Category Archives: Leica M

Analogue, Leica, Leica M, MS-Optics, Projects

Analogue Adventures – Part 15: Kodak Ultramax 400

March 4, 2023 BastianK 12 Comments

kodak ultramax 400 analogue leica m6 contax canon fd olympus om — Kodak Ultramax 400

The Ultramax 400 is Kodak’s cheaper – hard to use that term in this context – ISO400 color negative film. This is also reflected by the fact that it is available as 24 exposure film. These days it is just as expensive as any other color negative film and whenever I came across it, it had been sold out shortly after. So I should probably consider myself lucky for having seized the moment and bought a roll at the local camera store – for what felt like way too much for a 24 exposure roll…
Processing and scanning was done at urbanfilmlab in Germany.
The pictures you see in this article are from 1 roll.

Continue reading Analogue Adventures – Part 15: Kodak Ultramax 400 →

Canon, Leica M, Review

Review: Canon 50mm 1.2 LTM

February 27, 2023 BastianK 30 Comments

Introduction

review canon ltm m39 leica 50mm 1.2 dream lens contrast resolution m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting — Canon 50mm 1.2 LTM on Leica M6

Some of you may not know that before producing FD mount lenses and SLR cameras Canon also manufactured rangefinder lenses and cameras, leading to a line-up of no less than 59 different LTM (Leica Thread Mount also known as M39) lenses between 1946 and 1964. These lenses are fully compatible to Leica M cameras and can be easily adapted to other modern mirrorless cameras as well, so today we will have a look at the Canon 50mm 1.2 LTM, the second fastest lens from this series released in 1956.
This lens will be reviewed on the 42mp Sony A7rII and the 24mp Leica M10.

Sample Images

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Analogue, Leica M, MS-Optics, The creative process

Analogue Adventures – Part 14: Agfa Vista 200 (expired)

February 16, 2023 BastianK 14 Comments

agfa vista expired 200 analogue leica m6 contax canon fd olympus om — Agfa Vista 200 Color Negative Film

These days whenever I come across a photo store I check if they have any film stock available, especially some I didn’t use before. In Istanbul I found a store selling these Agfa Vista 200 24+3 which expired 17 years ago. They were cheap enough and for only 2.5 € I could add processing including scanning so I decided to give it a try.
Processing and scanning was done at Karaköy Fotoğrafçı in Istanbul.
Because there were some issues with a few of the scans I had it rescanned by urbanfilmlab in Germany.

Continue reading Analogue Adventures – Part 14: Agfa Vista 200 (expired) →

Accessories, Leica M, lenses

Rangefinder wide angle lenses on A7 cameras: problems and solutions

February 10, 2023 BastianK 216 Comments

Introduction

rangefinder leica m lenses focus field curvature thick sensor stack optimal focus guide tips tricks hint contax g zeiss biogon — Close up lenses of different strength

In case you have read some of our reviews covering rangefinder wide angle lenses on this very blog you already know there are some limitations to be aware of and you might have also heard of the “Kolari”thin filter mod as a solution. But now, thanks to Fred Miranda forum member HaruhikoT, there is another way to use rangefinder wide angle lenses up to their full potential on A7 series cameras.
Update February 2023: guide to remove the shims on Voigtländer VM 35mm 1.7 Ultron added thanks to reader zhulinke + general update

Continue reading Rangefinder wide angle lenses on A7 cameras: problems and solutions →

Leica M, Review, Zeiss

Review: Zeiss ZM 18mm 4.0 Distagon

February 6, 2023 BastianK 17 Comments

Introduction

zeiss zm 18mm 4.0 distagon review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast sharpness vignetting colors coma — Zeiss ZM 18mm 4.0 Distagon on Leica M10

The Zeiss ZM 18mm 4.0 Distagon is the second widest lens of the ZM family and one of the few 18mm M-mount lenses. Is 18mm being an unpopular focal length among Leica users the reason this lens has already been discontinued or is it because of its optical qualities? Let’s find out in this review.
Lens is being tested on 42mp Sony A7rII and 24mp Leica M10