I hope for more future Voigtländer APO E-mount Lenses that can replace my Sony GM Lenses. I still have som Leica R Lenses, but I will sell them soon (bought them used cheap before all the late years hype, so I can sell them now with profit).
Matt, it is perfectly ock! Why the people have to stick with one optical system, only. Today: we have wonderful lenses of different brands, formats and with the lens adapters, you expand your limits to the point where the imagination can go wild, ... Hope it shall all work well for your wonderful work. Good luck!
You don’t have to apologize for spending or saving your own money, you always make reasonable reasoning for your choices. It’s clear that VM lenses have come a long way, and many people have to be convinced that spending 4X-5X more for Leica glass makes sense for them. All the best.
you made the right choice based on your analogy. in the end it's all about image quality and if a less expensive lens allows you to keep more money in your pocket while keeping your work at high standards, then you made the right choice.
Yup, the green blue corrosion is brass. Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. Those black anodized Leica lenses are housed in aluminum as are some of the older Voigtlander lenses. Some of the ultrons are a mix of nickel and brass. I know that some of my Leica focus tabs are plastic, which isn’t the case for the Voigtlander tabs. They are all metal.
I sent my Leica M6 and lenses down the river years ago for Voitlander kit due to weight alone. When I was young I wanted gear to last forever. Now that I’m old I just want to be able to carry it and not get a pain in the neck… Good on you for being a brave and honest man!
Matt clearly stated his reason for selling his Leica lenses. This is HIS choice. What I enjoyed from the video was the choices he made in buying the voigtlander lenses & what these lenses offered in place of the Leica glass that he sold. He also emphasised short term ownership of the voigtlander glass as opposed to long term ownership of the Leica glass, in which the latter holds value, instead of declining. Best wishes, Matt. Love to see the work that you do REGARDLESS of the equipment that is used. Best wishes!😊
A truly great photographer can change equipment throughout their lives and the quality of their work retains their vision, their ability as an artist - that said with absolute certainty. Your work is amazing, whatever you choose will not change that. 🤗 I am currently planning the build of my home - exciting to create/find your nest in the world. ❤️
Ansel said the most important part of the camera is the 12" behind it. His Yosemite protege Ernst Haas once told a Leica afficionado, Leica Schmica. I would venture a guess that 99% of people couldn't tell the difference in a shot with a Leica lens vs non Leica and that includes most people who run around calling themselves photographers. For most Leica users, you are casting your pearls among swine as the saying goes. When I look at Matt's wonderful portraits, I see great lighting, posing, expression, shallow dof, just the right amount of detail in the skin. (Matt, you have me half way through my first roll of tmax 400 as a result) The slight additional micro contrast from these lenses, sharpness wide open which can be addressed with other lenses stopping down a bit, is a tiny contributor to the quality of his images. It is his SKILLS having mastered the craft that is why he makes such wonderful images, not the lens and certainly not a film body. Hand a 10 grand leica and lens kit to most folks and you will get nothing resembling these images. Note Matt's videos on using nikon bodies, and other lenses.
all these picture look fantastic are they shot with natural light or do you use a flash ... it seems to me film render better in natural light than digital where i always need a flash to make the image looks good
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom your video and picture are breath of fresh air in the photographic world... my f5 will be here next week just cant wait to slowly transition to film your video were a decisive factor in this move i been have running a full studio for almost 4 years now but always felt something was missing until i started watching your video thanks again :)
I have the voitglander 50mm apo lanthar, and it is a great lens, combined with my M5, it just works so well. A lot of Leica owners are buying Voitglander because Leica lenes are just to ridiculously expensive for the everyday photographer.
Hi Matt, only recently found your website, after deciding to go back into 35mm film for my personal work, having regrettably sold my 120 role film camera and lenses for my first 5D as a professional photographer 15 years ago. I am looking to buy a Leica R4, does Voigtlander do a mount for this body. I am new to Leica and non Canon lenses, so not familiar with the mounts and the M & R bodies.
Hi LC, please see my recent Leica R blog post on MrLeica.com (see right side menu on a desktop). I would get the R5 or R7. No Voigtlander lenses were made for Leica iii cameras and Leica M cameras, not R. Most lenses for R bodies are Leica R lenses.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Thanks for the info. I've been outbid on a few R5's and R4's with lenses but have just got an R4 for £50. better start saving for a lens!
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom As Leica fans, the realization that a 3rd party lens producer has increased their products to match or exceed Leica's own should be celebrated. More lenses for M mount going towards the higher quality path is a win
Spot on, Matt. Nailed it. This is coming from someone who owns a 50mm APO Summicron amongst others. I love my 28mm Voigtlander Ultron f1.9 srewmount. Enough that I'm not tempted by any other 28. And I love my 35mm f2 Biogon ZM. Also sharper than the Summicron ASPH but without the 'cron's focus shift. What a wonderful world of great choices we have.
Been looking at purchasing a Leica or Nikon 35mm camera. I’m planning on using Voigtlander lenses with either. Would my results be the same going analog or would the Leica have an edge and why? Mahalo (thank you) for your time and consideration…
Hi Tony, If I use the 90 APO lens on the Nikon or M3 I can get great results but I find focus is much more accurate with a Leica and Leica are nicer made / make you want to shoot. If Leica R vs Nikon you may aswell get Nikon. (I have all mentioned options)
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom I truly appreciate your time. Your channel is very inspirational. Been learning with a D700 using a DX lens so I’m practically starting fresh either way. Looking at this Leica M3 at the moment. I binge watched RUclips for insight and it seems like the Leica quality can’t be touched. Sharpness is out of this world. Your Voigtlander coverage is amazing, makes so much sense to put more money in your pocket and get extremely impressive results to boot. Again, thank you for everything…
Agree, I have so many problems with voigtlander lenses. Just non stop. But, hard to justify some of the Leica glass except, I get tired of Voigtlander lenses having issues. Had to send a 50mm f1.5 II in for repair because the aperture ring broke. $160. I couldn't get it fixed under warranty since I didn't have a warranty card since I bought the lens in the USA from BH photo which said no to warranty repair for whatever reason. Also last year I sent about 2-3 Voigtlander lenses back from having bad optics. Such a hasselhoff.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Yes, my first 35mm f2 had decentric issues (really bad), sent it back. My 28mm f2.8 had decentric issues (really bad), sent it back. My 50mm f1.5 II broke. My new 35mm f2 was super sticky with the focus, took a few weeks to break it in, same with the 21mm f3.5. I hear a lot of people complaining about the sticky focus with those Vintage line lenses. I think they sit in retail for awhile and the grease loses it's distribution, so it takes awhile setting the lenses face down for that to recoat the helicoils properly.
Hi Matt honestly I was always surprised by the quality of recent voigtlander lenses and I perfectly understand your choices. If you have some other Leica gear to sell don t forget to inform the community …;)
Wouldn't chromatic aberration also affect black and white? You'd still get the smudge on the edges but they would just be in black & white... Anyway, always wanted to try a m3 but the lens cost always got in the way. Glad to see there's a lower entry point.
Wow, your images are stunning. One of these days, I'm going to rent a Leica so I can maybe understand the Leica shooting experience. I'm a nikon shooter on a budget, and so I've never had a Leica or even considered one. Thanks for the awesome video.
Great video and content as always! A 10r and 11 is out of my range, can you give me the next best option for the price and least amount of problems for an M camera? My other question is I thought I’ve read that lenses, like the voigtlanders, need calibration to use on the M body? How does that work, or maybe I misunderstood. All the best on the house hunt!
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom that must have been what it was I was reading about, the cheaper lenses that you mentioned. Thank you for the insight into the lenses and the camera body!
I purchased my first manual lens from a guy who wanted to get rid of everything NOT Leica. He sold me a Voigtlander Nokton f1.8/40mm. I originally used it with an adapter for my Fujifilm camera, but now use it exclusively for my Leica CL (film) camera. Ironically, it is the first manual lens that I purchased as well as my favorite one. Leica does make great lenses, but there are worthy contenders that can match, or nearly match excellence and performance of Leica.
I concur with these choices for similar reasons. Timing might be very good because the folks I pay $$$$ to analyse these matters in great detail with pretty sophisticated math are firmly convinced that by 3Q we are going to be in a hard landing recession. They are almost never wrong on major market turns. We went short Nasdaq on Friday. Monetise your excess gear now while folks are still inclined to spend on discretionary purchases.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Are they supposed to go to the camera and photo ebay page or your account with items you are selling? Everyone I'm clicking is taking me to the camera and photo ebay page.
