Leica kens performance question

[Lakis Amarantithis]

Does anyone knows if this lens:
[h=1]Leica Super-Elmar-R 15 mm F/3.5 Lens [/h]can be used for a decent pic for the big screen? The 2.8 is 10 thousand. Anyone used either one for the big screen? Any comments? Thanks!

 

[Nick Morrison]

This lens I believe was actually designed by Zeiss for the Contax line, but also liscenced to Leica for the R line (with Leica coatings). Back in the day was outrageously expensive. Performs professionally. But nowhere near as good as the new Zeiss ZE/ZF 15 2.8, which by all acconts is superb.

Hope this helps

 

[Lakis Amarantithis]

Thanks for the reply Nick, yes, your reply helped, is it difficult to match in post the Zeiss ZE/ZF 15mm 2.8 with the Leica 19mm Version II or other Leica lenses? Leicas are not so sharp as Zeiss and have a warmer tone.

 

[Mark Wilkinson]

Where did you get the idea that Leicas are not sharp? That 19 v2 is one of the sharpest wide lenses in the known universe.

 

[Lakis Amarantithis]

I have the 19mm is ok sharp wise not wow.

I did not use the Leica 15mm 2.8 and 3.5 (made by Zeiss by the way) but the new Zeiss 15mm is way sharper I heard. New tech. To match it I'll have to blur the footage and change the tone to match that warm Leica tone.

The question I have is how difficult it is or any techniques or filtration used will be appreciated.

 

[Nick Morrison]

By all accounts the Leica 19 2.8 v2 is VERY SHARP. It just may not be as contrasty as say the Zeiss 15 2.8, nor will the coatings match exactly, but nothing a good colorist wouldn't be able to match. Bear in mind, if you're shooting on RED, you don't appear to need wickedly sharp lenses to outresolve the sensor (something Christopher Probst pointed out earlier this year). Though the impression of sharpness always exists, the truth is at a certain point "sharpness" may become less important than other considerations - framing, lighting, exposure, etc.

Matt Ryan has posted many gorgeous Dragon samples with Super Speeds WIDE OPEN, and they certainly don't look "soft" - again, suggesting Probst was very perceptive.

Perhaps testing/renting the Zeiss 15 2.8 and Leica 19 v2 make give you the most answers in the end, as these decisions tend to be deeply personal choices at the end of the day.

Good luck!

 

[Lakis Amarantithis]

>>Where did you get the idea that Leicas are not sharp?

Mark, pay attention to what I wrote. I never said that Leicas are not sharp. I said:

"Leicas are not so sharp as Zeiss"

That is very different than saying Leicas are not sharp!