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80 Summilux- Your subjects and light conditions?

dave.gt

By dave.gt
in Leica R System

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dave.gt

dave.gt

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The 80 Lux is the finest lens I have ever own & used. It always teaches me something new each time a use it.

 

Ain't that the truth! I reckon it will take years to really learn this amazing lens!

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sc_rufctr

sc_rufctr

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Is this lens the R equivalent of the 1.4/75 Summilux-M, or does it render quite differently?

 

I own both... Aside from the focal length difference they render much the same but I think the M version may be a little sharper at full apature. But there's really not much in it.

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John Jovic

John Jovic

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Ain't that the truth! I reckon it will take years to really learn this amazing lens!

 

Frankly, there's not that much to learn.

 

It has focus shift, which you need to be aware of (see example http://photocornucopia.com/images/Lenses/Leica/R80/R80_Focus_Shift.gif).

 

It has a bit of fringing/LaCA till about F2 which I think is the sweet spot for this lens anyway.

 

LoCA or spherochromatism is there too but I've never had a problem with it in practice, even wide open, and I shoot cars with chrome on a regular basis (a torture test for that kind of problem). Some of the sample images below are there just to show this aspect, ie chrome strips with purple/green casts. Maybe this is it's greatest fault but the samples below are really the worst case scenario and I think they are acceptable, but not ideal.

 

It's not razor sharp wide open at close range, but OK, and it's much sharper wide open at distance. TBH, I hardly ever use it that way, as a 'landscape' lens and with edge to edge sharpness as a requirement, so maybe I'm not one to comment on this aspect. It is uber sharp at distance and stopped down to about F5.6-8.

 

Bokeh seems about the same in front and behind the subject, there's not a dramatic difference where it's uber harsh on one side of the focus plane as can happen with some lenses. I've never really noticed a big difference in this aspect of it's character.

 

It's not suited to use with extension tubes. It does work but it needs to be stopped down to about F8. See graphic example's below, not for the squeamish.

 

F2.8: http://www.johnjovic.com/temp/Mouse/2p8_S9Y2064.jpg

F8: http://www.johnjovic.com/temp/Mouse/8_S9Y2018.jpg

 

Some say it's not good in terms of flare control but that's not my experience and I've never considered this a problem in the 20 or so years I've used one.

 

The wide open SA (the 'Leica glow') does add a character that I think can differentiate this lens from others but it's an aberration or fault which may be unwanted or could be used to advantage depending on the circumstances. I like it. If I don't want it I stop down to F2. Problem solved.

 

Vignetting performance is very good and there is virtually none by F2.8, see http://photocornucopia.com/images/Lenses/Leica/R80/R80_Vig.gif .

 

That's really about it. The examples below are all wide open (on Canon 5D2).

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magosak

magosak

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How stiff is the focus ring on your 80 Summilux?

 

Mine is quite stiff and using it on a light camera such as Sony A7R makes it difficult to nail the focus. Would CLA help loosen the focus ring?

 

Does the 75mm Summilux have the same type of stiffness? I might sell the 80mm and get a 75mm instead.

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mmradman

mmradman

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How stiff is the focus ring on your 80 Summilux?

 

Mine is quite stiff and using it on a light camera such as Sony A7R makes it difficult to nail the focus. Would CLA help loosen the focus ring?

 

Does the 75mm Summilux have the same type of stiffness? I might sell the 80mm and get a 75mm instead.

 

Stiff focus is normal (own experience) on both lenses, slightly less on 75mm than 80mm.

 

Stiff focus for Lux 80mm was designed to work with bulkier SLR body so fitting it to lightweight Sony A7 you are likely to experience not ideal handling. My advice is to wait for dedicated short & fast tele lens manufactured by either Sony or Zeiss or use Sony 85mm AF lens via Sony adapter.

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AB007

AB007

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How stiff is the focus ring on your 80 Summilux?

 

Mine is quite stiff and using it on a light camera such as Sony A7R makes it difficult to nail the focus. Would CLA help loosen the focus ring?

.

 

+1 Mine too. I believe it is normal.

 

I didn't try it on my A7r but I'll try it on my M. I wonder whether I should get a Metabone adapter for Leica R.

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SteveYork

SteveYork

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Use will loosen up lenses. When I first got the 50mm Summilux ASPH, back in 2005, straight off a dealer's shelf, it was so stiff. Stiffer then any other Leica M lens I've ever owned. Seven years later it was silky smooth. Indeed, one of the smoothest in my small herd.

 

Then I got smart and dumped the M stuff for R stuff. :)

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dave.gt

dave.gt

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Well, it so happens that my 80 lux is reading on a beautiful R8 now. Wonderful setup sand a joy to use! I am getting stunning results for my latest photo essay.