I have always 'started' with the Output Demand; as a wedding photographer in the early 60s it required a 4x5 press camera to get good 8x10 prints for the bride's album. In the 70s a Hasselblad or Rolleiflex would do well with a little care. In the 80s lots of 35mm cameras became popular but the bride's album started containing lots of 5x7 or 4x5 prints; again that smaller film size could suffice.... and so-on.....the lenses were just part of the tool assortment and changed with the changing format.
This was a good one Matt. I have always followed your YT journey, not so much about the gear, as of the wonderfully professional work you produce with it. Please continue the black and white presentations, they are great! One caveat: Do not become house poor. It can be much worse than Leica gear, trust me :)
Great video. I shoot a lot of Leica but I also arrived at similar alternatives to my Leica flock. For me, the recent Voigtlander 50mm f/1 has replaced the Noctilux 50mm f/0.95. I also grabbed the entire Voigtlander apo lens line and, yes, they line up to my SL APOs. So far nothing has replaced my noctilux 75mm, not even the apo SL 75mm.
Nice video. I think the whole Leica community is richer for the wonderful Voigtlander (and Zeiss) lenses that are available. Also Voigtlander lenses and good second hand Leica bodies make the Leica experience attainable to a lot more people. If the goal is to be in the Leica system long term then over time I think it’s good to buy some Leica lenses and hold on to them.
I bought a new 21mm Voigtlander f3.5 ii recently and dropped it onto a wooden floor. Guess what? It’s perfectly fine, no scratches on the black paint or the glass, no impact on focus, no issues at all!
The point is, he isn’t just MrLeica he is a working profession. Right tool for the job over a brand name should always win out in the end. He makes a great point about long term value in Leica, which is really true. Most just see the initial price. Those cost of something is what you lost not the upfront cost.
Thank you, yes spot on. Leica are a great investment long term but for short term use I'm happy using other brands if the photos look similar to my eyes. Voigtlander offer excellent value for this.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Your images are special, it's nice to hear from someone with a talent and dedication. The 50 Apo Lanthar looks a peach of a lens...
I'm not surprised. Voigtländer lenses have great value for money here and now. I'm of similar age, living in a rented apartment myself, but with no ambition regarding house purchase or anything like that, as I would struggle to maintain a house and garden, but I do understand the urge you have to own your own home.
My brand new Voigtlaender Apo Lanthar had mechanical issues with the helicoid, I got it fixed on warranty. Annoying but the warranty process was painless. Always prioritize housing over gear. You cannot live inside a Leica. But wouldn't that be neat?
Hi Matt , you asked for a 'my lenses story' feedback: here I go - I am a retired photographer, started back in 1977 as a commercial photographer - my first job as photographer was as school photographer. My boss gave me a Leica M2 with promise if I performed well a Leica M3 . On it an old Elmarit 90mm . 'Wow a Leica at age 23 !!!' , I did well and got a M3 soon but after a few years opened my own studio with ... Leica to start with. Weddings , portraits the lot. Soon a Rolleiflex SLX and later 6000 system , Pentax 6x7 , 4"5" etc. the lot . I made big money. Around 1989 the Leica M was temporarily replaced by Leica R3 and newer. mainly to have a better lens choice better fill in flash sync. But Leica R did not perform as I hoped and Nikon F3 became my all-time favorite , with an Angenieux short zoom. I had that until the early 2010's !!! Then digital came and it drove me crazy - I tried the lot Nikon , Canon , Fuji , Olympus, all perform well but to many crazy little buttons , bloated menus and to much viewfinder info. Recently I went for Leica SL1 - a nice used model to 'smell' Leica again but with minimal risk. I got a few nice Leica R lenses 50 Summicron , 90 Elmarit , 28 Super Angulon PC and a jewel 180mm 3.4 and an exotic Angenieux 45-90 mm. But also had some old Nikkor glass, all AI-s : 50 1.4 , 50 1.8 , 28 2.0 , 105 2.5 .... I had made it a point (for no clear reason) not to use a Zoom lens...Oh dear driving myself crazy again ? My main subject is Landscapes - I sell quite well and it is stress free. So I reasoned: My subject is stress free please 'old fart' you are ... make the camera stress free as well. I did a lot of tests and found that the Leica R lenses 28PC , 50 and 90 did not perform any better as the brilliantly made old Nikkor Ai-s lenses, the color rendition is different : Nikkor cool , Leica warm , but shrapness of my old Ai-s Nikkors is at least as good if not better. Sunstars with Leica ?? Forget is - Nikkor is king. So the Leica lenses go - I bought them reasonably priced and will sell them easy. The 180mm 3.4 R lens stays - it is such a compact sharpness jewel at full open - hard to beat. The Angenieux w as a trial - it is a magic Portrait lens , it has a very very cool sharp/unsharp character with by far the best bokeh of any lens even stopped down. But I may sell it as it is a lot of money tied up with sporadic use on my work. And then it happened : Someone showed me a Leica 24-70 2.8 SL lens.... I could buy one fair priced and that one may move my Nikkors out of the door. No hurry. That short zoom is like 3 primes in one. If I keep it and I am pretty sure I will , I will use that next to my 180 3.4 and a IRIX 15mm 2.4 . And hopefully can get another 20 years of lens searching years out of it like I had with my Nikon F3 . I did an other test that might interest you and maybe replicate: A creativity camera test: which camera delivered better creative results as an other? I still have my old Fuji kit and an old Olympus EM1. So I set out to see if the Leica SL would deliver better creative results as the others. I would not write this if not ... Long story short: The same walk , photographing the same landmarks , trees , flowers etc. The Leica SL was big winner !! Why: teh viewfinder and over all operating experience. The Fuji and Olympus are great cameras , delivering sharpness and color close enough to Leica to not even look at Leica. But the many little buttons , options , etc. make it look and work like a medieval camera next to Leica- I can operate the SL1 in pitch dark , never miss a button , or with gloves when it is still freezing early morning, or with camera to my eyes without missing a button. And then the viewfinder - when set on totally clean (no info what so ever) -- combined with a simplistic buttons use and I feel no barrier between me and the subject anymore, and that results in better photos. ( A big shame Leica made the SL2 series primarily touch-screen) . The creative capabilities of a camera are way more important as lens qualities - most lenses are OK - it boils down to what one wants to spend / invest. Strangely enough we never if ever read about the creative quality of a camera , as if bigger sensors and sharper lenses make better photographers.... I once photographed a Wedding with only a point and shoot camera (Fiji X10) , the couple had no money and I wanted the fun , it was a runaway success , everyone happy. Sorry I got carried away by my writing - I hope it was entertaining ;-) Cheers from Warrumbungle in Australia
Thanks for sharing your story and great yo see yet another very happy Leica SL owner! I receive many similar stories! I’ll do a review on the 24-70 when I get a chance. It’s on my list to cover and I have used it before.
Thanks again for the great video Matt, very instructive. As a Voigt lover, I love your video but Im curious of your choice of the 35mm Lens between the Voigt Nokton 35mm 1.5 that you recently tested and the Ultron 35mm f2 V.2. Any reason why you pick the later over the former? I currently own a Nokton 35mm 1.4 MC V2 that I found a tad too soft at time.... Would the Ultron be the best compromise between the character of the Nokton Classic 1.4 and the modern look of the new Nokton 35mm 1.5? Thanks.
Thanks Nicolas, I like the f2 Ultron as normally I don't need 1.5. If I was shooting film and needed a fast lens I would get the 1.5 (or the bigger 1.2). The 1.4 is too soft yes.
I would love to test the Voightländer Nokton 75mm f1,5 VM against the Olympus Zuiko 75mm 1,8 and the the 105 mm f/2.5 Nikkor-P·C with the Metabones Speedbooster on a m43 camera. With that, all three lense will have the same focal length and nearly the same aperture. The Oly might be the best Zuiko lens there is, but the Nikkor gives more pleasant pictures. Of course all of us know the Afghan girl taken with this lens, but is the Voightländer better? By the way, I'm an old fashion photographer, looking for å film feel in landscape, architecture, and so on. By the way, I'm always looking for lenses I can use with my Nikkor, Canon and m43 cameras, but I'm going to buy a Fuji GFX. I have plenty of them already and I'm just buying manually lenses that suit all of the systems. I don't care about any brands.
Thanks. You can really test lenses on M43 bodies as you only use a part fraction of the lens image circle. I do sometime use the 75 1.5 on M43 for more range but not for anything serious.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Of course I should have bought a Leica M6, when I could get one for $600 due to the low prices and low dollar exchange rate, but now I don't see that it is expedient. Instead of the Leica M6, it became a Mamiya 6MF.
