April 4: A7CII & MS-Optics Vario-Petz 57/2: https://photos.app.goo.gl/jcqV9p46a4K8jCFeA
I used 3 diferent SA settings, 0 (neutral) for the first 11 shots, -2 (max SA undercorrection) for the next 32 shots and +2 (max SA overcorrection) for all the rest. Everything shot at f2 or f8.
p.17 #2 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
Last week I noticed that Fujiya Camera had a used MS-Optics Super Wide Triplet Perar 21/4.5 in stock (Black #110) and I couldn't resist picking it up on Saturday as these don't show up often and the price was pretty good. I've never had a chance to try one of these before. This lens was originally released in 2015 and it was 6th original lens release by MS-Optics.
It's in pretty good physical condition and it came with the original hood & caps & data sheet (just the original box was missing). I have two of the other Super Triplet Perars currently before this one (35/3.5 II and 28/4) and I've had 24/4 before as well.
Everything was shot at f8 or wide open at f4.5. I did my usual post-processing on these.
I think this will work nicely as a casual city snapper when wide angle is preferred. It's a tiny lens (45g or so). Being a triplet, it's not going to have great corner-to-corner sharpness but it's quite sharp in the central areas and softens gradually towards the edges and corners in a pleasant way. There's high level of vignetting, similar to Perar 28/4 and 24/4. It focuses to 0.5m natively but I'll use it with my CV VM-E close focus adapter II which will let it focus super close.
I noticed that a Hassendo hood cap sized 26-27mm fits well on the lens on top of the hood and I had a spare one so I'll use that one instead of the original front cap.
April 4: A7CII & MS-Optics Vario-Petz 57/2: https://photos.app.goo.gl/jcqV9p46a4K8jCFeA
I used 3 diferent SA settings, 0 (neutral) for the first 11 shots, -2 (max SA undercorrection) for the next 32 shots and +2 (max SA overcorrection) for all the rest. Everything shot at f2 or f8.
Stunning cherry blossom photos, especially with the Petz! The 73mm Sonnetar was my first MS Optics lens, followed by the 57/2 Petz, each with its unique rendering...I love them both. (Thanks for helping me get one while I was there!)
p.17 #4 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
I took my M11 and MS Optics 50mm Sonnetar Slim F1.3 to Dayton Ohio with me to see my son compete in the indoor percussion world championships. I have tons of photos of him competing over the years, but for this weekend I just wanted to take minimum gear and enjoy the weekend. I really enjoy the rendering of the 50 SS!
p.17 #7 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
MS-Optics Lumitar 3.5/50 became available for reservations via MKDirect from today. It's expected to start shipping from late May. There are multiple configurations: Black / Silver, M-mount / LTM, Multi Coated / Uncoated. Uncoated will be limited to 70 copies. Not sure about how those Uncoated ones will be split between colors and mounts. I made a reservation for Black / M / MC version as I don't see so much benefit for Uncoated version for my personal use. I think Uncoated will be the most collectible one though. Previously they have made very limited release of uncoated Vario Prasma 1.5/50 at some point, and I think may be especially appealing to some portrait photographers who like very old school rendering styles.
MKDirect site says that they only ship in Japan nowadays and international orders must be made through Japan Camera Hunter though and I haven't seen any listings for Lumitar at JCH yet.
p.17 #8 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
Juha Kannisto wrote:
MKDirect site says that they only ship in Japan nowadays and international orders must be made through Japan Camera Hunter though and I haven't seen any listings for Lumitar at JCH yet.
Ooh, that's bad news. The high JCH markups have always been a dealbreaker for me. It's cool that this will be available in LTM!
p.17 #9 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
bjhurley wrote:
Ooh, that's bad news. The high JCH markups have always been a dealbreaker for me. It's cool that this will be available in LTM!
Yes, it's nice that they have so many configuration options and there aren't too many new lenses in LTM these days. I don't personally have any rangefinder cameras and M is more straightforward to adapt so I'll be happy to stick with the M mount option personally.
it looks like MS-Optics are assembling these lenses based on the received orders/reservations so they'll probably combine the parts as each customer asks at least up to certain point. I hope it won't take too long before the initial shipments start
I'll share more about the lens once I have received my copy.
p.17 #10 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
bjhurley wrote:
Ooh, that's bad news. The high JCH markups have always been a dealbreaker for me. It's cool that this will be available in LTM!
