Sadly, the lens was described as "spotless" but I found a little nick/scratch in the front element....so I'll sadly be returning it I think. He offered a partial refund, but did not specify the amount.
Regardless, I'll be purchasing another--only took about 4 photos with it to see the the RF coupling was accurate with my 240 (and Ikon), and it's spot on WO (unlike many of my other RF lenses, sadly). Really quite a nice lens in terms of handling, build, focus throw and specs. From my tiny sample set, files were lovely too. Funny though, the draw is so much more controlled and clean and modern than the 75 Lux I have heard this compared to frequently.
Sorry to hear that nehemiahphoto. Hope you will find a good one soon.
I really like mine. Small, easy to focus, nice colors and good flare resistance. I only wish that it had less field curvature. It messes up my nature photos sometimes causing the background near the corners to be really ugly, especially for mid-distance shots.
Farm stuff in warm winter light from walks around home (previously posted in the big Sony thread).
A7II and CV 75mm f/1.5
HelenaN wrote:
Sorry to hear that nehemiahphoto. Hope you will find a good one soon.
I really like mine. Small, easy to focus, nice colors and good flare resistance. I only wish that it had less field curvature. It messes up my nature photos sometimes causing the background near the corners to be really ugly, especially for mid-distance shots.
Farm stuff in warm winter light from walks around home (previously posted in the big Sony thread).
A7II and CV 75mm f/1.5
Thanks Helena--it's being returned. But I actually got another copy off FM here--I guess it was Fred's recently sold copy. So I know it's a good centered copy, and I am excited to shoot it.
I was aware of the field curvature as well--it's unfortunate and something I am looking to test when I get the lens. Like you, I too shoot outside often, with busy backgrounds at about MFD to 20 feet from f1.5 - 2.8. And you can just call me Nehemiah.
nehemiahphoto wrote:
Thanks Helena--it's being returned. But I actually got another copy off FM here--I guess it was Fred's recently sold copy. So I know it's a good centered copy, and I am excited to shoot it.
I was aware of the field curvature as well--it's unfortunate and something I am looking to test when I get the lens. Like you, I too shoot outside often, with busy backgrounds at about MFD to 20 feet from f1.5 - 2.8. And you can just call me Nehemiah.
Thank you Nehemia. Lucky you to get Fred's.
Hope you will enjoy it! It's not perfect, but great for most things and a pleasure to use. The contrast can be a bit too much for my taste sometimes, but then I add a Black Mist diffusion filter, which works well for the right subjects. Hadn't used the filter for any of the photos posted in this thread, but here are a couple of examples:
HelenaN wrote:
Thank you Nehemia. Lucky you to get Fred's.
Hope you will enjoy it! It's not perfect, but great for most things and a pleasure to use. The contrast can be a bit too much for my taste sometimes, but then I add a Black Mist diffusion filter, which works well for the right subjects. Hadn't used the filter for any of the photos posted in this thread, but here are a couple of examples:
So funny you mention that—I just ordered a Black Pro Mist 1/8, and I ordered it for the Sigma 35i and this CV 75 (both share a 58 thread). Do you mind to post some examples? What strength did you get?
Funny coincidence! I had a feeling you might like it (I have seen your photos in other threads and like your style), which is why I mentioned it. By mistake I got one from Haida instead of Tiffen. My own fault for not reading the ad carefully enough. The strength is 1/4, but I don't know if it's directly comparable to Tiffen. So far I like it though and it's much cheaper than the one from Tiffen. I posted two examples in my post above. If you want I can post some comparisons (with and without filter) but if you have Tiffen perhaps there's no point?
I’ve got the CV 65 F2.0 which I think of as my 50mm FL “place keeper” opposite three 35mm and two 40mm lenses. I also have the Sony 85mm F1.8 and adapt the EF 85L F1.2 (MK I) as an effect lens so I feel well covered for mid FLs. However, I don’t consider a 75/85 often as a portrait lens preferring my Sigma 135 F1.8 or even a super tele for bust and closer portrait framing.
After first adapting many lenses to my A9 upon first issue when there were few FE mount lenses I have learned to wait for native E mount offerings. However, it seems to me that the CV 75mm F1.5 is an excellent choice for Leica M mount shooters and a bargain too.
HelenaN wrote:
Funny coincidence! I had a feeling you might like it (I have seen your photos in other threads and like your style), which is why I mentioned it. By mistake I got one from Haida instead of Tiffen. My own fault for not reading the ad carefully enough. The strength is 1/4, but I don't know if it's directly comparable to Tiffen. So far I like it though and it's much cheaper than the one from Tiffen. I posted two examples in my post above. If you want I can post some comparisons (with and without filter) but if you have Tiffen perhaps there's no point?...Show more →
Here are my findings after shooting the ProMist 1/8...I didn't see the affects in real world shooting unless croping/peeping, and I tend to be pretty picky.
