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Explore the world of vintage lenses through repair notes, real test shots, and detailed archive threads packed with images.

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Landscape Use of S-Planar 1:2.8 f=60mm
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Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2011 12:00 am
Post subject: Landscape Use of S-Planar 1:2.8 f=60mm
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Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2011 12:00 am
Post subject: Landscape Use of S-Planar 1:2.8 f=60mm
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Many know and appreciate the Contax S-Planar 1:2.8 f=60mm (later to be rebaptized Makro-Planar 2.8/60)
for macro photography, but perhaps not everybody knows that it can be terrific as a landscape lens also.
CA is virtually non-existent (even if this lens is not labeled "Apo") and performance at infinity challenges that
of the best general-use standard lenses (while most macro lenses display a visible quality fall at infinity).
This 1:1 Erhard Glatzel design really deserves the status of "legendary".

Here's a few photos that I took hand-held on Oct.10th (in fact these are my last photos as a 40-something person):

01.


100% crop of previous: no CA even in this extreme backlight situation; excellent shadow detail thanks to the lens' outstanding contrast and T* performance


100% crop of previous



02.



03.



04.


100% crop of previous: note how the finest detail is rendered (see corrugated surface of window's glass)


100% crop of previous



05.


100% crop of previous: accurate rendering of finest detail and virtually no CA


100% crop of previous: excellent dimensionality even between all distant planes



06.


100% crop of previous



07.



08.


100% crop of previous: perfect infinity focus even in this challenging situation


100% crop of previous: no CA in sight even in this extreme situation


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Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2011 12:38 am
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Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2011 12:38 am
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lovely. one would not think to use a macro lens in this fashion, but obviously this is as special as you describe it.


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Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2011 12:47 am
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Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2011 12:47 am
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Orio - you're absolutely right

I have got MP 2.8/60 (non-s version) Made in Japan

and it is UNBELIEVABLE --

Well, your pictures are absolutely great proof of that ..

No doubt that it can be used for landscape..

The Zeiss pop-up is evident + lovely colours,

I have had Leica Macro 2.8/60 before -- sold it immediately after first try of Zeiss MP 2.8/60

Leica is good - but Makro-Planar 2.8/60 is something special

tf


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Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2011 2:18 am
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Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2011 2:18 am
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Orio, very nice samples from a stellar lens. If I had to keep only one lens this would be it.

I prefer the C version as it's easier to hand-hold. I will be selling the 1:1 version soon!


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Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2011 7:49 am
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Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2011 7:49 am
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Yes, it works astonishingly well, (also the 100mm version btw.) - thanks for these excellent proofs of that!
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