That's really unfortunate news. It looks like we no longer have a direct way to buy MS Optics lenses from the manufacturer. Prices on eBay just keep climbing, and availability is getting worse. I'm thankful to have a few of their lenses already, but getting new ones has become quite difficult for those of us in the US.
p.17 #11 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
Hi Junha, how does the Elnomaxim 55mm appeal to you so far? I am tempted by its ultra low 4 elements in 4 group configuration. from your album, this lens has most glowy images wide open out of those 50mm Ms optics lens lineup. How would rate it against Sonnetar 50mm f1.3 and ISM 50mm f1.0? I am fan of sonnetar f1.3 bokeh that has swirly & painterly drawing. I am not sure how the Elnomaxim draw for bokeh. Also in terms of build quality, size and handling, is the elmomaxim similar to sonnetar f1.3 ?
I met a copy of elnomaxim without hood. Do you find the hood necessary for your use?
Juha Kannisto wrote:
My recent outings with MS-Optics lenses:
April 4: A7CII & MS-Optics Vario-Petz 57/2: https://photos.app.goo.gl/jcqV9p46a4K8jCFeA
I used 3 diferent SA settings, 0 (neutral) for the first 11 shots, -2 (max SA undercorrection) for the next 32 shots and +2 (max SA overcorrection) for all the rest. Everything shot at f2 or f8.
p.17 #12 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
Hi FRED, ISM 1.0 has more busy & edge outline bokeh to my eye, if I can only choose 1 between the two lens, I always pick the sonnetar f1.3.
Fred Miranda wrote:
I need to spend more time shooting with the 50mm f/1.3 Sonnetar. When I first got it, I did a quick test to check the rangefinder adjustment and overall rendering, and I really liked how it renders. I liked it so much that I stopped thinking about the 50mm f/1.
p.17 #13 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
Hi Mayasan,
I have lots of Elnomaxim albums here: https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1818378/0#16305859
I personally like Elnomaxim a lot, it's one of my top favorite MS-Optics lenses. I think it's the wildest one I have as well, with the most extreme aberrations wide open. I love the glow it has. It's also quite decent with corner-to-corner sharpness when stopped down to f8, much better than Sonnetar 50/1.3 in that regard.
I picked it up 2nd hand from Map Camera in December 2023 and was surprised to find that the same copy had appeared so much in various places before.
In terms of handling, my copy has a little stiff focus, it requires a fair amount of torque to move the focus ring although it moves smoothly when enough force is applied. I think it may be a copy specific thing. Map Camera also mentioned this in their listing when I bought it and I haven't seen the same mentioned for other copies that have appeared there. My Sonnetar 50/1.3 focus ring moves with much lighter force and is very smooth. The only little niggle I have with my Sonnetar from handling perspective is that the aperture ring is a bit to easy to move accidentally while focusing, whereas I've not had that issue with my Elnomaxim.
I have only used my Elnomaxim with hood at all times so I can't really say if hood is necessary or not, but the lens flares quite easily and when shooting directly against sun there can be a whiteout effect on one or more of the corners, i.e. some of the corner areas may get washed out entirely becoming white. I don't know what causes that exactly. If I don't shoot against the sun it's never a problem though. I mainly like to use hoods as protection because I never use filters etc. I would think it's OK to use one without a hood as well.
I've never owned or shot with the ISM 50/1 so I can't really compare to that one. I think Sonnetar 50/1.3 is a bit more normal lens and less extreme in terms of aberrations vs. Elnomaxim, but I just happen too love the output from Elnomaxim wide open and I also enjoy using it stopped down to f8 so it gets more use than Sonnetar in my case. If the aberrations are too much, they can also be tamed down just by stopping it down a little bit. They disappear pretty fast when stopping down and are pretty much gone by f2.
I hope that helps...
