MP back from DAG...

Kyle · 12-05-2006

I sent my MP off to DAG a couple weeks ago for removal of the 75 and 135 framelines, two focal lengths which I never plan on using. The camera arrived today and the finder is now PERFECT! What I loved the most about the the ZI finder was the uncluttered viewfinder and now my MP has a wonderful, uncluttered finder like the ZI.

If you're like me and you don't see yourself ever using these focal lengths, this is an $80 well spent.

Simon Larbalestier · 12-05-2006

I did the same Kyle with M6 classic and MP should have access to the M6 when i'm back in the UK on Saturady i also upgraded the viewfinder to MP flare free optics and replaced the film advance lever to the MP style as well. All that plus a CLA on the M6.

Ronald M · 12-05-2006

Should you change your mint, you can resort to adding finders.

swoop · 12-05-2006

Holy crap you can do that? I would love to just have 35 50 and 75 framelines to themselves on my M7. How much did it run you?

Simon Larbalestier · 12-05-2006

Removal of 75 and 135 framlines cost $30 US plus shipping at DAG's
not sure if you can have separate 75 and 50 frames though....

Kyle · 12-05-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by swoop

Holy crap you can do that? I would love to just have 35 50 and 75 framelines to themselves on my M7. How much did it run you?

$80, plus return shipping.

You can't have the 75 frames by themselves, though, because they have to be paired with the 50 frames. Basically, of the three pairs of frames, you can remove one frame from each pair.

Kyle · 12-05-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simon Larby

Removal of 75 and 135 framlines cost $30 US plus shipping at DAG's

$30?!?!

I think you must have gotten a deal because you got the other work done, because I paid $80!

Simon Larbalestier · 12-05-2006

maybe because the bill came to over $500 with CLA shipping and insurance etc sent to the UK, and everything else....
decided to get several jobs done at once cheaper in the long run.
MP will take longer and i didn't send to Don.

peter_n · 12-05-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ronald M

Should you change your mint, you can resort to adding finders.

Exactly!

Never having had a 75, I am coming round to the idea that a 75mm lens might be a good idea. My rationale is that the three 50's I use on a regular basis have a closest focus of 0.9M (or thereabouts) so I'm not getting a normal lens tightly cropped face (and no I don't want a 50 ASPH). That's the rationale anyway...

Some people must be more bothered by stuff in the finder than others. As they say where I come from, I in't mithered by either framelines or LED readouts in my M7 finders. They don't seem to interfere at all.

x-ray · 12-05-2006

Peter:

I love the 75mm. If I only had two lenses it would be the 35 and 75mm. I've got the summilux but would be interestes to see what the little CV 75 is like. One thing on my ZI that I miss vs my M6 and MP's is the 75 frame. I'm thinking of getting the 75 CV finder for the ZI.

Kim Coxon · 12-06-2006

I must admit that when I got the CV 75, it was a case of "well it might be useful". I couldn't justify a Leica 75 for an occasional use lens. However I have found that I do tend to use it quite a lot. It gives an intimacy that you can't get with the 50's and is much easier to use than the 90s. I think it is one of the best VFM lenses that CV do.

Kim

Quote:

Originally Posted by x-ray

Peter:

I love the 75mm. If I only had two lenses it would be the 35 and 75mm. I've got the summilux but would be interestes to see what the little CV 75 is like. One thing on my ZI that I miss vs my M6 and MP's is the 75 frame. I'm thinking of getting the 75 CV finder for the ZI.

back alley · 12-06-2006

i sometimes think about getting another cv75.
the 90 seems a bit long for me but i dont recall thinking that about the 75.

ray, could you not use the 85fl in the zi?

joe

x-ray · 12-06-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by back alley

ray, could you not use the 85fl in the zi?

joe

I'm eagerly awaiting the 85 ZM. I have a v1 Elmarit 90 in black and really love the lens and have the new apo asph 90 summicron that I'm a bit disappointed with. I shoot tight head shots and thought the apo asph would give the crisp detail at wide apertures but it sadly does not. Close performance with the apo is very poor. I know this is a big statement but at close range closer than 8ft it's the least performing lens that I've ever owned. The 90 elmarit v1 easily outperforms it. I'm also quite disappointed in the focus. I sent the lens in to DAG to correct a binding problem when I received it and also check the poor close range optical performance. He relubed it with heavier grease and then checked sharpness and said it's in spec. At greater than 10ft is's stunning but that's not what I have it for. I've read that the new 85mm ZM is spectacular at those close ranges so I might dump the 90 AA when it comes out and keep the 90 v1 elmarit and summilux 75. I think I would have a tough time parting with either the old 90 elmarit or the 75 summilux.

As to CV lenses. I've purchased the 28 ultron, 50 nokton and 35 nokton this year and have had the 15 for a number of years. I will say that I'm totally impressed with everything that I've seen from these lenses. Disregarding price their performance and quality is right up there with Zeiss and leica. Big statement I know but I have the results to show.

Kyle · 12-06-2006

I tried the CV 75... great lens! Just couldn't get used to the focal length, plus I didn't like that the 50 and 75 lines were paired together, they always bugged me. Then there's the 135 focal length, I won't ever be using that one. 35, 50, and 90 is all I need, and so now I'm happy with my clutter free finder.

