Lens characteristics - what is most desirable?

[pgk]

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OK, so we've had innumerable threads on existing lenses, lens comparisons and multiple focal length lenses, but what is that we really want in any new M lenses?

 

For myself, size matters - so an M lens should be small, compact, light and ergonomic. Fast aperture, but 1.4 is really as fast as I need as far as I'm concerned, and is usable, rather than being too fast and causing problematic focus. Standardisation of filters - E46 is good. And obviously performance, but I don't know that I really need ultimate precision, more predictability throughout the aperture range and with smooth tonality and pleasant bokeh (not harsh).

 

Any different opinions or other suggestions (and yes, I know that 'ergonomic' characteristics will vary from person to person)?

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[FrozenInTime]

Sometimes size matters other times it's speed.

One path is a compromise e.g f/2

These days I have a slow set for summer ( 28/2.8, 50/2.8, 90/4 ) and a fast set for winter ( 35/1.4, 50/0.95, 75/2 )

However the game changer is good high ISO performance - 10,000 ISO on the MM makes f/2.8 lenses practical at night - if only I had a color camera that good.

[michaelwj]

I'm thinking very similarly to Paul.

 

Small size - I'm fine with f/2. Any darker and I'll put the camera away. I don't care for thin dof.

Consistency - I'm thinking in terms of rendering (I think what Paul refers to as predictability in the first post), ergonomics, filter sizes (E39).

 

Now, what I want in a new lens is a small lens - they seem to be creeping bigger and bigger in search of technical perfection. I doubt it'll happen though, but luckily there are lots of older lenses available.

 

Cheers,

Michael

[Mornnb]

OK, so we've had innumerable threads on existing lenses, lens comparisons and multiple focal length lenses, but what is that we really want in any new M lenses?

 

For myself, size matters - so an M lens should be small, compact, light and ergonomic. Fast aperture, but 1.4 is really as fast as I need as far as I'm concerned, and is usable, rather than being too fast and causing problematic focus. Standardisation of filters - E46 is good. And obviously performance, but I don't know that I really need ultimate precision, more predictability throughout the aperture range and with smooth tonality and pleasant bokeh (not harsh).

 

Any different opinions or other suggestions (and yes, I know that 'ergonomic' characteristics will vary from person to person)?

 

 

Optical performance comes first. Micro contrast, colour rendering and of course sharpness.

I agree that 1.4 is fast enough. However I prefer a Summarit sized lens for ergnomics, one does not always need 1.4. Too bad you can't have both small size and aperture!

 

However the game changer is good high ISO performance - 10,000 ISO on the MM makes f/2.8 lenses practical at night - if only I had a color camera that good.

 

You could always pick up a Sony A7s as a back up body, that's a camera that can produce usable results at 20,000 ISO. However it doesn't play nice with wide angles.

[pgk]

Too bad you can't have both small size and aperture.

The 35mm Summilux was a good compromise (although wide open its perfomance was always iffy) in its day.I wonder if a redesign using modern glass types woul improve its wide open performance to an acceptable (if not aspheric) level? Sizewise its great, and a few ergonomic tweaks could produce a modern 'gem'.

[IWC Doppel]

Rendering (The combination of technical performance, bokeh, micro contrast,colour and 'character'), size, ease of operation (Some lenses have the perfect damping and throw ratio, some don't) and speed

 

Don't bother above f2.8 and more f2's please as well. The 21 snd 24 are a little too big to be tempting (The Noctilux and 75mm summilux are special enough to be forgiven)

[skinnfell]

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You would get as more answers to this than there are leica owners.

But for me the caracteristics would be;

As small as possible without losing mechanical precision,

and as devoid of "character" as possible.

 

According to this criteria the 50APO is the perfect lens, although I do not own one. Fast apertures are not a priority for me and my monochrom.