light Lens Labs 50mm 1.2 (interesting)

[mdg1371]

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The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[mdg1371]

Again f1.2

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[theseahawk]

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f/1.2 1/60th second ISO 1600 M10-P

Edited January 18, 2024 by theseahawk

[theseahawk]

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f/1.2 1/45th sec. ISO 1000 M10-P

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f/1.2 1/500th sec. ISO 200 M10-P

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f/1.2 1/750th sec ISO 200 M10-P

[Smudgerer]

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I think it is too easy to dismiss lenses made by other manufacturers than those made by Leica. In our M universe we are extraordinarily blessed by a wealth of lenses other than Leica's offerings. In some ways it's a disservice to denigrate "cheaper" lenses that are now being made for the M platform and if you research and pick carefully you can find quite a few third-party lenses that will prove to be more than capable for one's M's photographic needs. Myself I own seven Leica lenses, from 21mm to 50mm, ( anything above 50mm has me reaching for my Nikons SLR/DSLR's that for me are a much better option to cover longer FL's ), my other lenses are a mix of Voigtlanders from 21mm to 50mm, a TTA 28/5.6 and lately two Light Lens Lab lenses and every one of the 3rd party lenses I own are built very well and function to my satisfaction.......and I can be very "picky"! None have had to be returned for CC issues either which is a nice bonus.

The two LLL lenses are the 35mm 8e Collapsible, ( this bought primarily for use on my M2 ), and as of this week the 50mm Elcan f2 lens which will probably tip my Summicron 50mm f2 into the "trade-it" bin. It's a jewel of a lens and makes me wish the Leica would revisit the smaller design of lenses that they used to make. Most now seem to be getting larger and heavier which to me is something that is annoying no matter how "great" the glass may be. What's the point of having a superb RF viewfinder and then blocking so much of it with an overlarge lens bolted on? I don't get that, I find it counterproductive and makes me welcome those smaller more compact lenses made by other manufacturers.

 

[Warton]

I had a chance today to handle one of these, in brass chrome.

The rep in Canada lives quite close to me. He brought one to my home. I played with it on my m10-r and m11, and decided it's not the one for me. My thinking was:

1. Quite hefty weight, more than 600 gram. It's unlikely I will take it with me everywhere.

2. Nailing the focus with f/1.2 is almost impossible for me, I even put one of their 1.4x viewfinder magnifier on and the hit ratio is still less than 50%

3. On f/1.2 it clearly demonstrates onion rings bokeh, which is so obvious that I cannot live with

4. On f/1.2, the contrast is pretty low, and color tone is somehow on the cool side, showing more of a blue-ish tone, which is not to my likings.

5. On f/1.4 and onward, the focusing is much easier. I can pretty much get the focus every time from f/1.4, the centre of the image is quite sharp actually.

I, to be honest, quite like the lens. I think it's good value buy at about $2000, but just not for me. I don't want to carry a hefty lens while I can practically only use it from f/1.4. I may change my mind in the future though.

Meanwhile he brought couple of other 50mm with him for me to try, namely Elcan and SP-II. I found Elcan is quite mediocre but I really like SP-II's rendering, its cinematic look is appealing to me, and it's quite a different characteristic to Summicron-50mm-APO which I love as well. And I ended up buying a time limited edition, I heard Jason Momoa has one too. I don't know if it's true. But I like the rusty brass looking, much better than the shining bare brass finish.

 

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Edited January 21, 2024 by Warton

[hdmesa]

2 hours ago, Warton said:

I had a chance today to handle one of these, in brass chrome.

The rep in Canada lives quite close to me. He brought one to my home. I played with it on my m10-r and m11, and decided it's not the one for me. My thinking was:

1. Quite hefty weight, more than 600 gram. It's unlikely I will take it with me everywhere.

2. Nailing the focus with f/1.2 is almost impossible for me, I even put one of their 1.4x viewfinder magnifier on and the hit ratio is still less than 50%

3. On f/1.2 it clearly demonstrates onion rings bokeh, which is so obvious that I cannot live with

4. On f/1.2, the contrast is pretty low, and color tone is somehow on the cool side, showing more of a blue-ish tone, which is not to my likings.

5. On f/1.4 and onward, the focusing is much easier. I can pretty much get the focus every time from f/1.4, the centre of the image is quite sharp actually.

