sean_reid Posted April 30, 2007 Share #261 Posted April 30, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Thanks for the kind words! I sent the first two (both luxes) back and solms didn't even blink: they just said, as you do above, 'this is what they all do'. For quick and easy, the CV 35 pancake is very nearly as good, just a bit more viggy, uncodable (there's a screw in the way) and slightly less sharp at the edges. But it's a fab lens! Tim I recommend the Skopar version which can then be used with a John Milich magic adapter and then coded. I swapped my Pancake II for the Skopar. Same lens inside. Also, one can hand-code the PII if patient. Cheers, Sean Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted April 30, 2007 Posted April 30, 2007 Hi sean_reid, Take a look here Very interesting answer from Leica on 35mm 1.4. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
tashley Posted April 30, 2007 Author Share #262 Posted April 30, 2007 I recommend the Skopar version which can then be used with a John Milich magic adapter and then coded. I swapped my Pancake II for the Skopar. Same lens inside. Also, one can hand-code the PII if patient. Cheers, Sean Thanks Sean, I actually sent my pancake back because it was smeary on the right of frame only, though otherwise had great focus and sharpness - so now I have a credit note, which I can use for the Skopar version! Really looking forward to your review of the 35's... Best Tim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
V.Storaro Posted April 30, 2007 Share #263 Posted April 30, 2007 Hi, Did anybody notice a simular backfocus issue with the 50mm cron asp? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
castelletta Posted May 1, 2007 Share #264 Posted May 1, 2007 Just to add my experience: my 35 cron behaves exactly as the Tim's Cron. Backfocus at f/2,8, f/4, f/5,6, focus but not crisp at f/2, sharp detail overall at f/8. Tested with near and middle distance targets. Repeted over and over resetting the focus ring each time. Constant results. I'm disappointed Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tashley Posted May 1, 2007 Author Share #265 Posted May 1, 2007 Just to add my experience: my 35 cron behaves exactly as the Tim's Cron. Backfocus at f/2,8, f/4, f/5,6, focus but not crisp at f/2, sharp detail overall at f/8. Tested with near and middle distance targets. Repeted over and over resetting the focus ring each time. Constant results. I'm disappointed Roberto, you should try the 35 lux if you want to see REAL focus shift! ;-( Tim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
castelletta Posted May 1, 2007 Share #266 Posted May 1, 2007 What really leave me disappointed is that my subject/target is really at focus only at f/8, f/11 because at f/2 the focus is really soft. The area that surrounds the centre of the field is almost always at focus. I'm asking myself if there is a double factor here, namedly a misalignment of the rangefinder + spherical aberration of my 35mm lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlaidlaw Posted May 1, 2007 Share #267 Posted May 1, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) What really leave me disappointed is that my subject/target is really at focus only at f/8, f/11 because at f/2 the focus is really soft. The area that surrounds the centre of the field is almost always at focus. I'm asking myself if there is a double factor here, namedly a misalignment of the rangefinder + spherical aberration of my 35mm lens. Roberto, I think the only way you are going to prove the item at fault is to find another M8 owner near you (preferably one with a Zeiss Biogon 35mm as I have yet to hear of one not focussing properly or the late 50mm Elmar-M's also seem 100% problem free) and start swapping lenses and cameras round, taking shots of the usual test sheet. I think the one most people use is the Nikon D70 test sheet. Wilson Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
castelletta Posted May 1, 2007 Share #268 Posted May 1, 2007 Roberto, I think the only way you are going to prove the item at fault is to find another M8 owner near you Wilson Difficult job to find them. There are very few "crazy ones" that own an M8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean_reid Posted May 1, 2007 Share #269 Posted May 1, 2007 Thanks Sean, I actually sent my pancake back because it was smeary on the right of frame only, though otherwise had great focus and sharpness - so now I have a credit note, which I can use for the Skopar version! Really looking forward to your review of the 35's... Best Tim Hi Tim, Perfect. That decentering happens sometimes. The huge challenge with the 35s test has been getting them here all at the same time. Right now, I just need the 35 1.4 Asph