p.13 #1 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
Juha Kannisto wrote:
Yes, they all have basically same optical design but it seems Miyazaki-san did some optical tweaking between each version. MS-Optics Lens 2 booklet which I have (by S. Miyazaki and S. Ishida) mentions that some improvement of sharpness and peripheral resolution was done in versions II and III over original one and the SA curves for the 3 different versions have some variation in the data sheets. In practise I think my III shows higher sharpness than my II wide open at close range at least but overall I prefer the II (especially from handling perspective).
This SA curves from Data Sheet of version III of the lens (called Part III in the sheet) show 3 different curves where leftmost is for Part I, the middle one is for Part III and the rightmost is for Part II, and these seem to refer some differences between the 3 different versions of the lens....Show more →
That’s very interesting, Juha. Thanks for sharing the datasheet for the Urushi V2...I’ll print it since I don’t have a copy. 👍 It looks like V3 (Part 3) has improved correction for spherical aberration when shot wide open.
p.13 #4 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
Fred Miranda wrote:
Does your Urushi black version focuses down to. 0.4m?
Yes, based on the markings on the lens. The closest focusing distance based on the focusing distance markings on my version II lens is 0.4m and the lens actually allows focusing even noticeably closer than the 0.4m marking, but I haven't measured the exact actual closest focusing distance.
My version III (Urushi Sun edition) has focus distance markings up to 0.5m but it doesn't allow focusing as close as that marking, and the closest feasible focusing distance is right between 0.5m and 0.6m markings. Regular non-Urishi versions of version III only have markings up to 0.6m. MKDirect's web page for version III that is still available (although lens is marked as sold out) also mentions 0.55m as closest focusing distances on mirrorless for this version (https://www.mkdirect51.com/product-page/apoqualia2-28).
p.13 #5 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
Fred Miranda wrote:
That’s very interesting, Juha. Thanks for sharing the datasheet for the Urushi V2...I’ll print it since I don’t have a copy. 👍 It looks like V3 (Part 3) has improved correction for spherical aberration when shot wide open.
Yes, I've also observed that my V3 does look sharper wide open at close distances at least. However, I think my V2 holds up a bit better into the corners in stopped down infinity shots.
p.13 #6 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
Fred Miranda wrote:
Also, Juha,
You might be able to touch up your black lacquer lens with this. I haven’t tried it myself, but it’s black lacquer Urushi:
Thanks! I will not try it just yet but if my lens loses more paint in the future it could be a good option to try
p.13 #8 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
MS Optics has re-released their 50/1.3 Slim Sonnetar, and I couldn’t resist picking one up. It has a similar rendering to the 73/1.5 Sonnetar but is about half the size. Unlike my 73mm, which needed a lot of tweaking, this one came with a perfect mount and was almost perfectly aligned with the rangefinder. A minor adjustment was all it needed to be spot-on.
The lens frameline ridge was slightly too long, around 0.5mm, which caused it to bring up both the 50/75 and 28/135 framelines. It was a funny quirk, but I shaved it down a bit, and now it only calls up the correct framelines.
This lens is a real gem. It is incredibly fast, super compact, and a lot of fun to shoot with..Just like the bigger 73/1.5 Sonnetar, it takes reversed 49mm filters. The build feels sturdier, and the haptics are even better than my other MS Optics lenses.
I took it out for a quick walk around my street this morning, mostly to check the rangefinder alignment and see how the lens renders. I am really happy with the results and glow when wide open!
Straight our of the camera using Adobe Standard profile.
p.13 #9 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
Fred Miranda wrote:
MS Optics has re-released their 50/1.3 Slim Sonnetar, and I couldn’t resist picking one up. It has a similar rendering to the 73/1.5 Sonnetar but is about half the size. Unlike my 73mm, which needed a lot of tweaking, this one came with a perfect mount and was almost perfectly aligned with the rangefinder. A minor adjustment was all it needed to be spot-on.
The lens frameline ridge was slightly too long, around 0.5mm, which caused it to bring up both the 50/75 and 28/135 framelines. It was a funny quirk, but I shaved it down a bit, and now it only calls up the correct framelines.
This lens is a real gem. It is incredibly fast, super compact, and a lot of fun to shoot with..Just like the bigger 73/1.5 Sonnetar, it takes reversed 49mm filters. The build feels sturdier, and the haptics are even better than my other MS Optics lenses.
I took it out for a quick walk around my street this morning, mostly to check the rangefinder alignment and see how the lens renders. I am really happy with the results and glow when wide open!
Straight our of the camera using Adobe Standard profile....Show more →
Nice and nice shots! I have one too, I was not aware they made more, was there some infos about it? Anyway, I really like that lens, the rendering is lovely, I’m quite at happy how it blends glow, contrast and enough sharpness in the center.
How do you feel it compares to the Heliar? I feel it has the center sharpness that the Heliar lacks, the bokeh has more softness maybe too, the glow being less harsh than on the Heliar.
p.13 #10 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
Sonnar-7 wrote:
Nice and nice shots! I have one too, I was not aware they made more, was there some infos about it? Anyway, I really like that lens, the rendering is lovely, I’m quite at happy how it blends glow, contrast and enough sharpness in the center.
