🔴 Best VINTAGE Lenses for PORTRAITS (x10) (Best Leica Portrait Lenses - Leica M/ LTM)

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

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[@tef_ebooks]

I know it's not your favourite, but I do love the rendering on the CV Heliar Classic 50/1.5. Lovely bokeh, centre sharpness with gentle falloff, and the softness wide open is well tempered. I remember your review calling it nothing special but I guess not everyone has a selection of classic LTM lenses. I do think it's worth having a bit of a 40mm shoutout: I know isn't very popular with Leica shooters, but the CV 40/1.2 is also great if you fancy a slightly wider frame than the 50mm, and you will testify the 40/2.8 CV Heliar is just astounding.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Thomas! Sorry I missed this. I didn't dislike the 50/1.5 and it reminds me of my old 50s (in a good way!). Yes I reviewed the 40 1.2. Great performer! Much better than the 1.4 in terms of better corrected. I bought the 40 LTM Heliar. Love the size and performance.

[@andrewpage9121]

Would you be able to try out the lens light lab 50 f2 Elcan？it looks like a really interesting lens. Would love to see your take on it

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Andrew, if I ever get to test one I will share the results no problem!

[@jonsmith7650]

Excellent comparison, thank you.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Jon!

[@GamachePhoto]

Great video Matt, studio looks nice and your audio is spot on! Well done.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thank you!

[@Abutado]

Your number 1 lens is my daily driver lens. Interesting.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Ah excellent! Great minds think alike!

[@colinosullivan]

Informative video mate. Enjoyed this one. Inspiration for my channel. Cheers

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Colin!

[@Leicam10]

Video’s getting so much better.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks!

[@petemcknight803]

I have three of these. Nice review.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Pete!

[@altrujillo3566]

Another educational video, Matt - thank you. But I am surprised after your great review of it that the CV Nokton 75/1.5 wasn't on this list.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks! Yes this video was limited to softer lenses. The 75/1.5 is amazing but the higher constrast gives a look different to this mentioned group.

[@lugentaubner6853]

Super cool bw shots!

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks!

[@imperativesuperfluities3138]

Hey Matt. I'm not a Leica shooter (though I do have a few of their old lenses), but I enjoy your videos. Given your kind of photography and your affection for the Summicron 90 I have decided to be presumptuous enough to recommend a lens TO YOU: the Nikon 105mm f/2 DC Nikkor. You may already be familiar with it since I know you have Nikon experience, but if not, it's certainly worth a try.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks! Yes I know the lens from my Nikon days. I didn't buy it as it was quite pricey vs my budget back then but I know it's nice, even the 105 2.8 too (which ive nearly bought a few times).

[@highlander200107]

Great video Matt! I agree with your choices

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks John!

[@zoltankaparthy9095]

Thanks, again, for an honest and open-minded review of several lenses including the less expensive Jupiters.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Zoltan

[@crissignori7482]

Nice nice intro to a lot of interesting and inexpensive lenses. Here's a question that you may have already answered but I haven't found it.... If you could only use one camera for all your work, which would you choose?

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Cris, I kind of do this anyway - Leica SL for most things until testing something/ some street/ travelling light etc

[@crissignori7482]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom I have owned the Leica M4-2 (purchased new when it came out), M6 Wetzlar (which was my favourite) and an M4. These were amazing and the only reason I sold them and my Leica gear about ten years ago was because I had gone digital, didn't use them and figured there would be no more film or processing. Now I kind of miss them but using film might be difficult to stay with for all the reasons that digital has taken over. Now I have a Nikon D850 and a collection of lenses used primarily for landscapes, nature and some closeup work and a bit of portraiture work. I'm thinking the M11 might be a very nice compliment to my gear and bring back great memories but with all the conveniences of the digital world. I could then expand the Leica system later with the SL or SL2S. Perhaps a 35 summicron asph. would be a good lens to start with. What are your thoughts? Thank you.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

@@crissignori7482 thanks Cris, yes a digital M will bring back great memories for you. If SL glass hmm..I prefer small M lenses on the SL via M-L adapter. SL lenses are big like Nikon G (I came from Nikon)

[@crissignori7482]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Which of these work really well on a modern digital M camera for both colour and black and white? Also, do you cover anywhere travelling with your gear by air? Thanks Matt

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

@@crissignori7482 they are all fine for digital, not sure about colours (if you’ve seen my images!) (95% BW!) I do monthly what’s in my bag videos on Patreon for the trips and talk through gear/ bags etc

[@johnkasianowicz6536]

Nice report, Matt! I’ll start looking for some of those lenses straightaway.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks John, just some of my favs

[@RS-Amsterdam]

Great video. Good explanation in a normal pace (thank God) Nice shots too Thanks for sharing

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks! Yes I listen. I left most of the pauses in after your comment

[@RS-Amsterdam]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Sooo much better ! 👊

[@FrankWestPR]

Set Up looks great 😊 . When reviewing a lens could you put an unedited version of the photos ? That could help seeing differences between lenses ?

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Olivier! Please see the reviews on the mentioned lenses to see RAW files from each lens.

[@Narsuitus]

Thanks for the video. Since I do not like 50mm lenses for portraits, the large number of 50mm lenses concerned me. However, since I prefer medium format for portrait work, I was not too concerned. On the other hand, I was pleased to see that the 90mm f/2 was included in your list because it is the only lens I use with my Leica M6 and M10 for head & shoulder portraits.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Yes great lens and the best of those listed!