BillBingham2 · 12-06-2006

I have heard great things about the new 75/2 'cron. Smaller than the 'Lux but sharper. Saddly have not had the chance to try either. I'm a 105/2.5 man myself.

B2 (;->

back alley · 12-06-2006

ray, i would love to get the 85 zm lens but that will never (barring a lotto win) be within the realm of my current budget.
and it would be a complete waste for me also as i very rarely use the 90 hex i have now.
still, i know i will whine when the zeiss 85 is finally available.
it's odd, when i first started out with photography, i loved the 85 to 100 range and it was almost a normal lens for me. now, not so much.
i eagerly await the arrival of the lens in your hands so i can live vicariously when looking at your pics from it.

joe

Dougg · 12-06-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by back alley

ray, i would love to get the 85 zm lens but that will never (barring a lotto win) be within the realm of my current budget.
and it would be a complete waste for me also as i very rarely use the 90 hex i have now.
still, i know i will whine when the zeiss 85 is finally available.
it's odd, when i first started out with photography, i loved the 85 to 100 range and it was almost a normal lens for me. now, not so much.

Joe, somehow this focal length range seems more comfortable on an, err... SLR. Maybe a OM1. And some lenses' focal length markings must be nominal rather than being particularly close to accurate. My 90mm Tele-Elmarit has a 27° angle of view, while my Pentax 85 f/1.8's is 30 degrees. Must be a few mm shy of 85, as the 77mm f/1.8 Ltd is 30.5° compared to 32° for the CV 75 f/2.5

back alley · 12-06-2006

could be, doug.
but when i think about it, i really liked the 75 when i had the bessa r.

but then, i liked the 85 best when i had the canon f1...

ah well, my next oly lens is gonna be an 85 or a 100, whichever goes for less $$!!
joe

x-ray · 12-06-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by back alley

i eagerly await the arrival of the lens in your hands so i can live vicariously when looking at your pics from it.

joe

If we ever cross paths you're quite welcome to take it for a spin. I eagerly await the arrival of this lens too. I feel it will be a stellar performer like the rest of the ZM lenses.

You guys have been a great help to me in discovering other glass other than Leitz. I've added and replaced a number of my Leica lenses with both Zeiss and CV and could not be happier. There is life outside of Solms. You advised me well in making the decision to add a ZI body and it's now one of my favorites. For the past month I've hardly picked up my MP's and as of today I'm one month into the ZI and have shot about fifty or slightly more rolls. I've not taken it of of auto and can say I've not had a single bad exposure. Auto exposure is like auto pilot when flying in the clouds. It performs the technical functions while you concentrate on other aspects of the journey. With AE it allows you to concentrate on creativity .

peter_n · 12-06-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by x-ray

Peter:

I love the 75mm. If I only had two lenses it would be the 35 and 75mm. I've got the summilux but would be interestes to see what the little CV 75 is like. One thing on my ZI that I miss vs my M6 and MP's is the 75 frame. I'm thinking of getting the 75 CV finder for the ZI.

Don I have the 90 AA as well but I'm using it for a specific project where I am (unfortunately) nowhere near my subjects. I am actually impressed with the lens but it is also binding and is going back to Tony Rose as it is under warranty. I am also going to sell this lens once the project is finished as I have a wonderful "thin" TE 90. I'm really interested in the 75 Summicron.

back alley · 12-06-2006

as far as ae, i sheepishly admit to using it all the time now also.
if i think the shot calls for some 'english' on it, i point the camera down and hit the ae lock button and shoot. seems to work for me.
for awile i felt a bit 'less than' for not using my handheld meter or the sunny 16 rule.

and ray, i'd love to hook up sometime...never can tell.

joe

back alley · 12-06-2006

and i have to stop calling you ray...

x-ray · 12-06-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by peter_n

Don I have the 90 AA as well but I'm using it for a specific project where I am (unfortunately) nowhere near my subjects. I am actually impressed with the lens but it is also binding and is going back to Tony Rose as it is under warranty. I am also going to sell this lens once the project is finished as I have a wonderful "thin" TE 90. I'm really interested in the 75 Summicron.

Very interesting your's is binding too. This is the 3rd Leica lens that I've had with focus mount problems. My 50 tabbed summicron had a spot that was binding at 3 ft and the 35 v4 summicron slops around in the focus mount. I really don't think Leica is putting the care and materials into their lens construction that they once did. None of my lenses from the 60's up ever gave a problem and in the 60's to the 80's I used them much harder than any of these lenses have been used. I actually think my ZM and CV lenses are constructed better than the late version Leitz.

x-ray · 12-06-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by back alley

and ray, i'd love to hook up sometime...never can tell.

joe

I'm trying to get to Raleigh on business and have chatted with FlyFisher Tom about gettin some Bar B Q with him when I'm over thre. Another one of the members will be in K town over the holiday and we're talking about getting some wings and a beer. I travel in the business quite a lot and might make it your way one day.

back alley · 12-06-2006

i look forward to that day.

joe