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Dramatic, restrictive, and humbling are three phrases I’d use to explain the Carl Zeiss 16mm f/8 Hologon Extremely-wide lens that I shoot tailored to Leica M movie cameras. Whereas the aforementioned three phrases could not instantly conjure the GAS gods in most circumstances, these descriptors have pushed me in a method the place I can draw a direct line between using this lens and my development as a photographer. This has led to me reaching for the Hologon greater than some other lens in my steady. It by no means leaves my bag. 16mm f/8 Hologon / Leica M-A / Agent Shadow 400 Early Failures My preliminary outings with the Hologon have been stuffed with failures. Fingers within the body, strap within the body, and primarily photographs that simply didn’t really feel like I’d gotten shut sufficient to the topic. As I had picked up the lens in early 2020, it was quickly impractical in a socially distanced world to follow utilizing the lens a lot in the way in which that I had hoped. Actually, I nearly offered it. Despite combating the Hologon, I simply couldn’t appear to place it down. There’s simply one thing about the way in which that an M digital camera handles with this ultra-wide pancake mounted. It’s no secret that lots of photographers are drawn to this digital camera system as a consequence of its compact measurement and versatile mount. The Hologon actually brings into focus what is feasible with the M mount. Not desirous to take the lens off of the digital camera had me taking pictures it extra and spending lots of time serious about methods to make photographs that I’d be pleased with. Briefly, I’d have to get nearer, lots nearer. 16mm f/8 Hologon / Leica M-A / Ilford HP5+ Working at a Distance; the Minimal Focusing Distance I contend that ultra-wide lenses are at their greatest when foreground parts are shot at or originate from in entrance of the lenses’ minimal focusing distances. For the Hologon 16mm f/8 lens this implies taking pictures with the digital camera about 1 foot from a topic. There’s no different method to say it; that is an uncomfortable factor to do.
I’d have a pep-talk inner monologue on my method to shoot and nonetheless discover myself taking pictures at 2 to three meters. I’d take a look at the negatives and really feel actually upset that topics weren’t distinguished within the body. Finally, I simply began setting the lens to what I wish to name hypo-focal distance. Simply because the identify implies, it’s the alternative or hyper-focal distance and works on the identical precept. Utilizing the very well-appointed focus scale on the lens, I’d set focus at 0.6m. This allowed for all the pieces from 0.4m to 1.5m to be in focus. Customers of this lens could word that the true minimal focusing distance on this lens is 0.3m however I discovered that if photographing folks, I wasn’t prone to be simply 0.3m (1 foot) from the particular person’s eyes so 0.4m to 1.5m labored completely to power me nearer to topics for extra partaking compositions. 16mm f/8 Hologon / Leica M-A / Ilford HP5+ My Favourite Lens? Hear, I get it, 16mm f/8 is about as impractical because it will get for a day by day carry lens. That stated, I simply have a lot enjoyable taking pictures with this factor mounted to my digital camera. One thing I need out of my pictures is to all the time be difficult myself to make photographs I like whereas not strolling the simplest path. I need it to be a bit of difficult. It makes me recognize the photographs I do like a bit extra and once we push ourselves we develop. Considerably masochistic, certain, however it’s the trail I’ve chosen with my picture making and the shoe appears to suit properly sufficient. 16mm f/8 Hologon / Leica M-A / Ilford HP5+ Concerning the Gear The 16mm f/8 Carl Zeiss Hologon has existed as just a few variations of the identical fastened aperture theme. Initially, the lens was set into a set mount of a devoted digital camera, The Zeiss Ikon Hologon Ultrawide. That lens was 15mm and the optics have been a bit extra difficult to fabricate. Leica was seemingly a fan of the lens in that digital camera and commissioned a restricted run of native M-mount 15mm f/8 Hologons to be made.
It’s a fairly brief listing of lenses that Leica has farmed out to 3rd events over time. I consider it’s a testomony to the technical prowess it required to make the lens. Later, for the Contax G collection cameras, Carl Zeiss launched the final of the Hologons; a 16mm f/8 iteration that used extra lens parts that successfully made the manufacturing course of considerably much less daunting. This was the one Contax G-mount lens to be made solely in Germany. It’s these later lenses which are usually transformed over to Leica M-mount through a largely non-destructive course of that may be reversed. 16mm f/8 Hologon / Leica M-A / Ilford HP5+ Professionals and Cons Ever hear this one earlier than? The lens has “ZERO DISTORTION”. I do know, I do know however hear me out. We’re going to want to play the ‘if” recreation however I’m telling you that “if” you compose your shot completely sq. on all axis’ you will be unable to detect any distortion in any respect. It’s simply not there. That stated, within the occasion that you’re not taking pictures the digital camera on a flawlessly leveled floor or utilizing the Leica Common Broad-angle viewfinder, with its on-board bubble degree (recognized hereafter because the “Frankenfinder”), you’ll be able to go forward and count on copious quantities of perspective distortion. Even when the digital camera is simply barely tweaked you may be painfully conscious of that misstep when reviewing your photographs. 16mm f/8 Hologon / Leica M-A / Kodak TriX 400 Talking of viewfinders, it ought to go with out saying that should you hope to border critically with the Hologon you’re going to want an exterior finder of some type. Usually you’ll discover the lens offered with the finder that got here with the set when new. It’s massive with respectable eye aid and it has a bubble degree constructed into it. It’s a champagne end that intently matches the silver, or possibly they name it Titanium, Contax G cameras. However there are two points I’ve with this finder. First, the bubble degree is solely ahead and again leveling versus leveling on all axis’. I’ve no clue why they’ve accomplished this when full leveling is so essential to reaching zero distortion.
