hoppyman Posted January 10, 2011 Author Share #21 Posted January 10, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) I already took my samples down. That makes continuing to disagree with my method and contributions completely non-productive. Nothing to see here. Move on. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 10, 2011 Posted January 10, 2011 Hi hoppyman, Take a look here APO Summicron 75 boke and (no) focus shift examples. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
IkarusJohn Posted January 13, 2011 Share #22 Posted January 13, 2011 I posted some very dull, out of camera pictures of a corrugated wall and had the same results as Geoff - I could find no focus shift, and the lens performed very well (as did my 35 Summicron Asph). When I sent the 75 to Solms for coding, I asked them to check the focus, as I found it less than sharp at 700 mm. I suspect this is an issue with this lens generally, rather than with the one I have. Very nice lens. Cheers John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcoombs Posted January 16, 2011 Share #23 Posted January 16, 2011 I posted some very dull, out of camera pictures of a corrugated wall and had the same results as Geoff - I could find no focus shift, and the lens performed very well (as did my 35 Summicron Asph). When I sent the 75 to Solms for coding, I asked them to check the focus, as I found it less than sharp at 700 mm. I suspect this is an issue with this lens generally, rather than with the one I have. Very nice lens. Cheers John John, what was the result? Did they fix it? Doug Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoppyman Posted January 16, 2011 Author Share #24 Posted January 16, 2011 John I never experienced any problems with mine on M8 or M9. That in close accuracy and performance is one of its strengths for me. But may I ask why do you suspect that there is a deficiency with the lens in general and/or your individual lens? Do you have your lens back from Solms as yet? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IkarusJohn Posted January 18, 2011 Share #25 Posted January 18, 2011 No, it's not back yet (though I did have a message on my phone this morning from FedEx, which is hopeful). The lens went back for coding, so I asked them to check the close focus (it's a long way to Solms from Auckland, so I thought I'd better make the most of the trip - the lens is second hand (made in 2005)). This was my second Leica lens (the first a 35 Summicron Asph). I had hoped that it would provide the same "pop" and dreamy drawing as the 35. I was a little surprised at my first efforts, and disappointed at the number of simply out of focus shots. Hence my test with my M9, a tripod, both the 35/2 & 75/2 and some masking tape on a corrugated iron wall. I should add that my first camera was a Canon rangefinder (mid 1960s vintage), with a focussing tab - I still have it somewhere. I am familiar with split parallax focussing (though I have been using SLRs since the late 1970s). I took pictures of the tape at 700 mm, then 1 metre, and 1 metre intervals out to 6 metres (from memory), exposed at every aperture. It was only then that I realised why so many of my early shots were out of focus - not surprisingly, wide open at reasonably short distances, the depth of field is incredibly small. The lens was spot on, so the issue was my failing eyesight (or just poor technique). What I did notice was that at 700 mm, the focus was soft. If I can reproduce an image (a bit more interesting than my garage wall) I will post it when the lens comes back - if it still has this characteristic. More generally, I found the exercise invaluable (I know a lot of scorn is poured on brick walls etc on this forum, but I like to know at what aperture I will get useable depth of field). For this lens, I found that for portraits etc at between 1 and 2 metres, f/2 is pretty unforgiving, whereas f/4 out to f/5.6 still renders out of focus areas nicely, while keeping the subject crisp. I will be interested to see how this lens performs wide open at close distances when I get it back. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoppyman Posted January 18, 2011 Author Share #26 Posted January 18, 2011 John as you noted close in and wide open is certainly critical. I agree with you too that f/4 ~f/5.6 is ideal for portrait type shots there. Absoutely nothing wrong either with testing and shooting for yourself to better understand what your equipment does of course. Mine works really really well in that favoured range and is also accurate when wide open there too, providing I do my part You may find a magnifier helpful for the most critical situations. Spiral Ginger photo - Geoff Hopkinson photos at pbase.com Beehind photo - Geoff Hopkinson photos at pbase.com Wild Iris photo - Geoff Hopkinson photos at pbase.com Lunch photo - Geoff Hopkinson photos at pbase.com 'Dreamy drawing' is NOT what you will get however, at least without some effort in Post Rebe gets the BW treatment photo - Geoff Hopkinson photos at pbase.com Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IkarusJohn Posted January 19, 2011 Share #27 Posted January 19, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Thanks for linking the shots, Geoff. I love the Beehind shot. The iris shot at f/11 confirms my view that this lens works well stopped down. As I come to grips with my M9 (and digital photography generally), I'm learning more and more about the character of the lenses (not something I thought much about with my Nikon gear - that was purely depth of field and angle of view). As my first lens, the Summicron-M 35 Asph seems to be the lens I have the greatest affinity with (it really does have a wonderful dreamy quality). The 75 has a different character, which is well illustrated by your shots. Thank you. For me, this lens is more about isolating the subject with tighter framing, and crisp focus. TIme will tell how that fits in with the Summilux-M 50 Asph ... At this stage, I have a considerable amount to learn, and perhaps a bit much going on with 4 lenses, and a camera I'm new to - it's all a bit more complex (and subtle) than I first imagined. I guess the best thing from my perspective is that the rangefinder forces me to think more about composition, and the simplicity of the camera (traditional aperture priority, and manual focus) gets me thinking more about the essential elements of photography. Cheers John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ho_co Posted January 19, 2011 Share #28 Posted January 19, 2011 Geoff-- I agree with John and Tina's "I love it" on the beehind. And I also like the iris quite a bit. First-rate. