[Leica] MS-Sonnetar 50mm f/1.1 mini-review

[lluisripollphotography]

Hi Dante,

Thank you for review, I’ve discovered some really interesting points about the Sonnetar, a lens that have tempted but never decided. I have tested one against my 50mm Summilux V2 (at f 1.1 and f 1.4), I’ve tested too my Summilux 50 against a Noctilux 1:0 at f 1:0 and 1.4. My tests are not technical as yours, I’m not very concerned about comparing sharpness, my approach is about the overall look of each lens and I have to say that I’ve been not decided for the Sonnetar because I don’t like very much the “bubbles”  bokeh it gives, I own an old Sonnar Opton and with obvious differences in quality, the rendition is quite similar. After my tests comparing my 50 Summilux and Noctilux 1:0 they have in my opinion the same rendition, of course the Nocti at 1:0 give an extra DOF effect. About the Summicron 50, I’ve compared Collapsible, Rigid and IV (11819) this one more sharp but I prefer the smoothness of the oldest ones, the lens I find gives a different personality is the Cooke Amotal 2” (by Taylor, Taylor and Hobson), mainly for portraits or persons at short distances … from 1 or 2 meters to 5. 

The Sonnetar has of course great positive aspects, size, weight, prize but I think that at least for me it would do not a big difference, maybe because I already have an old Sonnar Opton. In my opinion the Noctilux 1:0 is a different thing, but also in size, weight and prize, and when I think to it I realize that the only reason would be to use it at 1:0, if at 1.4 or more it will be the same, or very close to my Lux.

We would expend a lot of time and joy testing together our 50mm lenses… 

Thanks again for your post, if you want take a look, below are the links of my tests

Cheers
Lluis

My tested pics:

Sonnetar at f 1.1
<http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/luisrq/Miscellaneous/20151015_L1009268+2.jpg.html <http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/luisrq/Miscellaneous/20151015_L1009268+2.jpg.html>>

Summilux 50 v2 at f 1.4
<http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/luisrq/Miscellaneous/20151015_L1009283.jpg.html <http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/luisrq/Miscellaneous/20151015_L1009283.jpg.html>>

Sonnetar at f 1.4
<http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/luisrq/Miscellaneous/20151015_L1009272.jpg.html <http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/luisrq/Miscellaneous/20151015_L1009272.jpg.html>>


Noctilux 1:0 Wide open
<https://www.flickr.com/photos/lluisripoll/14339139459/in/album-72157648957616801/ <https://www.flickr.com/photos/lluisripoll/14339139459/in/album-72157648957616801/>>

Summilux 50 v2 at f. 1.4
<https://www.flickr.com/photos/lluisripoll/14525732505/in/album-72157648957616801/ <https://www.flickr.com/photos/lluisripoll/14525732505/in/album-72157648957616801/>>








> El 12 nov 2015, a les 6:06, Dante Stella <dstella1 at ameritech.net> va escriure:
> 
> Hi all -
> 
> I have been working on something while being terrorized into insomnia by my 3 year old daughter: about 3,009 words on the MS-Sonnetar 50mm f/1.1 M lens, which is a blast with the M typ 240 and 246. Assuming you get past the first week.
> 
> https://themachineplanet.wordpress.com/2015/11/12/ms-optical-50mm-f1-1-sonnetar-magic-time/
> 
> Best,
> Dante
> 
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