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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Leica Summicron-C lenses

M

Mark L. Pederson

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Just wanted to say that these Leica Summicron-C lenses are pretty damn bad ass - exceeded my expectations. Totally killer Dragon lenses - less CA than the Xenons and sharp as holy hell - 18mm covers full 6K FF.

Honestly, for the price and the whole "made in Japan" thing - and the obvious need to make up for the Summilux delivery disaster - I was expecting a much inferior product. But these lenses are freekin' killer. They are going to be VERY popular with Dragon - perfect for gimbals and octocopters at almost a full pound lighter than the Summilux. Think beefy, sharper T2.0 superspeeds.

Sadly, I can't post anything as they are in prep for an amazing project I can't talk about yet. Just wanted to share a quick reaction/impression - hopefully I can share more soon.
 
Completely agree Mark, and as I have said before, the Summicron C. Primes, make a much better Dragon companion then the Summilux C. Primes, unless you just need T1.4...

Seriously, I really like the Summicron's design much better then the Summilux's and the fact that the Summilux don't cover 6K FF as perfect as the Summicron do, was a disappointment for me.

And yes, was also a huge pain to Balance the Summilux on the Movi, and the Summicron by comparison with their compact design, not been as elongated and front heavy, will make for an absolute perfect Brushless Gimbal Octocopter Lens.


Summilux delivery disaster you say? Yeah, I would say so, not one but TWO times my reservation, was either forgotten pushed back or plain simply LOST, and now finally again pushed to June 2014 delivery... Just so ridiculous that it took away all my wishes to EVER do business with Band Pro again!!

And yes, I do know that Band Pro does not make the lenses, but my complain goes directly to them for the sway they have conducted business with me, I can understand push backs, we all can, but I can not go for, the: "Sorry, we just can't find your reservation" shit, when I have a copy myself and set it to them to view again and again, no communication at all... ZERO!!

Still thankful to Band Pro Munich for the loaner during the Octoberfest shoot of course... But it's just simply ridiculous what followed.

Thankfully the Summicron are directly sold by LEICA... Great move!!
 
We put these up on a lens projector against the Summilux and several zooms - as expected - they are not as amazing as Summilux - BUT - I would take them over Master Primes or Ultras any day - they are really f'ing tight on the projector and resolve serious resolution. We are doing a checkout with two very, very experienced, top ACs - and they are totally impressed with the "Crons".
 
Agree again Mark,

however, Master Primes are still one of the TOP super sharp and incredibly well designed lenses on the market today, even so as I said many times before, they do carry several years in their back.

The "Crons", I like this term Mark, are not a fast lens by all means, yet they are not slow either, but at T4 when compared to both the Summilux and the MP's they are all very close, absolutely indistinguishable to the naked eye, and most definitely undistinguishable by any Movie gower, no question.

What I do absolutely love of course is how they resolve that sharpness and detail vs the Zeiss counterpart at any stop, and yes, UP's actually can't compare on a side by side, the Crons are really just to be compared to the Summilux, with just not as fast aperture, and to the MP's, my absolute two favor lens sets...

Well, at list they were, now the Crons, have earned that title, and this goes for an overall Design, for both their internal compete and exterior body design, encompassing all that matters really in a professional environment were necessities change form day to day with all modern tools in mind, and their overall Design/Size/Weight/Price/Image Quality ratio, stands up pretty F###ing high on my list.
 
These lenses look very nice.

I'm still a little stumped why they gave up cam-focus design that was so impressive in the Summilux C's. The focus scale won't be nearly as nice as the Summilux from what I recon.
 
I'm assuming they punted on cam-focus to save weight, complexity, cost, ...

What is the "perfect" prime lens? Candidates:
Zeiss Masters - the "big dogs" are in fact quite physically large, require expert maintenance to perform their best, fast, expensive, "too sharp" for some material, amazing WFO, lack personality, reference performance metrics, excellent geometry, consistent color/feel across the set, precise mechanics,
Leica 'Luxes - high resolving optics with "sweet" character, smooth mechanics, fantastic materials and build quality, fast, very expensive (and scarce), great sense of depth, high MTF, great flare handling
Leica 'Chrons - slightly slower (T2), more affordable (relatively), small and light, ... [the rest of the story will require testing, please send two sets to Mr. Hopeful at... ;-)]

Cheers - #19
 
Leica Summicron C lenses are designed by the same lens designer of Summilux C lenses for Leica in Germany and made by Panasonic lens assembling facilities in Japan.
 
Mark, If you had to compare the summicron lenses to cooke S4 or Zeiss UP, which one would it be closer too and why?
 
Sanjin Jukic said:
made by Panasonic lens assembling facilities in Japan.
Click to expand...

My little birdies tell me they are being made by another "reputable" optics manufacture in Japan, do you have any info to back this up?
 
i was hoping this would be an awesome set. Seems like a perfect size.

Mark L. Pederson said:
Just wanted to say that these Leica Summicron-C lenses are pretty damn bad ass - exceeded my expectations. Totally killer Dragon lenses - less CA than the Xenons and sharp as holy hell - 18mm covers full 6K FF.

Honestly, for the price and the whole "made in Japan" thing - and the obvious need to make up for the Summilux delivery disaster - I was expecting a much inferior product. But these lenses are freekin' killer. They are going to be VERY popular with Dragon - perfect for gimbals and octocopters at almost a full pound lighter than the Summilux. Think beefy, sharper T2.0 superspeeds.

Sadly, I can't post anything as they are in prep for an amazing project I can't talk about yet. Just wanted to share a quick reaction/impression - hopefully I can share more soon.
Click to expand...
 
numbers or it's just hype. :)

Mark L. Pederson said:
We put these up on a lens projector against the Summilux and several zooms - as expected - they are not as amazing as Summilux - BUT - I would take them over Master Primes or Ultras any day - they are really f'ing tight on the projector and resolve serious resolution. We are doing a checkout with two very, very experienced, top ACs - and they are totally impressed with the "Crons".
Click to expand...
 
Max M. said:
Mark, If you had to compare the summicron lenses to cooke S4 or Zeiss UP, which one would it be closer too and why?
Click to expand...

They would be a much closer match to Zeiss UP than Cooke S4's for sure. As far as image esthetics - they are an even closer match to Master Primes IMO.

Cooke's get a lot softer than other lenses as you move out from the center of the lens - and this is further exaggerated when you increase your image circle to shoot 5K on MX or 6K on Dragon - if your chosen focal length will even cover.

The 18mm Simmicron does have a wee bit of rectilinear distortion on the far edges when shooting full 6K - but nothing a little post correction can't fix.

I love these lenses. STRONGLY recommend.
 
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