Challenge Lenses - examples: 50mm Noctilux, 90mm APO Summicron

[Tseg]

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My first two M lenses were a 28mm Summicron and 50mm Summilux, and despite some feedback before I got my M camera that M lenses can be difficult to focus, I was pleasantly surprised about my high success rate for focusing.  Then this week I saw a video where the content creator referred to a "Challenge Lens"... an M lens that takes practice and skill to really get the most from, but creates amazing images when you nail it.  They referred to a 50mm Noctilux, as an example.   

By coincidence, this weekend my 90mm APO Summicron ASPH arrived.   My research prior to purchase identified that focusing wide open can be a challenge, some called it big and heavy, but others say it is one of their favorite lenses.   For me, I have no issue with its size and weight, but focusing wide open is a bigger challenge than I expected 2 days in.   I thought at f2 this lens may be soft or it may be back-focused... but after practicing and testing with dozens of photos today, I just think I need to practice.   I'm actually pretty excited to try to "master" this lens with an OVF.  Things do get much better stopping down to f4.  Also, I do a bit better when using a Visoflex 2.

What challenge lenses have you experienced and what was the ultimate long term result?

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[SiggiGun]

I have difficulties with two lenses: the Nocilux because of the low depth of field and the Apo75cron because of the very short focusing distance between 5m and infinity. These are the only lenses with which I use LV, EVF or SL.

[nykv]

1 hour ago, SiggiGun said:

I have difficulties with two lenses: the Nocilux because of the low depth of field and the Apo75cron because of the very short focusing distance between 5m and infinity. These are the only lenses with which I use LV, EVF or SL.

Yes, I agree: the 75mm Summicron is the close-up lens for photographers, who only shoot 35mm.

But who want their occasional tight portraits to have natural proportions (before softening it in post, because: 0.7m - 2m it sings, though I never tried the 4/90 "macro").

So you are right imo: a new version with an old fashioned longer focus throw of the Apo-Summicron 75mm would make me buy one again, after I sold it years ago. (but one can always move their head forwards and backwards, after adjusting with the focusing ring grosso-modo  ).

Edited April 8 by nykv

[lct]

You mean challenge lenses for focusing i guess. Lenses close to the limits of the RF accuracy are like that normally i.e. lenses like Summilux 75/1.4, Summicron 90/2 or Apo-Telyt 135/3.4 at full aperture. Let alone 75/1.25 and 95/1.5 i have no experience with. 50mm lenses of any aperture should not be challenging in this respect, at least on modern FF rangefinders. Same for 75/2 lenses i have no problem to focus personally. YMMV.

[3D-Kraft.com]

I see two challenges here:

• Challenge for the eye-sight due to shallow DoF in combination with only a small section of the viewfinder window being used
• Additional challenge due to tolerances / miscalibration of the range finder coupling, focus shift of the lens when stopping down, field curvature etc.

For the first challenge, a x1.4 magnifier may help a little bit (for me, the LLL version with adjustable diopter helps more than the Leica one).

I am using the Noctilux 75/1.25 and this definitely brings your eye-sight as well as the accuracy of the opto-mechanical equipment to it's limits. With these challenging lenses, you'll have to accept either the limits and live with a high error rate even with all these workarounds or you have to open yourself to an EVF with focusing aids or use a camera that allows to use these lenses with an AF adapter.

Edited April 8 by 3D-Kraft.com

[Tseg]

My first day "in the field" with my 90mm APO Summicron and is going better than expected...

 

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[sandro]

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My most difficult lens was a Nikkor-N 1.1/5cm in LTM that my aunt gave to me. A fascinating early light monster, but because of the very shallow depth of field I found I could hardly use it and sold it. It was too expensive to just keep as collectors item.

Lex