Kind of incredible...

[LucisPictor]

Yesterday (Tuesday again!) I planned to compare the (close to) infinity performance of some 50mm lenses.

These were the contestants:

On the cam the Nikkor-S.C 1.2/55, from the left: Olympus Zuiko 1.4/50, Yashica ML 1.7/50, SMC Pentax-M 1.7/50, MC Volna-9 2.8/50, Helios-44-2 2/58.

I took photos (@f4) from the usual view but showing them here would hardly make sense. The results were so close that you cannot really see any difference. This is kind of incredible if you consider the money these lenses set you back.

So, what do we learn?
If you do not need a very fast lens and you like to shoot landscapes (or "city-scapes") at f4 or f5.6, you do not need a really expensive lens, the cheap-as-dirt Helios-44-2 will do the trick!


I also was testshooting three 35mm lenses:

Leica Elmarit-R 2.8/35, Nikkor-O 2.0/35 and MIR-1B 2.8/37

Each of these lenses performed really well, still you can come to a ranking:

1. Leica Elmarit-R 2.8/35
2. Nikkor-O 2.0/35 (but quite close!)
3. MIR-1B 2.8/37 (definitely not bad, but with some distance to the Nikkor)

We, however, have to note that each of these lenses is a great one and could perfectly serve as the only 35mm lens in a collection.
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Carsten, Moderator
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Carsten = "KAPCTEH" = "Karusutenu" | T-shirt?.........................My photos from Emilia: http://www.schouler.net/emilia/emilia2011.html
Sets:
Leica M8 - Voigtländer Heliar 4.5/15 & Ultron 2/28 & Ultron 1.7/35 & Heliar 2.5/75, Leica Summitar 2/50 & Elmar 4/90, Jupiter-3, Jupiter-8,
Sony NEX-7 / NEX-3 - Tamron 2.5/24, Pentax-110 2.8 (18/24/50/70), Fujian CCTV 1.7/35, Hexanon 1.8/40 & 1.4/57, Schneider-Kreuznach Tele-Xenar 3.8/75, Zuiko 2.8/100, Leica Hektor 4.5/135, Sony SEL 2.8/16 & 18-55 OSS & 55-210 OSS, Sigma EX 2.8/19 & 2.8/30
Canon EOS 5D - Zenitar 2.8/16, Rokkor 2/28, Summicron-R 2.0/50, Nikkor-SC 1.2/55, Nikkor 1.8/85, Tamron 2.5/135, Elmar 4/180, Tamron 8/500,
Tamron 2.8-3.8/35-80, Sigma EX 15-30, Sigma 1.8/24, Canon EF 1.8/50, Tokina AT-X Pro 24-200 (EOS), Sigma 70-300
Canon EOS 300D - Steinheil 2.8/35, Zuiko 1.4/50, Helios-44 2/58, Jupiter-9 2/85, Vivitar S1 2.3/135
Nikon D1 & Fuji S2 Pro - Tamron 2.5/28, MIR 2/35, Jupiter-37 3.5/135, Soligor 3.5/70-220, Tamron 18-200
Nikon D3100 - Nikkor AF-S 18-55VR, AF-S 18-70, AF-S 55-200
Ricoh KR10x - Pentax-M 1.7/50, Rikenon 3.4-4.5/35-70
Nikon F - Nikkor 2.8/24, Nikkor-SC 1.4/50 a.s.a.
Asahi Spotmatic SPII: CZJ Flek 4/20, Tamron 3.5/35-70, Industar 3.5/5cm, Mamiya 1.8/55
EXA Varex - CZJ Biogon 2/58
Leica IIIa syn & Zorki-4 - (LTM lenses)

Leica C2, Minox 35 GL,Yashica Electro 35 GS, Kodak Retina Ia, Agfa Super Silette, Vivitar Ultra Wide & Slim, Adox Golf 66 and some others...
Sigma DP1s, Leica Digilux 2, Lumix LC-5 & FX37, Lumix FZ20, Canon G2, Sony Mavica 300, Fuji 4800Z + 4900Z, Oly C3030, Pentax Optio S, Nikon CP950, Sony V1 & F505 a.s.m.
Old list: http://forum.mflenses.com/viewtopic.php?t=65 (Not up-to-date, sorry!) | http://lucispictor.weebly.com | http://www.alensaweek.wordpress.com

[zewrak]

What about the pentax? *sniff*
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[poilu]

if you want to see difference, check the borders
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[LucisPictor]

[LucisPictor]

[ChrisLilley]

[LucisPictor]

[Nesster]

This would be my experience as well, most ~50mm lenses in good condition will not have much between them at f/4-5.6. That is, under most conditions - stuff like flare comes into play - and perhaps very critical peeping of infinity shots on a tripod could reveal more significant differences - these however are related to actual photography how?
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[voe]

Can you do some wide open shots? I wonder how these 50s perform at f/2.8 or wider.

Thanks.

[LucisPictor]