I, to be honest, quite like the lens. I think it's good value buy at about $2000, but just not for me. I don't want to carry a hefty lens while I can practically only use it from f/1.4. I may change my mind in the future though.

Meanwhile he brought couple of other 50mm with him for me to try, namely Elcan and SP-II. I found Elcan is quite mediocre but I really like SP-II's rendering, its cinematic look is appealing to me, and it's quite a different characteristic to Summicron-50mm-APO which I love as well. And I ended up buying a time limited edition, I heard Jason Momoa has one too. I don't know if it's true. But I like the rusty brass looking, much better than the shining bare brass finish.

 

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Nice, congrats. One of my favorite 50mm M lenses. I leave it set to f/2 and never change it – love the glow at mid to long distances at f/2.

 

[Dan Chang]

On 1/5/2023 at 7:45 PM, mdg1371 said:

I concur. My thought is that this will not be a decades lasting production company— given the quality of what they have been producing, and the attention to detail, I think their products are A) Already a decent value and B ) Likely to become cult lenses.

If I didn’t have an original 8 element, I would likely have an LLL version.

I was lucky enough to score a chrome 50mm Noctilux f1.2 reissue, but given the auction prices for those, it isn’t worth the risk taking it out in the field. I placed a pre-order for,the chrome LLL 1966 immediately.

 

If you bought a lens only put on the shelf waiting for next owner, well you do not own that lens.

[mdg1371]

1 hour ago, Dan Chang said:

If you bought a lens only put on the shelf waiting for next owner, well you do not own that lens.

That’s a great view- I have many Leica lenses that I do use, but of which I consider myself merely a caretaker- someone will have them after me, sooner or later (except maybe the .95…that one may be buried with me 😉)

[Warton]

1 minute ago, mdg1371 said:

That’s a great view- I have many Leica lenses that I do use, but of which I consider myself merely a caretaker- someone will have them after me, sooner or later (except maybe the .95…that one may be buried with me 😉)

Like Patek said, you can never own a Patek, you merely keep it for the next generation.

kind of B.S.

[mdg1371]

3 minutes ago, Warton said:

Like Patek said, you can never own a Patek, you merely keep it for the next generation.

kind of B.S.

Well, I routinely use a few  lenses that are 80+ years old (7.3cm Hector, 5cm Summar) and many that are 60+ years old— that places me in the 3rd/4th and 2nd/3rd generation to own them respectively- I see no reason why I would be the last—

[darylgo]

1 hour ago, Dan Chang said:

If you bought a lens only put on the shelf waiting for next owner, well you do not own that lens.

What great fun to be the caretaker of Leica.

[pippy]

2 hours ago, Dan Chang said:

If you bought a lens only put on the shelf waiting for next owner, well you do not own that lens.

In which case who does own the lens when it's on the shelf (in your opinion)?

P.

[Dan Chang]

1 hour ago, pippy said:

In which case who does own the lens when it's on the shelf (in your opinion)?

P.

The next owner whoever will take it😀. The caretaker only dust off the the lens.

[Dan Chang]

On 1/7/2023 at 4:10 AM, pippy said:

Seriously?

If we restricted our purchases to only those corporations whose bosses are Saints our houses would, no doubt, be very empty places...

Philip.

hjddd may know more than we know. maybe more precisely the owner of LLL, not boss.  

[pippy]

7 hours ago, Dan Chang said:

If you bought a lens only put on the shelf waiting for next owner, well you do not own that lens.

5 hours ago, pippy said:

In which case who does own the lens when it's on the shelf (in your opinion)?...

4 hours ago, Dan Chang said:

The next owner whoever will take it...

So the person who has bought and currently possesses a lens doesn't actually "own" it until they sell it?

Have you ever thought about going in to Politics as a profession?

P.

Edited January 23, 2024 by pippy

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[pippy]

5 hours ago, Dan Chang said:

hjddd may know more than we know. maybe more precisely the owner of LLL, not boss.  

Equally hjddd might very well be a troll / bare-faced liar. How on Earth can we tell? Difficult...

P.

Edited January 24, 2024 by pippy

[Dan Chang]

2 hours ago, pippy said:

Equally hjddd might very well be a troll / bare-faced liar. How on Earth can we tell? Difficult...

P.

That’s totally possible. hjddd did not give explanation why he hold such negative review towards the boss.