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Sharpest M42 lenses
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PostPosted: Sat Apr 07, 2018 1:25 pm    Post subject: Sharpest M42 lenses Reply with quote
What are the sharpest M42 mount lenses that you know of?

No longer in focal length than 120mm please.

I bought the SMC Takumar 55mm F1.8 based on a recommendation on this forum and it is amazing. "Gimme more" as they say.


PostPosted: Sat Apr 07, 2018 1:46 pm    Post subject: Re: Sharpest M42 lenses Reply with quote
gazoo wrote:
What are the sharpest M42 mount lenses that you know of?

No longer in focal length than 120mm please.

I bought the SMC Takumar 55mm F1.8 based on a recommendation on this forum and it is amazing. "Gimme more" as they say.



You need to give us more details on the question, you've already said that 120mm is the longest you want, but what is the widest?

Also;

What system do you want to use the lens upon; different systems produce different results. Sensor size plays the largest part here but there are other parameters to consider.

Are you talking about wide open sharpness or stopped down to a specific aperture; many lenses achieve full sharpness at different apertures.


PostPosted: Sat Apr 07, 2018 3:37 pm    Post subject: Re: Sharpest M42 lenses Reply with quote
itsfozzy wrote:
gazoo wrote:
What are the sharpest M42 mount lenses that you know of?

No longer in focal length than 120mm please.

I bought the SMC Takumar 55mm F1.8 based on a recommendation on this forum and it is amazing. "Gimme more" as they say.



You need to give us more details on the question, you've already said that 120mm is the longest you want, but what is the widest?

Also;

What system do you want to use the lens upon; different systems produce different results. Sensor size plays the largest part here but there are other parameters to consider.

Are you talking about wide open sharpness or stopped down to a specific aperture; many lenses achieve full sharpness at different apertures.


Additionally I would like to add some more sharpness criteria like evenly distributed sharpness across the frame (e.g. important for landscapes or architecture) or maximum center sharpness at which specific aperture.


PostPosted: Sat Apr 07, 2018 4:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
With a nice takumar macro you can make some seriously sharp close focus shots.


PostPosted: Sat Apr 07, 2018 5:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Quote:
What system do you want to use the lens upon; different systems produce different results. Sensor size plays the largest part here but there are other parameters to consider.


The sensor is 21.95mm x 18.6mm so smaller than full frame. Therefore the sharpness in the center is more critical.

Quote:
Are you talking about wide open sharpness or stopped down to a specific aperture; many lenses achieve full sharpness at different apertures.


I am looking for the sharpest lens at wide-open and/or stopped down about 2 stops.

Quote:
you've already said that 120mm is the longest you want, but what is the widest?


Any focal length will do, just not longer than 120mm.


PostPosted: Sat Apr 07, 2018 9:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
gazoo wrote:
Quote:
What system do you want to use the lens upon; different systems produce different results. Sensor size plays the largest part here but there are other parameters to consider.


The sensor is 21.95mm x 18.6mm so smaller than full frame. Therefore the sharpness in the center is more critical.

Quote:
Are you talking about wide open sharpness or stopped down to a specific aperture; many lenses achieve full sharpness at different apertures.


I am looking for the sharpest lens at wide-open and/or stopped down about 2 stops.

Quote:
you've already said that 120mm is the longest you want, but what is the widest?


Any focal length will do, just not longer than 120mm.


Well based upon that criteria, you're going to struggle to beat a Tamron SP 90mm f/2.5 Macro with and M42 Adaptall2 mount Smile But I guess that's cheating...


PostPosted: Sat Apr 07, 2018 10:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
As being mostly wide-open shooter, any lens at F5.6 is extremely sharp for me. If it isn't it is mostly likely to some fault.


PostPosted: Sat Apr 07, 2018 10:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Pancolart wrote:
As being mostly wide-open shooter, any lens at F5.6 is extremely sharp for me. If it isn't it is mostly likely to some fault.


That's the difference between being in focus and out of focus.


PostPosted: Sat Apr 07, 2018 10:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Zeiss Jena Pancolar 1.8/80mm and Biotar 1.5/75mm
Pentax Ultra Achromatic Takumar 4.5/85mm


PostPosted: Sat Apr 07, 2018 11:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
As a group I would recommend the Zeiss Tessars. In addition the Zeiss Jena Pancolar and the Soviet Zenitar M 1.7/50.


PostPosted: Sun Apr 08, 2018 6:19 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
M42 ist the limiting factor here.
There are indeed some macro lenses which come to my mind.
Other than that I would recommend the Russian Zenitar 50mm/F1.7 or the Voigtlaender Color-Ultron 50mm/F1.8 (made in Singapore version).


