Panasonic G1 + Kern Switar 25/1.4 H16 RX

Spotmatic · Joined: 18 Aug 2008 Posts: 4064 Location: Netherlands

Forum member Pich900 kindly lent me his Panasonic G1 to test with some C-mount lenses, and also to get a feeling for a micro 4/3 camera.

Today's set was shot with the Kern Switar 25mm f/1.4 (H16 Reflex version) to check the wide open performance.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Crop from the above picture:

8.

kds315* · Expire: 2021-03-09

Well, Switars are known to be good performers. I see some glow aroudnd the edges fully open and some loss of contrast and sharpness. These types of lenses (H16 RX) were designed to work well with a 16mm Bolex film camera which as a built in large beamsplitter, so there is some spherical aberration in that lens and the beamsplitter and both are designed to compensate each other. So using such a lens alone should show some, and maybe this is what we see here as that "glow" (?).

Further the image circle used on a micro 4� camera is much larger than 16mm film or Super-16, so the lens is used outside its designed image circle which also leads to some distortion and some visible vignetting. But astonishing how well it performs.

Bokeh is very nice too, neutral colors and still a very good definition overall.

Finally it was in the hands of someone who makes any lens sing ... Wink

I wonder how it would perform compared to my KinoptiK Apochromat 2/25mm ....

Spotmatic · Joined: 18 Aug 2008 Posts: 4064 Location: Netherlands

Thanks Klaus! Smile

It's hard to see if this lens would perform better in a beamsplitting system. Of course, you have told me what the original documentation says, but I have been googling for other samples taken with the 25mm f/1.4 Switar and I have a hard time to find wide-open examples without that glow. Maybe it's normal, even for the AR lenses?

To play Devil's advocate here: what if Bolex just made up this story to sell more of the (obviously?) expensive H16 RX lenses? Wink

Shiladitya · Joined: 31 May 2008 Posts: 305 Location: New Delhi, India

#1 & 3 are exceptionally great. I love the feel of the switars. tfs.

kds315* · Expire: 2021-03-09

pich900 · Expire: 2012-12-27

Great samples Peter, my G1 is for sure in verry good hands.....
I like the most the portrait of your daughter Wink

...
Here is an link with some samples made with the Switar Rx:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/astroman-photo/sets/72157620377129211/

Did you also compared the swittar with my angenieux Question

....

kds315* · Expire: 2021-03-09

On another look, did you notice, that the very well defined image starts to gradually fall apart from about 70-80% onwards, away from the center? I guess this is teh end of the defined area of design and just by side effects there is still image coverage outside that well defined 16mm image circle.

tobbsman · Joined: 25 Jul 2008 Posts: 2591 Location: Austria

Great samples, the portraits are gorgious ! Very special character this lens gives (the glow and softness), however it's not my piece of meat Wink

...

Cheers
Tobias

Spotmatic · Joined: 18 Aug 2008 Posts: 4064 Location: Netherlands

Yes, you are right. In fact I like the effect; it helps the viewer to focus on the subject (the vignetting helps for that too).

Tomorrow I will try the Angenieux 25mm f/0.95 to see if it is better.

kds315* · Expire: 2021-03-09

Yes it does and very nicely too, as can be see by the portrait of your father (my assumption...?). But do you want a "portrait-only" lens on your camera all the time?

Spotmatic · Joined: 18 Aug 2008 Posts: 4064 Location: Netherlands

kds315* · Expire: 2021-03-09

Well, I was close at least ... Very Happy

For portrait lovers, that would certainly be a fine lens, maybe the 36mm or 50mm would be even better,
because of working distance and perspective.

Spotmatic · Joined: 18 Aug 2008 Posts: 4064 Location: Netherlands

I also have a Schneider-Kreuznach 50mm f/2 Xenon to play with, so stay tuned!

FernandoB12 · Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 11:25 pm Post subject:

Great shots!!!
#4, 6 and 8 stunning