What's your favorite 35mm lens on the M11? Any surprises compared to prior M bodies?

[eyeheartny]

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3 minutes ago, Jeff S said:

He probably was suggesting that when using different focal lengths, one typically changes camera position, which changes perspective (the position/relationship between near and far objects). Cropping maintains perspective.  DOF is an entirely different matter. But maybe he had something else in mind.
 

Jeff

Exactly, Jeff. That perspective change is the source of what some refer to as “compression” with longer lenses. This can of course also change the appearance of facial features, as the perspective and subject distance from the lens afforded by a longer focal length leads to less of the distortion of features that can happen with the closer subject to lens distance required for shorter focal lengths. These topics tend to get photographers in a twist but the optics are quite clear.
 

And yes, I was saying that using a longer focal length will absolutely create a different look to the image than cropping in tighter from a shorter focal length/wider angle. Personally I am not often a fan of the “digital zoom” afforded by such a high resolution sensor but I may be an outlier. The “native” look of particular focal lengths with regard to perspective is something I like to retain as they are to me one of the distinguishing characteristics of a given lens and focal length! 

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[Jeff S]

23 minutes ago, eyeheartny said:

And yes, I was saying that using a longer focal length will absolutely create a different look to the image than cropping in tighter from a shorter focal length/wider angle. 

But perspective will remain the same if one photographs from the same position, regardless of using a wider vs longer lens.

https://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/telephoto-lenses.htm

Jeff

[eyeheartny]

3 minutes ago, Jeff S said:

But perspective will remain the same if one photographs from the same position, regardless of using a wider vs longer lens.

https://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/telephoto-lenses.htm

Jeff

Right. But a longer lens means you can change your position without losing the same size of the subject in the frame, so you get less apparent distortion.  

[Jeff S]

Which was my initial point… it’s not the focal length that changes perspective; it’s where the photographer stands that matters.  Cropping doesn’t change perspective or where one stands.

Jeff

[Photoworks]

not sure what your are all shooting that crop no crop has you all twisted... how cares...

many time there is a photo to be taking from a cross the street and crop in later... to me it comes to getting what is in from on me for a sec. I am going to change lenses and miss the instant, I will crop all the way in, and I am happy.

[Jeff S]

I made no judgment about necessity and/or wisdom of cropping; merely discussed the technical aspects of the resulting image.  
 

Jeff

[SJH]

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13 hours ago, eyeheartny said:

Yeah, but the perspective is still the same as the original lens. It does change the look compared to using a lens at its native focal length. Cropping is clearly not as good as using a lens at its “real” focal length due to the changes in perspective that affords. 

Absolutely but it is helpful to have. 

[rcusick]

21 hours ago, eyeheartny said:

Yeah, but the perspective is still the same as the original lens. It does change the look compared to using a lens at its native focal length. Cropping is clearly not as good as using a lens at its “real” focal length due to the changes in perspective that affords. 

I'm quickly learning perspective / goemetry function in Lightroom.  Works fine for me...

[eyeheartny]

54 minutes ago, rcusick said:

I'm quickly learning perspective / goemetry function in Lightroom.  Works fine for me...

I'm talking about something different. You can recognize that a portrait shot on an 85mm lens looks different than on a 35mm, right? That's what I mean by perspective. Faces look different, the distance from the subject to the background looks different, etc. 

[rcusick]

Yes...  I was referring to the subject of this thread - 35mm perspective (vs 28).   

[Jeff S]

19 hours ago, rcusick said:

Yes...  I was referring to the subject of this thread - 35mm perspective (vs 28).   

The subject of this thread is favorite 35mm lenses. Perspective is not a lens or focal length thing per se. Lightroom can’t correct for perspective (relative differences in size/position of near vs far objects) resulting from camera to subject distance.  Optical distortions from a lens are a different matter. Don’t let the control naming conventions for LR (and other software) confuse you.

https://petapixel.com/2021/08/02/lenses-dont-cause-perspective-distortion-and-lens-compression/
 

Jeff

[rcusick]

3 hours ago, Jeff S said:

The subject of this thread is favorite 35mm lenses. Perspective is not a lens or focal length thing per se. Lightroom can’t correct for perspective (relative differences in size/position of near vs far objects) resulting from camera to subject distance.  Optical distortions from a lens are a different matter. Don’t let the control naming conventions for LR (and other software) confuse you.

https://petapixel.com/2021/08/02/lenses-dont-cause-perspective-distortion-and-lens-compression/
 

Jeff

I get it!   My point was I enjoy 28 now with my m11 as before I was only a 35mm guy...  If I had to name one 35mm lens I like for the m11 it's the 35mm summicron apsh v2.  I've owned  v1, v4 crons, an fle and still own a summilux pre apsh late German version.  The m11 really shows the limitations of the classic lenses - which is unfortunate.  I couldn't tell the difference between the cron and fle on the m11.  I've sold all of them except for the apsh and the summilux pre apsh (which I use exclusively on my me now).

[eyeheartny]

31 minutes ago, rcusick said:

The m11 really shows the limitations of the classic lenses - which is unfortunate.  I couldn't tell the difference between the cron and fle on the m11.

