Leica Lens demos @ Band Pro

[AnthonyFlores]

:frown2: Randy .... as you probably know, there are more Epic-M's out in the wild now ... Mark, Ketch/Gibby, Dino, Keslow, Brook, etc ... I really hope you can hook up with one of them for a test. If not, I think you guys would seriously be missing an amazing opportunity to showcase the Leicas and have some killer stuff for your reel at NAB. Everyone in the Red community -- ESPECIALLY the M owners -- are very interested in how the Leicas look on Epic so I'm sure someone from this group will oblige you. Hope it can happen

Ketch! So sorry we couldn't arrange a shoot this week. The lenses are flying away tonight but will be back. I'll PM you and see if you we can work something out.

 

[Ketch Rossi]

Ketch!

So sorry we couldn't arrange a shoot this week. The lenses are flying away tonight but will be back. I'll PM you and see if you we can work something out.

No Problem, Randy,

actually M8 is OverBooked till first few days of March

So lets keep in touch and get something going when they do come back

 

[Roberto Lequeux]

:willy_nilly:

I am not a DP. Don't quote me. But I will try to summarize everything.


Practically no traces of CA --at T1.4!
200 lines at the corners of S35 --at T1.4!
Buttery focus and iris feel, and focus scale-matching.
Small and light, to a level that just doesn't even make logical sense.
Flares? Ahhhh, there they are. They hide, coquette, but beautiful flares.
And plain 'ol functional... everything about them.

It seems they begin to perform at their peak at about T2.8!? And continue to do so past T5.6. Insanity! So many things about these Ferraris of the glass world make them sound like alien tech... Like for example, the image doesn't filp at all inside the optical path, it remains properly oriented through the entire lens. Apparently this has to do with the number of elements, and not using space (air) to achieve the corrections.

Character of top shelf lenses is not something I feel I should comet on, since I am not a DP. But if I had to say something, for what it is worth, it would be that they are close to lab-clean, but somehow remain gentle and delicate. I would wait for DPs to characterize them, but from the numbers they sound sharper than Master Primes, yet to me they didn't feel like they belonged in a million dollar microscope at the sterile environment of some research center. I wish I would have asked for a side by side with MPs, but the lenses have to fly out so I wanted to just check these out. A proper comparison will most definitely surface, and I am very curious to see the stills.

I noticed a bit of a star pattern on specular highlights when closing down (I think at about T8 or so? can't remember). Personally I don't like that, but it did give rather beautiful streaks when pointing a flash light at the lens. You get perfect circles at both wider and smaller F-stops. The iris closes down a bit past T22.

A small but also really neat feature for digital is that at the end of the iris throw a little tiny shutter drops in front of the iris, covering the whole thing, full black; which will allow you to black balance even when the camera is stuck at the end of a crane, or inaccessible in an underwater housing, mid flight, etc.

An other very cool and interesting piece of information to me was that the front element was practically designed be replaceable, and "dumb-resistant" at that, so that virtually any house would be able to replace it for you in a jiffy by dropping a new front element block into place. It is also the most affordable element --but if you break one you will still be kicked in the shin by yours truly.

Apparently ALL elements are grouped in blocks (though I think the front element might be alone, and this is what should make it easy to replace in the event that someone didn't treat these puppies the way they should). Zoom-level technology in primes means virtually zero breathing. Sounds like Leica went to a retreat outside the box, then came back all centered and guru-like, ready to blow past all others in every way.

Also, since all pieces are grouped into blocks, service should be easier and faster.

Did I mention they are TINY!! And weight next to nothing?

And did I mention the 21mm clearly resolved 200 lines at the corners? The 35mm and 21mm showed them sharp as day. We then quickly pulled the projector back several feet and looked at the 75mm. I could still see 200 at the corners, though we kinda rushed that one. I focused on the wides. I can't speak for the 40mm or 50mm, but I wouldn't exactly worry.

Finally, the very end of the mount has a little black ring... but that isn't just a cosmetic finishing touch either... gently hold with two fingers and spin, and suddenly you notice you are unscrewing a rear filter... look up and the very knowledgeable and welcoming Randy from BandPro, and he will tell you that there will be an assortment of rear filters available. Smile.

