Leica Showcase 7Artisans 50mm F1.1 M-Mount lens

I used manual lens setting, and I chose the 50/1.0 Noctilux.
If I turn the lens detection off versus on, what is the expected effect?
 
I want to see how much vignetting occurs in the corners with the M240 CMOS sensor with corrections turned off. Will be interesting to compare with the M9.
 
Hi everyone! Brian invited me over from the Nikon Cafe to post some pictures I've been taking with the 7Artisans 50mm 1.1 lens! At first I wasn't sure if I liked it, but now I LOVE IT! It renders differently from anything else I have in my photographic arsenal, though I currently use the lens mounted on a Sony A7 II + Techart Pro adapter and shoot it using AF. :)

Anyways here are a couple samples I've shot with the lens:
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by Jonathan Friolo, on Flickr

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by Jonathan Friolo, on Flickr

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by Jonathan Friolo, on Flickr

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by Jonathan Friolo, on Flickr

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by Jonathan Friolo, on Flickr

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by Jonathan Friolo, on Flickr

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by Jonathan Friolo, on Flickr

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by Jonathan Friolo, on Flickr
 
Welcome aboard, and thanks for posting these.

This lens is a well thought out design, could be right out of the 1950s. I've never shot with the Zunow 5cm F1.1, but of the pictures that I've seen with that lens- the rendering is similar. The Zunow in Leica mount is ~$6000 these days. The 7Artisans lens was introduced at what the Zunow went for when new, 60 years ago. Very different from the 50/1.1 Nokton and Canon 50/0.95.
 
I have a Sony A7 which doesn't work with the Techart AF adapter. I've been thinking about selling the A7 and getting an A7 II. How do you like the Techart? Any glitches or are you happy with it?
 
I have a Sony A7 which doesn't work with the Techart AF adapter. I've been thinking about selling the A7 and getting an A7 II. How do you like the Techart? Any glitches or are you happy with it?

The Techart Pro adapter is currently at firmware ver. 5.0 and using the latest firmware on the A7 II the combination is very useable even in a work setting. On occasion the adapter will reset itself, but other than that my adapter has been very reliable.
 
Welcome aboard, and thanks for posting these.

This lens is a well thought out design, could be right out of the 1950s. I've never shot with the Zunow 5cm F1.1, but of the pictures that I've seen with that lens- the rendering is similar. The Zunow in Leica mount is ~$6000 these days. The 7Artisans lens was introduced at what the Zunow went for when new, 60 years ago. Very different from the 50/1.1 Nokton and Canon 50/0.95.

Do you have any recommendations for wider lenses that may render in a similar way? My use would be for portrait work. I've been looking at the Voigtlander 28mm f/2 Ultron to pair with the 7Artisans. The busier and crazier the OOF areas, the better! Also I'd prefer something cheap'ish. :D
 
The Jupiter-12 / Biogon is closest to the Sonnar formula that you will find for a wide-angle lens. BUT- the massive rear element will not sit well with Mirrorless cameras. It works with the M8, M9, M Monochrom- and as far as I know, The M240.

The Nikkor 3.5cm F2.5 is a traditional double-Gauss, is very sharp, has some interesting Bokeh. The Nikkor runs ~$300 in Leica mount. The Canon 35/2 is also worth looking at.

Nikkor-W 3.5cm F2.5 on the Leica M9 and M Monochrom

The Voigtlander lenses have a smoother rendering, at least my 35/1.2 and 35/1.7 are very smooth. I've not shot with the 28/2.
 
The Jupiter-12 / Biogon is closest to the Sonnar formula that you will find for a wide-angle lens. BUT- the massive rear element will not sit well with Mirrorless cameras. It works with the M8, M9, M Monochrom- and as far as I know, The M240.

The Nikkor 3.5cm F2.5 is a traditional double-Gauss, is very sharp, has some interesting Bokeh. The Nikkor runs ~$300 in Leica mount. The Canon 35/2 is also worth looking at.

Nikkor-W 3.5cm F2.5 on the Leica M9 and M Monochrom

The Voigtlander lenses have a smoother rendering, at least my 35/1.2 and 35/1.7 are very smooth. I've not shot with the 28/2.

Hmm, you got me interested in the Jupiter 12! I'd prefer something a tad wider, but 35mm is manageable if the price is right! Also the rear element is only an issue on the cropped frame cameras, not an issue shooting full frame.

On a side note, I'm beginning to wonder if these so-called lens reviewers even understand photography at all? They complain about busy backgrounds and soft corners. If that's the case, just shoot with a kit lens and be done with it. I'm starting to gravitate to MF glass just for their unique rendering qualities. :D
 
Here is a very similar view with the Leica 50/0.95 Noctilux on the M-D at the Castle Air Museum. That Chinese lens does a commendable job at roughly 1/40th of the price.

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by Andrew F, on Flickr

I like it. I've been using it exclusively on the M Monochrom, mostly with a Y2 filter. Latest round of shots- use a 58mm vented hood with 55->58 step-up ring. This eliminated the vignetting that I experiences with the 55mm filter+hood. I will buy some 58mm color filters for use in the future, or dig around in my closet....

Nikki and I went to the Udvar Hazy Air and Space Museum today. You've seen examples from my other trips there.

Wide-Open, focus and frame. Focus on the Tip.

View attachment 14755Udvar Hazy Museum, Wide-Open by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr
 
My few shots taken with the 7Artisans at 1.1 look unsharp to me. It can't be my eyes since I have taken many sharp shots with my M9 and M8. I have used 50/.095 and 50/1.0 and other fast lenses in past years. Is it the M240 or is it the lens or is it the combination of lens and camera or is it by chance?
 
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It takes a few tries the nail the focus with an M Leica. Remember the depth of field is almost non-existent. When you use that same M240 with other fast lenses, are the images unsharp as well? There is a chance the camera could be off too, especially if it is a loaner.
 
Raid- try the Liveview. Also- your Olympus EVF for the EP2 will work with the M240.

Test the RF against the Liveview. At F1.1- the RF Cam must be better than 0.01mm for accuracy. Slightest deviation of the camera or lens- will be an issue.
 
My few shots taken with the 7Artisans at 1.1 look unsharp to me. It can't be my eyes since I have taken many sharp shots with my M9 and M8. I have used 50/.095 and 40/1.0 and other fast lenses in past years. Is it the M240 or is it the lens or is it the combination of lens and camera or is it by chance?

Since I'm using it on the Sony A7 II (utilizing the Techart Pro adapter w/on sensor phase detection + IBIS) my lens seems pretty sharp most of time using AF. It's a bit dreamy wide open, but it sharpens up nicely in post production. If the lens seems off, 7Artisans' provides that adjustment tool for RF cameras, though it probably takes some trial and error to get it properly calibrated.
 
I did some focusing tests with the 50/1.1 on the M240 this evening. I seem to be able to focus well. The soft results a few days ago may have been caused by dim indoor lights with ISO 160 and Dana not standing still [I hope so!]
 
Finally got to put the lens to the test in a portrait session. In real world use, this lens is great! It has unique character but not over-the-top like the LensBaby, Petzval and/or Helios 40-2 lenses. The dreamy wide open performance works very well in portrait shots. I wasn't even considering this lens when it first was announce, but I'm glad I picked it up!

Shot with the Sony A7 II + 7Artisans 50mm 1.1 lens:
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Photo Shoot with model Kelly. August 5, 2017
by Jonathan Friolo, on Flickr
 
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