happy holidays and new year to all! And happy shooting! Joel

Indeed! Thanks for pointing that out too.

Perfect. I hope you find the right one(s)!

It's a stretch to say "He is clearly not used to such a wide prime." or otherwise speculate about what equipment is best for him, without knowing him and his working methods personally. Perhaps, in your opinion he shoots some images wider than you would prefer. IMO, as a fellow professional photographer (35+ years), his work is wonderful. If you look at his other work (also outstanding) he uses context quite a bit. I think it helps accentuate the subject rather than distract. But as I've said a number of times on this forum: Ask two photographers, get three opinions 😄

@mrkennethtong You're all over the board on this case thing. Everready case, pouch, holster, ....Just buy something and try it. If you're not buying Leica brand you won't be out a lot of money if you don't like it. Based on prices you're mentioning, buy all of them and see what you like. Don't know about Asia but many stores in North America have liberal return policies. Best of luck.

It's the Leica one in black. Had the LIMs one been available at the time, I might have considered that one for half the price. As expected, the Leica thumbrest is expensive. But it's pretty much perfect. It was hard to find any thumb rest at the time and my local Leica store had one in stock so I swooped on it. To my knowledge, the Leica version is the only one with the ribs and the buttons. The buttons on the thumb rest are a bit easier to use than directly on the camera. The ribs make it feel secure, especially when pulling out of a bag/case. I wouldn't change anything on the Leica thumb support. From an aesthetic perspective I'm not crazy about the gold buttons on the LIMs version but people seem to like it. It's pricey, but the Leica version is very well designed. I don't know if they are still hard to get but when I checked recently, The Pixel Connection had the black one in stock. I highly recommend it. I've gotten a lot of gear from Pixel Connection and they are great to deal with. I work with Matt there. Sadly I don't use that really nice LIMs case at all but I love the way my Q3 handles with the thumb support and without the bulk of a case. Happy shooting, Joel

Yet another Q3 field review. A balanced review, however, what I really enjoyed most is the street photography that Federico Zaza (Nove100) did with the Q3. Thought I'd pass it along for those of you that may also enjoy it.

@David Wien Agreed. My first SLR, a Canon FTb, came with one of those everready cases in the 70s. I didn't like it then and wouldn't get one now. But I suppose if you like the retro element of it...to each his own. After I bought a great half case for my Q3 (LIMs) I realized I much prefer using it without any case, but I find the thumb rest is indispensable.

It's all personal preference. No right or wrong choice. FWIW, here is my review of LIM's half case. I should note my LIM's half case just sits in the box on a shelf because I haven't used it since I wrote the review. In my opinion, the Q3 is far more of a pleasure to use without it. Though I think a thumb rest is mandatory. I love the Leica thumb rest I have for it though it's way overpriced.

Indeed!