Randy may or may have not mentioned to me how many sets were pre-sold, roughly. Not sure if that is public, but I was pleasantly shocked! Well, I wasn't shocked really since a cutting edge, ground-up-design, top-shelf, line of Leica PL primes set the bar "quite" high. But considering that those are pre-sales, and the cost, and that this might be the first "ready" set touring publically, then it was a very healthy number. I would confidently guesstimate that once they get put through their paces by the best DPs, there will be a rush by big rental houses to buy multiple sets. I am optimistic that the rental market will become large enough to reach independents that can afford not to compromise. Now let's hope this non-DP giddy lens lover is right.

0.002


Thank you for having me, and for taking the time to show off the lenses. It was a pleasure meeting you all.

 

[AnthonyFlores]

:willy_nilly:

Don't quote me, but I will try to summarize everything. I am not a DP.


Practically no traces of CA --at T1.4!
200 lines at the corners of S35 --at T1.4!
Buttery focus and iris feel, and focus scale-matching.
Small and light, to a level that just doesn't even make logical sense.
Flares? Ahhhh, there they are. They hide, coquette, but beautiful flares.
And plain 'ol functional... everything about them.

It seems they begin to perform at their peak at about T2.8!? And continue to do so past T5.6. Insanity! So many things about these Ferraris of the glass world make them sound like alien tech... Like for example, the image doesn't filp at all inside the optical path, it remains properly oriented through the entire lens. Apparently this has to do with the number of elements, and not using space (air) to achieve the corrections.

Character of top shelf lenses is not something I feel I should comet on, since I am not a DP. But if I had to say something, for what it is worth, it would be that they are close to lab-clean, but somehow remain gentle and delicate. I would wait for DPs to characterize them, but from the numbers they sound sharper than Master Primes, yet to me they didn't feel like they belonged in a million dollar microscope at the sterile environment of some research center. I wish I would have asked for a side by side with MPs, but the lenses have to fly out so I wanted to just check these out. A proper comparison will most definitely surface, and I am very curious to see the stills.

I noticed a bit of a star pattern on specular highlights when closing down (I think at about T8 or so? can't remember). Personally I don't like that, but it did give rather beautiful streaks when pointing a flash light at lens. You get perfect circles at both wider and smaller F-stops. The iris closes down a bit past T22.

A small but also really neat feature for digital is that at the end of the iris throw a little tiny shutter drops in front of the iris, covering the whole thing, full black; which will allow you to black balance even when the camera is stuck at the end of a crane, or inaccessible in an underwater housing, mid flight, etc.

An other very cool and interesting piece of information to me was that the front element was practically designed be replaceable, and "dumb-resistant" at that, so that virtually any house would be able to replace it for you in a jiffy by dropping a new front element block into place. It is also the most affordable element --but if you break one you will still be kicked in the shin by yours truly.

Apparently ALL elements are grouped in blocks (though I think the front element might be alone, and this is what should make it easy to replace in the event that someone didn't treat these puppies the way they should). Zoom-level technology in primes means virtually zero breathing. Sounds like Leica went to a retreat outside the box, then came back all centered and guru-like, ready to blow past all others in every way.

Also, since all pieces are grouped into blocks, service should be easier and faster.

Did I mention they are TINY!! And weight next to nothing?

And did I mention the 21mm clearly resolved 200 lines at the corners? The 35mm and 21mm showed them sharp as day. We then quickly pulled the projector back several feet and looked at the 75mm. I could still see 200 at the corners, though we kinda rushed that one. I focused on the wides. I can't speak for the 40mm or 50mm, but I wouldn't exactly worry.

Finally, the very end of the mount has a little black ring... but that isn't just a cosmetic finishing touch either... gently hold with two fingers and spin, and suddenly you notice you are unscrewing a rear filter... look up and the very knowledgeable and welcoming Randy from BandPro, and he will tell you that there will be an assortment of rear filters available. Smile.

Randy may or may have not mentioned to me how many sets were pre-sold, roughly. Not sure if that is public, but I was pleasantly shocked! Well, I wasn't shocked really since a cutting edge, ground-up-design, top-shelf, line of Leica PL primes set the bar "quite" high. But considering that those are pre-sales, and the cost, and that this might be the first "ready" set touring publically, then it was a very healthy number. I would confidently guesstimate that once they get put through their paces by the best DPs, there will be a rush by big rental houses to buy multiple sets. I am optimistic that the rental market will become large enough to reach independents that can afford not to compromise. Now let's hope this non-DP giddy lens lover is right.

