New "The MS Optical Sonnetar 50mm f/1.1 MC" Lens!

[jonmanjiro]

Originally Posted by anson0408

Links are fixed now i guess
for higher resolution please kindly visit my flickr, Thanks
www.flickr.com/anson0408


#1 Noctilux E58


#2 MS Optical 50/1.1


#3 Konica 50/1.2

Hi, that is a nice trio of fast 50s! How would you compare the ergonomics of these three lenses?

[anson0408]

Originally Posted by jonmanjiro

Hi, that is a nice trio of fast 50s! How would you compare the ergonomics of these three lenses?

Hi Jonmanjiro, actually i have tried to compare it with Canon 50/1.2 LTM as well, however the lens has some focus shift so i didnt post the pics. IMO i would say the MS 50/1.1 is something in between Canon 50/1.2 LTM and Konica 50/1.2, it has Konica 50/1.2 sharpness and Canon 50/1.2 Glow, the bokeh is more like Canon 50/1.2 LTM. If compare it with Noctilux, i would say MS 50/1.1 renders the images less 3D than the Noctilux.

[Vickko]

I'm happy to see these comparisons showing up.
I canceled my order for the 50/1.1, so I presume I made one person happy to get what would have been my lens.

[jonmanjiro]

Originally Posted by anson0408

Hi Jonmanjiro, actually i have tried to compare it with Canon 50/1.2 LTM as well, however the lens has some focus shift so i didnt post the pics. IMO i would say the MS 50/1.1 is something in between Canon 50/1.2 LTM and Konica 50/1.2, it has Konica 50/1.2 sharpness and Canon 50/1.2 Glow, the bokeh is more like Canon 50/1.2 LTM. If compare it with Noctilux, i would say MS 50/1.1 renders the images less 3D than the Noctilux.

Hi, thanks for the note. But I'm interested in their ergonomics rather than their image quality or rendering.

Ergonomics is how these lenses handle when used. Are they easy to focus? Do you accidentally bump the aperture ring when focusing? Is the aperture easy to change? That sort of thing. Thanks!

[purity]

Originally Posted by jonmanjiro

I'm interested in their ergonomics rather than their image quality or rendering.

I am highly interested in the ergonomics of this lens too.

I wanted this lens to be my general workhorse. A lens which I would be using quite often. Nevertheless, since it seems to be rather awkward or clumsy in operation, I will probably cancel my order too.

For me personally, the ergonomics is crucially important. It has a huge impact on every single photo taken - not only technically, but good ergonomics also calms my mind and makes shooting much more enjoyable.

Since I am searching for a general workhorse, I may go for the 50 Lux asph instead. I know these are totally different beasts in many aspects, of course. Yep, the Lux is much more expensive, but the Sonnetar is not a cheap lens too. However, every single aspect of the 50 Lux asph (including ergonomics) is perfect, I would have a definitive 50mm lens. A definitive solution and an ideal workhorse. A lens I will never be tempted to change for a different 50mm one. I am afraid of a necessity to deal with some issues all the time, when going for some special 50mm alternative like the Sonnetar.

Anyway, before making a final decision, I ask all of you who already have an experience with Sonnetar's ergonomics for a comment on this issue. Any comment, opinion or even comparison will be highly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[jonmanjiro]

Originally Posted by purity

Anyway, before making a final decision, I ask all of you who already have an experience with Sonnetar's ergonomics for a comment on this issue. Any comment, opinion or even comparison will be highly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

I have used a Sonnetar briefly. The ergonomics of the lens don't facilitate fast use in the field. I would not choose one as my only 50.

[digitalintrigue]

Jon, can you explain in more detail? Was it the lack of click stops on the aperture?

[jonmanjiro]

I didn't have much time with the lens, but remember the aperture ring being at the very front of the lens (much like most Nikon RF lenses) and the focus ring being behind (toward the camera) but close to aperture ring. Due to the single helix design, adjusting the aperture changes the focus position, and when focusing its easy to accidentally change the aperture. I tried a prototype with no focus tab. The production lenses will have a focus tab which should help somewhat.

[digitalintrigue]

Hmm. Unfortunate. That would bug me no end. After having used several MS products, I ultimately wasn’t happy with ergonomics of any of them...

[sleepyhead]

Originally Posted by jonmanjiro

I didn't have much time with the lens, but remember the aperture ring being at the very front of the lens (much like most Nikon RF lenses) and the focus ring being behind (toward the camera) but close to aperture ring. Due to the single helix design, adjusting the aperture changes the focus position, and when focusing its easy to accidentally change the aperture. I tried a prototype with no focus tab. The production lenses will have a focus tab which should help somewhat.

I'm not too worried about it. Will see how it goes once the lens is in my hands.

[sleepyhead]

Originally Posted by purity

I am highly interested in the ergonomics of this lens too.

I wanted this lens to be my general workhorse. A lens which I would be using quite often. Nevertheless, since it seems to be rather awkward or clumsy in operation, I will probably cancel my order too.

For me personally, the ergonomics is crucially important. It has a huge impact on every single photo taken - not only technically, but good ergonomics also calms my mind and makes shooting much more enjoyable.