I agree with your choices and love the logical and common sense way you go about making them. I am not primarily a Leica shooter but I do have a 1955 M3 body and a 1968 DR Summicron 50/2. I also have a number of Cosina Voigtlander lenses of more recent vintage (2003 onwards) which get more regular usage, and I suspect that your problems with corrosion on your Voigtlander lenses may have something to do with the climate in which you live or the conditions in which you use them. None of my Voigtlander lenses, from 2003 to 2008, have any signs of aluminium corrosion or any other deterioration, but I am an amateur and they do spend a lot of time warm and dry.
Great video, Matt. How about cameras? Have you considered any of the good looking, compact non-Leica cameras, like the Fuji X100V or the full fram Sony A7C? You can even get Zeiss AF lenses for the Sony, or the compact Sony G AF lenses.
Thanks Thomas, I’ll aim to try other camera brands this year to give my opinion but I’m 99% sure I’ll stay all like. Once you try a Leica it’s hard to go back (for slow MF work). If you want all the mod cons yes don’t buy Leica.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Yes, I agree with that. Even a lot of the cameras that look beautiful, like the Fuji X100, feel like cheap toys in the hand compared to a Leica.
Hello Matt another great video, thanks very much. I wonder if you would ever sell your Leica cameras? I’ve almost saved enough money to buy a used M10 and wanted to know if you think it’s worth me taking the plunge even though I have never shot with a rangefinder camera. I do have an SL and Q. I would very much value your opinion please. Many thanks.
Hi Philip, no I can’t see me using anything except Leica. Once you’ve tried them it’s hard to use cheaper brands (I tried with Lumix S5.. bought the SL a month or so later).
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom ‘Love the lens you’re with’ has become something of a mantra for me of late but it’s so much easier to say than do :) I’ve noticed that regardless of the lenses used there are certain photographers who produce images that make my mouth water regardless of how sexy the tools they might be using are. Gear acquisition can so easily become something of an obsessive pursuit, and I speak as someone often enticed by lenses old and new in the pursuit of some fantasy ‘ideal’ when experience really should have told me by now that this egoic urge for perfection is a fools errand that will never be satisfied. I love finding some new optic and testing, appraising and comparing the merits against my other lenses… reordering my collection into new groups and generally wasting time that could be better spent actually taking photos. But perhaps as Philip Reeves notes that his interests in optics and in photography overlap, but only to some degree. So perhaps that is okay as long as I don’t have expectations of game changing performance but just for the joy of curiosity alone. But I’m relieved my tastes are much cheaper than Leica glass, and peculiarly my favorite lenses such as minoltas 58mm f1.4 (generally less than £100) fail to be ousted from my affections by more expensive and technically superior options, though I agree with your observations on the voigtlander cost/quality ratio:) But the ‘collector’ in me remains ever hungry despite understanding this on a conscious level, there remains some deep emotional hunger for ‘more’ and ‘better’. Really like your work btw, keep it up and good luck with the house-hunting!
Thank you for your explanations and examples, Matt. I have several Leica lenses but I also use CV lenses such as the 50/2 APO and 50/1. I am still using the "old" Leica Summilux 75/1.4M. Lenses are really less a factor than the photographer taking photos.
While Leica lenses are known to keep their value over time, some lenses made by other companies can skyrocket in value, such as the Canon 35/1.5 ltm or the Canon 85/1.5 ltm. Each sells for at least $5000 these days since some moviemakers adapt these lenses for cine. I sold my 85/1.5 since I use the Lux 75/1.4. I kept the Canon 35/1.5 ltm. @@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom
Matt I don’t think the brand matters, you would creat amazing photos regardless what brand falls into your hands. Your the creator and it’s your skill using the camera and the settings that make the images the camera is simply a tool 😊
Yes I agree… I started as a young teenager with a Zeith TTL and then a Pentax me super .. got some great photos out of that old Zenith…..loved that Pentax too …Photography was a lot more fun back then …
Good luck with the house purchase. I think the key to lens ownership is to settle on what you know you need and generally stick what that. For me it's a 28mm summicron, 50mm summilux and a 90mm macro elmar. Any other lens has to be cheap and it has to bring something unique to the party. For me thats a 15mm voigtlander and a cheap TT Artisan fisheye for a bit of fun.
Buy and use whatever helps you produce the results you prefer. Simples! I'm happy with the negs I get from my Elmars on my M2. I don't need anything else.
i just replaced my 7artisans 35 1.4 with the voigtlander 40mm 1.4 finally. so happy. the 7artisans lens wasn’t calibrated well and the 40mm is so small and lighter, sharper, accurate, with clicks aperture stops. also, it’s a 40mm and it brings up 50mm frame lines, but on a aps-h camera 40mm becomes a 52mm. so i think the 50mm frame lines work better than the 35mmm. but everyone on forums is saying that they’d rather use the 35mm frame lines
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom there are a bunch of camera shops in downtown seoul. picked up that voigtlander multicoated for $400. there’s a bunch of leica m’s. saw a konica hexar rf and minolta cle
You are right. I first paid my mortgage completely off and then brought my Leica lenses to replace my Voigtlander lenses: 21, 35, 50 and 75. All are amazing! Good luck with buying your house. BTW the last 50mm I brought were the amazing Canon 1.8 and 1.4. Both do replace my Leitz lenses, because of how the render on my M240.
The Voigtlander 150mm F4.5 Heliar was the favorite of the late Emperor of Japan. It does take great portraits with the Bergheil camera. Voigtlander has a history of great lens making.
these old Heliar lenses were large format lenses and have nothing in common with today lenses from Cosina. They just bought the brand's name. I own a Heliar in an old Compur shutter. Its a marvelous lens.
As a side note, I want to make a point to highlight what a great eye you have. Seriously. So many popular RUclips photographers will show their work and while it's not bad, it also doesn't really stand out as anything special. Seeing the photos in this video, though, I'm immediately drawn to how good they are. Seriously. It's obvious that you are a guy who is going to make great photos no matter what you use.
I still have my Leicas, But I switched to Voitlander a few years ago, for the same reasons. I have been on the fence about selling my Leica glass, But it is tough letting go. I love them and still use them. But shoot Voigtlander 90% of the time now.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom I was a Leica guy like you for over 20 years.. But now with Voitlanders and being inexpensive for the quality you get in return. I just find myself using them constantly. I may bite the bullet and sell my Leica lenses. Maybe I can buy another house after selling mine.
Very interesting re the Voigtlander lens build quality. I have several 45 year-old Nikkor AI and AIS lenses and not one of them has any corrosion or dust inside. Mind you, those old Nikkors were really built to withstand professional photojournalism standards.
Thanks Robert, yes Nikkors rarely get internal problems. I have AI and AIS. They get a bit loose but keep on going! Voigtlanders are great on the whole (I was a little harsh)
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Obviously I adore Leica glass but the performance difference is hard to justify the cost. Voigtlander really is not a budget item in any way. The images I produce with their glass are just as good as anything I’ve gotten with Leica. Just followed you on IG btw. Great stuff!
Hello Matt. Good luck with the house hunting. Look also into ex government buildings, you can get excellent off_the_wall properties with good price/surface area ratio and usually always vacant. The amenities may be spartan, but present a total blank canvas for your purpose.
Hello Matt, I have often looked at such properties as my wife prefers quirky properties. I have looked at disused churches, control towers, airfield buildings, lighthouses, workshops, even underground bunkers... Usually, being ex-government properties, these have power, water and drainage and they grant change of use to residence as part of the deal. Whereas you have to drop 100k minimum on anything anywhere for a typical property bought through a high street estate agent, you can save an awful lot (2/3) by buying direct from government estates. With your sensible life style you could bag a property that could be modified to suit both your personal and professional needs. Keep looking and be lucky...
@@jean-guyvermeulen1509 thanks so much, l’ll try searching on those specifics. How cool would that be! (Properties are really hard to find for under £200k for a 1 bed studio.
For every photographer there is a smilar story ... should i take this or that?.... i like your thoughts and the ideas whitch guides you in your décisions. In a certain Way, it gides me also into my Brand ( nikon ais vs z...) Take care and enjoy...
I sold only two Leica lenses....a silver 50mm f/2 Summicron-M latest version and a Summicron rigid. In a few months I regretted it and I was so despondent over the rigid that I bought another for a little more but it is slightly better. I will probably get another Summicron-M, maybe the APO. I had no use for the money so maybe that's why I had second thoughts. I hope you don't suffer the same remorse that I did.
I’ve been watching your channel for a long time, awesome content and beautiful images. Those new CV lenses are amazing, I really want the 28 f2 ii. I wonder if you have visited a otolaryngologist, that voice needs to be checked IMHO.
did the same long time ago, keep a leica M-a ( but I prefere the M4-2 , far more practicle with recess glass) and finally get back a summicron 35, not for the lens but for the plastic square sunshade wich protect it nicely.