That’s a real bummer to hear. What do you mean about not being able to tell the difference between the cron and FLE? They are pretty different lenses and optical designs, especially considering the max aperture difference. Are you saying that from f2 onward you couldn’t tell a difference? Or you don’t shoot at f1.4? Have you tried the 35 APO? Curious what made you transition to the 28 focal length. It never really worked for me, much prefer 35 since it’s easier to get the extraneous stuff out of the frame for me. At 28 there’s always something I don’t want in the frame! 
 

Curious about any 50mm or 75mm lenses you’ve liked on the M11 as well. 

[rcusick]

 

14 hours ago, eyeheartny said:

That’s a real bummer to hear. What do you mean about not being able to tell the difference between the cron and FLE? They are pretty different lenses and optical designs, especially considering the max aperture difference. Are you saying that from f2 onward you couldn’t tell a difference? Or you don’t shoot at f1.4? Have you tried the 35 APO? Curious what made you transition to the 28 focal length. It never really worked for me, much prefer 35 since it’s easier to get the extraneous stuff out of the frame for me. At 28 there’s always something I don’t want in the frame! 
 

Curious about any 50mm or 75mm lenses you’ve liked on the M11 as well. 

Of course the cron cannot shoot at 1.4... I always felt that the fle was 20 percent better than the cron on my m10 and m11 in resolution and contrast.  It could just be me - but I feel the difference is less pronounced on the m11.  I have not tried the 35 apo.  28 mm focal length is still hard for me (I'm a 35 guy) but I'm getting used to it - especially paired with a 50. 

 Re 50s - I have a cron and summilux.  Both are great.  Re 75 - I have a summarit. Again - great.  In 90 - I have a macro elmar.  Generally - I like lighter lenses. 

 

I hope that helps.  

[fotografr]

On 9/2/2022 at 5:06 PM, eyeheartny said:

 

I have a Voigtlander Ultron 35mm f2 II on the way, but may rent/explore a few other options once I get my feet under me: the Leica Summicron 35mm ASPH II, the Summilux 35 FLE, and *maybe* put in a pre-order for a 35 APO if I can get one from one of the international dealers that have better prices compared to the US (i.e., UK stores). I've seen some conflicting reports about each of those lenses on their own (i.e., that the Summicron isn't leaps and bounds better than the Ultron; 

By now you should have received your Ultron 35/2 ASPH II and had a chance to shoot with it a bit. I'm interested to know if you're as favorably impressed with it as I am with mine. These latest Voigtlander black paint on brass lenses are, IMHO, quite nice in both build quality, sharpness and rendering. 

[eyeheartny]

3 minutes ago, fotografr said:

By now you should have received your Ultron 35/2 ASPH II and had a chance to shoot with it a bit. I'm interested to know if you're as favorably impressed with it as I am with mine. These latest Voigtlander black paint on brass lenses are, IMHO, quite nice in both build quality, sharpness and rendering. 

Camera body is delayed on delivery! I've got my 35 Ultron, a thumb grip, screen protector all sitting here waiting for it! Hopefully tomorrow or Wednesday. 

[fotografr]

1 hour ago, eyeheartny said:

Camera body is delayed on delivery! I've got my 35 Ultron, a thumb grip, screen protector all sitting here waiting for it! Hopefully tomorrow or Wednesday. 

I hate those waiting periods.

[budjames]

My APO Summicron 35mm has an almost permanent place mounted to my M11 and M10R before I purchased the M11. It is a fantastic lens/camera combination.

Regards,
Bud James

Please check out my fine art and travel photography at www.budjames.photography.

 

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[S Maclean]

I have alwasy been a 50 guy, But since moving to leica I have been using the Cron 2. as a 35 mm and had fun with it.  That being said I think If I had to go from scratch I would get the Lux.

Having a 50 apo and 50 lux I could not justify getting the 35 lux on top of that (yet) so I have been working for a couple of weeks with a voigtlander Nokton 1.2,  The microcontrast and overall IQ is not quite Lux level, but I am absolutely in love with it and end up using it more than the cron.

At 1.2 and 1.4 I get the same effect I like on the 50mm (and 75 or 90mm) Great character isolation and a the same time a wider and very natural frame that keeps more contextual distance to the subject.

 

At $900 aprox the Nokton is an amazing 35 mm and it’s relative softeness to a cron or apo lens is greatly balanced by it’s elegance and creamy rendering.

Now I have a problem…I want to try the lux to see if it creates the same joy as the 1.2 is giving me.  I simply have not enjoyed 35 mm as much until I had this lens. It speaks to me.

 

I like the compactness and lightness of the cron, and for street photogrtaphy, architecture and scene capturing it is simply perfect. But for subjects, portraits and ambiance I just need the faster lens. and my paricular style often relies on perspective and DOF play and counterplay.

 

 

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Edited September 13, 2022 by S Maclean

[01af]

Am 3.9.2022 um 00:06 schrieb eyeheartny:

... what are your favorite 35 mm lenses specifically on the M11?

The same as on any other M camera.

.

Am 3.9.2022 um 00:06 schrieb eyeheartny:

I know that the BSI sensor, different color science, and higher resolution is going coax slightly different looks/performances out of different lenses.

No.

If you like your lens on any camera then you will equally like it on the Leica M11 (or better).