RMF Posted April 23, 2023 Share #141 Posted April 23, 2023 Advertisement (gone after registration) Just received my silver “SP2” from Popflash. It’s beautifully finished with nice solid aperture feel and very smooth focus, I also ‘really’ like the rabbit ears focus tabs, and with the Reid-style hood it looks very vintage/retro. If the look of a lens is important to you, this one with the hood on will gather lots of questions on what it is from aficionados. Quality wise the exterior and the len’s haptics places it right there with the feel of Leica lenses (its focus is smoother than the FLEv2 I just picked up). I haven’t done any tests with it other than a couple quick focus tests (it was spot on). For those that own one of these, does the UV filter somehow unscrew? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted April 23, 2023 Posted April 23, 2023 Hi RMF, Take a look here Light Lens Lab 50mm f/2 "Speed Panchro II" for Leica M. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Anthony Miller Posted April 23, 2023 Share #142 Posted April 23, 2023 18 hours ago, RMF said: Just received my silver “SP2” from Popflash. It’s beautifully finished with nice solid aperture feel and very smooth focus, I also ‘really’ like the rabbit ears focus tabs, and with the Reid-style hood it looks very vintage/retro. If the look of a lens is important to you, this one with the hood on will gather lots of questions on what it is from aficionados. Quality wise the exterior and the len’s haptics places it right there with the feel of Leica lenses (its focus is smoother than the FLEv2 I just picked up). I haven’t done any tests with it other than a couple quick focus tests (it was spot on). For those that own one of these, does the UV filter somehow unscrew? I have one on order with them. Seemed to have gotten the last one as it went "out of stock" as soon as I ordered. No idea when mine will ship but looking forward to trying it out. How long ago did you order yours? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMF Posted April 23, 2023 Share #143 Posted April 23, 2023 I ordered mine on the first day they became available at Popflash (I think March 20th). According to the box it came in, it looks like the first run was 998 units and mine is numbered in the mid 400’s. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
catacore Posted April 24, 2023 Share #144 Posted April 24, 2023 (edited) some crazy flare @ f/16 Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Edited April 24, 2023 by catacore 1 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/366003-light-lens-lab-50mm-f2-speed-panchro-ii-for-leica-m/?do=findComment&comment=4757771'>More sharing options...
catacore Posted April 24, 2023 Share #145 Posted April 24, 2023 f/2, focus at about 1m Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/366003-light-lens-lab-50mm-f2-speed-panchro-ii-for-leica-m/?do=findComment&comment=4757781'>More sharing options...
catacore Posted April 24, 2023 Share #146 Posted April 24, 2023 It is, pretty much, stuck on my M240 since it arrived 😲 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
catacore Posted April 24, 2023 Share #147 Posted April 24, 2023 Advertisement (gone after registration) Having used the lens a bit more, it looks like even at f/2.8 there is some glow left on the sides of the frame (I mean off-centre), whereas the centre is "perfectly clean" from glow. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 2 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/366003-light-lens-lab-50mm-f2-speed-panchro-ii-for-leica-m/?do=findComment&comment=4757800'>More sharing options...
Photoworks Posted April 24, 2023 Share #148 Posted April 24, 2023 some "Cooke Speed Panchro II" images on the M11 Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 3 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/366003-light-lens-lab-50mm-f2-speed-panchro-ii-for-leica-m/?do=findComment&comment=4757927'>More sharing options...
blessingx Posted April 29, 2023 Share #149 Posted April 29, 2023 Was able to do some quick testing yesterday. The two-lenses-in-one comments seems to hold true. A believe two of these were at f/2.4 and one f/8. I fluctuated between the two most of the time (on a SL2-S). No models, aka family, available at the time, but hope to try there next. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 2 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/366003-light-lens-lab-50mm-f2-speed-panchro-ii-for-leica-m/?do=findComment&comment=4760841'>More sharing options...
blessingx Posted April 29, 2023 Share #150 Posted April 29, 2023 Just a few more from yesterday with the SL2-S. First f/2.0. Second 2.8. Wide open will depend on subject and your patience for busyness, but can be fun. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 2 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/366003-light-lens-lab-50mm-f2-speed-panchro-ii-for-leica-m/?do=findComment&comment=4761059'>More sharing options...