I've looked at the 28mm Ultron, but I know the strong vignetting wide open would drive me nuts. It's the same with my 35mm Color Skopar. Beautiful little lens, but I wish it wouldn't vignette as much wide open. I have the Elmarit 28mm right now and would love an extra stop... I'm perpetually tempted to get the Summicron for that reason. If it was just for the money, then yes, the Ultron would do, but you can make a case for the more expensive Leica lenses here.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom True, though I've had problems with vignette removal, if the falloff isn't exactly similar in its linearity, I always end up with slightly over/under exposed corners. Maybe I'm a bit too nitpicky :) I just prefer not to have to deal with it to begin with. Most likely I'm already at a nice middle ground between cost and quality with my Elmarit.
You are correct across the board. Buying Leica for the sake of buying Leica is silly bling thinking. Buy what does the job and has the best ROI. You have done that. I wish you good luck and speedy realization on your new home.
Matt - nice video! It's funny as I happen to shoot all the Voigtlanders you mentioned plus a cpl of the f/1.2s. All of them are absolutely excellent. So good, in fact, that I'm working on doubling up on each lens in case they go out of production. Of course Leica's own glass is top-notch; but it needs to pay for itself. If I have a job that warrants it, I can always rent one after all!
Hi Matt, big fan of your pictures and videos! I think a big reason to buy Leica is you can sell it and get your money back. It actually doesnt cost anything, it "just" binds cash. Voigtlander are great lenses and gave me entry to the M world.
Good for you Matt. In the end, they are just tools--use the tools that work best for you. I ended up leap frogging over Leica M's to Hasselblad's X2D & on the other end, I picked up a Sony A7 R5 because of the IBIS & amazing Lenses like Sony's FE 24mm f/1.4 G Master (one of my all time favorite lenses!). I'm getting older & I can't hand hold to 1/10 sec anymore so IBIS is awesome.
I am very happy to hear you say this ... I always feel that the gear that works for your style/vision is more important than buying the most expensive gear!!! I remember being mocked for using a Canon lens on my Leica IIIf ... I felt more comfortable with the lens, so 'eff gear snobs!!!
I LOVE quality gear that doesn't hold its value. That allows non professionals like myself to get some great deals on cameras & lenses that have not achieved over priced cult status. And I have to say your work is really excellent. How do you achieve that glowing skin look - reflectors, flash, post processing, all the above?
Thanks George, haha yes I like a good deal too. I don't have a set process and normally don't use reflectors or flash (in the work published in the last few years). I shoot in nice light then add my MrLeica B&W presets. Nothing fancy.
As a working photographer I think you’re supposed to make business decisions, right? And even as a die-hard Leica afficionado, I still like discussions bases on image quality much better than people fawning over cosmetic differences between different Leica lenses and bodies. Besides, everyone is still very welcome to outperform you as a portrait photographer, whatever the price of their gear. Best of luck!
Nice one Matt. Can you make a video on how to market and sell your gear for the best profit? I am sure there are some people following you that could also get rid of some of their things haha.
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I hope for more future Voigtländer APO E-mount Lenses that can replace my Sony GM Lenses. I still have som Leica R Lenses, but I will sell them soon (bought them used cheap before all the late years hype, so I can sell them now with profit).
Matt, it is perfectly ock! Why the people have to stick with one optical system, only. Today: we have wonderful lenses of different brands, formats and with the lens adapters, you expand your limits to the point where the imagination can go wild, ...
Hope it shall all work well for your wonderful work.
Good luck!
@@tomislavstanich9379 thanks!
@@cameraprepper7938 yes prices have gone up on those.
You don’t have to apologize for spending or saving your own money, you always make reasonable reasoning for your choices. It’s clear that VM lenses have come a long way, and many people have to be convinced that spending 4X-5X more for Leica glass makes sense for them. All the best.
Thanks Daniel! 🙏🏻
you made the right choice based on your analogy. in the end it's all about image quality and if a less expensive lens allows you to keep more money in your pocket while keeping your work at high standards, then you made the right choice.
Thanks, yes I can get the results I need with either so it made more sense currently to sell a few Leica lenses i'm not using.
I love your photography style, some really beautiful images you showed in this video!
Thanks so much. Im happy with any lens that gives me decent photos
Yes the photos are really outstanding!
the green powder is corrosion residue from brass beneath
Yup, the green blue corrosion is brass. Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. Those black anodized Leica lenses are housed in aluminum as are some of the older Voigtlander lenses. Some of the ultrons are a mix of nickel and brass. I know that some of my Leica focus tabs are plastic, which isn’t the case for the Voigtlander tabs. They are all metal.
Great info thanks!
Thanks Fabrizio! Great info
Matt, great job. Your summary (at about 5:45) lists that the Voigtlander 90mm is an f4 lens - should be an f2.8. Cheers from Canada
Thanks Weston! And sorry for the f4 typo,
Great discussion and learning video. Thank you again.
RS. Canada
Thanks Richard!
What an amazing photo at 3:02. From compo to posing, structure, empty space. Amazing shot man.
Thanks Rhawi! I share photos in nearly all my videos
I sent my Leica M6 and lenses down the river years ago for Voitlander kit due to weight alone. When I was young I wanted gear to last forever. Now that I’m old I just want to be able to carry it and not get a pain in the neck… Good on you for being a brave and honest man!
Thanks Philip! Yes I really appreciate smaller lighter cameras too.
due to weight alone.....mate...if its too heavy...then you need to get fit...plain n simple.🤣😂
Your Portrait photography is simply stunning, Sir …!!!!
Thanks Killian! I share portraits in almost all my 300+ videos if you want to see more.
Matt clearly stated his reason for selling his Leica lenses. This is HIS choice. What I enjoyed from the video was the choices he made in buying the voigtlander lenses & what these lenses offered in place of the Leica glass that he sold. He also emphasised short term ownership of the voigtlander glass as opposed to long term ownership of the Leica glass, in which the latter holds value, instead of declining. Best wishes, Matt. Love to see the work that you do REGARDLESS of the equipment that is used. Best wishes!😊
Thank you Jeffrey, much appreciated.
A truly great photographer can change equipment throughout their lives and the quality of their work retains their vision, their ability as an artist - that said with absolute certainty. Your work is amazing, whatever you choose will not change that. 🤗 I am currently planning the build of my home - exciting to create/find your nest in the world. ❤️
Thank you!
Ansel said the most important part of the camera is the 12" behind it. His Yosemite protege Ernst Haas once told a Leica afficionado, Leica Schmica. I would venture a guess that 99% of people couldn't tell the difference in a shot with a Leica lens vs non Leica and that includes most people who run around calling themselves photographers. For most Leica users, you are casting your pearls among swine as the saying goes. When I look at Matt's wonderful portraits, I see great lighting, posing, expression, shallow dof, just the right amount of detail in the skin. (Matt, you have me half way through my first roll of tmax 400 as a result) The slight additional micro contrast from these lenses, sharpness wide open which can be addressed with other lenses stopping down a bit, is a tiny contributor to the quality of his images. It is his SKILLS having mastered the craft that is why he makes such wonderful images, not the lens and certainly not a film body. Hand a 10 grand leica and lens kit to most folks and you will get nothing resembling these images. Note Matt's videos on using nikon bodies, and other lenses.
Nice video. But, what about your "R" system? Do you own yet or sell it too? Best regards.
Thanks Carlos, I only sold the mentioned M lenses. I kept all the good M lenses, M bodies, LTM / R / L ..so i'm still mostly Leica
all these picture look fantastic are they shot with natural light or do you use a flash ... it seems to me film render better in natural light than digital where i always need a flash to make the image looks good
Thanks Gilbert! Mostly continuous light (available and or added by me). Probably none with flash (I use flash less now).
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom your video and picture are breath of fresh air in the photographic world... my f5 will be here next week just cant wait to slowly transition to film your video were a decisive factor in this move i been have running a full studio for almost 4 years now but always felt something was missing until i started watching your video thanks again :)
I have the voitglander 50mm apo lanthar, and it is a great lens, combined with my M5, it just works so well. A lot of Leica owners are buying Voitglander because Leica lenes are just to ridiculously expensive for the everyday photographer.
That lens is so good, I have it for both Sony e and leica m
Thanks Bob, yes I love that lens too!
I heard nothing but great things about the voitglander apo. I need to get my hands on this
Hi Matt, only recently found your website, after deciding to go back into 35mm film for my personal work, having regrettably sold my 120 role film camera and lenses for my first 5D as a professional photographer 15 years ago. I am looking to buy a Leica R4, does Voigtlander do a mount for this body. I am new to Leica and non Canon lenses, so not familiar with the mounts and the M & R bodies.
