Meyer Trioplan 2.9/50 or Carl Zeiss Tessar 2.8/50?

[jrsilva]

Hello.

I've got a Meyer Optik Trioplan 2.9/50mm that I love the bubble bokeh, but to achieve the best of that effect I need to shoot wide open. I find it a bit too soft at f/2.9

Now I'm looking at the Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 2.8/50 Silver
It looks very similar to the Meyer Optik (the bokeh and the lens body itself).
Does anyone know which of the two is sharper wide open?
Even if difference is not so big, does anyone had tried both and came to any conclusion?

Since there are several versions of the Carl Zeiss (zebra, silver (normal and small) and black) do they perform different regarding sharpness?

Thank's.

[vanylapep]

Can you post picture of your lens? Thanks.

[jrsilva]

[Humulus]

I believe that my copy of Tessar 50mm f/2.8 is slightly sharper than the 50mm Trioplan. It is a Exa mount silver version from 1950-1960.

[jrsilva]

[Layer-cake]

You won't really get the effect you are looking for with the tessar, ather try the cassarit 50mm 2.8. There are quite a few mount types available.

As far as I know its the same triplet design, I have the trioplan and agree with you its not very sharp, I've had better experiences with the cassarit.

[jrsilva]

[Layer-cake]

Yeah I have also seen quite a few images with the tessar that show similar bohek, I never really manged to replicate it on the tessar lenses I used, it just wasnt as exaggerated as the trioplan and cassarit.

http://forum.mflenses.com/lens-with-bokeh-like-meyer-trioplan-100-2-8-t69119.html

This is quite a good thread on the subject, it's how I found out about the cassarit, I sold the trioplan lens off after that

[jrsilva]

[Layer-cake]

Here's the direct link for kds315* images using the lens

The Steinheil Cassarit 2.8/50mm: https://www.flickr.com/photos/kds315/sets/72157647927267742/

I got lucky with mine and found it on a broken Braun rangefinder for cheap, remember most of the 80mm and 10mm projector lenses are the same triplet design and those can be had for cheap it you want to do some experimenting, I've found quite a few that produce the bubble like bohek.

[edri]

Here one image with my Tessar:

[dan_]

[jrsilva]

[jrsilva]

[dan_]

[jrsilva]

[kds315*]

[edri]

[jrsilva]

[jrsilva]

[jrsilva]

I decided to pull the trigger and I'm now a proud owner of a Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 2.8/50 Silver version, 12 blade with preset.

To answer my own question, I've made a few quick tests shots side by side with the Meyer Optic Trioplan 2.8/50 (both lenses wide open at f/2.8 and then closed down to f/5.6).
I like the Carl Zeiss the most.
At f/2.8 the Carl Zeiss is marginally sharper (at first glace there's no difference in sharpness), but contrast is better.
On the Trioplan wide open there's a white halo around the edges of the objects in the frame.
On the other hand, on the Tessar that halo it's very subtle.
Also, the Tessar can focus at 35 cm and the Trioplan only at around 50 - 60 cm.
Overall I like the Tessar the most.

I will post pictures later.

[StillSanj]

I had the same dilemma recently. I have 2 Kine exakta Tessars and Kine and regular Trioplan, and I much prefer it. Selling one Tessar keeping the other minty one.
I find that the bubbles are fairly close, but the sharpness and contrast are better on the Tessar. It also feels nicer and has slightly swirly bokeh. I think you made the right choice.

[woodrim]

Good luck with your Tessar. I bought four Altix lenses, three Trioplans and a Tessar. One of the Trioplans was bad - had been tampered with. The two Trioplans and the Tessar were all excellent and little if any difference can be seen between them.