Gentle Lens Lab 50mm f/1.2 ‘1966’ Overview: A Clone With Real Soul

Gentle Lens Lab recreates traditional optics with a ardour for sharing the expertise of classic glass with the lots. There’s a earlier evaluation of the 50mm f/1.2 “1966” on PetaPixel I encourage you to learn, however I wished to discuss my very own expertise utilizing it. I’m grateful for the chance too, as a result of I don’t have the forty thousand {dollars} to purchase the unique Leica Noctilux 50mm f/1.2 made between 1966 and 1975.

The $2,300 worth Gentle Lens Lab is asking, by comparability, is much more palatable.

Usually I get to evaluation lenses manufactured in China which have oodles of flaws and actual character largely as a result of a concerted effort to maintain issues low cost and accessible. That isn’t the case with this lens. Gentle Lens Lab clearly has a love for the classics and has copied the unique Leica lens down nearly to the person screws.

Most individuals will wish to use these lenses on an M sequence Leica physique however I opted for an adapter and a Sony a7R V as an alternative. Focusing was tough because of the inherent softness when utilizing these lenses on the widest aperture however I bought used to the expertise fairly shortly and used the main focus magnifier judiciously. I don’t suppose anybody ought to anticipate this lens to resolve a full 60 megapixels, however frankly, that’s not the purpose of this optic.

Gentle Lens Lab 50mm f/1.2 “1966” Overview: Mimicry is Flattery

If it weren’t for the Mandarin characters etched on the lens, you’d be forgiven for pondering it was the true deal: the match and end of the lens is impeccable. All the pieces turns easily and mounts tightly. Even the hood is supposed to observe the design of the unique. The lens takes 49mm filters and is accessible in three various kinds of steel building. You will get each chrome or black paint variations if that’s to your style, however right here I used the lightest aluminum constructed lens which is available in at just below 16 ounces (450 grams). There’s additionally a heavier traditional Brass model at 22 ounces (632 grams) and a prestigious Titanium model that’s simply shy of 18 ounces (506 grams).

The similarities to the unique Leica lens aren’t merely beauty. Gentle Lens Lab makes use of a sort of glass that nearly precisely matches the classic formulation and even hand grinds and polishes the dual aspherical parts that made the unique so well-known. Which means that the look of the photographs out of the brand new 50mm f/1.2 are an nearly precise match to Leica’s authentic however this additionally consists of the optical flaws which you’d anticipate from a mid-century piece of glass. If you’re in search of a pointy and well-corrected 50mm lens, this isn’t the one for you.

I used to be stunned at simply how unhealthy the outcomes had been and I needed to remind myself that I used to be this lens with the identical discerning viewpoint that I might give to a contemporary optic, which isn’t essentially truthful. The Gentle Lens Lab optics aren’t precisely low cost and the aim is to not make a funds product however reasonably to imitate a traditional formulation right down to probably the most minute of particulars. If the Gentle Lens Lab 50mm can present the identical expertise as an insanely costly museum piece then I need it to offer me as near that precise expertise as doable.

Gentle Lens Lab 50mm f/1.2 “1966” Overview: Stunning Flaws

The “Leica glow” is alive and properly with this lens and capturing at f/1.2 goes to create pictures with a comfortable focus impact and a dreamy-looking blur to the whole composition. The lens doesn’t actually tighten up till about f/5.6. Vignetting is apparent and distortion will must be corrected in submit. I by no means might get the corners to sharpen up in any main manner, both.

Boy does this lens flare, too. I truly discovered the pink glow attributable to capturing in the direction of the solar to be fairly fairly, although and I might fortunately use this lens for backlit portraits and located the look created by the previous single-coated optics very interesting. However it’ll be a problem anytime vibrant mild sources are throughout the body.

Bokeh can also be fairly stunning. The Gentle Lens Lab 50mm renders the identical swirly cat’s eye look to specular highlights at huge apertures that the real article does and I’m right here for it. The highlights themselves, nonetheless, have a robust cleaning soap bubble impact and loads of onion rings too. Transitions from in-focus to out-of-focus areas are surprisingly clean and delightful and I didn’t discover out-of-focus backgrounds to be distracting in any respect. This can be a attractive lens for shallow depth of area work.

To this point, all of those traits really feel classic and correct to the unique however sadly, the intense longitudinal chromatic aberration (LoCA) is current too. In fact, this could have been current on the Leica model as properly however the magenta and inexperienced coloration fringing could be very sturdy on the wider apertures and will likely be very troublesome to take away. I usually discovered the background to have a distinctly colourful tone and chromatic aberrations run rampant on any contrasty edges within the body too. Once more, in case you are in search of a well-corrected lens this isn’t the one you need.

With the Gentle Lens Lab 50mm f/1.2 “1966” It Is In regards to the Journey

So why even have a look at one thing like this in case you are paying a hefty price ticket for a subjectively unhealthy lens? You already know if that is the type of expertise you’re in search of, and Gentle Lens Lab is permitting you to shoot glass that’s so intently matched to the much-loved classics which might be financially past the attain of most individuals.

It’s clear that Gentle Lens Lab is making the 50mm f/1.2 “1966” and others prefer it from a spot of respect and reverence with an consideration to element that does the originals justice. Consider these optics as a time machine of kinds and take the issues in stride, since you would possibly simply end up having loads of enjoyable making pictures that harken again to the golden age of pictures.