Mayasan wrote:
Hi Junha, how does the Elnomaxim 55mm appeal to you so far? I am tempted by its ultra low 4 elements in 4 group configuration. from your album, this lens has most glowy images wide open out of those 50mm Ms optics lens lineup. How would rate it against Sonnetar 50mm f1.3 and ISM 50mm f1.0? I am fan of sonnetar f1.3 bokeh that has swirly & painterly drawing. I am not sure how the Elnomaxim draw for bokeh. Also in terms of build quality, size and handling, is the elmomaxim similar to sonnetar f1.3 ?
I met a copy of elnomaxim without hood. Do you find the hood necessary for your use?
p.17 #14 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
thanks for your advise. I always want to use shorter lens to minimize viewfinder blockage on M body, so without hood has its advantage. Will the Elnomaxim aperture ring turns together with hood, in the same manner like the 36mm Apollon ? While on the other hand I think it makes sense to keep the hood attached the as the lens is prone to flare.
I am also torn between purchasing a Voigtlander Heliar Classic and Elnomaxim, since voightlander build quality is much more solid than Ms optics. Both are character lens.
Juha Kannisto wrote:
Hi Mayasan,
I have lots of Elnomaxim albums here: https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1818378/0#16305859
I personally like Elnomaxim a lot, it's one of my top favorite MS-Optics lenses. I think it's the wildest one I have as well, with the most extreme aberrations wide open. I love the glow it has. It's also quite decent with corner-to-corner sharpness when stopped down to f8, much better than Sonnetar 50/1.3 in that regard.
I picked it up 2nd hand from Map Camera in December 2023 and was surprised to find that the same copy had appeared so much in various places before.
In terms of handling, my copy has a little stiff focus, it requires a fair amount of torque to move the focus ring although it moves smoothly when enough force is applied. I think it may be a copy specific thing. Map Camera also mentioned this in their listing when I bought it and I haven't seen the same mentioned for other copies that have appeared there. My Sonnetar 50/1.3 focus ring moves with much lighter force and is very smooth. The only little niggle I have with my Sonnetar from handling perspective is that the aperture ring is a bit to easy to move accidentally while focusing, whereas I've not had that issue with my Elnomaxim.
I have only used my Elnomaxim with hood at all times so I can't really say if hood is necessary or not, but the lens flares quite easily and when shooting directly against sun there can be a whiteout effect on one or more of the corners, i.e. some of the corner areas may get washed out entirely becoming white. I don't know what causes that exactly. If I don't shoot against the sun it's never a problem though. I mainly like to use hoods as protection because I never use filters etc. I would think it's OK to use one without a hood as well.
I've never owned or shot with the ISM 50/1 so I can't really compare to that one. I think Sonnetar 50/1.3 is a bit more normal lens and less extreme in terms of aberrations vs. Elnomaxim, but I just happen too love the output from Elnomaxim wide open and I also enjoy using it stopped down to f8 so it gets more use than Sonnetar in my case. If the aberrations are too much, they can also be tamed down just by stopping it down a little bit. They disappear pretty fast when stopping down and are pretty much gone by f2.
p.17 #15 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
Elnomaxim's aperture ring is not connected to the hood in any way, so it can be used independently without any issue regardless of whether there's a hood or not. And using the hood to change aperture setting is not possible with this lens (unlike Apollon and many other MS-Optics lenses).
Voigtlander Heliar classic 50/1.5 is also one of my favorite lenses (I have one of those also, as well as the year 2006 limited Heliar classic 50/2) and it also has a strong soft-focus effect shot wide open especially at longer distances. I would also recommend that one. It's much easier to find as it's stlil in production and widely available. It's not quite as wild as the Elnomaxim when it comes to various aberrations but I think it also has beautiful rendering and it's even better for corner-to-corner sharpness when stopped down. Build quality with that one is very solid.
Both are definite keepers in my opinion.
Mayasan wrote:
thanks for your advise. I always want to use shorter lens to minimize viewfinder blockage on M body, so without hood has its advantage. Will the Elnomaxim aperture ring turns together with hood, in the same manner like the 36mm Apollon ? While on the other hand I think it makes sense to keep the hood attached the as the lens is prone to flare.
I am also torn between purchasing a Voigtlander Heliar Classic and Elnomaxim, since voightlander build quality is much more solid than Ms optics. Both are character lens.
p.17 #17 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
freddy_hayek wrote:
I've always wanted an MS lens but can never really understand what each iteration presents; there were several 50-55mm FL lenses over the past several years but had no clue what one offered over the other. I wish there would be better descriptions from the maker beforehand. JCH has a bit more info on this one than in the past, which is helpful.