 

Now I am contemplating building a digital kit around this lens. Wondering how to make a Leica M become reality as I can only fund half of a new M by selling everything I have except the Lux. Anybody working with the 80 Lux on a new M?

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farnz

farnz

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... Anybody working with the 80 Lux on a new M?

Yes, as the circumstances dictate. An example to help you make the effort, Dave.;)

 

Pete.

 

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rpsattler

rpsattler

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Dave,

 

I was in a similar position a number of months ago, and wound up shifting to two Canon bodies to accommodate my 80 Summilux. I purchased an EOS 1V for my film needs and an EOS 6D for digital work. Money is tight for me, and this was the best solution I could find to meet my film and digital needs moving forward. I have been lusting after the new M since its introduction, but as I weighed the M's emotional, functional, and economical value, I decided to opt for the Canon solution. The new M is undoubtedly a tremendous body, but my pragmatic needs do not justify owning one.

 

The interchangeable focusing screens for both Canon bodies provide a sight through the Summilux that makes focusing a real treat. Very snappy. Build quality, especially of the 1V, is tip-top. In my opinion, the 1V sits atop the 35mm film SLR pedigree with the R8/R9. I do not miss mounting the Summilux on R8/R9 bodies. Both the 1V and 6D handle beautifully with the 80 Summilux, and the Leitax mount conversion to EOS is flawless. The 6D's files are malleable and clean. They process well and print to a high digital standard.

 

Having used this set-up for a bit, I do feel this solution admirably matches the merits of the 80 Summilux. In tandem, the two bodies allow the Summilux to shoot to its potential.

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dave.gt

dave.gt

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Frankly, there's not that much to learn.

 

It has focus shift, which you need to be aware of (see example http://photocornucopia.com/images/Lenses/Leica/R80/R80_Focus_Shift.gif).

 

It has a bit of fringing/LaCA till about F2 which I think is the sweet spot for this lens anyway.

 

LoCA or spherochromatism is there too but I've never had a problem with it in practice, even wide open, and I shoot cars with chrome on a regular basis (a torture test for that kind of problem). Some of the sample images below are there just to show this aspect, ie chrome strips with purple/green casts. Maybe this is it's greatest fault but the samples below are really the worst case scenario and I think they are acceptable, but not ideal.

 

It's not razor sharp wide open at close range, but OK, and it's much sharper wide open at distance. TBH, I hardly ever use it that way, as a 'landscape' lens and with edge to edge sharpness as a requirement, so maybe I'm not one to comment on this aspect. It is uber sharp at distance and stopped down to about F5.6-8.

 

Bokeh seems about the same in front and behind the subject, there's not a dramatic difference where it's uber harsh on one side of the focus plane as can happen with some lenses. I've never really noticed a big difference in this aspect of it's character.

 

It's not suited to use with extension tubes. It does work but it needs to be stopped down to about F8. See graphic example's below, not for the squeamish.

 

F2.8: http://www.johnjovic.com/temp/Mouse/2p8_S9Y2064.jpg

F8: http://www.johnjovic.com/temp/Mouse/8_S9Y2018.jpg

 

Some say it's not good in terms of flare control but that's not my experience and I've never considered this a problem in the 20 or so years I've used one.

 

The wide open SA (the 'Leica glow') does add a character that I think can differentiate this lens from others but it's an aberration or fault which may be unwanted or could be used to advantage depending on the circumstances. I like it. If I don't want it I stop down to F2. Problem solved.

 

Vignetting performance is very good and there is virtually none by F2.8, see http://photocornucopia.com/images/Lenses/Leica/R80/R80_Vig.gif .

 

That's really about it. The examples below are all wide open (on Canon 5D2).

 

Thanks, John.. I love those images!

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farnz

farnz

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Great photo but I have to wonder about this guys state of mind. Why do this to yourself? :confused:

Yes, that would need to be the subject of a separate thread.

 

On a psychiatry website.:D Actually it turned out that he's a tattoo artist.

 

Pete.

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John Jovic

John Jovic

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... Build quality, especially of the 1V, is tip-top. In my opinion, the 1V sits atop the 35mm film SLR pedigree with the R8/R9. ...

 

I agree 100%

 

I still have 2 1V's from when I used them professionally, now they gather dust, and I still have my R8. The Canon feels like it will never break and has better metering than the R8, although the R8 has some ergonomic or practical advantages too. The R8/9 on the other hand is beautiful to use, with a great viewfinder, but mine have always played up in various ways and has visited Germany more often than I have! I think I prefer the R9 over the R8, and the 1V over the Leica's.

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