vanhulsenbeek Posted April 17, 2007 Share #1 Â Posted April 17, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Peponses Photo (FR) published its second review of Leica lenses for the M8. The first, April 2007, listed the tele lenses. Now the WA-lenses got reviewed. Â While most ended up pretty good (up to 92 out of 100 for the 35/2 Cron ASPH), the WATE got only 76. Here is the score: Â Optical quality: 38/40. (That is excellent) Construction: 19/20. (Superb) Comfort of use: 10/20 (!) Value for Money: 9/20(!) Â Briefly, and only reading the full review will do it justice, they are bothered (restons circonspects!) with the extra viewfinder, the fact that the lens focuses to 50 cm while the camera only measures up to 70 cm, and they find the Chromatic Aberation higher than with the other lenses (1,2 promille for 16mm) Â Performance at very high level, sharpness very good at f4, getting better and then slightly deteriorating at f8. Very homogenous ( is that English?), remarkably so even, and very contrasty also in the corners. Â If one reads French: this magazine is totally recommended and very Leica-positive! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted April 17, 2007 Posted April 17, 2007 Hi vanhulsenbeek, Take a look here WATE: mixed review in Reponses Photo. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
DaveEP Posted April 17, 2007 Share #2  Posted April 17, 2007 Very homogenous ( is that English?)  It is when you spell it correctly  Homogeneous : Uniform, Identical, unvaried etc.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
skimmel Posted April 17, 2007 Share #3 Â Posted April 17, 2007 Thanks for the info. I don't read French but am curious, which telephotos did they review and how did they rate them? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rosuna Posted April 18, 2007 Share #4 Â Posted April 18, 2007 I am interested in the Summilux-M 75mm score. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted April 18, 2007 Share #5  Posted April 18, 2007 Peponses Photo (FR) published its second review of Leica lenses for the M8. The first, April 2007, listed the tele lenses. Now the WA-lenses got reviewed. While most ended up pretty good (up to 92 out of 100 for the 35/2 Cron ASPH), the WATE got only 76. Here is the score:  Optical quality: 38/40. (That is excellent) Construction: 19/20. (Superb) Comfort of use: 10/20 (!) Value for Money: 9/20(!)  Briefly, and only reading the full review will do it justice, they are bothered (restons circonspects!) with the extra viewfinder, the fact that the lens focuses to 50 cm while the camera only measures up to 70 cm, and they find the Chromatic Aberation higher than with the other lenses (1,2 promille for 16mm)  Performance at very high level, sharpness very good at f4, getting better and then slightly deteriorating at f8. Very homogenous ( is that English?), remarkably so even, and very contrasty also in the corners.  If one reads French: this magazine is totally recommended and very Leica-positive!  I have not the WATE, never put hands on it, but I confess that thinking of it I really do not know if I ever consider to have one (keep in mind, I am generally VERY oriented to Leica products ...), and the ratings of the magazine give a sort of rational schema to my sparse thoughts about: 1-2) I do not discuss the quality : basically I simply trust Leica on this 3) Sort of a too big lens and an even "bigger" finder: do not like this from a SWA... 4) Cost is very high... and, by myself, I do not plan to go so often under 21mm... with about the same money I get a Leica 21 plus a CV 15 : fine, compact, more luminous lenses... shall I ever feel the absence of 18....?  And that's apart from strictly personal considerations (I already have a 21, and would Leica announce a 15 or 14 I think I do not resist... but if I also would have a WATE... mmmhhh...unjustificable...)  In brief: if the present Tri Elmar (expecially for M8) can be appreciable also for owners of single-focals in the same range ("single lens to go out with"), I have the impression that is not so true for the WATE, just for the intrinsic "specialty" of SWA using... how many shooters can appreciate SO MUCH the flexibilty to have a focal range that, after all, is not so extended ? Anyway, I hope for Leica sales I am partially wrong... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
macusque Posted April 18, 2007 Share #6 Â Posted April 18, 2007 I completely agree with Luigi, Â especially if you already have the 21 asph, just get the CV 15. I have the 15 CV and 28 Summicron and I don't even miss the "hole", but I know it's just me... Â Seriously, I'd prefer Leica designed a 16 prime instead of the WATE, but again I know it's just me... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanhulsenbeek Posted April 18, 2007 Author Share #7 Â Posted April 18, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) I am interested in the Summilux-M 75mm score. Â I do not have the review with me on my present travels, but I remember it was totally raving = tops. Same for the Macro Elmar 90mm. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdai Posted April 18, 2007 Share #8 Â Posted April 18, 2007 I am interested in the Summilux-M 75mm score. Â I never read Response Photo but ... Â Chasseur d'Images has a complete M8 test (Jan/Feb combined issue) in which they've tested all current M bayonet lenses and ZM lenses ... stopping down the 75 lux is on par with the 75 cron and of course it has an advantage in speed, in some regard, such as distortion the 75 lux chart looks even better than the 75 cron. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pascal_meheut Posted April 18, 2007 Share #9 Â Posted April 18, 2007 Reponse Photo tests are not the best around... I cannot say for the WATE but the results they found for other M8 lenses are contradictory with other tests done by people I trust much more. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cometsoft Posted April 18, 2007 Share #10  Posted April 18, 2007 The results were summarized in this thread on photo net:  Leica and Rangefinders Forum: Réponses Photo is publishing reviews of the Leica M lenses Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guy_mancuso Posted April 18, 2007 Share #11  Posted April 18, 2007 Here are some WATE shots , certainly do not lack any detail. i have more i can post later but here are some quickies. The WATE does have it going on , no question optically.  BTW this is with Johns adapter but with the B+W filterr and you can see why i recommend the leica filter on this becuase the leica is clean at all focal lengths 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/21742-wate-mixed-review-in-reponses-photo/?do=findComment&comment=231975'>More sharing options...
