Ecar Posted May 1, 2023 Share #1  Posted May 1, 2023 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) The Bertele 50/2 is an improved re-edition of the original CZJ Sonnar lens and has been in the works for quite some time. I have owned a pre-production version of this lens for a few weeks now. My copy is #003, and sports a beautiful semi-gloss black finish. I'm not a reviewer and @BrianS has already published an excellent and detailed write-up as well as sample pictures on RFF, so I won't try to match his expertise on the subject. Instead, I'll just share a few pictures here as well, as a token of appreciation for the Skyllaney team's efforts and dedication to developing a lens that is effectively a modern take on the classic Sonnars. For the avoidance of doubt, I have no commercial affiliation with Skyllaney, other than being a very satisfied customer. Wide open on the M10P: 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 May 1, 2023 by Ecar 15 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/376260-skyllaneys-tribute-to-ludwig-bertele/?do=findComment&comment=4762553'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted May 1, 2023 Posted May 1, 2023 Hi Ecar, Take a look here Skyllaney's tribute to Ludwig Bertele. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Ecar Posted May 1, 2023 Author Share #2  Posted May 1, 2023 And a few on the M10M, also @ f/2: 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!   10 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/376260-skyllaneys-tribute-to-ludwig-bertele/?do=findComment&comment=4762556'>More sharing options...
Ecar Posted May 1, 2023 Author Share #3  Posted May 1, 2023 On the M10P again, first two wide open and last @ f/5.6 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!   7 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/376260-skyllaneys-tribute-to-ludwig-bertele/?do=findComment&comment=4762565'>More sharing options...
Ecar Posted May 2, 2023 Author Share #4  Posted May 2, 2023 Both wide open on the M10P: 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!  5 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/376260-skyllaneys-tribute-to-ludwig-bertele/?do=findComment&comment=4763025'>More sharing options...
LocalHero1953 Posted May 2, 2023 Share #5 Â Posted May 2, 2023 I had seen that this was coming. Skyllaney are interesting innovators in this field, and their website is worth exploring. (They recently 6-bit coded my Summilux-M 75 and checked its calibration - they gave great service). I look forward to seeing how the company evolves. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecar Posted May 2, 2023 Author Share #6 Â Posted May 2, 2023 55 minutes ago, LocalHero1953 said: I had seen that this was coming. Skyllaney are interesting innovators in this field, and their website is worth exploring. (They recently 6-bit coded my Summilux-M 75 and checked its calibration - they gave great service). I look forward to seeing how the company evolves. Official release is probably a few months away but yes, I really hope they succeed. This lens is a labour of love and passion - and the first one they designed from the ground up, while staying true to the original Sonnar design. Modern glass and multi-coating increase overall image "clarity" and flare resistance. My copy is optimised for f/2 and, crucially, focus shift has virtually disappeared in real-life photography. Very tight manufacturing tolerances and an all-brass construction make it a joy to use, although I have made a couple of minor observations regarding cosmetics and haptics, which I hope they will take on board. 2 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecar Posted May 2, 2023 Author Share #7  Posted May 2, 2023 Advertisement (gone after registration) 53 minutes ago, Al Brown said: Lovely post @Ecar. How does it compare - in your view - to Zunow and MS Sonnetar 1.1? Thanks. Mmm..., interesting question, which took me off-guard as I was actually planning to pitch it against my original CZJ Sonnars and Zeiss Optons (and perhaps throwing a Nikkor 50/2 in the mix) at some point. In a nutshell, and based on my experience with these lenses (but by no means an actual comparison) I'd say it's apples and oranges. Off the top of my head: - while the 3 lenses are labelled "Sonnars", their optical designs are quite different. - the Sonnetar and the Zunow are f/1.1 lenses - a huge difference vs the Bertele's f/2 in terms of optical design trade-offs. - the Bertele is beautifully built (think Leica or the most recent CV lenses) and so is the Zunow (but its handling is rather dated), while the Sonnetar is clearly inferior in this area (aluminium construction and quirky haptics). - the Bertele shows no real-life focus shift, has low vignetting and is relatively flare-resistant. If anything, at the same f-stop, the Bertele's rendering is somewhat closer to the Sonnetar (probably due to modern glass and MC), while the Zunow will produce lower-contrast, dreamy images, even when stopped down. To oversimplify: the Bertele is the most usable for general, day-to-day photography, the Zunow shows "extreme character" and the Sonnetar is somewhere in-between. I know it's a bit crude, but I'm afraid I can't be more specific than that. 2 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecar Posted May 3, 2023 Author Share #8  Posted May 3, 2023 Just a few more... All wide open on the M10P ASC. 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!   7 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/376260-skyllaneys-tribute-to-ludwig-bertele/?do=findComment&comment=4763599'>More sharing options...