[@jeanclaudecancedda5346]

Thank you, this helps a lot, I own 3 of your featured lenses. You mentioned C1 presets, but I cannot find them on your site. Do you have them? THX.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks, sorry I only have LR presets, not for C1

[@Gynra]

Some great lenses there, Matt. That Voigtländer f1.2 especially looks stunning. I have used a lot of "portrait" lenses over the years, from Leica (M and SL), Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Olympus and Panasonic. They were all excellent lenses, but my absolute favourites were the Pentax 77 mm f1.8 Limited (my all-time fave), the Nikon 58mm f1.4G and the Panasonic/Leica 42.5mm f1.2 Nocticron. All have wonderful rendering for portraits. I don't do any studio portrait work now, but I will never part with the Pentax 77mm. I reckon it would work great on an M or SL body with an appropriate adapter. You should try it.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Brian, great tip

[@wilfredshum3703]

Nice video again. I have the 90 mm Summicron pre-ASPH from Canada. Is that your #10 lens? I found it too heavy to use on my M, but works fine on my SL2.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Yes the same lens and yes I prefer on the SL too

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

I’m interested in your thoughts… I don’t like the new M11 (a few steps too far with electronics and connectivity that I don’t need or like), so would you buy an M10-R now, or wait till theres a new version of M11 that maybe addresses the issues that purists don’t like?

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Tough question! If you need the extra MP get the R if not perhaps the M10-P. The M11 is new so it will be a while I think before they release new versions. They are still trying to fix issues with the current M11 (see my workshop video).

[@magiccarpetrider4594]

How’s the Jupiter 8?

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Yes you can use that too, fun affordable lens. I have them

[@Iamgateaux]

I’ve been hearing you loving the summitar for a long time now but I would really love to hear your opinion on its bigger brother, summar 5cm f2

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks, I know it’s even softer. If I get to test one I’ll share my results

[@magiccarpetrider4594]

I’m about to pick up the TTA 0.95. Any idea which coding I should use- noctilux 0.95 or 1.0?

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

I don't tend to use lens profiles/ coding. Try either and see if you can see a difference. Images look more like the f1 if that helps. See the full video on that lens or the blog post on MrLeica.com

[@doctorstrobe]

Somebody suggested the Tair 11a 135mm 2.8 to me. Do you know this one?

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks, no I’ve not tried it yet

[@doctorstrobe]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom I searched for portraits made with this one on Flickr, bokeh is insane. 20 blades.

[@mrk804]

thank you matt. great info. how do you like the leica macro-elmar 90mm f/4 lens for portrait? :)

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks. Nice lens but it can’t complete with the 90 f2 for portraits

[@sunny16portraits]

Funny, you didn't include the 50mm Summilux pre-asph? Too sharp? Anyway, cool collection, would love to have the Nikon 1.4 or Summarit 1.5 some day. or Summilux but seems the others are better value :)

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Yes that could be in this list though I’ve not tried it so can’t comment 100%

[@christosmilonas7986]

Great but how to find models?

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

I've already published a free eBook on how to do that, link below video

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Now that’s thrown a spanner in the works! I was set on the Voightlander 75mm f1.5. Why didn’t that make the top 10? I’ll have to watch it again tomorrow. 🤔

[@MB-or8js]

Have lenses 1 to 4 in your video and approve your message :). Another great one not in your list is the CV 75/1.5.

[@jlwilliams]

Okay, but this video is supposed to be about soft 'n' dreamy lenses... is the CV 75/1.5 really in that category? I thought Matt said in another video that he considers it more of a sharp, modern portrait lens.

[@MB-or8js]

@@jlwilliams the suggested CV 75/1.5 provides a beautiful soft bokeh wide open while keeping center sharpness.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Great lens like the Lux 50 but both are less soft and dreamy. (More perfect)

[@jacovanlith5082]

Matt, I want your photos SOFTER ! Your photographs look much too sharp. Would it not be nice to use genuine soft focus lenses? Fuji and Minolta made 85 mm soft focus lenses for their SLR's analoge cameras in the Eighties. Just mount them with an adapter.. Try the Rodenstock Imagon; a two elements, soft focus lens with three different click-on multi variable strainer-like aperture units. In my opinion the best soft focus photos can only be made with large format cameras and lenses (at least with a 500 C/M).

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks, they might be too soft for me! :) I do edit my images sharper

[@jc.baptiste]

Nice new studio ! 👌

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks!

[@Gravitys-NOT-a-force]

You really don't like the Leica Noctilux 75mm f/1.2 - or you just haven't tried it - as a portrait lens?

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Great question, yes sorry I’ve just not used it enough to comment so far.

[@jacovanlith5082]

I do not like your Leica photos on the stupid screen of my laptop. Your photoos deserve to be printed on well known photographic bromide paper. Make 50 x60 cm prints on double weight paper: Agfa Record Rapid Kodak Royal Bromesko Forte Forteze Ilford Ilfobrom Galerie. Let your photos make a tour along the Leica Stores; an exhibition in Europe and the other continents. Do not forget the Leica Store in Amsterdam .....

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Jaco!

[@mikazman]

Heliar 75mm 2.5 !!!