vanhulsenbeek Posted April 18, 2007 Author Share #12 Â Posted April 18, 2007 Reponse Photo tests are not the best around... I cannot say for the WATE but the results they found for other M8 lenses are contradictory with other tests done by people I trust much more. Â I have ordered the WATE and on basis of that Reponse Photo review I do not regret that one moment. I have ample training on the M7 with the 21-24-28 viewfinder and I have made great photo's with the 24mm. Â The optical performance of the WATE is top and i am sure I will used to get using it Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted April 18, 2007 Share #13 Â Posted April 18, 2007 Before the WATE was released, I had gripes about the finder, the filter arrangement and the lack of coupling back to the camera. Well, the finder turns out to be a marvel in the metal, the filter problem is now solved - I've just put it together with a B+W 49, thinner o-ring - and we have V1.102 firmware which allows the selection of the focal length for image correction. I agree with Guy, it's not perfect with the B+W filter, this is a lens to use with the Leica filter. Â As for their assessment, the lower scores are down to what a rangefinder can do and Leica's costs. What's important, image and build quality are peerless. Â For anyone reading this who has one on order and second thoughts, don't, you'll be more than pleased, delighted with your lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guy_mancuso Posted April 18, 2007 Share #14 Â Posted April 18, 2007 Besides the great optical quality of this lens which BTW is great even wide open. It is extremely handy in the field , forget that it is a great travel lens. It is just a flat out great lens period and I agree with Mark the build quality is pure leica. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanhulsenbeek Posted April 18, 2007 Author Share #15 Â Posted April 18, 2007 Besides the great optical quality of this lens which BTW is great even wide open. It is extremely handy in the field , forget that it is a great travel lens. It is just a flat out great lens period and I agree with Mark the build quality is pure leica. Â That's why I am looking forward to taking it with me Indonesia in July and take pictures of two of the great active volcano-calderas of this world: Rinjani on Lombok and Tambora on Sumbawa. Â The last blew its 1 mile top in 1815, in a bang 10 times bigger than Krakatau, and darkened the world for a week. Turner's great sunsets we owe to this volcano! It was the biggest explosion ever recorded in human recording times! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ejcaliguri@comcast.net Posted April 18, 2007 Share #16 Â Posted April 18, 2007 Just to add a bit, I have the lens and am using the filter adapter with a 67 B+W and yes it is a bit of a bother. I don't have as big a problem with the corner color shifts (?) and I am using a metal wide angle hood - ( probably does minimal good at best) -no problem (I have the finder so all is well). I have John's adapter on the way and a Leica filter on order to make it work easier. Â The viewfinder is big; I may just take one of my former Leica variable 21-24-28 and have it live with the M8's - but I won't make rash decisions. I plan to do some "3 over 3" panoramas and the bubble level and all may be fun. Â Is it the honest to God best solution? Should I have waited for the Zeiss 15mm 2.8 ZM or 18 4.0 ZM? Or a new 15mm or 18mm from Leica? No. I need a wide on the M8 - and I'm still a film user, and wanted that Leica look using a super-wide on the M for a long time. Well it is here folks! And a great performer. Â I just shot a few rolls of Velvia and Astia with the M7 to see how well this works on film with and w/o the filter; but I can just feel the results will be outstanding. Â So Sander take your M7 and M8 with you and get some superb shots at 16 and 18 mm on your volcanic expedition. You made the right choice in my opinion! Â Have FUN with it! That's what it's all about! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.