Zeiss Sonnar 1,5/50mm - guide to which is optimised for what aperture?

[Chazphoto]

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Hello,

 

I'm new and very excited - something you all remember, I'm sure! I have just dipped my toe in the water with a seconhand M9 and am waiting for my first lens to arrive so that I can actually take some photos! While I wait, I've got caught up in the interest over the Sonnar 1,5/50 (ex-Contax SLR and G2 user, you see) and would like to know whether it is possible to distinguish between the version that is optimised for f1.5 and the version optimised for f2.8? I can't find anything on the web that assista.

 

thanks

 

Chazphoto

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[UliWer]

As far as I know - though I may be completely wrong - the Sonnar usually is calibrated to focus exactly at f/2.8.That's just a practical approach by Zeiss since most users stop down in most cases. On demand Zeiss will calibrate it to focus exactly at f/1.5.

 

Best advise would be to ask Zeiss about this, if your lens is bought new. They are known to answer precisely.

[Ecar]

Yes, the factory default calibration is now for f/2.8 (although the initial batches were apparently calibrated for f/1.5). Zeiss will recalibrate for f/1.5 at no charge if you ask them. I'm pretty happy with the default and have learned to lean forward a bit when using the lens wide open.

[Chazphoto]

Thank you both. So the best guess is that most of the lenses for sale will be optimised for f2.8 and one would have to find a particular early serial number (if we knew what those were) to get one that was optimised for wide open.

 

Cheers

 

Chazphoto

[MarkP]

I bought mine new two years ago and sent it straight to Zeiss Germany for f1.5 optimization.

Well worthwhile.

 

Turnaround from Australia to Germany and back again was 12 days (Leica are you listening?) with me only paying for the shipping to Germany.

[james.liam]

This is very interesting; I'm wondering what is implied by optimization. Is it for focus optimization, thus changing the shift? How does this change its rendering wide-open?

[TomB_tx]

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The lens will always shift the same amount as it is stopped down. The adjustment determines at which stop does the exact focus match the rangefinder. By "optimizing" for f2.8 the exact focus will be a bit near at 1.5 up to 2.8, and a bit far (compared to the rangefinder) past 2.8. This may be best if you shoot more at medium apertures, but you need to learn to compensate focus to use wide-open.

If you shoot mainly wide-open calibrating it for exact focus at 1.5 makes sense.

Most of the Leica lenses I have from the 50s & 60s also are most exact closed a stop or two.

[james.liam]

Does greater focus accuracy at wider apertures result in less 'glowy', sharper images with this lens?

[Ecar]

Does greater focus accuracy at wider apertures result in less 'glowy', sharper images with this lens?

 

No. It does result in more shots being in focus at f/1.5. Unless you define "glow" as "out of focus"...

The lens is intrinsically very sharp. You just need to nail the focus.

[MarkP]

No. It does result in more shots being in focus at f/1.5. Unless you define "glow" as "out of focus"...

The lens is intrinsically very sharp. You just need to nail the focus.

 

Exactly.

 

Although the lens is softer wide open and razor sharp stopped down a bit.

[Ulev]

Chazphoto,

 

Just to let you know that I do own a Sonnar 1.5 50mm, bought it a few months ago, and I do like to shoot it wide open.

For me, sharp enough at f1.5. Especially for portraits.

It has an "old signature".

 

at f1.5 Out of camera ( no sharpening )

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=402146&stc=1&d=1381323932

 

 

I did not manage to focus correctly on the eyes ( still learning !!!) but you can see in the hair that certain parts are sharp !

Dof is very thin at f1.5

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=402147&stc=1&d=1381324211

 

Another one, again wide open, not sharpened

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=402149&stc=1&d=1381324506

 

For me, sharp enough for a portrait (and I love the "glow" )

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=402150&stc=1&d=1381324586

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