Did anybody try ZM lenses with GXR?

[Godfrey]

Originally Posted by Gary Briggs

So you buy the gxr mount ($650 B&H), then change your lenses as you would any other camera?
How would this camera compare to a Nikon d7000 as far as sensor?
I have ZM lenses and would like other options to the M9

- yes. Of course you also need the GXR body ($350) and EVF ($220).

- Can't compare direct with a Nikon D7000 as I have never used one. Compared to my Olympus E-5, the GXR-M is comparable on acutance and about a stop less sensitive, more or less.

(Actuance is a difficult comparison as the two cameras are very different in terms of what lenses I can use on them for shooting and testing. A reference test using an adapted Micro-Nikkor 55mm f/3.5 is what I came up with as it bypasses any particular optimization of lens or body for any other factors, is long enough that the edge qualities are going to be consistent, and is a superb performer in its own right.)

- The only ZM lens I've looked at closely is the Biogon 25mm f/2.8 ZM that Michiel has shown photos with. I would like to get one of those eventually, more for the M9/M4-2 than the GXR-M. My favorite wide focal length on APS-C is 21mm, and the Skopar 21mm f/4 is an outstanding excellent performer on the GXR-M. This photo has printed to a stunningly nice canvas wrap 20x35" in size despite being a modest crop from the full GXR-M frame and being made at ISO 1600!

Dodging Rain - Dublin 2011
Ricoh GXR-M + CV Skopar 21mm f/4

[Pete B]

Godfrey, I love your post processing on that.
Pete

[segedi]

I've had just a little time to assess, but overall the GXR is handily outperforming the NEX 5n with wide angels. The CV 21mm and Zeiss 25mm both perform much better on the GXR. The Nex has really bad smearing in the edges. The 50mm Summilux also really shines. Wide open at f/1.4 and the focus is crisp (as it should be!).

I also really like the functionality of the GXR body/buttons/menu system. It's easy to change ISO, easy to change exposure compensation, brilliant My settings that allow you to put in up to 3 lens profiles... Very happy to have acquired the GXR!

The Sony does have an edge with VF and peaking modes though. I wish the GXR had the ability to change the peaking color.

[malland]

The ZM 4/18 is a very good lens. I use it when I want to be close to a 21mm EFOV because I prefer it to the CV15/4.5 which, although closer in FOV to a 21mm on FF, produces too much of a distorted persecutive for my taste.

Here a some pictures made today with the GXR-M and the ZM 4/18, all shot at ISO 2500, except for the first, which is at ISO 3200 and the last which is at ISO 200:



Note: I made a mistake – the first picture is shot with the Summicron-28































—Mitch/Bangkok
Tristes Tropiques? No, They Have a Strip Mall in Chiang Mai Too

[Michiel Schierbeek]

I have been following your elaborate info on the GXR and wonderfull image contributions. Helped me a lot.
I too love the files it produces. I am coming from M4/3 - GH2

I have the VC15mm and the Zeiss Biogon 25. I like both lenses.
I am contemplating something in between these two lenses in that range that I have, and I was thinking about the Zeiss 21, because its place is a little more then the 18mm right in between the two and it is 2.8. May be a little overdone, but I was wondering if you worked with that lens and what are your thoughts on both lenses and then I remembered you said it all..
Choices choices....

I quote this from you;
I don't see the Elmarit-21 ASPH and the Zeiss 4/18mm as alternatives to each other. I use the Elmarit-21 ASPH when I'm thinking about 28mm-e and the Zeiss 4/18mm when I want a "real" wide-angle look, but don't want the still wider look that I get with the CV15mm. They are both excellent lenses, with the Zeiss 4/18mm being somewhat higher contrast. But I'm not necessarily recommending getting both, because the combination of the CV15 and Elmarit-21 ASPH can be sufficient. As I like having the f/2.8 aperture of the Elmarit, I wouldn't, however, choose the Zeiss 4/18mm instead of the CV15 and Elmarit-21 ASPH combination. If you are considering which 21mm lens to buy, I highly recommend subscribing to Sean Reid's site, which has the most authoritative and practical lens reviews around, including an excellent review of M-Mount 21mm lenses.

