M lenses on Lumix S5

[Stuart Richardson]

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My experience was that it was notable with several lenses, but I no longer have a digital M so unfortunately I cannot share an example. But I found even lenses like the 75mm APO Summicron M and 50mm Summilux Asph to be affected on the SL2 in comparison to the M10…not just from the extra resolution. I agree, however, that it might not be significant for some users. It was an indication to me, however, that the native mount was the best solution and M lenses on the SL were more useful as backup or specialist use, other than a few big exceptions (90mm APO Summicron and 135mm tele-elmar with my kit at least). 

[Archiver]

On 7/26/2023 at 8:32 PM, soundfanz said:

How did you go? I am considering a S5 but am concerned it won't match well with my 2 Voigtlander M mount lenses.

It's been a while since I received the L to M mount adapter, and I've had time to test everything I've got on the S5. Here are the results:

- Voigtlander 12mm f5.6 v2 - lots of vignetting, surprisingly little red edge, focus is fine because of the wide focal length.

- Voigtlander 15mm f4.5 v1 - similar to the above.

- Zeiss Biogon 21mm f2.8 - no red edge, a fair bit of vignetting, and it seems to have lower contrast or something compared with the M9. It's just not as sharp as it is on the M9. Acceptable for hobby uses, but not for work, where I need maximum sharpness/clarity.

- Leica Elmarit 28mm f2.8 asph - again, doesn't seem quite as sharp as on the M9, but overall its usable.

- Voigtlander Nokton 35mm f1.2 v1 - the S5 really seems to reveal just how hazy and glowy this lens is when wide open. No red edge, a bit of vignetting, same as the M9.

- Voigtlander Nokton 35mm f1.4 - this is where it really falls down. There is a strange 'doubling' effect in the outer thirds of the image in the out of focus areas. Streetlights, for example, look like they are slightly doubled and overlaid. The centre is reasonably sharp, and stopping down improves things, but it is not what you get on the M9.

- Zeiss Distagon 35mm f1.4 - this lens is superb on the M9 and performs very well on the S5. I do not notice any field curvature focal plane effects, but I haven't looked for them, either. It's stunning as a video lens, it makes everything look like cinema.

- Leica Summicron 50mm f2 v5 - decently sharp, no surprises. I still prefer how this lens renders on the M9, but this may be subjective. I just prefer M9 colours and tone curve overall.

- Leica Summarit 75mm f2.5 - again, no surprises, the lens performs as you would want.

If I had time, I would shoot the S5 and M9 consecutively with the same scene to compare them. I've created a Lightroom preset to make S5 images more like what I get from the M9 - it's not perfect, but it's much better than what I was getting before.

For me, the issue is that everything 'pops' in a crisp and 3D way on the M9, and I haven't shot with any other digital M camera, so I don't know if this is a M9 phenomenon or an adapted lens phenomenon. Don't get me wrong, most M lenses I've tried on the S5 perform from acceptable to excellent, but they seem to lack the pop of the M9. Perhaps this would be different with Leica R or Zeiss Classic/Milvus/Otus lenses. Interestingly, I've tried a Yashica 28mm ML on the S5 (Contax CY mount) and the images pop, which gives me hope for adapted Zeiss and Contax lenses. We shall see!

[soundfanz]

On 7/26/2023 at 9:10 PM, frame-it said:

🤣

So what's so funny? Seriously?

I've adapted CV lenses to my Leica CL with excellent results.

Considering purchasing a Panasonic FF, and want to adapt lenses if I go ahead.

Edited July 30, 2023 by soundfanz