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kkochheiser Posted January 21, 2011 Share #29 Posted January 21, 2011 First, thank you for posting this thread. I'm sorry that I missed your initial series of photos but I think I gleaned the important bits from the text. While this lens is on my "eventually" list, I'm still learning to use what I've got! I will be interested in what you come up with for the 35 'lux ASPH v.2 since I did my own tests with my version 1 before and after it's trip to Leica NJ for a persistent back focus independent of the dreaded shift. Love the wild Iris! Kent Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoppyman Posted January 21, 2011 Author Share #30 Posted January 21, 2011 Thank you for responses. The "lunch" photo is wide open at minimum distance too. My new Summlux 35 has perfect focus and zero issues also. I tested at minimum distance and f/1.4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cliffp Posted January 21, 2011 Share #31 Posted January 21, 2011 Geoff Reading your positive views on the 75mm Summicron and looking at some of your photos has inspired me to order one of these (amazingly in stock in the UK). All I need to do now is find a way to avoid being shot when my wife finds out (it wouldn't be so bad had I not bought the 35mm Lux FLE last month!) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IkarusJohn Posted February 6, 2011 Share #32 Posted February 6, 2011 My 75 Summicron arrived back today, so I will get out and test it as soon as I can, and if the results are not too embarrassing, I will post a link to them here. For what it's worth, the lens went to Solms by Express courier on 6 December. The trip from NZ to Germany, and the return part, was relatively quick (about 10 days all up). The biggest part of the delay was getting into Germany (customs clearance), and out again. Another issue was the intervention of Christmas ... Very happy to have the lens back. Cheers John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoppyman Posted February 16, 2011 Author Share #33 Posted February 16, 2011 Here is a new casual portrait I just shot with this lens on M9. f/4, ISO 1000 and minimal crop. Photo developed in Lightroom and Ps. The new hair-do photo - Geoff Hopkinson photos at pbase.com Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
k-hawinkler Posted February 17, 2011 Share #34 Posted February 17, 2011 A wonderful portrait of a lovely lady. Mit dem Ausdruck vorzüglichster Hochachtung, K-H. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clandrel Posted February 17, 2011 Share #35 Posted February 17, 2011 I love this lens, and regret selling it... 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! 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/141147-apo-summicron-75-boke-and-no-focus-shift-examples/?do=findComment&comment=1590622'>More sharing options...
cliffp Posted February 17, 2011 Share #36 Posted February 17, 2011 I love this lens and am grateful to Geoff for promoting it with his excellent photos! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoppyman Posted February 17, 2011 Author Share #37 Posted February 17, 2011 I just shot and developed a new series to offer examples again. The subject is human head sized, focus distance is a little less than a metre. Focused on right eyelids when at f/2 then unchanged for series following at one stop intervals for comparison. Note that aperture values in filenames have been corrected from the estimates shown in EXIF. Here is Mrs Marsupial's splendid new floral hat (in my wife's garden). Use right arrow for Next. APO75ASPHf2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IkarusJohn Posted February 22, 2011 Share #38 Posted February 22, 2011 I have been pressed for time, and so photography has not been uppermost in my mind. Here are a couple of pictures taken out on the harbour (picnicking with friends). Both taken with the 75 Cron. Both at ISO160, the first was f/5.7 @ 1/3000, and the second f/4.0 @ 1/4000. Niether particularly startling, but they give some idea of bokeh with this lens. No shift that I can see (the trip to Solms seems to have resolved my concerns) 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! 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/141147-apo-summicron-75-boke-and-no-focus-shift-examples/?do=findComment&comment=1596873'>More sharing options...
pico Posted February 22, 2011 Share #39 Posted February 22, 2011 The bokeh of these ASPH lenses hurt my eyes. IMHO they are intended for photographing brick walls. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoppyman Posted February 22, 2011 Author Share #40 Posted February 22, 2011 Pico I think that views are divided between the older lenses and the newer designs. Very much a case of personal preferences (habits/prejudices?). The idea of sharing my shots is to provide examples to allow people to make their own evaluations (within the limitations of what can be posted on-line) since we see a lot of words, opinion and comment on characteristics like focus shift and bo-ke. Obviously my personal preference is for the modern lenses and the under correction of the older designs appeals to me much less. I respectfully disagee with your comment on 'brick walls' However even better is to maybe link to some comparable stuff (portraits, nature, whatever?) that you have shot to show what you think that the older lenses (Summilux 75?) do better for you? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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