Below are the lens design I extracted from Phillpreeve Ms optics commets:
* Perar 17mm 4.5 = retro focus super wide ultra-thin design
* Hipolion 19mm 8.0 = Goerz Hypergon from 1900
* Perar 21mm 4.5 = super wide ultra thin Triplet
* Aporia 24mm 2.0 = ultra thin Gauss
* Perar 24mm 4.0 = ultra thin Triplet
* Apoqualia 28mm 2.0 = ultra thin retro focus Planar Gauss
* Perar 28mm 4.0 = ultra thin Triplet
* Apoqualia 35mm 1.3 II Slim = tiny (collapsible) ultra bright Gauss
* Apoqualia 35mm 1.4 = tiny very bright Gauss
* Perar 35mm 3.5 = tiny Triplet
* Historio Prot 40mm 6.3 = Zeiss Protar from 1890
* Historio Dagonar 40mm 6.3 = Goerz Dagor from 1905
* ISM 50mm 1.0 = small ultra bright high performance Gauss
* Sonnetar 50mm 1.1 = small ultra bright Sonnar
* MS-Mode 50mm 1.3 = small ultra bright Sonnar based on Nikon S Carl Zeiss Sonnar 50mm 1.5
* Sonnetar 50mm 1.3 Slim = small ultra bright Sonnar based on Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 5cm 1.5 from 1932
* Varioprasma 50mm 1.5 = Meye Görlitzr Kino-Plasmat from 1930 (for movies)
* MS-Mode 50mm 3.5 Apoqualia = Voigtländer Heliar
* Xenomax 50mm 3.5 = small high performance Xenotar
* Elnomaxim 55mm 1.2 = ultra bright compact Ernostar
* Petz 57mm 2.0 = (variable) compact Petzval
* Sonnetar 73mm 1.5 = ultra bright compact tele Sonnar
* Aporis 135mm 2.4 = high performance fluorite apochromat (Canon Optron)
p.17 #18 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
your comments are promsing for the Elnomaxim. I prefer the a aperture adjustment independent of the hood. I think I might get 1 copy Elnomaxim very soon. Do you find a silver chrome paint finish better than the Black chrome paint ? My Apollon and Sonnetar slim are black chrome finish, i haven't play with silver chrome before.
Juha Kannisto wrote:
Elnomaxim's aperture ring is not connected to the hood in any way, so it can be used independently without any issue regardless of whether there's a hood or not. And using the hood to change aperture setting is not possible with this lens (unlike Apollon and many other MS-Optics lenses).
Voigtlander Heliar classic 50/1.5 is also one of my favorite lenses (I have one of those also, as well as the year 2006 limited Heliar classic 50/2) and it also has a strong soft-focus effect shot wide open especially at longer distances. I would also recommend that one. It's much easier to find as it's stlil in production and widely available. It's not quite as wild as the Elnomaxim when it comes to various aberrations but I think it also has beautiful rendering and it's even better for corner-to-corner sharpness when stopped down. Build quality with that one is very solid.
p.17 #19 · MS-Optics lenses Image and Discussion Thread
I usually like black lenses just because my cameras are all black etc. and I usually only buy silver versions when they are the only ones available. My MS-Optics Sonnetar 73/1.5, H-Petz 57/2 and H-Prot 40/6.3 (Silver Rhodium rather than Chrome) are Silver versions. I've found that the MS-Optics Silver Chrome versions might actually be more durable in terms of finish, i.e. for some reason they still look new and fresh over long period of use while some of my Black Chrome lenses show more surface paint wear easier & quicker even though I've used them about equally. So if you are happy with the color scheme itself, I think there's nothing bad I could say about the Silver Chrome versions.
Mayasan wrote:
your comments are promsing for the Elnomaxim. I prefer the a aperture adjustment independent of the hood. I think I might get 1 copy Elnomaxim very soon. Do you find a silver chrome paint finish better than the Black chrome paint ? My Apollon and Sonnetar slim are black chrome finish, i haven't play with silver chrome before.
I actually like it more than 24/4 and 28/4 Perars.