Hi LC, please see my recent Leica R blog post on MrLeica.com (see right side menu on a desktop). I would get the R5 or R7. No Voigtlander lenses were made for Leica iii cameras and Leica M cameras, not R. Most lenses for R bodies are Leica R lenses.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Thanks for the info. I've been outbid on a few R5's and R4's with lenses but have just got an R4 for £50. better start saving for a lens!
voigtlander needes to come back to the camera market, maybe a new bessa and a epson rd-2 for digital based on the bessa just like the epson rd-1
A digital Voigtlander Bessa would be something wouldn't it?
@@FFVoyager yeah, the Epson rd1 is one of my dream cameras but the older the harder it gets to get one in a good condition
I was in Japan in November. Made a trip to Nagano to see a friend who works at a little company there. Stay tuned.
Would be nice!
When using those voightlander lenses do you have to calibrate them to get the right focus distance?
Hi Steve, no they are calibrated off the shelf (and Zeiss). Chinese levees you need to calibrate.
well done and applaud for being upfront and the bravery in making such a swap
Thanks Marcus! My most liked and most disliked video I think.. for being honest
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom As Leica fans, the realization that a 3rd party lens producer has increased their products to match or exceed Leica's own should be celebrated. More lenses for M mount going towards the higher quality path is a win
Spot on, Matt. Nailed it. This is coming from someone who owns a 50mm APO Summicron amongst others. I love my 28mm Voigtlander Ultron f1.9 srewmount. Enough that I'm not tempted by any other 28. And I love my 35mm f2 Biogon ZM. Also sharper than the Summicron ASPH but without the 'cron's focus shift. What a wonderful world of great choices we have.
Thanks George! Yes, a great choice offered across brands
Been looking at purchasing a Leica or Nikon 35mm camera. I’m planning on using Voigtlander lenses with either. Would my results be the same going analog or would the Leica have an edge and why? Mahalo (thank you) for your time and consideration…
Hi Tony, If I use the 90 APO lens on the Nikon or M3 I can get great results but I find focus is much more accurate with a Leica and Leica are nicer made / make you want to shoot. If Leica R vs Nikon you may aswell get Nikon. (I have all mentioned options)
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom I truly appreciate your time. Your channel is very inspirational. Been learning with a D700 using a DX lens so I’m practically starting fresh either way. Looking at this Leica M3 at the moment. I binge watched RUclips for insight and it seems like the Leica quality can’t be touched. Sharpness is out of this world. Your Voigtlander coverage is amazing, makes so much sense to put more money in your pocket and get extremely impressive results to boot. Again, thank you for everything…
After the sale, what kind of Leica lenses do you currently have?
See the list on the blog - MrLeica.com (a lot are vintage lenses, R mount, fast M mount)
All the best in your journey, and thanke for sharing your thought. It is very useful.
Thank you!
Agree, I have so many problems with voigtlander lenses. Just non stop. But, hard to justify some of the Leica glass except, I get tired of Voigtlander lenses having issues. Had to send a 50mm f1.5 II in for repair because the aperture ring broke. $160. I couldn't get it fixed under warranty since I didn't have a warranty card since I bought the lens in the USA from BH photo which said no to warranty repair for whatever reason. Also last year I sent about 2-3 Voigtlander lenses back from having bad optics. Such a hasselhoff.
Thanks Alik, sorry to hear this. I’ve not heard of many instances so to hear you had so many seems very unlucky.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Yes, my first 35mm f2 had decentric issues (really bad), sent it back. My 28mm f2.8 had decentric issues (really bad), sent it back. My 50mm f1.5 II broke. My new 35mm f2 was super sticky with the focus, took a few weeks to break it in, same with the 21mm f3.5. I hear a lot of people complaining about the sticky focus with those Vintage line lenses. I think they sit in retail for awhile and the grease loses it's distribution, so it takes awhile setting the lenses face down for that to recoat the helicoils properly.
@@happythec1am Sorry to hear. In the UK I get from Robert White and no issues on any.
You should go on and be a full on commercial fashion and beauty photographer your work is fantastic
Thanks Kevin, much appreciated! Yes that’s the work I enjoy the most.
Do you have an M7 or M6 + 50mm lens for sale? I'm looking to buy it!
Hi Monika, sorry I don't. Try eBay?
Thanks for being open with your readers/followers and sharing your thoughts in your usual informative manner. Thumbs up from me.
Thanks Joe! Much appreciated.
Matt Osborne is become Mr.Voigtlander …!!!
Mister Leica is becoming Mister Voigtlander ;)
Hi Matt honestly I was always surprised by the quality of recent voigtlander lenses and I perfectly understand your choices. If you have some other Leica gear to sell don t forget to inform the community …;)
Has...(not is)
Ha thanks Albert. Getting there but until they make cameras they’ll never catch up my Leicas!
Have you bought all the Voightlander lenses for full price, or have you bought them with sponsor price?
There’s no sponsor haha, if you life in uk you can get 10% off (I didn’t buy the more expensive ones, 50 f1 etc)
Now you can buy that island 🏝️ 😊👍
I need to buy a shed to live in first! (Uk house prices!)
Good luck ! Love your photographs..
Thanks Paul! (Still using Leica digital cameras but with a range of lenses)
Great photos - and video.
Thanks Anton!
Wouldn't chromatic aberration also affect black and white? You'd still get the smudge on the edges but they would just be in black & white...
Anyway, always wanted to try a m3 but the lens cost always got in the way. Glad to see there's a lower entry point.
Thanks, I’ve never thought of it like that (re. CA). Yes you definitely don’t need Leica glass. I started with Zeiss
Wow, your images are stunning. One of these days, I'm going to rent a Leica so I can maybe understand the Leica shooting experience. I'm a nikon shooter on a budget, and so I've never had a Leica or even considered one.
Thanks for the awesome video.
Thanks Carlos! I came from Nikon and never planned to get a Leica / ever expected to own one. Yes try to get one to test sometime!
Amazing images Matt!
Thanks Steven! I try to share similar images in most videos
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom yes it is not that I am suprised, but a well meant and honest compliment was in order. Hope that is correct English
Great video and content as always! A 10r and 11 is out of my range, can you give me the next best option for the price and least amount of problems for an M camera? My other question is I thought I’ve read that lenses, like the voigtlanders, need calibration to use on the M body? How does that work, or maybe I misunderstood. All the best on the house hunt!
Hi most people go for a M10/ M10P. No Voigtlander lenses come calibrated. The cheap Chinese lenses need calibration so that’s what you’re thinking of.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom that must have been what it was I was reading about, the cheaper lenses that you mentioned. Thank you for the insight into the lenses and the camera body!
Good luck Matt!
Thank you!
Where do you sell your gear? No one has been biting on any of the minty Leica gear I've been trying to sell.
Nothing fancy, just eBay.
I purchased my first manual lens from a guy who wanted to get rid of everything NOT Leica. He sold me a Voigtlander Nokton f1.8/40mm. I originally used it with an adapter for my Fujifilm camera, but now use it exclusively for my Leica CL (film) camera. Ironically, it is the first manual lens that I purchased as well as my favorite one. Leica does make great lenses, but there are worthy contenders that can match, or nearly match excellence and performance of Leica.
Great. Yes Leica and Voigtlander are both nice.
Question: Do you feel the Voigtlander 75mm 1.5 would cut well on footage shot with other Leica gear?
Hi JP, hmm tough, each brand has a look, even periods of a brand have a look. Like cine guys buying Leica R glass with similar serial numbers.
I concur with these choices for similar reasons. Timing might be very good because the folks I pay $$$$ to analyse these matters in great detail with pretty sophisticated math are firmly convinced that by 3Q we are going to be in a hard landing recession. They are almost never wrong on major market turns. We went short Nasdaq on Friday. Monetise your excess gear now while folks are still inclined to spend on discretionary purchases.
GET OUT OF YOUR SHORT POSITION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, FCA models predict solid grown in the markets this year.
Lol
@@annenominous7220 🤣🤣🤣
@@Zetaphotography 🤣🤣🤣
Thanks Brad. Wise words
Ebay links not work for anyone else?
Really, hmm sorry to hear. I’ll check thanks (there are links on MrLeica.com homepage too)
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Are they supposed to go to the camera and photo ebay page or your account with items you are selling? Everyone I'm clicking is taking me to the camera and photo ebay page.
I have always 'started' with the Output Demand; as a wedding photographer in the early 60s it required a 4x5 press camera to get good 8x10 prints for the bride's album. In the 70s a Hasselblad or Rolleiflex would do well with a little care. In the 80s lots of 35mm cameras became popular but the bride's album started containing lots of 5x7 or 4x5 prints; again that smaller film size could suffice.... and so-on.....the lenses were just part of the tool assortment and changed with the changing format.
