tashley Posted March 7, 2007 Share #1 Posted March 7, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'm maybe thinking of getting one of these lenses, which are well-reviewed, but wonder if anyone has experience of using one on an M8. Did you hand code it? If so, how did that work out? Does it get the cyans noticeably with an IR filter added? How is its focussing reliability. Does its hood fit when it has a filter on? Thanks in advance! Tim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 7, 2007 Posted March 7, 2007 Hi tashley, Take a look here Has anyone used/coded a 35mm f2 Biogon?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
terrycioni Posted March 7, 2007 Share #2 Posted March 7, 2007 I'm maybe thinking of getting one of these lenses, which are well-reviewed, but wonder if anyone has experience of using one on an M8. Did you hand code it? If so, how did that work out? Does it get the cyans noticeably with an IR filter added? How is its focussing reliability. Does its hood fit when it has a filter on? Thanks in advance! Tim Tim, I have used the 35mm Biogon F2 extensively - with and without filter. You will not be disappointed with the focus/sharpness/color/contrast of this lens. Given the cyan corner issues - I used it primarily without the filter and deal with the color issues with Jamies profile and Photoshop. The filter fits without interfering with the lenshood. I have NOT tried to hand cod the lens but it should not be a big problem. I currently use the 21 2.8, 25 2.8. and the 35 F2. ZM Biogon lenses. I bought the the 21 and 35 from POPFLASH. The 25 I bought used locally. Cheers. Terry. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
scho Posted March 7, 2007 Share #3 Posted March 7, 2007 Terry, Does the Zeiss 35 biogon bring up the 24/35 framelines on the M8? Is the focusing smooth? I'm currently using a CV 40 Nokton and although the image quality is very good it is very difficult to focus at close range because it tends to bind and of course it brings up the 50/75 frameline set. Thinking of switching to the biogon if image quality and performance are better than the Nokton. Carl Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
d_brown Posted March 7, 2007 Share #4 Posted March 7, 2007 Hello Tim, I will second Terry's observation of the 35mm Biogon. It is definitely NOT a second-rate lens and performs well. I am happy I bought it and will keep it when I get the Leica lenses sorted out. There is a slight cyan tinge on the corners of images like snow scenes, etc. Most of the time you will not see it as it blends into the other colors. When it appears, I use PTCorrect, which is a free PS filter, to correct it. Just correct the red channel only. It is quick and easy and works every time. I will try to compare the Biogon to the Lux when I get mine back in the next day or two. Dale Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrycioni Posted March 7, 2007 Share #5 Posted March 7, 2007 Terry, Does the Zeiss 35 biogon bring up the 24/35 framelines on the M8? Is the focusing smooth? I'm currently using a CV 40 Nokton and although the image quality is very good it is very difficult to focus at close range because it tends to bind and of course it brings up the 50/75 frameline set. Thinking of switching to the biogon if image quality and performance are better than the Nokton. Carl Hi Carl, The Biogron does bring up the 24/35 framelines. It is very smooth focusing! I have the 40 Nokton and use it a lot. Tom A. modified mine to bring up the 24/35 framelines which works nicely for me , I am not sure what you mean as it relates to binding. The Biogon is not a second rate lens and compares favorably to the 35mm cron pre-asph. It is a nice lens. Cheers. Terry. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen.s1 Posted March 7, 2007 Share #6 Posted March 7, 2007 I just posted one: http://www.leica-camera-user.com/other/18348-after-rain.html. It works fine on the M8. ..as does my 40mm CV which is not stiff... I don't have any lenses coded. My filters haven't yet arrived. I'd not hesitate to buy another new Zeiss lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
scho Posted March 7, 2007 Share #7 Posted March 7, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi Carl, The Biogron does bring up the 24/35 framelines. It is very smooth focusing! I have the 40 Nokton and use it a lot. Tom A. modified mine to bring up the 24/35 framelines which works nicely for me , I am not sure what you mean as it relates to binding. The Biogon is not a second rate lens and compares favorably to the 35mm cron pre-asph. It is a nice lens. Cheers. Terry. Thanks Terry. The "binding" I referred to with the 40 Nokton occurs when trying to focus at around 2 m or less. Barrel is very tight and difficult to turn. Also a chore just trying to mount this lens (even with a little vaseline on the mount). No such problems with same lens on my R-D1. The only other lens I have with similar problems is the CV 21. I think the M8 mount is just to tight for some lenses. I have no problems with the CV 28 1.9, 50 Heliar, and 75. I could try another copy of the Nokton, but at this point will go for the Zeiss instead. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tashley Posted March 8, 2007 Author Share #8 Posted March 8, 2007 Thanks to all for your replies, It seems we're still quite a small sample - none of us has yet coded one! And on the basis that the dreaded Cyans may be an issue, I'll wait until someone has achieved coding before I jump in, though the water does sound warm.... Best Tim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