0.002

Duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuude -- you actually went and participated in the demo? I'm so jealous. Reading through your post just made me realize everything I love about Leica ... forget all the tradition, cache, etc -- when it comes to lenses they are simply the best and go the extra mile. Talk to almost anyone who knows, and they'll tell you that the M lenses are the best in the 4/3 world ... the R were beyond anything Canon/Nikon/Zeiss did for still cameras ... and the S lenses took MF lens performance to another level. And now the C's ... I'm really impressed by what they've done ... so much so that I'm almost willing to forgive their insanely slow production and lack of availability.

The only negative of your post is that is sounds like the current "mid-2012" estimate could be pushed back even further for those who don't get on the waiting list asap.

Damn you -- you are seriously making me consider putting down $9,000 deposit on something that I won't even be able to take delivery on for over a year.

How crazy is that??? Only Leica could do this to me ...... btw thanks Roberto, you're my new hero!

Anthony

 

[C.H.Haskell]

I look forward to getting my hands on these very soon...thanks for the feedback of your demo. Leica sets the Bar.

 

[AnthonyFlores]

I look forward to getting my hands on these very soon...thanks for the feedback of your demo. Leica sets the Bar.

C.H. ... I think they are en route to BandPro's NY office for a demo on Monday. Might be the perfect time for you to check them out -- and if so, please do share your thoughts like Robert did

 

[Roberto Lequeux]

Leicas at BandPro - 2/18/11
(24MB - right click and save as)

This video shows the spot for the rear filters.

Warning, I was hardly looking at the screen.

 

[Sanjin Jukic]

Roberto,

thanks for your nice report about Leica Summilux-C primes presentation @ Band Pro.

 

[Roberto Lequeux]

It was just me for a while until a DP joined us, but I got a lot of play time with them.

It was a real shame Ketch couldn't make it today. I would have rather seen him make it, and later seeing some EPIC 5k samples.

I think they are EVERYTHING you were hoping for SJ, which says a lot since you'd swear they walk on water.

 

[Tom.Wong]

checking them out monday in NYC. can't wait... they are gonna have some on f3's, gonna throw in some sxs cards if they let me and play with some footy. dream glass right there...

 

[C.H.Haskell]

C.H. ... I think they are en route to BandPro's NY office for a demo on Monday. Might be the perfect time for you to check them out -- and if so, please do share your thoughts like Robert did

Correct... I will be there. I spent some time with the offhollywood family today and hoping Mark will be there as well.

 

[AnthonyFlores]

Correct... I will be there. I spent some time with the offhollywood family today and hoping Mark will be there as well.

Sweet. That's awesome man. Would love to hear Mark's thoughts about the lenses as well.

Randy - if you're reading this ... do you guys feel confident about production meeting demand on these lenses now. Like I've mentioned on this thread, I've heard the "mid-2012" estimate for those who order put down deposits soon.

Is that still accurate? Do you feel like that date could be pushed back again?

Anthony

 

[Ketch Rossi]

...It was a real shame Ketch couldn't make it today. I would have rather seen him make it, and later seeing some EPIC 5k samples.

Thing is Robert, I have been in so many Technical tests that I have gown very tired of them, and lost all interest,
I have no intention of ever going back to one, too little time, and too much to shoot in the real world
I wil however enjoy a nice one day shoot when Randy and the LSC's are available

 

[AnthonyFlores]

Thing is Robert, I have been in so many Technical tests that I have gown very tired of them, and lost all interest,
I have no intention of ever going back to one, too little time, and too much to shoot in the real world
I wil however enjoy a nice one day shoot when Randy and the LSC's are available

Yah while it's nice to know that the lenses passes the technical tests with flying colors, I for one am even more excited to see them used on a real shoot with real people ... especially considering the amazing way Leica has historically rendered faces and bokeh. I'm sure that will be coming soon enough

 

[Roberto Lequeux]

But you had already mentioned you didn't want to do a technical test Ketch, and that's exactly why why I would have traded places. Though I have to admit I was really interested putting my paws on the barrels too.

I am not a DP, though I am a reeeeally big fan, in both a practical way and in a genuine way that would be present regardless of my profession. We spent quite a bit of time with the 40mm on the F35 looking at fall off, bokeh, distortion, flaring, etc. Though I spent a little over an hour with them, not a full day, or few months trying a full gamut of lighting notes necessary to tell a story. Still, everything seems to indicate (to me) that these are a likely step forward in all aspects from what is available now. 0.02 But bottom line, I can't wait to see what world-class DPs say about them --and what they do with them.