7Artisans 50mm f/1.1

Boy, Portrait.

2019, 7Artisans 50mm f/1.1, Favourite, Inspiration, Leica M10, Lighting - Westcott Ice Light, Portrait, Prosophos Custom Lightroom Presets, Q&A, Teaching point, Within 200 feet of My House™

With a lens like the 7Artisans 50mm 1.1, I’m seriously asking myself whether I should keep the Leica 50 Summilux ASPH.

Technical:

  • Lighting:  Westcott Ice Light.
  • Processing:  My Leica M10 presets for Lightroom.

—Peter.

↑ Leica M10 + 7Artisans 50mm f/1.1.

7Artisans 50mm f/1.1 (cropped image).

2019, 7Artisans 50mm f/1.1, Favourite, Inspiration, Leica M10, Portrait, Prosophos Custom Lightroom Presets, Q&A, Teaching point

I’ve been getting a lot of questions about wide open performance of the The 7Artisans 50mm f/1.1 (Leica M mount), since revealing that it is my Undisclosed Lens #7.

So, I thought I would show another example image, followed by a central crop.

The last time I did this was when I was comparing this lens to the Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH.  Despite making that comparison, I don’t believe there is any value in such head-to-head tests when considering this lens, because it is not an optic that one purchases for checklist attributes.  Instead, the 7Artisans 50/1.1 should be regarded much like the Leica Noctilux f.1 and the Zeiss Sonnar f/1.5 lenses, which are coveted for their artistic rendering.

Having said that, the 50/1.1 is often mistakenly labelled as “soft” when used at f/1.1.  Though it is not razor sharp wide open (and can be “glowy” at near distance — see the aforementioned comparison), it is certainly sharp enough for me.  I would, in fact, caution anyone who believes that this lens is “soft” at f/1.1 to make sure they have calibrated it correctly (or are practicing good technique).

Case in point, here is another image taken at the time of the Night Light photo I recently posted, photographed  at f/1.1:

↑ Leica M10 + 7Artisans 50mm f/1.1.

–

Now, here is the magnified central portion of the frame (focus is on the eyelashes of the near eye):

–

I will let you decide if it is sharp enough for you and whether — in the case of an f/1.1 lens — it really matters.

—Peter.

The identity of Undisclosed Lens #7.

2018, 7Artisans 50mm f/1.1, Inspiration, Leica M10, Print, Q&A, Teaching point

–

Undisclosed Lens #7 is:

The 7Artisans 50mm f/1.1 (Leica M mount)

The comparison test I posted yesterday revealed something unexpected: the minimum focus distance is greater than the advertised 0.7 m (either that or my Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH focuses closer than 0.7 m, which is unlikely).  I hadn’t noticed it until I ran the head-to-head comparison and found that I couldn’t get as close with the 7Artisans as I could with the Leica.

Other than that (disappointing) surprise, I have been satisfied with the 7Artisans 50mm f/1.1.  It’s an interesting lens that has polarized photographers’ opinions of it (although some have passed judgment without actually laying their hands on one).   The mini-controversy surrounding it was the main reason I wanted to post images without first identifying the lens.

Those who criticize this 7Artisans lens I think miss the point.  In my case, I bought it hoping for a dreamy look (for lack of a better phrase) that the technically more capable 50 ‘lux does not as readily provide.

Moreover, having previously owned the Leica f/1 Noctilux (a lens also known for its dreamy look), I would say that the 7Artisans 50mm f/1.1 compares quite favourably and it would, in fact, be my choice between the two.

—Peter.

–

Examples of recent images:

 

 

 

 

Test: Leica 50mm Summilux vs. Undisclosed Lens #7.

2018, 7Artisans 50mm f/1.1, Inspiration, Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH f/1.4, Leica M10, Q&A, Teaching point

Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH vs. Undisclosed Lens #7.

(EDIT January 4, 2018:  I have revealed the identify of Lens #7 here.)

  • Both lenses mounted on a Leica M10
  • @ f/1.4
  • @ minimum 0.7 m focus distance (nonetheless, notice the field of view difference)
  • Identical default sharpening settings in Lightroom
  • No post-processing (nonetheless, notice colour differences)

 

Entire scene (please click on image to enlarge):

–

100% centre crop (please click on image to enlarge):

–

Which one is “superior”?:

Clearly the Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH.

Will I still continue to use Undisclosed Lens #7?:

Yes.  I value this lens for its “flaws”.

—Peter.

The Christmas Portrait, 2018 Edition.

2018, 7Artisans 50mm f/1.1, Beyond 200 feet of My House™, Favourite, Inspiration, Leica M10, Portrait, Prosophos Custom Lightroom Presets, Q&A, Street

This also happens to be Test Shot #3 of Undisclosed Lens #7, stopped down this time in order to get everyone in focus (the first two test images were shot wide open).

Of note, after only a day’s worth of experience with this lens, I was confidant enough to use it for a group portrait.

As an aside, we had a relatively warm Christmas week this year, hence the absence of snow.

—Peter.

↑ Leica M10 + Undisclosed Lens #7.