Best glass for Monochrom

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Best glass for Monochrom
https://lavidaleica.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=64&t=1104
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Author:  Shetland [ Sun Sep 14, 2014 10:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Best glass for Monochrom

Much noise on the web as to what glass suits the sensor best. Any strong opinions from experienced users?
Dr Ashwin Rao on 'Steve Huff' waxes about old glass, but while some of it is interesting, (the lower contrast adding a unique 'atmospheric' not seen with modern designs, as well as preserving more shadow detail), it is for me at least, less visually impactful. I'm this close to getting a used MM, having ditched all my Nikon AF stuff (still can't believe I did it after 6 years). I just traveled to Constantinople with just a Ricoh GR (a tiny wonder and no regrets!). Have a trio of M lenses that have their specific uses on film, where focus shift isn't an issue. Will they play well with the monochrome sensor?

Thoughts? What should be avoided altogether?

:{M

Author:  DaveM [ Thu Sep 18, 2014 9:44 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Best glass for Monochrom

Hi Shetland,

One of my favourites to use on the Monochrom is the 21mm Super-Angulon as you don't have to deal with the extreme colour fringing it produces on a M9 or M240.

I have the later f3.4 version from 1963 and it's as sharp as I need and produces lovely vignetting.

Most of the photos is this album were shot with it. https://www.flickr.com/photos/dave_morgan/sets/72157635243486482/

Dave.

Author:  Shetland [ Sat Sep 27, 2014 12:52 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Best glass for Monochrom

Thanks Dave. I want to avoid using an external finder at this point.

Author:  Double Negative [ Sat Sep 27, 2014 10:11 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Best glass for Monochrom

I've moved the original thread (with the responses) here in place of the new post. :)

Author:  Double Negative [ Sat Sep 27, 2014 10:16 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Best glass for Monochrom

If a lens will work well on film or other bodies, it will work well on the MM! Especially wides, which Dave alludes to - because there's no weird colorization issues to worry about.

One of my favorites on the MM is the 50 Lux. For all the same reasons it's so nice on other bodies; super sharp from wide open, fast, reasonably small, etc. Your 50 Cron should be just as nice, and you won't miss the one stop in speed on the MM, which handles high-ISO fantastically. Same with your 28 Elmarit. The 90AA should be *really* nice, if sharpness is what you seek - and the MM will exploit that fully.

Lenses to avoid? None that I can think of. ;)

Author:  swamiji [ Sat Sep 27, 2014 12:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Best glass for Monochrom

Most glass should work better on the Monochrom as you don't need to worry about chromatic aberration

Author:  airfrogusmc [ Tue Dec 23, 2014 10:01 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Best glass for Monochrom

I love my 35 Lux FLE on my Mono....

Author:  Shetland [ Mon Feb 09, 2015 4:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Best glass for Monochrom

UPDATE...Started looking for Canon LTMs but fewer samples with glass in great shape seem to be out there; 50+ years old after all. Balked at a Nikkor 3.5 cm ƒ/2.5; wasn't convinced this was the better choice. Impulsively picked up a pristine 35 Summaron ƒ/2.8 that I have 14 days to return--wished I hadn't and there would be no quandary--it didn't come cheaply either; something like $975, another $90 for the IROOA hood. Compared it to what I had and can't say I'm fully swayed though quite taken by the gem-like workmanship of this half-century old lens--no 21st cent CaNikon/Sigma plastic fantastic will ever survive this long. I may still send it back. Am also awaiting the arrival of a 50 Rigid from a reputable dealer who claims it's one of the cleanest he's seen in a long time; brassing on the barrel but the glass appears free of scratches, cleaning marks, haze or fungus. Cost a tad less than the 35 but am more inclined to hold on to that one. Basically looking for older-style lower contrast options to what I'm presently working with. My glass is all pretty high-contrast, especially the Zeiss.

Author:  RiverCityRocker [ Mon Feb 09, 2015 7:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Best glass for Monochrom

I just sold a nice 50mm Cron v.II for next to nothing! The glass was immaculate. I wish you'd have posted earlier. We could have made a good deal.

Author:  Shetland [ Mon Feb 09, 2015 8:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Best glass for Monochrom

RiverCityRocker wrote:
I just sold a nice 50mm Cron v.II for next to nothing! The glass was immaculate. I wish you'd have posted earlier. We could have made a good deal.


Damn!!!!

Why 'next to nothing'? An unscratched sample is hard to come by.

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