Thanks Stuart, I’ve gone from Nikon DSLR to Ms to Q+SL currently
Nice to see all the AMAZING pictures!!! 👍
Thanks Fab!
This was a good one Matt. I have always followed your YT journey, not so much about the gear, as of the wonderfully professional work you produce with it. Please continue the black and white presentations, they are great! One caveat: Do not become house poor. It can be much worse than Leica gear, trust me :)
Thanks Nolan, much appreciated. I’m not looking for anything fancy/ beyond my means but thanks for the sound advice.
Ok, now you are oficially called MrVoigtlander !!! :)
Ha thanks Pedro, my % of Voigtlander is definitely catching up my Leica! (I have all my LTM, M, R , digital Leica cameras so the name is safe for now)
Why do the images from the Leica M11 look way to sharp when I open the images on my computer (.DNG)
They are 60Mp files. Expect sharp images 👍🏻
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom they look little too sharp ☹️
@@gurugamer8632 some users use the 18mp option as their favourite look. (FYI)
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom thank you will give that a guy
Great video. I shoot a lot of Leica but I also arrived at similar alternatives to my Leica flock. For me, the recent Voigtlander 50mm f/1 has replaced the Noctilux 50mm f/0.95. I also grabbed the entire Voigtlander apo lens line and, yes, they line up to my SL APOs. So far nothing has replaced my noctilux 75mm, not even the apo SL 75mm.
Thanks Adam, yes the 50 f1 is close to the Nocti 👍🏻
Nice video. I think the whole Leica community is richer for the wonderful Voigtlander (and Zeiss) lenses that are available. Also Voigtlander lenses and good second hand Leica bodies make the Leica experience attainable to a lot more people. If the goal is to be in the Leica system long term then over time I think it’s good to buy some Leica lenses and hold on to them.
Thanks Mike, yes absolutely!
I bought a new 21mm Voigtlander f3.5 ii recently and dropped it onto a wooden floor. Guess what? It’s perfectly fine, no scratches on the black paint or the glass, no impact on focus, no issues at all!
Hi Ali, great. Yes I’d except the same. They are proper metal and glass lenses (which I love)
Brave but very useful for those of us who can only invest in lenses very slowly but want to expand their photography now. Thank you
Thanks Chris, appreciated. Yes I lost some subs with this video.
The point is, he isn’t just MrLeica he is a working profession. Right tool for the job over a brand name should always win out in the end. He makes a great point about long term value in Leica, which is really true. Most just see the initial price. Those cost of something is what you lost not the upfront cost.
Thank you, yes spot on. Leica are a great investment long term but for short term use I'm happy using other brands if the photos look similar to my eyes. Voigtlander offer excellent value for this.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Your images are special, it's nice to hear from someone with a talent and dedication. The 50 Apo Lanthar looks a peach of a lens...
I'm not surprised. Voigtländer lenses have great value for money here and now.
I'm of similar age, living in a rented apartment myself, but with no ambition regarding house purchase or anything like that, as I would struggle to maintain a house and garden, but I do understand the urge you have to own your own home.
Thanks NP. I’m probably going for a simple studio so no garden etc. somewhere to shoot videos and keep my stuff.. is the plan
My brand new Voigtlaender Apo Lanthar had mechanical issues with the helicoid, I got it fixed on warranty. Annoying but the warranty process was painless.
Always prioritize housing over gear. You cannot live inside a Leica. But wouldn't that be neat?
Thanks! Yes I thought it was time to grow up, get a home, then get back to cameras! Sorry to hear about your APO
holy moly... these are some amazing photographs, wow.... !!!
Thanks Ronny! I share them in most of my 300+ videos
Hi Matt , you asked for a 'my lenses story' feedback:
here I go - I am a retired photographer, started back in 1977 as a commercial photographer - my first job as photographer was as school photographer. My boss gave me a Leica M2 with promise if I performed well a Leica M3 . On it an old Elmarit 90mm . 'Wow a Leica at age 23 !!!' , I did well and got a M3 soon but after a few years opened my own studio with ... Leica to start with. Weddings , portraits the lot. Soon a Rolleiflex SLX and later 6000 system , Pentax 6x7 , 4"5" etc. the lot . I made big money. Around 1989 the Leica M was temporarily replaced by Leica R3 and newer. mainly to have a better lens choice better fill in flash sync. But Leica R did not perform as I hoped and Nikon F3 became my all-time favorite , with an Angenieux short zoom. I had that until the early 2010's !!!
Then digital came and it drove me crazy - I tried the lot Nikon , Canon , Fuji , Olympus, all perform well but to many crazy little buttons , bloated menus and to much viewfinder info. Recently I went for Leica SL1 - a nice used model to 'smell' Leica again but with minimal risk. I got a few nice Leica R lenses 50 Summicron , 90 Elmarit , 28 Super Angulon PC and a jewel 180mm 3.4 and an exotic Angenieux 45-90 mm.
But also had some old Nikkor glass, all AI-s : 50 1.4 , 50 1.8 , 28 2.0 , 105 2.5 .... I had made it a point (for no clear reason) not to use a Zoom lens...Oh dear driving myself crazy again ?
My main subject is Landscapes - I sell quite well and it is stress free.
So I reasoned: My subject is stress free please 'old fart' you are ... make the camera stress free as well.
I did a lot of tests and found that the Leica R lenses 28PC , 50 and 90 did not perform any better as the brilliantly made old Nikkor Ai-s lenses, the color rendition is different : Nikkor cool , Leica warm , but shrapness of my old Ai-s Nikkors is at least as good if not better. Sunstars with Leica ?? Forget is - Nikkor is king. So the Leica lenses go - I bought them reasonably priced and will sell them easy. The 180mm 3.4 R lens stays - it is such a compact sharpness jewel at full open - hard to beat. The Angenieux w as a trial - it is a magic Portrait lens , it has a very very cool sharp/unsharp character with by far the best bokeh of any lens even stopped down. But I may sell it as it is a lot of money tied up with sporadic use on my work.
And then it happened : Someone showed me a Leica 24-70 2.8 SL lens.... I could buy one fair priced and that one may move my Nikkors out of the door. No hurry. That short zoom is like 3 primes in one. If I keep it and I am pretty sure I will , I will use that next to my 180 3.4 and a IRIX 15mm 2.4 . And hopefully can get another 20 years of lens searching years out of it like I had with my Nikon F3 .
I did an other test that might interest you and maybe replicate:
A creativity camera test: which camera delivered better creative results as an other? I still have my old Fuji kit and an old Olympus EM1. So I set out to see if the Leica SL would deliver better creative results as the others. I would not write this if not ...
Long story short:
The same walk , photographing the same landmarks , trees , flowers etc. The Leica SL was big winner !! Why: teh viewfinder and over all operating experience. The Fuji and Olympus are great cameras , delivering sharpness and color close enough to Leica to not even look at Leica. But the many little buttons , options , etc. make it look and work like a medieval camera next to Leica- I can operate the SL1 in pitch dark , never miss a button , or with gloves when it is still freezing early morning, or with camera to my eyes without missing a button. And then the viewfinder - when set on totally clean (no info what so ever) -- combined with a simplistic buttons use and I feel no barrier between me and the subject anymore, and that results in better photos. ( A big shame Leica made the SL2 series primarily touch-screen) .
The creative capabilities of a camera are way more important as lens qualities - most lenses are OK - it boils down to what one wants to spend / invest. Strangely enough we never if ever read about the creative quality of a camera , as if bigger sensors and sharper lenses make better photographers.... I once photographed a Wedding with only a point and shoot camera (Fiji X10) , the couple had no money and I wanted the fun , it was a runaway success , everyone happy.
Sorry I got carried away by my writing - I hope it was entertaining ;-)
Cheers from Warrumbungle in Australia
Thanks for sharing your story and great yo see yet another very happy Leica SL owner! I receive many similar stories! I’ll do a review on the 24-70 when I get a chance. It’s on my list to cover and I have used it before.
Thanks again for the great video Matt, very instructive. As a Voigt lover, I love your video but Im curious of your choice of the 35mm Lens between the Voigt Nokton 35mm 1.5 that you recently tested and the Ultron 35mm f2 V.2. Any reason why you pick the later over the former? I currently own a Nokton 35mm 1.4 MC V2 that I found a tad too soft at time.... Would the Ultron be the best compromise between the character of the Nokton Classic 1.4 and the modern look of the new Nokton 35mm 1.5? Thanks.