scho Posted March 9, 2007 Share #9 Posted March 9, 2007 I'm maybe thinking of getting one of these lenses, which are well-reviewed, but wonder if anyone has experience of using one on an M8. Did you hand code it? If so, how did that work out? Does it get the cyans noticeably with an IR filter added? How is its focussing reliability. Does its hood fit when it has a filter on? Thanks in advance! Tim Tim, I just received my 35mm f/2 biogon from popflash and I quickly coded the lens as a 35 f/2 cron, using the "sharpie" method. This one is easy to code (011110), just one contnuous black patch for the 1111 positions is all that is needed. Works perfectly and I haven't seen any significant cyan viginetting yet. Screen grab below of a shot taken after coding and with a B+W 486 UV/IR cut filter in place illustrating exif data. Very nice lens and my LH-5 hood from my 40 Nokton fits perfectly. Carl Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tashley Posted March 10, 2007 Author Share #10 Posted March 10, 2007 Tim, I just received my 35mm f/2 biogon from popflash and I quickly coded the lens as a 35 f/2 cron, using the "sharpie" method. This one is easy to code (011110), just one contnuous black patch for the 1111 positions is all that is needed. Works perfectly and I haven't seen any significant cyan viginetting yet. Screen grab below of a shot taken after coding and with a B+W 486 UV/IR cut filter in place illustrating exif data. Very nice lens and my LH-5 hood from my 40 Nokton fits perfectly. Carl Carl, you are a star. You have provided the missing link... and I'm off to buy one. If you've not had cyans in current firmware then I'm damn glad to hear it. Thanks for the advice and screenshot! Tim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
scho Posted March 15, 2007 Share #11 Posted March 15, 2007 Below are a couple of DNG shots of my blank, white computer screen shot with the coded (as a 35 f/2 cron) 35 biogon and 486 filter, inf focus, f/2 aperture. Just opened in Lightroom, no WB adjustment, auto exposure, and exported as screen size jpegs. Looks like the 1.092 firmware is doing a reasonable job of correcting cyan vignetting. Lens detection turned OFF: Lens detection turned ON: Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisC Posted March 15, 2007 Share #12 Posted March 15, 2007 Tim - With regard to hand coding the lens, if you hadn't already spotted the following thread, it might be worth your visit: http://rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37829 ......................Chris Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
guywalder Posted April 6, 2007 Share #13 Posted April 6, 2007 I'll bump this thread up again, in the hope that someone can comment on the differences in fingerprint between the Biogon and the Summicron. More specifically what does the Summicron offer for the substantial extra $$$ ? The MTFs/Datasheets seem to show equal to better resolution for the Biogon, and less distortion! can it really be so?? Guy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bavaricus Posted April 24, 2007 Share #14 Posted April 24, 2007 Maybe you'll like to have a look here: http://www.imx.nl/photosite/comments/c016.html Regards Reiner Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gilles_lorin Posted April 24, 2007 Share #15 Posted April 24, 2007 It is really an outstanding lens, and really well built. I coded it with a sharpie, it was very easy although there is a screw in the way. The coding worked for a few days and now it does. Tried to re-code it but with no luck... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hankg Posted April 24, 2007 Share #16 Posted April 24, 2007 I had the Biogon for a few weeks and agree with all the above comments. I'd add one proviso - the lens is very contrasty which I did not find to be an advantage with the M8 in many lighting conditions. Not a lens for harsh, contrasty lighting, great on overcast days. I'm finding the signature of the Leica 28/2 a happier match to the M8. Sorry I can't comment on the Leica 35's as I have'nt used them with the M8. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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