Since I am searching for a general workhorse, I may go for the 50 Lux asph instead. I know these are totally different beasts in many aspects, of course. Yep, the Lux is much more expensive, but the Sonnetar is not a cheap lens too. However, every single aspect of the 50 Lux asph (including ergonomics) is perfect, I would have a definitive 50mm lens. A definitive solution and an ideal workhorse. A lens I will never be tempted to change for a different 50mm one. I am afraid of a necessity to deal with some issues all the time, when going for some special 50mm alternative like the Sonnetar.

Anyway, before making a final decision, I ask all of you who already have an experience with Sonnetar's ergonomics for a comment on this issue. Any comment, opinion or even comparison will be highly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

I used ot own the 50mm ASPH Summilux. you can't go wrong with it as your "workhorse".

[frostfire90]

Is there anyone else who owns this lens and can offer more thoughts on the ergonomics of this lens? I used to own a Canon 50 1.5 and really loved the ergonomics of that lens. I might be keen on getting this lens but I just found out yesterday that no more orders will be taken

[Pioneer]

I have one on the way. I also own a Nokton 50 1.1 and am very interested in the size of the new lens, which should be smaller. I already own the MS Optical Perar 35mm, which I absolutely love, and the 50mm APOQualia, which looks and performs very much like my CV Heliar 50. As soon as the new Sonnetar arrives I will be doing some comparison testing against the Nokton to see which one I decide to keep.

The Nokton is large and a bit soft wide open, but so far it has been a great performer when the light is low. Ergonomics on the Nokton are great and it is quite easy to use. Obviously it is priced very good, particularly on the used market where they frequently can be found. For me, if the new Sonnetar is smaller and lighter, with similar or better wide open performance, I am pretty sure I will keep it in preference to the Nokton. While I agree that ergonomics are important considerations, when you are working with lenses at this level it does not have the same importance as it may have with the more common designs.

Besides, the ergonomics of the Sonnetar cannot be worse than my mighty little 50mm Elmar 3.5 LTM. If I am using a yellow flter, which I frequently do, I can't even change the aperture without removing the filter first. If ergonomics and ease of use was the highest priority we would almost certainly all be using auto focus, auto exposure, SLR and DSLR cameras.

[frostfire90]

Thanks Pioneer for the quick reply; do keep us updated on how your tests go

The reason why i asked is because I've used a few other 50mm lenses before, namely the collapsible summicron, collapsible nikkor 5cm f2, as well as the Canon 50 1.2, but i've sold them all because I just did not like the handling on either of them. Eventually I settled for the Canon 50 1.5 cause it handled the best but alas I sold it too because mine had a haze problem... So yes the quest for the ideal 50mm lens continues.

If anyone here is keen on selling his Sonnetar do hit me up!

[CrisR]

Thanks Pioneer, i too will be interested in this comparison for the same reason - size - as i'm happy with the results i get.

[brbo]

When somebody 'favourites' (doesn't happen that often ) my photos on flickr I usually go through their photostream. Today, a few pictures from this guy's photostream jumped out and made me have a look at what lens he was using...

I'm sure you guessed it by now which lens it was.

I hope he doesn't mind some extra visits from RFF members...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/n_heinzelmann/8233296648/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/n_heinzelmann/8230441390/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/n_heinzelmann/8226993955/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/n_heinzelmann/8223954463/

[taemo]

saw them on ebay 3 weeks ago but now it's nowhere to be found.

anyone know where else they can be found or someone unloading?

[sleepyhead]

This thread's gone quiet.

I'm waiting patiently for my Sonnetar to arrive. Should be January-February.

The Tri-X Pan is waiting...

[KerryMcClain]

heads up - there are a couple on eBay tonight (Jan 14)

[hteasley]

Woot, guess what arrived today?


Will upload some shots from it later tonight.

[hteasley]

OK, some from work. It was dark, everything is wide open and between 1/30 and 1/60 shutter, handheld. Probably too slow for me, this wide.

[hteasley]

[robklurfield]

Harry, lovely images. Do you think this lens is worth twice the price of the Nokton 1.1?

[hteasley]

Originally Posted by robklurfield

Harry, lovely images. Do you think this lens is worth twice the price of the Nokton 1.1?

Don't know, but it's not twice the price, it's about $1200 vs $1000.

It's a good deal smaller than the Nokton, which is nice. I'm going to have to play with it. I have the Nokton still (tried to sell it a while back, no serious takers; I think I'll try again), so I can do a real comparison.

[robklurfield]

Allow me, then, to simply say, ooops! on the price. I think you're right. I've been looking at used Noktons on eBay and was thinking the Sonnetar was more than 1200.

Size is an issue. I tried a Nokton for about two shots (at the NYC RFf beer & gear) and found it to be rather humungous (= shaky shoots in my unsteady hands).

Anyway, my faux pas notwithstanding, your shots look great. Looking forward to more of them.

Interested to hear how your feel they compare after you've had more time to get accustomed to the Sonnetar.

Originally Posted by hteasley

Don't know, but it's not twice the price, it's about $1200 vs $1000.

It's a good deal smaller than the Nokton, which is nice. I'm going to have to play with it. I have the Nokton still (tried to sell it a while back, no serious takers; I think I'll try again), so I can do a real comparison.