Thanks Nicolas, I like the f2 Ultron as normally I don't need 1.5. If I was shooting film and needed a fast lens I would get the 1.5 (or the bigger 1.2). The 1.4 is too soft yes.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Thanks for your answer. I guess that Ultron F2 35mm is next on my list then. Again thanks for all your videos, keep it up !
How do you get someone’s eyes to pop the way you do while shooting B&W?
Hi Scott. Not sure, pose them to good light I think.
I would love to test the Voightländer Nokton 75mm f1,5 VM against the Olympus Zuiko 75mm 1,8 and the the 105 mm f/2.5 Nikkor-P·C with the Metabones Speedbooster on a m43 camera.
With that, all three lense will have the same focal length and nearly the same aperture.
The Oly might be the best Zuiko lens there is, but the Nikkor gives more pleasant pictures. Of course all of us know the Afghan girl taken with this lens, but is the Voightländer better?
By the way, I'm an old fashion photographer, looking for å film feel in landscape, architecture, and so on.
By the way, I'm always looking for lenses I can use with my Nikkor, Canon and m43 cameras, but I'm going to buy a Fuji GFX. I have plenty of them already and I'm just buying manually lenses that suit all of the systems. I don't care about any brands.
Thanks. You can really test lenses on M43 bodies as you only use a part fraction of the lens image circle. I do sometime use the 75 1.5 on M43 for more range but not for anything serious.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Of course I should have bought a Leica M6, when I could get one for $600 due to the low prices and low dollar exchange rate, but now I don't see that it is expedient. Instead of the Leica M6, it became a Mamiya 6MF.
Can I ask Why APO over the Nokton? f1.2 vs f2 seems like an easy choice but you"re making me think twice.
I was going to shoot the 1.2 at f2 so went for the smaller lighter APO (for film). For digital 1.2 wide open can be nice
I agree with your choices and love the logical and common sense way you go about making them. I am not primarily a Leica shooter but I do have a 1955 M3 body and a 1968 DR Summicron 50/2. I also have a number of Cosina Voigtlander lenses of more recent vintage (2003 onwards) which get more regular usage, and I suspect that your problems with corrosion on your Voigtlander lenses may have something to do with the climate in which you live or the conditions in which you use them. None of my Voigtlander lenses, from 2003 to 2008, have any signs of aluminium corrosion or any other deterioration, but I am an amateur and they do spend a lot of time warm and dry.
Thanks Peter! ..and agree about the corrosion
Great video, Matt. How about cameras? Have you considered any of the good looking, compact non-Leica cameras, like the Fuji X100V or the full fram Sony A7C? You can even get Zeiss AF lenses for the Sony, or the compact Sony G AF lenses.
Thanks Thomas, I’ll aim to try other camera brands this year to give my opinion but I’m 99% sure I’ll stay all like. Once you try a Leica it’s hard to go back (for slow MF work). If you want all the mod cons yes don’t buy Leica.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Yes, I agree with that. Even a lot of the cameras that look beautiful, like the Fuji X100, feel like cheap toys in the hand compared to a Leica.
Hello Matt another great video, thanks very much. I wonder if you would ever sell your Leica cameras? I’ve almost saved enough money to buy a used M10 and wanted to know if you think it’s worth me taking the plunge even though I have never shot with a rangefinder camera. I do have an SL and Q. I would very much value your opinion please. Many thanks.
Hi Philip, no I can’t see me using anything except Leica. Once you’ve tried them it’s hard to use cheaper brands (I tried with Lumix S5.. bought the SL a month or so later).
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom That’s reassuring Matt, thanks. And thanks for your really helpful channel. All the best.
you are great photographer. your work is to die for.
Thanks so much!
Thanks so much!
Love the lens you're with :)
Thanks Henry!
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom ‘Love the lens you’re with’ has become something of a mantra for me of late but it’s so much easier to say than do :)
I’ve noticed that regardless of the lenses used there are certain photographers who produce images that make my mouth water regardless of how sexy the tools they might be using are.
Gear acquisition can so easily become something of an obsessive pursuit, and I speak as someone often enticed by lenses old and new in the pursuit of some fantasy ‘ideal’ when experience really should have told me by now that this egoic urge for perfection is a fools errand that will never be satisfied.
I love finding some new optic and testing, appraising and comparing the merits against my other lenses… reordering my collection into new groups and generally wasting time that could be better spent actually taking photos.
But perhaps as Philip Reeves notes that his interests in optics and in photography overlap, but only to some degree.
So perhaps that is okay as long as I don’t have expectations of game changing performance but just for the joy of curiosity alone.
But I’m relieved my tastes are much cheaper than Leica glass, and peculiarly my favorite lenses such as minoltas 58mm f1.4 (generally less than £100) fail to be ousted from my affections by more expensive and technically superior options, though I agree with your observations on the voigtlander cost/quality ratio:)
But the ‘collector’ in me remains ever hungry despite understanding this on a conscious level, there remains some deep emotional hunger for ‘more’ and ‘better’.
Really like your work btw, keep it up and good luck with the house-hunting!
Thank you for your explanations and examples, Matt. I have several Leica lenses but I also use CV lenses such as the 50/2 APO and 50/1. I am still using the "old" Leica Summilux 75/1.4M. Lenses are really less a factor than the photographer taking photos.
Great. Yes I think it’s what you do with them that matters more. The 75 Lux is lovely!
While Leica lenses are known to keep their value over time, some lenses made by other companies can skyrocket in value, such as the Canon 35/1.5 ltm or the Canon 85/1.5 ltm. Each sells for at least $5000 these days since some moviemakers adapt these lenses for cine. I sold my 85/1.5 since I use the Lux 75/1.4. I kept the Canon 35/1.5 ltm. @@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom
Matt I don’t think the brand matters, you would creat amazing photos regardless what brand falls into your hands. Your the creator and it’s your skill using the camera and the settings that make the images the camera is simply a tool 😊
Thanks James!
Yes I agree… I started as a young teenager with a Zeith TTL and then a Pentax me super .. got some great photos out of that old Zenith…..loved that Pentax too …Photography was a lot more fun back then …
Good luck with the house purchase.
I think the key to lens ownership is to settle on what you know you need and generally stick what that. For me it's a 28mm summicron, 50mm summilux and a 90mm macro elmar.
Any other lens has to be cheap and it has to bring something unique to the party. For me thats a 15mm voigtlander and a cheap TT Artisan fisheye for a bit of fun.
Thanks Mike!
The portrait pics are stunning 👍👍👍
Thanks Tom! I try to share these in almost all videos I post 🙏🏻
Buy and use whatever helps you produce the results you prefer. Simples! I'm happy with the negs I get from my Elmars on my M2. I don't need anything else.
Thanks Ray!
Good moves, Matt. I love the leica cameras, but have felt the lenses are actually overrated for the price. Are you keeping your Leica R camera gear?
Thanks, yes kept everything else so far. I might sell any duplicates but yes keeping the R system. 👍🏻
i just replaced my 7artisans 35 1.4 with the voigtlander 40mm 1.4 finally. so happy. the 7artisans lens wasn’t calibrated well and the 40mm is so small and lighter, sharper, accurate, with clicks aperture stops. also, it’s a 40mm and it brings up 50mm frame lines, but on a aps-h camera 40mm becomes a 52mm. so i think the 50mm frame lines work better than the 35mmm. but everyone on forums is saying that they’d rather use the 35mm frame lines
Congrats Kevin! Yes there is a huge difference in size and build. Enjoy!
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom there are a bunch of camera shops in downtown seoul. picked up that voigtlander multicoated for $400. there’s a bunch of leica m’s. saw a konica hexar rf and minolta cle
Just give your honest take, that’s what we appreciate!
Thanks Paul! Yes you’ll always get that on this channel.
You are right. I first paid my mortgage completely off and then brought my Leica lenses to replace my Voigtlander lenses: 21, 35, 50 and 75. All are amazing!
Good luck with buying your house. BTW the last 50mm I brought were the amazing Canon 1.8 and 1.4. Both do replace my Leitz lenses, because of how the render on my M240.
Thanks Bart! And yes those Canon are great!
The Voigtlander 150mm F4.5 Heliar was the favorite of the late Emperor of Japan. It does take great portraits with the Bergheil camera. Voigtlander has a history of great lens making.
Thanks John!
these old Heliar lenses were large format lenses and have nothing in common with today lenses from Cosina. They just bought the brand's name. I own a Heliar in an old Compur shutter. Its a marvelous lens.
@@stefanmelzer9943 thanks, yes not the originals. I have LF lens but not a Heliar.
As a side note, I want to make a point to highlight what a great eye you have. Seriously. So many popular RUclips photographers will show their work and while it's not bad, it also doesn't really stand out as anything special. Seeing the photos in this video, though, I'm immediately drawn to how good they are. Seriously. It's obvious that you are a guy who is going to make great photos no matter what you use.