In terms of size and weight the Elmarit and the Zeiss are visually the same. They both feel well balanced on the GXR-M because the latter, while small, has good heft

So the conclusion could be; buy a Zeiss 21/2.8 because I can't afford a Leica Elmarit now. The Zeiss got some nice reviews too, although I did never read Reid's opinion on the Zeiss 21.
I really like the razor sharp 25 Biogon and it's focus handling which I prefer above the 50 Summicron where I always seem to search for that tiny focus knob.

So my advise/question turned out rather minor

PS Looking forward to the 16mp module !?

Michiel

[malland]

Michiel,

Reid does not think that the Zeiss Biogon 21 is a "lesser" lens than the Elmarit-21 ASPH: it has some more contrast and less flare — and the choice between them depends on personal preference. As to your choice between the Zeiss 18 and 21, it really depends on whether you want the wider FOV of the 18 or not; but it's good to have the f/2.8 instead of f/4.

On the possible 16MP GXR-M, I don't feel a need for more resolution, but my understanding is that the 16MP Sony sensor is substantially better at ISO 3200, which I often like to use for street photography to be absle to use a smaller aperture and get more depth of field.

—Mitch/Bangkok
Days and Nights in the Forest (WIP)

[malland]

After writing the post before this one, I realized that in post #29, the first photograph was not taken with the ZM4/18 but with the Summicron-28. I then looked at the photographs again and, while the Summicron-28 picture is taken in artificial light and the ZM4/18 pictures in daylight, I started to think that there is a discernible difference between the Leica and the Zeiss lenses, in that the latter has a harder edge look to it. Because I often shoot in rather harsh, contrasty light I tend to prefer the Leica look. Here is a ISO 2500 shot with the Elmarit-21 ASPH followed by an ISO 200 shot , which I think fits in what I've been saying, in terms of the Leica lens having less of a hard-edged look:












—Mitch/Bangkok
Portraits

[Michiel Schierbeek]

Thanks for looking into this. It is nice to know that Reid does like the Zeiss as well.
My aim is not mainly streetshooting but also objects and (industrial) architecture and landscapes as well. I am an omnivore. Architecture doesn't mind a little hardedged rendering.
You can see that in in the last streetview picture of your posted serie.
I really like the way that looks.

Also here in northern Europe the light is less harsh and contrasty, so for me the Zeiss will be good, I think.
But I understand your considerations.

BTW For the time being I have rather nice results with a Canon FD 20/2.8 + adapter but infinity is not spot on and that is a drag with focussing.

Michiel

[malland]

Originally Posted by Michiel Schierbeek

...Architecture doesn't mind a little hardedged rendering.
You can see that in in the last streetview picture of your posted serie.
I really like the way that looks.

Also here in northern Europe the light is less harsh and contrasty, so for me the Zeiss will be good, I think...

That's what I was thinking. Here's a picture shot with the ZM18/4 in somewhat less contrasty light (around 8am in the Turks & Caicos Islands), which doesn't have the harder edge look because the light has somewhat less contrast (shot with the Leica 8.2 — 80% crop):








I also want to make sure that I don't shortchange the CV15/4.5 which, as Sean Reid writes, is a very good lens at any price — and a bargain at what it sells for: it's only the perspective that sometimes is a bit too extremet for my taste. The first picture is taken with the GXR-M and the second with the M8.2.










Note: This is a new version developed in RPP — the original one that I posted had been developed in Aperture. The M8.2 file required more adjustments in RPP than the GXR-M file, as the GXR-M files have more color accuracy.



—Mitch/Bangkok
Tristes Tropiques? No, They Have a Strip Mall in Chiang Mai Too

[Michiel Schierbeek]

Wow, I can feel the storm, brrr. The boatpicture is amazingly dynamic somehow.
It sure is a wonderfull lens!

Thanks for posting

Here is one I made today with the Zeiss Biogon 25 (not very dynamic but very symmetric)

Michiel