Cosmicar 1.8/50 with triangular aperture

alex ph · Joined: 16 Mar 2013 Posts: 1526

In the previous years, the f1.4 variety of Cosmicars is discussed in-depth on the forum, while there is no thread dedicated to Cosmicar 1.8/50. The latter is another a C-mount CCTV lens with triangular aperture which can be fully closed. To fill in the gap, here are several shots taken with it put on Sony Nex.

The lens draws sharply, with nice colour rendition, giving also some swirl and vignetting. In appropriate conditions the bokeh shows jolly triangles.

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

alex ph · Joined: 16 Mar 2013 Posts: 1526

Some more shots in progressively fading light.

#1 WO at MFD. In fact, I forgot to mention in the first post that the MFD is a shortcoming feature of the lens, given it makes around 80cm.

#2 WO it works with small vignetting, like in this shot. Closed to f5.6, the lens vignettes more.

#3 It renders well in twilight and lets the sensor keep a lot of information for pulling shadows.

#4 SOOC jpeg

#5 The Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris is still being reconstructed after it burnt in 2019. Another SOOC jpeg.

caspert79 · Joined: 31 Oct 2010 Posts: 2680 Location: The Netherlands

Looks like an interesting art lens to me, most notably in #1 of both series 👍

alex ph · Joined: 16 Mar 2013 Posts: 1526

Thank you for your note!

The lens is also great for pectoral portraits on APS-C, as it separates wel the main subject and creates an airy background. I don't post any for the privacy concern.

A BW or light sepia conversion turns out well "saturated", I think thanks to the quality of the glass, and small vignetting adds even more character. All shots are taken at apertures from WO to f2.8. The #4 and #5 are taken in very dark natural light contrasted by strong artificial one.

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

caspert79 · Joined: 31 Oct 2010 Posts: 2680 Location: The Netherlands

Love #1 of your last series 👍

alex ph · Joined: 16 Mar 2013 Posts: 1526

Thanks a lot!

alex ph · Joined: 16 Mar 2013 Posts: 1526

Just to show the vignetting with different aperture values I mentioned earlier.

#1 WO SOOC jpg

#2 f5.6 SOOC jpg

Doc Sharptail · Joined: 23 Nov 2020 Posts: 850 Location: Winnipeg Canada

alex ph · Joined: 16 Mar 2013 Posts: 1526

Otherwise you have a chance to discover some advantages of the vignetting in post-processing. When you push contrast a bit, the slight and barely visible vignetting reveals itself as a more dramatic though a non-invasive inner frame. I know it is not the universal taste, but I like irregular corners (darkened or dissolved) even in landscapes, which translate a kind of "organic" feeling of human gaze.

The shots that follow are not a direct illustration of the idea. They are simple snapshots that seem to gain some expression from pushing the contrast, and thus with more vignetting, at least in #1.

#1

#2