Secondly, the sphere of view is just too slender. I’m not completely sure what’s occurring right here however at the least on a Leica M digital camera, both the finder is tight or the lens is definitely wider than 16mm. With the unique finder, if we’re calling that 16mm, count on to get at the least 15mm price of body. Earlier I discussed Leica’s Frankenfinder. As an proprietor of a 16mm (or is it 15mm?) and 24mm lens and wide-curious to say the least, I’ve invested in one in all these monstrosities. I don’t suppose you are able to do higher than the Frankenfinder as a 16-18-21-24-28mm multi-finder with parallax correction and illuminated brightlines. The star of the present is its glow-in-the-dark, multi-axis bubble degree. However hear, there’s no different method to say it, the factor is gigantic. When taking pictures shortly in a crowded setting I’ll typically use no finder in any respect. The identical guidelines of taking pictures shut apply and primarily all the pieces you’ll be able to see is within the body. 16mm f/8 Hologon / Leica MP / Kodak Ektar Wider Negatives No, not girthy dangerous information, this factor really produces a wider unfavorable than some other lens you’ve ever shot on an M. The explanation for that is the bulbous rear ingredient that sits deeply into the movie chamber. This enables the picture circle to slide below the aspect baffles as the sunshine is projected at such a shallow angle. Fairly cool proper? Effectively, not so quick. Whereas the uncovered body is with out query wider than the norm, the digital camera’s body spacing isn’t adjusted to make up for this parlor trick. What meaning for you, and your lab, is that the clean house between frames principally not exists. Scanning Hologon negatives is a ache and relying in your lab or scanning setup, it could lead to some extra work. 16mm f/8 Hologon / Leica M-A / Ilford HP5+ Dimensions The one method to describe the Carl Zeiss Hologon is small. It’s solely barely prouder on the digital camera than a physique cap, even with the lens cap on. It’s actually fairly unimaginable however with lenses as in life, there aren’t any free lunches. With the angle of view being so dramatic and the lens mounted so near the physique, it’s actually onerous to maintain your fingers out of the body till you’ve skilled your self to grip the digital camera appropriately for the lens. You’re in all probability going to be taught the onerous method.
16mm f/8 Hologon / Leica M-A / Kodak Portra 400 Knob Mod One other disadvantage of this shallow mount lens is that the in any other case fantastic brass focus lever could hit the frameline selector of your M digital camera. You may ignore this and never focus intently however I believe that may be a mistake. You’ll discover that should you purchase a beforehand mount-modified Hologon it could have already had the bottom of the main focus lever shaved to clear the lever. Mine was un-shaved so I very fastidiously addressed it on a bench grinder. Perhaps you’ll be extra cautious and use a Dremel Device. That will be a better option. 16mm f/8 Hologon / Leica M-A / Kodak TriX 400 To Middle Filter or Not The Hologon vignettes. It’s not an insignificant quantity, both. Due to that, the lens initially shipped with a radial heart filter. A reverse ND of kinds to carry the publicity within the corners by pulling down the publicity within the center. This filter successfully turns the f/8 lens into an f16 lens. That’s simply too excessive a price for me and I’ve by no means used, nor do I personal the middle filter. I’ve seen loads of outcomes with the middle filter in use and I all the time really feel like there are some odd artifacts. I favor the pure vignette profile of the optics and as I are likely to overexpose my movie it appears to reduce the vignette. All that is to say that you must take your emotions on lens vignetting into consideration when deciding if this lens is for you. 16mm f/8 Hologon / Leica M3 / Ilford HP5+
However It’s f/8?! I get it, f/8 is gradual, and the truth that it’s a set aperture additional restricts the consumer’s capability to blah, blah, blah, I don’t need to hear it. I’d implore anybody contemplating this lens to essentially lean into its quirks. Sure, the lens is gradual, however it’s additionally a 16mm with its weight positioned largely contained in the digital camera physique. The Hologon on an M digital camera is a remarkably steady setup. With even a minor try at remaining nonetheless one can efficiently pull off very lengthy handheld exposures. An eighth or perhaps a 4th of a second is greater than doable. No want for excessive ISOs or multi-stop push processing. You are able to do it. 16mm f/8 Hologon / Leica M-A / Ilford HP5+ On Digital Do you personal a Monochrome digital camera? Excellent news, you’re golden. Do you personal something aside from a Monochrome digital camera? You’ll be changing to black and white. The purple and magenta are an excessive amount of to beat. Don’t even attempt. In the event you adapt the lens to a digital digital camera like a Sony a7 collection digital camera, you might not have the ability to safely shoot at infinity. That’s no enjoyable anyway. I’ve really shot a few frames with this lens tailored to an a7 through a close-focus adapter. With the adapter totally prolonged and the lens set to its minimal focusing distance, not solely does it focus very, very intently however it really produces some shockingly good out-of-focus parts. Who knew? 16mm f/8 Hologon / Leica M3 / Ilford HP5+ In Conclusion After three years with the Hologon, I can truthfully say that I’ve by no means loved taking pictures a lens greater than this on any system. It pushes me to suppose and see in ways in which no different lens does. It’s impractical, tough to make use of and when used on movie produces a unfavorable that may be onerous to work with… and none of that issues to me as a result of after I shoot with it I’m having an excessive amount of enjoyable to fret about any drawbacks.
Concerning the writer: Andy Shields is a road photographer based mostly within the Detroit space who shoots candid occasion protection within the fashion of basic road pictures. You could find extra of his work on his web site and Instagram. This text was additionally revealed right here.
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