Need for speed! 75 lux & Zeiss 50mm f1.5

[Vieri]

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I just got a perfectly focussing copy of the Leica 75 lux (now discontinued - get one until you can!), as well as the Zeiss 50mm 1.5 Sonnar after reading all I could about it and the way it draws. I can say I am very pleased with both lenses so far, here a couple examples, all wide open:

 

M8, Leica 75 lux @ f1.4, ISO 320, 1/180 sec

 

- my dad

M8, Leica 75 lux @ f1.4, ISO 640, 1/30 sec

 

M8, Zeiss 50 1.5 Sonnar @ f1.5, ISO 320, 1/500 sec

 

- my gf

M8, Zeiss 50 1.5 Sonnar @ f1.5, ISO 320, 1/45 sec

 

I really like them both a lot! C&C are, as always, most welcome.

[martinb]

Good to hear Vieri! What's your opinion on the focusing issues on the 50mm sonnar?

[Vieri]

Good to hear Vieri! What's your opinion on the focusing issues on the 50mm sonnar?

 

Hey Martin, I have none whatsoever - it focusses pretty well, no problem. Actually, I was waiting for a more definite in-focus-but-soft effect wide open so to speak; it seems to me it draws pretty well though not brutally sharp, nor excessively soft - I think I am going to like this lens a lot, but I need to put it through its paces a little more before making up my mind on it. So far, so good

[martinb]

Sounds good! Would be interesting to see an unsharpened 100% crop at f/1.5

[tom0511]

Hey Martin, I have none whatsoever - it focusses pretty well, no problem. Actually, I was waiting for a more definite in-focus-but-soft effect wide open so to speak; it seems to me it draws pretty well though not brutally sharp, nor excessively soft - I think I am going to like this lens a lot, but I need to put it through its paces a little more before making up my mind on it. So far, so good

 

Vieri, where did you focus on the last image?

cheers, Tom

[Ecaton]

Hey Martin, I have none whatsoever - it focusses pretty well, no problem. Actually, I was waiting for a more definite in-focus-but-soft effect wide open so to speak; it seems to me it draws pretty well though not brutally sharp, nor excessively soft - I think I am going to like this lens a lot, but I need to put it through its paces a little more before making up my mind on it. So far, so good

 

 

The last picture looks as if the tip of the nose was in focus. Is this where you focused on or was it rather the model's left eye. I have the Sonnar for about 10 days now and like. It front focuses though, and fully open it would be about the distance between eye and nose tip in close up portraits.

[Vieri]

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Sounds good! Would be interesting to see an unsharpened 100% crop at f/1.5

 

Indeed, I will do it when I have a few minutes - however, for now please note that the image here has been developed with ACR sharpening turned off, and then only underwent a very mild USM (50%, 1px, threshold 0).

 

Vieri, where did you focus on the last image?

cheers, Tom

 

The eye - however, I might have moved shlightly (or she might). I will do a more formal focus test soon and post the results if people is interested.

 

The last picture looks as if the tip of the nose was in focus. Is this where you focused on or was it rather the model's left eye. I have the Sonnar for about 10 days now and like. It front focuses though, and fully open it would be about the distance between eye and nose tip in close up portraits.

 

You are right about the perceived fous point. As I said above, I might have moved shlightly or she might, or the lens might have FF problems - I will do a test soon and see what I turn up with glad you like your Sonnar btw, I think I am going to enjoy it quite a bit - as soon as I will test it and put it through its paces I will have bettert grounds for an opinion, though

[tom0511]

Vieri,

I asked because I also just received my 50/1.5 and seem to explore what others have described:

focus shift, and the lens-focus seems to be calibrated for f2.8, so if I go for f1.5 the lens front focuses. I will shoot some time and then decide if I send it in for calibrating it for f1.5.

 

Test something: focus on a subject at 1,5m distance, take an image, now turn the focusring about1mm to the left (for a slightly longer distance) take another image and see whats sharp. Seems to work pretty good with my 50/1.5 at medium distances, focus and then just turn the focus ring slightly.

 

ANother thing: so far the Sonnar seems much sharper at f1.5 than I expected from Seins reviews. I dont find it to be really soft wide open.

 

cheers, Tom

[Jager]

Fast lenses just rock, don't they?!

 

These suit you well, Vieri. Lovely shots.

 

Jeff

[Vieri]

Vieri,

I asked because I also just received my 50/1.5 and seem to explore what others have described:

focus shift, and the lens-focus seems to be calibrated for f2.8, so if I go for f1.5 the lens front focuses. I will shoot some time and then decide if I send it in for calibrating it for f1.5.

 

Test something: focus on a subject at 1,5m distance, take an image, now turn the focusring about1mm to the left (for a slightly longer distance) take another image and see whats sharp. Seems to work pretty good with my 50/1.5 at medium distances, focus and then just turn the focus ring slightly.

 

ANother thing: so far the Sonnar seems much sharper at f1.5 than I expected from Seins reviews. I dont find it to be really soft wide open.

 

cheers, Tom

 

I see - it might as well be that Zeiss calibrated this for f2.8, but I would definitely prefere it to be working on all the range and, if I have to choose, I'd like to have it ok at f1.5. Still didn't have time to do a formal test, but I agree with you: the Sonnar is much sharper wide open than expected.

 

Fast lenses just rock, don't they?!

 

These suit you well, Vieri. Lovely shots.

 

Jeff

 

Jager, indeed they rock! I love the possibilities they offer - I am glad you enjoyed the shots, and thank you very much for commenting!