So, I got a tripod and did a controlled test. Below are the crops. While I see differences in the shadows on on axis, the differences in highlights are very minimal, at least with a strength of 1/8, which is somewhat the opposite of what I had thought (I had seen the filter blending the light to highlight tonal rolloff, not lifting the floor of the shadows as much). So, I do like the idea, but I think I'll order a 1/4, and that might be a slightly and appreciable but not overbearing and gimmick difference. I would love the affect of a little SA and smoother draw. I do see smooth bokeh and draw though, very subtle.
I find that I gravitate to late film and early digital lenses as they subtly of colors and contrast are often lovely, but the modern benefits (small size, speed, better flare, AF, bokeh) are coupled with micro-contrast and renderings I can't quite get along with. Give me the structure and convenience of modern glass, with the colors/contrast of CY, Leica R's, Minolta and Pentax
And thanks for the kind words on my photos
Also, while researching, I found this--super helpful for me. Maybe you and others too:
If people are curious, I can post examples from my CV 75/1.5 once it arrives.
Thank you for the examples and YouTube link Nehemia!
Here are some quick samples (no tripod) from my Haida Black Mist 1/4. All are unprocessed JPGs from the camera (normally I shoot RAW). The effect is much stronger in direct light, as can be seen in #3. Love that I can have "two lenses in one" with this small and light accessory and I'm thinking about buying the 1/8 too for when I want a more subtle effect.
All taken with CV 75/1.5. Bare lens first, then with the filter.
These are great examples, thanks @nehemiahphoto and @HelenaN. I have a couple of Hollywood Black Magic diffusion filters that I mainly use on my cinema camera, but occasionally on stills; in 1/8 and 1/4 strength. The 1/4 strength has quite a bit more noticeable effect; the higher strengths of any brand of diffusion filter can have the unwanted side effect of speckled bokeh, where out-of-focus highlights are peppered with little dots from the filter. These filters add a nice glow and can soften the images from otherwise harsh, contrasty lenses, but I've also used them on vintage lenses to accentuate their glow.
Schneider (the manufacturer) has a useful video here demonstrating each strength (from 1/8 to 2) on the same scene -- you can see the gradual smoothing of faces as the strength increases, but also notice the change in falloff of the window, the flashlight, and the other sources of light in the scene: https://vimeopro.com/schneideroptics/filter-tests/video/155582302
bjhurley wrote:
These are great examples, thanks @nehemiahphoto@ and @HelenaN. I have a couple of Hollywood Black Magic diffusion filters that I mainly use on my cinema camera, but occasionally on stills; in 1/8 and 1/4 strength. The 1/4 strength has quite a bit more noticeable effect; the higher strengths of any brand of diffusion filter can have the unwanted side effect of speckled bokeh, where out-of-focus highlights are peppered with little dots from the filter. These filters add a nice glow and can soften the images from otherwise harsh, contrasty lenses, but I've also used them on vintage lenses to accentuate their glow.
Schneider (the manufacturer) has a useful video here demonstrating each strength (from 1/8 to 2) on the same scene -- you can see the gradual smoothing of faces as the strength increases, but also notice the change in falloff of the window, the flashlight, and the other sources of light in the scene: https://vimeopro.com/schneideroptics/filter-tests/video/155582302...Show more →
@bjhurley -- Thanks! Yes, I actually shot it a little more today (the 1/8), and I see the difference more in softer light (as opposed to yesterday's harsh midday light) and I see the increased SA with fine textural qualities--like my dogs' fur. I really like the effect and will for sure be looking more into it. And thanks for linking that Schneider video--I read the the difference in the Black Pro-Mist vs. BlackMagic was that the Black Pro-Mist does far less in terms of halation/blooming of point light sources while softening textures and contrast, while the Black Pro-Mist does both. Do you know about this/find it accurate? Also, isn't it nice the 73 Sonnetar has that built in coma adjustment so you don't have to worry about this backend stuff I really wish more lens manufactures did that.
@HelenaN -- Excellent examples--thanks. What I see with your filter is quite a bit of halation and flare when the sun/light source is just outside the frame. More than my Black Pro-Mist. Interesting to get these differences between filters...makes for different styles. Highly desirable and so much better than messing with clarity/sharpening/texture in post for many photos. Thanks for posting the examples. The last snow one is very instructive for me as there's no bright light, but the scene's contrast is dampened in a natural way.