Thanks Skyler, much appreciated! I guess i'll always been photographer first, YT'er second, not the other way around. Photos always take priority.
I still have my Leicas, But I switched to Voitlander a few years ago, for the same reasons. I have been on the fence about selling my Leica glass, But it is tough letting go. I love them and still use them. But shoot Voigtlander 90% of the time now.
Thanks Erock! Yes I think normally Leica glass is worth keeping unless you need the cash. I’ve kept my favourite Leica lenses.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom I was a Leica guy like you for over 20 years.. But now with Voitlanders and being inexpensive for the quality you get in return. I just find myself using them constantly. I may bite the bullet and sell my Leica lenses. Maybe I can buy another house after selling mine.
Very interesting re the Voigtlander lens build quality. I have several 45 year-old Nikkor AI and AIS lenses and not one of them has any corrosion or dust inside. Mind you, those old Nikkors were really built to withstand professional photojournalism standards.
Thanks Robert, yes Nikkors rarely get internal problems. I have AI and AIS. They get a bit loose but keep on going! Voigtlanders are great on the whole (I was a little harsh)
I’m stoked to have a Summilux 50, but my Voigt 21, 35, and 75 never cease to impress
Great line-up! I kept my Lux 50 :)
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Obviously I adore Leica glass but the performance difference is hard to justify the cost. Voigtlander really is not a budget item in any way. The images I produce with their glass are just as good as anything I’ve gotten with Leica. Just followed you on IG btw. Great stuff!
Hello Matt. Good luck with the house hunting. Look also into ex government buildings, you can get excellent off_the_wall properties with good price/surface area ratio and usually always vacant. The amenities may be spartan, but present a total blank canvas for your purpose.
Thanks! Thanks really interesting. I’m not sure in UK law lets people live in non-residential buildings but I have no clue so will look.
Hello Matt, I have often looked at such properties as my wife prefers quirky properties. I have looked at disused churches, control towers, airfield buildings, lighthouses, workshops, even underground bunkers... Usually, being ex-government properties, these have power, water and drainage and they grant change of use to residence as part of the deal. Whereas you have to drop 100k minimum on anything anywhere for a typical property bought through a high street estate agent, you can save an awful lot (2/3) by buying direct from government estates. With your sensible life style you could bag a property that could be modified to suit both your personal and professional needs. Keep looking and be lucky...
@@jean-guyvermeulen1509 thanks so much, l’ll try searching on those specifics. How cool would that be! (Properties are really hard to find for under £200k for a 1 bed studio.
For every photographer there is a smilar story ... should i take this or that?.... i like your thoughts and the ideas whitch guides you in your décisions.
In a certain Way, it gides me also into my Brand ( nikon ais vs z...)
Take care and enjoy...
Thanks Bernard, I’m an AIS guy (look out for Z video soon!)
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom i always wondering leica apo m vs prime z... they are do small ♥️
@@bernardfranck1318 Z APO vs Voigtlander APO to come 👍🏻
I sold only two Leica lenses....a silver 50mm f/2 Summicron-M latest version and a Summicron rigid. In a few months I regretted it and I was so despondent over the rigid that I bought another for a little more but it is slightly better. I will probably get another Summicron-M, maybe the APO. I had no use for the money so maybe that's why I had second thoughts. I hope you don't suffer the same remorse that I did.
Thanks Frank! Don't worry I kept the good Leicas.. DR and many others.
The grass is allways greener somewhere els ....... Don't worry be happy what you have ......
Thanks. Yes I’m slowly working out what works for my needs and taste 👍🏻
It would be great if Voigtlander restart production of cameras!!! New BESSA!!!
Yes! I did ask then but they said unlikely sadly (but they probably wouldn’t tell me anyway so fingers crossed!)
I’ve been watching your channel for a long time, awesome content and beautiful images.
Those new CV lenses are amazing, I really want the 28 f2 ii.
I wonder if you have visited a otolaryngologist, that voice needs to be checked IMHO.
Thanks Ricardo! Voice - yes it is rubbish isn’t it. I’ve not but I’ll try to look into it. Much appreciated.
did the same long time ago, keep a leica M-a ( but I prefere the M4-2 , far more practicle with recess glass) and finally get back a summicron 35, not for the lens but for the plastic square sunshade wich protect it nicely.
Thanks Fraka! M-A and M4-2 both nice. I use M4-P.
I've looked at the 28mm Ultron, but I know the strong vignetting wide open would drive me nuts. It's the same with my 35mm Color Skopar. Beautiful little lens, but I wish it wouldn't vignette as much wide open.
I have the Elmarit 28mm right now and would love an extra stop... I'm perpetually tempted to get the Summicron for that reason. If it was just for the money, then yes, the Ultron would do, but you can make a case for the more expensive Leica lenses here.
I have the Elmarit too. Great for size but love the Ultron for f2. I sold the Cron and have never looked back. You can remove some vignetting in post.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom True, though I've had problems with vignette removal, if the falloff isn't exactly similar in its linearity, I always end up with slightly over/under exposed corners. Maybe I'm a bit too nitpicky :) I just prefer not to have to deal with it to begin with.
Most likely I'm already at a nice middle ground between cost and quality with my Elmarit.
You are correct across the board. Buying Leica for the sake of buying Leica is silly bling thinking. Buy what does the job and has the best ROI. You have done that. I wish you good luck and speedy realization on your new home.
Thanks Zoltan!
Matt - nice video! It's funny as I happen to shoot all the Voigtlanders you mentioned plus a cpl of the f/1.2s. All of them are absolutely excellent. So good, in fact, that I'm working on doubling up on each lens in case they go out of production. Of course Leica's own glass is top-notch; but it needs to pay for itself. If I have a job that warrants it, I can always rent one after all!
Thank you! Great to hear you’ve experienced the same. Yes, love them!
Hi Matt, big fan of your pictures and videos! I think a big reason to buy Leica is you can sell it and get your money back. It actually doesnt cost anything, it "just" binds cash. Voigtlander are great lenses and gave me entry to the M world.
Thank you! Yes absolutely. Leica hold their value really well (and are great fun to use in the meantime)
Good for you Matt. In the end, they are just tools--use the tools that work best for you. I ended up leap frogging over Leica M's to Hasselblad's X2D & on the other end, I picked up a Sony A7 R5 because of the IBIS & amazing Lenses like Sony's FE 24mm f/1.4 G Master (one of my all time favorite lenses!). I'm getting older & I can't hand hold to 1/10 sec anymore so IBIS is awesome.
Thank you! Hasselblad X2D (nice!) ..the colours look amazing, a few people on my Dubai workshop had them.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Thank you Matt. Yes, the files out of the X2D's can be amazing. Dubai? Wow! I haven't been there since '91....
Fair enough Matt!!
Thanks Mark
I am very happy to hear you say this ... I always feel that the gear that works for your style/vision is more important than buying the most expensive gear!!! I remember being mocked for using a Canon lens on my Leica IIIf ... I felt more comfortable with the lens, so 'eff gear snobs!!!
The Canon 50mm F1.4 ltm is a winner. I use it on my Leica iiia and the Canon IVsb. The 135mm F3.5 Canon ltm is also good.
Thank you Brian! Yes I’m happy with any lens if they give the look I like. Canon LTM - their loss for sure!
Does this mean you’ll change your name to Mr Voigtlander?
Not yet. I’m a die hard Leica camera user (film and digital) and I just like experimenting with lenses for them
I LOVE quality gear that doesn't hold its value. That allows non professionals like myself to get some great deals on cameras & lenses that have not achieved over priced cult status. And I have to say your work is really excellent. How do you achieve that glowing skin look - reflectors, flash, post processing, all the above?
Thanks George, haha yes I like a good deal too. I don't have a set process and normally don't use reflectors or flash (in the work published in the last few years). I shoot in nice light then add my MrLeica B&W presets. Nothing fancy.
Mr Xleica
Haha no I still own more Leica than anything else by a lot
As a working photographer I think you’re supposed to make business decisions, right? And even as a die-hard Leica afficionado, I still like discussions bases on image quality much better than people fawning over cosmetic differences between different Leica lenses and bodies. Besides, everyone is still very welcome to outperform you as a portrait photographer, whatever the price of their gear. Best of luck!
Thanks Bob!
Well done Matt
Thanks Pete! 🙏🏻
Nice one Matt. Can you make a video on how to market and sell your gear for the best profit? I am sure there are some people following you that could also get rid of some of their things haha.
asking for a friend obviously
Thanks Thomas! I just put on eBay, nothing fancy
actually great argumentary 👏
Thanks! Just my 2p worth.