sometimesmaybe Posted April 29, 2023 Share #151 Posted April 29, 2023 (edited) 5 hours ago, blessingx said: Just a few more from yesterday with the SL2-S. First f/2.0. Second 2.8. Wide open will depend on subject and your patience for busyness, but can be fun. wide open, the LLL looks wild. which i like. has anyone tested the lens (at f2) with some specular highlights in the background? i bet this baby is gonna swirl 🤓 Edited April 29, 2023 by sometimesmaybe Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Miller Posted April 29, 2023 Share #152 Posted April 29, 2023 Really liking that wild background. Looks a lot like my 50mm f1.5 Summarit wide open. The Panchro also seems to sharpen up nicely just a few stops down. Really looking forward to mine when it comes but was told there is a delay right now so may be another month till it ships. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
catacore Posted April 30, 2023 Share #153 Posted April 30, 2023 (edited) 11 hours ago, sometimesmaybe said: wide open, the LLL looks wild. which i like. has anyone tested the lens (at f2) with some specular highlights in the background? i bet this baby is gonna swirl 🤓 not sure if this one is on any help (shot at f2, possibly a bit miss-focused on the leaves). Not that "swirly", I would say.... Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Edited April 30, 2023 by catacore 2 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/366003-light-lens-lab-50mm-f2-speed-panchro-ii-for-leica-m/?do=findComment&comment=4761383'>More sharing options...
catacore Posted April 30, 2023 Share #154 Posted April 30, 2023 Tack sharp at f/8 Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 2 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/366003-light-lens-lab-50mm-f2-speed-panchro-ii-for-leica-m/?do=findComment&comment=4761509'>More sharing options...
Gobert Posted April 30, 2023 Share #155 Posted April 30, 2023 7 hours ago, catacore said: not sure if this one is on any help (shot at f2, possibly a bit miss-focused on the leaves). Not that "swirly", I would say.... Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Not my thing. I don’t appreciate the wild character Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NigelG Posted April 30, 2023 Share #156 Posted April 30, 2023 (edited) Well mine finally arrived (thanks to David from LLL) literally as we were finishing packing up for London so I haven’t been able to test it out. Initial thoughts - seems very well made /finished (tiny bit better than the Elcan I tried maybe) with nice aperture ring tension. Not sure I’ll use the original spec hood. The uv filter (?) that sits over the front element unscrews (with decent fingernails) and I’m wondering if the front element is then recessed sufficiently to allow for a smaller hood? - or does it protect the front coatings for some reason? I haven’t found any info on their site as to why it’s built in. Edited April 30, 2023 by NigelG 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
blessingx Posted April 30, 2023 Share #157 Posted April 30, 2023 (edited) I’d like to avoid using the supplied hood also (mostly to more easily secure a 43mm generic cap). Curious on the UV(?) too. And on the swirl question I’m not seeing it either. What I am seeing is a lens that changes relatively dramatically based on small aperture changes and distance. Edited April 30, 2023 by blessingx Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Almizilero Posted May 1, 2023 Share #158 Posted May 1, 2023 Today I did a little test to see if the Panchro can actually become my “main” 50mm. I never inteded my M setup to grow and was quite happy with the 28 Voigtländer and 50 Summicron. But the Panchro was just too interesting. So here's what I learned, it's just a quick test, I intend to do some more comparison shot before I come to a conclusion. I only did f/2 and f/2.8 shots with both lenses. I've been using the Panchro exclusivly for the past couple of weeks and thought that it would be on a level with the Summicron from f/2.8. But no. - The Panchro has it's typical glow at f/2 and f/2.4, but that mostly disappears by f/2.8. While the center is super sharp at f/2.8, it doesn't hold a candle to the Summicron when you look at the corners. There, the Panchro has a very nice soft rendering, while the Summicron is quite sharp all over the frame, even at f/2. - The Panchro renders way warmer then the Summicron. At the same white balance, the Summicron is very natural looking, even tends to be a bit cold. The Panchro renders warmer colours with more reds. Again, no surprise here, that's what it's known for. I'd say the difference is about 500 Kelvin. (Meaning that an image with WB set to 4500 look same-ish to Summicron images at WB 5000.) - The Summicron has this Leica 3D pop. The Panchro has a nice background separation as well, but in comparison, the Summicron just shows what it is capable of. - The Bokeh of the Summicron is smoother. The Summicron is no bokeh wonder, but in comparison, it's just less busy. The Panchro has a lot of character in this regard, the Summicron is rather meh. I also get the impression that at the same aperture, the Summicron has a shallower depth of sharpness and diffuses the background just a bit more. So that's it for first impressions. For now, I don't think I'll part with the Summicron. It is a solid performer and the Panchro has so much character that they both kinda deserve their place and one can't really replace the other. But I still might part with the Summicron at some point, because the Panchro is very versatile and can fullfill most of my 50mm needs when stopped down. The differences, less corner sharpness, warmer tone and busier bokeh don't really put me off of the Panchro as a solid everyday lens with a special look when used wide open! 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
catacore Posted May 2, 2023 Share #159 Posted May 2, 2023 (edited) I will, most probably, sell my Nokton 50mm f1.5 II Asph. for the same reason - I don't really need two 50mm lenses, and the LLL SPII, with its "dual character" is more apealling to me. Edited May 2, 2023 by catacore Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
catacore Posted May 15, 2023 Share #160 Posted May 15, 2023 Black paint versions available for pre-order now. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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