JMF Posted August 9, 2023 Share #9 Â Posted August 9, 2023 Hello ! I was able to test the Skyllaney 50mm f2 Bertele lens recent creation ! The following photos were taken on Portra 160 with a Leica MP. Â Â Â 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMF Posted August 9, 2023 Share #10  Posted August 9, 2023 Some more :  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!     10 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/376260-skyllaneys-tribute-to-ludwig-bertele/?do=findComment&comment=4831611'>More sharing options...
JMF Posted August 14, 2023 Share #11  Posted August 14, 2023 Some photos taken on the M10-P :  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!         7 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/376260-skyllaneys-tribute-to-ludwig-bertele/?do=findComment&comment=4835325'>More sharing options...
JMF Posted August 14, 2023 Share #12  Posted August 14, 2023 50mm f2 Skyllaney Bertele on M10-P  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!   7 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/376260-skyllaneys-tribute-to-ludwig-bertele/?do=findComment&comment=4835331'>More sharing options...
boojum Posted October 28, 2023 Share #13  Posted October 28, 2023 (edited) I have also the good fortune to have a Bertele. I very much like the color. It is a smidge stronger than real but not in a bad way. In a flattering way. All shot on an M-9.  Here are some recent shots, random around where I live in NW Oregon Ooops I cannot. You only allow snapshots.  Here are the links to Flickr, a best compromise:  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 October 28, 2023 by boojum 10 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/376260-skyllaneys-tribute-to-ludwig-bertele/?do=findComment&comment=4884219'>More sharing options...
Ecar Posted February 26 Author Share #14  Posted February 26 It's been a while. Both on the M11 and wide open. 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!  8 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/376260-skyllaneys-tribute-to-ludwig-bertele/?do=findComment&comment=5764368'>More sharing options...
Ecar Posted February 26 Author Share #15  Posted February 26 A couple more. Again on the M11, 1st wide open and 2nd @ f/2.8. 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!  8 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/376260-skyllaneys-tribute-to-ludwig-bertele/?do=findComment&comment=5764479'>More sharing options...
pippy Posted February 27 Share #16  Posted February 27 On 5/2/2023 at 7:38 PM, Ecar said: ...This lens is a labour of love and passion - and the first one they designed from the ground up, while staying true to the original Sonnar design. Modern glass and multi-coating increase overall image "clarity" and flare resistance. My copy is optimised for f/2 and, crucially, focus shift has virtually disappeared in real-life photography... It had been quite a while (years!) since I had a look at Skyllaney's website. It was particularly interesting to note this extract about their 'Bertele' Sonnar re-design ..."The new design implements a pre-loaded reverse RF cam slope into the lens body that accurately translates the Sonnar formula’s native 52.4mm EFL to 51.6mm EFL, which the Leica camera expects to receive at the swing arm. When the lens goes below 1m, this slope can become non-linear because it’s rotating when focusing (something the LTM versions never did). Because the M bayonet always orientates the lens correctly on the M camera, misalignment for the non-linear slope becomes impossible."... I wish I had paid more attention to the lens when I saw it last week...and perhaps even taken a few snaps with it! Faascinating offering. I really should take out my own 50mm f2.0 / Contax II more often than I do... Philip. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecar Posted February 27 Author Share #17  Posted February 27 1 hour ago, pippy said: I wish I had paid more attention to the lens when I saw it last week...and perhaps even taken a few snaps with it! All hope may not be lost. I'd wait a few more weeks/months. Something tells me a production version with an innovative approach to dealing with focus shift may be waiting in the wings.😉 2 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecar Posted March 1 Author Share #18  Posted March 1 On the M11, both wide open (1st one perhaps @ f/2.8) 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!  3 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/376260-skyllaneys-tribute-to-ludwig-bertele/?do=findComment&comment=5765837'>More sharing options...
Ecar Posted April 23 Author Share #19  Posted April 23 M11, wide open 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! 4 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/376260-skyllaneys-tribute-to-ludwig-bertele/?do=findComment&comment=5790836'>More sharing options...
Rollin Posted June 5 Share #20 Â Posted June 5 (edited) Chris Andreyo, Managing Director & Head Engineer at Skyllaney Opto-Mechanics in Scotland, has published a peer-reviewed technical white paper on the unique Floating Lens Block (FLB) Technology which addresses focus shift in the upcoming UK made Omnar Bertele FLB 50mm f/2 Sonnar:Â https://skyllaney.com/floating-lens-block-technology/ Omnar lenses:Â https://omnarlenses.com/Â Â Edited June 5 by Rollin 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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