How do you feel it compares to the Heliar? I feel it has the center sharpness that the Heliar lacks, the bokeh has more softness maybe too, the glow being less harsh than on the Heliar.
Thank you, yes, they recently did a production run, and some Japanese stores still have them in stock. However, it probably won’t last long.
p.13 #11 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
Fred Miranda wrote:
Thank you, yes, they recently did a production run, and some Japanese stores still have them in stock. However, it probably won’t last long.
I don’t know if it’s a popular lens by their standard but it surely one of their more well rounded. The craft of it is quite good in fact even.
I hope they’ll make a re-run of the 36mm 1.3, they are sitting on gold with that one.
p.13 #12 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
Sonnar-7 wrote:
I don’t know if it’s a popular lens by their standard but it surely one of their more well rounded. The craft of it is quite good in fact even.
I hope they’ll make a re-run of the 36mm 1.3, they are sitting on gold with that one.
Haha! I’m not sure I want it that badly for now. I have not been reasonable lately with the purchase of the LLL 50mm 1.2, but I must admit that I am more inclined to do some foly for a 50mm. It’s a bit annoying too knowing that it’s not it’s true value and more a play on the rarity price game.
If only LLL would try their hands on the Steel Rim but it might be unlikely since Leica reissued it and it’s even considered a bargain.
Thanks for the link though, I might have caved in, I really dig the photos I have seen from the Steel Rim, I feel the glow is indering the photos far less than say a Panchro where it can be challenging to deal with.
p.13 #14 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
Sonnar-7 wrote:
Haha! I’m not sure I want it that badly for now. I have not been reasonable lately with the purchase of the LLL 50mm 1.2, but I must admit that I am more inclined to do some foly for a 50mm. It’s a bit annoying too knowing that it’s not it’s true value and more a play on the rarity price game.
If only LLL would try their hands on the Steel Rim but it might be unlikely since Leica reissued it and it’s even considered a bargain.
Thanks for the link though, I might have caved in, I really dig the photos I have seen from the Steel Rim, I feel the glow is indering the photos far less than say a Panchro where it can be challenging to deal with....Show more →
The Apollon produces even more glow than the Steel Rim at f/1.3. Here are a few samples I just captured outdoors:
In harsh lighting like this, it’s best to stop down to f/2 to reduce the glow (aberration).
These are all wide open with Adobe "Color" profile:
p.13 #15 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
Fred Miranda wrote:
The Apollon produces even more glow than the Steel Rim at f/1.3. Here are a few samples I just captured outdoors:
In harsh lighting like this, it’s best to stop down to f/2 to reduce the glow (aberration).
These are all wide open with Adobe "Color" profile:
I was not aware that the amount of glow exceeded that of the Steel Rim, I thought the latter did produce already quite a bit.
I discovered the Steel Rim only recently looking mostly at some of your samples and the ones from @lifeandmylens@, I thought it was really a special lens.
The rendering of the Apollon is quite in its ballpark and it’s lovely and pleasing, the character of the lens is such an interesting mix of glow, structure and elegant falloff.
I like my CV 35mm 1.4 ii SC but it falls short of character compared to the Apollon and Steel Rim, except for the flares, it just go all out on that one, I quite like that.
p.13 #16 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
Sonnar-7 wrote:
I was not aware that the amount of glow exceeded that of the Steel Rim, I thought the latter did produce already quite a bit.
I discovered the Steel Rim only recently looking mostly at some of your samples and the ones from @lifeandmylens@@, I thought it was really a special lens.
The rendering of the Apollon is quite in its ballpark and it’s lovely and pleasing, the character of the lens is such an interesting mix of glow, structure and elegant falloff.
I like my CV 35mm 1.4 ii SC but it falls short of character compared to the Apollon and Steel Rim, except for the flares, it just go all out on that one, I quite like that....Show more →
Here is one showing the Apollon''s flare when provoked. I was able to tune it perfectly to my RF today.
p.13 #17 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
Fred Miranda wrote:
Here is one showing the Apollon''s flare when provoked. I was able to tune it perfectly to my RF today.
Ha, it can compete with the Voigtlander indeed, the CV 35mm SC flares so much, it’s really a feat where you can compose with it and control it with great ease.
p.13 #18 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
Sonnar-7 wrote:
Ha, it can compete with the Voigtlander indeed, the CV 35mm SC flares so much, it’s really a feat where you can compose with it and control it with great ease.
This one shows the specular highlights. It has a center point like the Nokton and pre-apsh:
p.13 #20 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
Sonnar-7 wrote:
It does swirl quite a bit too it seems, I would have to test my CV, I didn’t have it for long but I don’t think it swirls much.
The Leica pre-asph (Steel Rim) shows slightly higher optical vignetting than the Nokton (I've shared samples before), giving the Nokton more rounded specular highlights. (slight less swirling)
Among the three lenses discussed here, the Apollon has the most optical vignetting. However, it’s incredibly compact and lightweight --- practically featherlight!
It was a funny quirk, but I shaved it down a bit, and now it only calls up the correct framelines.
, I really dig the photos I have seen from the Steel Rim, I feel the glow is indering the photos far less than say a Panchro where it can be challenging to deal with.
