Category Archives: MS-Optics

Analogue Adventures – Part 8: Going small with MS-Optics lenses

June 22, 2022 BastianK 10 Comments

Introduction

When using Leica M cameras I generally try to stick to using small lenses, but there is a problem: small lenses are usually slow and I find slow lenses (at least non-ultrawides) incredibly boring.
My workaround is using some of the MS-Optics lenses as they try to be small, lightweight and fast at the same time – at the cost of some optical compromises obviously.
I was a bit hesitant to use these lenses on film at first (doubts about rangefinder accuracy, focus shift and field curvature) but I decided to try nevertheless and exposed 4 films mainly using the 24mm 2.0 Aporia and the 50mm 1.0 ISM. How did it work out in the end? Let’s have a look.

24mm 2.0 Aporia

ms-optics ms-optical aporia apora pancake smallest lens world's leica m10 24mp 42mp review sharpness bokeh vignetting silbersalz35 silbersalz kodak cine vision3 santorini greece — Leica M6 | 500T | MS-Optics 24mm 2.0 Aporia | f/11

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Leica M, lenses, MS-Optics, Review

Review: MS-Optics 50mm 1.0 ISM

April 30, 2022 BastianK 33 Comments

Introduction

ms-optics ms-optical ism sonnetar f/1.0 f/0.95 fast noctilux angenieux leica m10 24mp 42mp review sharpness bokeh vignetting — MS-Optics 50mm 1.0 ISM on Leica M10

Miyazaki Sadayasu is known for making small and fast 50mm lenses. He started with a 50mm 1.3, followed by the famous 50mm 1.1 Sonnetar, the 50mm 1.5 Prasma and his latest (and fastest) creation is this MS-Optics 50mm 1.0 ISM reviewed here.
Despite the staggering maximum aperture it is smaller and lighter than most of the other 50mm lenses, regardless of speed. But did Miyazaki go too far this time? Let’s have a closer look…
Lens is being tested on 42mp Sony A7rII and 24mp Leica M10
Last update: June 2022

Sample Images

ms-optics ms-optical ism sonnetar f/1.0 f/0.95 fast noctilux angenieux leica m10 24mp 42mp review sharpness bokeh vignetting silbersalz35 silbersalz kodak cine vision3 santorini greece — Leica M6 | 200T | MS-Optics 50mm 1.0 ISM | f/1.4

Leica M10 | MS-Optics 50mm 1.0 ISM | f/1.4

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Leica M, lenses, MS-Optics, photography, Review

Review: MS-Optics 73mm 1.5 Sonnetar

April 30, 2021 BastianK 23 Comments

Introduction

ms-optics ms-optical 73mm 1.5 sonnetar f/1.5 fast summilux leica m10 24mp 42mp review sharpness contrast resolution lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations — MS-Optics 73mm 1.5 Sonnetar via Hawks Factory Helicoid adapter on Sony A7rII

I always considered the Voigtlander VM 75mm 1.5 Nokton a very small and lightweight fast portrait lens, that is until I came across this MS-Optics 73mm 1.5 Sonnetar.
But what does this tiny lens have to offer? Are we better off carrying the heavier Voigtlander lens or is the Miyazaki lens actually holding some surprises for us?
Lens is being tested on 42mp Sony A7rII and 24mp Leica M10

Sample Images

ms-optics ms-optical 73mm 1.5 sonnetar f/1.5 fast summilux leica m10 24mp 42mp review bokeh rendering contrast resolution sharpness — Sony A7III | MS-Optics 73mm 1.5 Sonnetar | f/1.5

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Leica M, MS-Optics, photography, Review

Review: MS-Optical 50mm 1.1 Sonnetar

February 28, 2021 BastianK 8 Comments

Introduction

ms-optics ms-optical 50mm 1.1 sonnetar f/1.1 fast summilux leica m10 24mp 42mp review sharpness contrast resolution — MS-Optical 50mm 1.1 Sonnetar on Leica M10

The MS-Optical 50mm 1.1 Sonnetar is probably Miyazaki’s most famous lens. While it wasn’t his first lens it was to my knowledge the first one that was produced in “greater” quantities and widely recognized across the globe.
As is still typical today for his lenses it is small, fast and quirky, so let us have a closer look…
Lens is being tested on 42mp Sony A7rII and 24mp Leica M10

Sample Images

ms-optics ms-optical 50mm 1.1 sonnetar f/1.1 fast summilux leica m10 24mp 42mp review bokeh sharpness contrast rendering — Leica M10 | MS-Optical 50mm 1.1 Sonnetar | f/1.4

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7Artisans, camera, Leica M, MS-Optics, Review, TTArtisan, Voigtlander

Leica M10 – The Camera (?)

January 18, 2021 BastianK 209 Comments

Introduction

Leica M10. The Camera. Photography reduced to its essentials. This is what Leica says about this camera. If you care what I think of it: keep on reading.

Update: after one year with the Leica M10 I decided to revisit this article and add further notes where I found they may be helpful.

For many people owning a Leica camera is a dream. But why is that so? Is it simply the high price tag, the Bauhaus look or the huge “Made in Germany” writing, not hidden on a sticker at the bottom of the camera, but easily visible on the back?
It surely isn’t image quality or ease of use. You get more of both, elsewhere, for less. This is why Leica cameras are often perceived as vain men’s luxury items, that happen to be able to take photos from time to time.