[Leica] M Lenses on GF-1

[drodgers at casefarms.com (David Rodgers)]

I don't doubt what you're saying. I'm just a bit mystified how a lens
can vignette on a sensor that's half the size of film that it was
designed to cover. That hasn't been my experience with M lenses on Micro
Four Thirds. I actually have to use Lightroom to add a little forced
vignetting because in many cases I like that look. 

I'm also perplexed at how Contax G lenses can be materially better on
Micro Four Thirds than are Leica M lenses, or even CV lenses for that
matter. While I haven't used all on Micro Four Thirds I have used them
all on film and for the most part they're all pretty good. Thus I'm
curious as to why the performance would be so different on Micro Four
Thirds. What kind of adapters are you using? 

The main issues I see in using Lumix lenses versus Leica M lenses on the
GF-1 is that Lumix lenses have AF and Leica M lenses don't. It's easy to
miss focus, particularly with the longer lenses wide open. A focus
assist LED in the viewfinder would be a nice feature to have. 

Dave R


-----Original Message-----
From: lug-bounces+drodgers=casefarms.com at leica-users.org
[mailto:lug-bounces+drodgers=casefarms.com at leica-users.org] On Behalf Of
Simon Ogilvie
Sent: Wednesday, April 14, 2010 3:03 PM
To: lug at leica-users.org
Subject: Re: [Leica] M Lenses on GF-1

I've used a variety of Leica and Voigtlander M lenses on a G1, and
also a couple of Contax G lenses (45/2 and 90/2.8).  Without exception
I found the M lenses disappointing with either smearing, vignetting or
other faults.  The Contax G lenses however are superb on the micro 4/3
format and I much prefer the 90 to the 90 Summicron and the 45 to my
(now sold) 50 Summilux.

I've also been a bit disappointed with the performance of the
Panasonic 45-200.  I haven't checked but it's possible most of the
shots I've taken have been at or close to full aperture, so the
vignetting at the long end is very noticeable.  It also doesn't appear
very sharp at the long end either.  Maybe the upcoming 100-300 will be
better - I hope so.

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