which is supposed to go out to me today. So much of what I do is dependent on timing and logistics (because I test the whole set of lenses side-by-side for each review by focal length). The contestants: CV 35/2.5 Skopar, CV 35/1.7 Ultron, CV35/1.2 Nokton (new version), Leica 35/2.0 Summ., Leica 35/1.4 Lux, Zeiss 35/2.0 As of the CV 40 review (published tomorrow probably) I'm doing focus shift tests for all lenses - just to be sure. Cheers, Sean Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean_reid Posted May 1, 2007 Share #270 Posted May 1, 2007 Not to scoop my own article but I've begun testing 35s for focus shift and there is none with the CV 35/1.7. I was pleased to see that. Cheers, Sean Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tashley Posted May 1, 2007 Author Share #271 Posted May 1, 2007 Not to scoop my own article but I've begun testing 35s for focus shift and there is none with the CV 35/1.7. I was pleased to see that. Cheers, Sean Sean, I'm sure you're aware of this but just to reiterate that though I and a number of other people have had the focus shift issue (and to an extent greater than can be 'saved' by increasing DOF, up to about F8), there are a number of people who have not had it. Solms told me it happens on at least the 35 lux and cron (I've had several!) and they agreed with my findings which are that it is the centre portion of the frame that goes soft, with the sides remaining sharp. In other words, the effect is spherical. I did not find the problem at all with the CV 2.5. Am really really hoping to get a final and definitive take on this! You might want to speak to the optical bods at Solms, too. Best Tim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean_reid Posted May 1, 2007 Share #272 Posted May 1, 2007 I'm going to start by getting the data and then I'll talk to Leica if I spot something. So far, the CV 35/1.7 and CV 35/2.5 show no appreciable focus shift. Still to test today are the Leica 35 Sum asph and the Zeiss 35. I did see that Jamie and others have found no focus shift with the 35/1.4 Asph. My tests are of the central area of the frame. Cheers, Sean Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tashley Posted May 1, 2007 Author Share #273 Posted May 1, 2007 I'm going to start by getting the data and then I'll talk to Leica if I spot something. So far, the CV 35/1.7 and CV 35/2.5 show no appreciable focus shift. Still to test today are the Leica 35 Sum asph and the Zeiss 35. I did see that Jamie and others have found no focus shift with the 35/1.4 Asph. My tests are of the central area of the frame. Cheers, Sean Jamie, Sergio and quite a few others have no problem, others definitely did, and some thought they didn't til they looked closely! Interestingly Jamie's is a chrome model... Actually to be accurate, I think that everyone has focus shift, the question is, does the point of focus remain with in the DOF with stopdown. Some do, some don't... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eoin Posted May 1, 2007 Share #274 Posted May 1, 2007 Tim, it's interesting you say Jamie has a chrome 35, when I read your findings I tested my own chrome 35 lux asph and found no problem at any aperture. My 35 is not coded and I'm reluctant about coding it in case they upset it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie Roberts Posted May 1, 2007 Share #275 Posted May 1, 2007 Jamie, Sergio and quite a few others have no problem, others definitely did, and some thought they didn't til they looked closely! Interestingly Jamie's is a chrome model... Actually to be accurate, I think that everyone has focus shift, the question is, does the point of focus remain with in the DOF with stopdown. Some do, some don't... Tim--that's exactly it... I have the chrome version, and while the focal field does shift--appreciably--as you stop down, the point of focus in the center of the field does not. By 5.6 DOF has taken care of this effect entirely. And yep--I've got a chrome one. BTW--looks like Guy has a good one too, if his beach images are anything to go by Though I don't know whether he actually stopped down that much! @ Eoin--I will only self-code my 35 or let Kindermann touch it! Tim is welcome to borrow it if he buys the beer @ Sean--I can't wait for this review. Thanks to you, I have the CV 1.9, which, while not the Cron, I like an awful lot! I'm really interested in the 35 1.2 as well to see how it performs. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean_reid Posted May 1, 2007 Share #276 Posted May 1, 2007 Hi Jamie, The 35/1.2 can't make it in time for the ball, alas. Stephen Gandy sold out of the new versions and won't have one for me for another two weeks. I'll have to test it on its own afterwards. I had an early version but I didn't like it chewing up my M8. I don't want to formally test a lens that can't focus beyond 12 feet or so without force. The 28/1.9 is a very good lens, glad you like it. The 35 Summicron shows a just a little focus shift starting at F/4 and the Zeiss 35 does the same, they're both pretty much corrected by DOF by F8. Cheers, Sean Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tashley Posted May 2, 2007 Author Share #277 Posted May 2, 2007 Tim--that's exactly it... I have the chrome version, and while the focal field does shift--appreciably--as you stop down, the point of focus in the center of the field does not. By 5.6 DOF has taken care of this effect entirely. Hi Jamie! Daft question but if the effect is gone by f5.6 due to DOF then what effect are you seeing? And yep--I've got a chrome one. BTW--looks like Guy has a good one too, if his beach images are anything to go by Though I don't know whether he actually stopped down that much! Oh I have lots of shots that make it look like the great lens it is: I bracket! @ Eoin--I will only self-code my 35 or let Kindermann touch it! Tim is welcome to borrow it if he buys the beer @ Sean--I can't wait for this review. Thanks to you, I have the CV 1.9, which, while not the Cron, I like an awful lot! I'm really interested in the 35 1.2 as well to see how it performs. I'm going to send my lens to one of you guys soon for independent assessment! I wish we had a Kindermann in the UK! Best Tim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaka Skorjanc Posted May 2, 2007 Share #278 Posted May 2, 2007 Tim, after reading all your comments and problems on 1.4/35 Lux I got a bad feeling. My first Leica-M system camera M8 is waiting for me together with three lenses, 35 Lux, 50 Lux and 75 Cron. I have to pick the equipment up in Munich next week when coming back from business trip in Moscow. Want to ask you very simple question ? When you set f first, then focus on the item and do not step up or down before taking photo, do you get satisfactory results ? I saw quite a lot of posting where people are very happy with 35 Lux on M8 despite possible flare and reflections. Or you guys suggest me to take some other lens instead of 35 Lux ? I still have this possibility. Regards, Jaka Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tashley Posted May 2, 2007 Author Share #279 Posted May 2, 2007 Tim,after reading all your comments and problems on 1.4/35 Lux I got a bad feeling. My first Leica-M system camera M8 is waiting for me together with three lenses, 35 Lux, 50 Lux and 75 Cron. I have to pick the equipment up in Munich next week when coming back from business trip in Moscow. Want to ask you very simple question ? When you set f first, then focus on the item and do not step up or down before taking photo, do you get satisfactory results ? I saw quite a lot of posting where people are very happy with 35 Lux on M8 despite possible flare and reflections. Or you guys suggest me to take some other lens instead of 35 Lux ? I still have this possibility. Regards, Jaka Jaka, there is no straight answer. My 50 lux is very good, as are those of most people I have heard of. I don't have a 75 cron but I hear it is great. I had two 35 lux and one 35 Cron. They all focussed well wide open. When you start to stop down, the point of focus drifts out of focus, worst at F4, ok again by F8 or 11 depending on distance. But this only happens to the central portion of the frame. The outer 2/3rds remain in focus. Many people have observed the same, and Solms have told me in person that this is a result of the aspheric design and is typical. BUT: many people have lenses that are fine many people think their lenses are at fault when actually their technique is poor or their rangefinder is miscalibrated some people think there lenses are fine but when they really look closely, they find they have this problem. My advice is, relax. Buy the gear, enjoy it, and if you notice a problem, ask for replacement or exchange. You might get unlucky, but if you get lucky, you will have extremely fine results. And I have kept my 35 cron even though it has this behaviour because I understand it well enough to still get good results... Best Tim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eoin Posted May 2, 2007 Share #280 Posted May 2, 2007 Janez, I have the 35 Lux & 75 Cron, both a tack sharp and beautiful lenses to use on the M8, The only time I get out of focus shots are down to me and my inability to focus correctly. I'd recommend a 1.25x for the viewfinder when using either lens especially near wide open. The DOF can be so shallow that any mis-focus in the viewfinder will give very soft results. Enjoy your new kit when you get you hands on it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.