I think I get my CV 75/1.5 tomorrow, in addition the the 1 and 1/2 Black ProMist filters. Very curious to try.
nehemiahphoto wrote:
@bjhurley@ -- And thanks for linking that Schneider video--I read the the difference in the Black Pro-Mist vs. BlackMagic was that the Black Pro-Mist does far less in terms of halation/blooming of point light sources while softening textures and contrast, while the Black Pro-Mist does both. Do you know about this/find it accurate? Also, isn't it nice the 73 Sonnetar has that built in coma adjustment so you don't have to worry about this backend stuff I really wish more lens manufactures did that.
Haha, agreed about the Sonnetar! I haven't played much with the coma settings but you reminded me that I should. I love that lens, thanks again for recommending it!
I have never tried the Black Promist filters so can't confirm the differences, but Schneider says the Hollywood Black Magic combines the attributes of its HD Classic Soft filter (which adds glow to highlights) and its Black Frost filter (which flares highlights and reduce contrast). I got the Hollywood Blackmagic specifically for one lens (Sigma 18-35 1.8 Art zoom) that I find terribly harsh and contrasty in bright light; it's much nicer indoors or on cloudy days outdoors. I use the 1/4-strength filter with that lens in most situations and it helps it look less clinical and harsh; I bought it after seeing some footage and stills with this combination: http://www.bmcuser.com/forum/blackmagic-camera/footage-frames/24034-sigma-18-35-and-diffusion
Really enjoy this discussion about the diffusion filters. Thank you both for sharing your experiences! I like veiling flare, so I'm happy that the Haida filter has this effect. If I do get another - in a different strength - perhaps a different brand this time to get even more variation. Also, the 73 Sonnetar sounds intriguing... Will have to look into that.
Since this thread is about the CV 75, here are some more winter shots. #3 is the same scene as in the test shots above, but in softer light (+ Haida Black Mist - but only for this photo) and I used a Marumi 5 close-up lens for #4.
Thank you bjhurley for the link to the 73 Sonnetar thread! Love what I see there, but need to decide what to do about my 7Artisans 75/1.25 before getting another lens at this focal length...
The 7A at larger apertures has a bit of the Black Mist filter look, smaller DoF than the CV 75 at the same aperture, no noticeable field curvature and smoother bokeh. It's almost twice the weight though, harder to focus and has poor flare resistance (not particularly attractive flare either), which is why I got the CV 75 in the first place. I'm hoping that the Black Mist filters can even out the differences somewhat, so that I can sell 7A 75. We'll see.
HelenaN wrote:
Thank you bjhurley for the link to the 73 Sonnetar thread! Love what I see there, but need to decide what to do about my 7Artisans 75/1.25 before getting another lens at this focal length... .
That makes sense. The Sonnetar (like all the MS Optics lenses) is a little tricky to use from an ergonomics perspective, and either the Voigtländer or the 7Artisans would be more practical. But it's a lovely lens. I believe Bastian is working on a review of it (or will be soon) for the phillipreeve site.
HelenaN wrote:
Thank you bjhurley for the link to the 73 Sonnetar thread! Love what I see there, but need to decide what to do about my 7Artisans 75/1.25 before getting another lens at this focal length...
The 7A at larger apertures has a bit of the Black Mist filter look, smaller DoF than the CV 75 at the same aperture, no noticeable field curvature and smoother bokeh. It's almost twice the weight though, harder to focus and has poor flare resistance (not particularly attractive flare either), which is why I got the CV 75 in the first place. I'm hoping that the Black Mist filters can even out the differences somewhat, so that I can sell 7A 75. We'll see....Show more →
I pre-ordered the 73, and it’s been my most used tele. It’s a classic Sonnar draw with SA WO and active bokeh that smoothes quickly but it sharpens up all over stopped down and contrast gets a big bump at 1.7.
The 196g is soooo superb. It reminds me very much of my ZM 50/1.5, but better resolution distribution stopped down, worse ego and different colors/contrast.
These new CV lens threads are costing me too much money. Wait, no they're saving me the money over the Leica M equivalents I now have the 35 1.2 III, 50 APO, this 75 1.5, and have the 35 APO on order. Price difference $4.1K versus ~$27.3K for Leica's closest matches.
Really enjoying the 75 so far – just took a few quick test shots today.
I'm not seeing a glow at MFD wide open – but I do see it if I miss focus slightly or have even a little motion blur. No IBIS on the M10-R, and I'm finding 1/500 sec. or higher shutter speed is the magic dust I need for it.
Ignore the f-stop shown on the screenshots below – I have lens detection on the M10-R turned off for adapted lenses, and the f-stops are just guesses by the camera.