PostPosted: Sun Apr 08, 2018 6:57 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
kds315* wrote:
Zeiss Jena Pancolar 1.8/80mm and Biotar 1.5/75mm
Pentax Ultra Achromatic Takumar 4.5/85mm


The Pentax for sale right now, it's a steal Wink

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ultra-Achromatic-Takumar-85mm-4-5-M42-UV-IR-photography-complete-set-w-filters/112922762871?hash=item1a4ab89e77:g:~O4AAOSw86Jac1We


PostPosted: Sun Apr 08, 2018 7:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
kds315* wrote:
Zeiss Jena Pancolar 1.8/80mm and Biotar 1.5/75mm
Pentax Ultra Achromatic Takumar 4.5/85mm


Which is sharper, the Jena Pancolar 1.8 80 mm or the Pentax Takumar SMC 80mm 1.8?


PostPosted: Sun Apr 08, 2018 8:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
newst wrote:
As a group I would recommend the Zeiss Tessars. In addition the Zeiss Jena Pancolar and the Soviet Zenitar M 1.7/50.


I take this "Tessars" as a joke, right? A 4 lens design can never, not even in the wildest dreams,
reach the performance of later double Gauss designs... Wink Wink Wink



caspert79 wrote:
kds315* wrote:
Zeiss Jena Pancolar 1.8/80mm and Biotar 1.5/75mm
Pentax Ultra Achromatic Takumar 4.5/85mm


The Pentax for sale right now, it's a steal Wink

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ultra-Achromatic-Takumar-85mm-4-5-M42-UV-IR-photography-complete-set-w-filters/112922762871?hash=item1a4ab89e77:g:~O4AAOSw86Jac1We


Yes, I know, I sold him that lens set once Wink



gazoo wrote:
kds315* wrote:
Zeiss Jena Pancolar 1.8/80mm and Biotar 1.5/75mm
Pentax Ultra Achromatic Takumar 4.5/85mm


Which is sharper, the Jena Pancolar 1.8 80 mm or the Pentax Takumar SMC 80mm 1.8?


I actually own both lenses and I would always prefer the Pancolar over the Takumar!

My Pancolar album: https://www.flickr.com/photos/kds315/sets/72157685827975625

PS: also works exceptionally well using a Speedbooster!

Last edited by kds315* on Sun Apr 08, 2018 8:30 am; edited 2 times in total


PostPosted: Sun Apr 08, 2018 9:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
caspert79 wrote:
kds315* wrote:
Zeiss Jena Pancolar 1.8/80mm and Biotar 1.5/75mm
Pentax Ultra Achromatic Takumar 4.5/85mm


The Pentax for sale right now, it's a steal Wink

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ultra-Achromatic-Takumar-85mm-4-5-M42-UV-IR-photography-complete-set-w-filters/112922762871?hash=item1a4ab89e77:g:~O4AAOSw86Jac1We


Nice, but I only buy that lens in pairs with sequential serial numbers, otherwise, what's the point?


PostPosted: Sun Apr 08, 2018 10:41 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
the Auto Sharponar MC 50mm f1.7 ( radioactive version).


PostPosted: Sun Apr 08, 2018 12:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
memetph wrote:
the Auto Sharponar MC 50mm f1.7 ( radioactive version).

Laugh 1


PostPosted: Sun Apr 08, 2018 12:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
memetph wrote:
the Auto Sharponar MC 50mm f1.7 ( radioactive version).


Verrrry hard to find this one 😋


PostPosted: Sun Apr 08, 2018 5:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
itsfozzy wrote:
caspert79 wrote:
kds315* wrote:
Zeiss Jena Pancolar 1.8/80mm and Biotar 1.5/75mm
Pentax Ultra Achromatic Takumar 4.5/85mm


The Pentax for sale right now, it's a steal Wink

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ultra-Achromatic-Takumar-85mm-4-5-M42-UV-IR-photography-complete-set-w-filters/112922762871?hash=item1a4ab89e77:g:~O4AAOSw86Jac1We


Nice, but I only buy that lens in pairs with sequential serial numbers, otherwise, what's the point?


Well I had that at some time, two sets with sequential numbers, found at different times, in different parts
of the world :BIGGRIN:


PostPosted: Sun Apr 08, 2018 7:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
memetph wrote:
the Auto Sharponar MC 50mm f1.7 ( radioactive version).
Friends


PostPosted: Sun Apr 08, 2018 7:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
kds315* wrote:
itsfozzy wrote:
caspert79 wrote:
kds315* wrote:
Zeiss Jena Pancolar 1.8/80mm and Biotar 1.5/75mm
Pentax Ultra Achromatic Takumar 4.5/85mm


The Pentax for sale right now, it's a steal Wink

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ultra-Achromatic-Takumar-85mm-4-5-M42-UV-IR-photography-complete-set-w-filters/112922762871?hash=item1a4ab89e77:g:~O4AAOSw86Jac1We


Nice, but I only buy that lens in pairs with sequential serial numbers, otherwise, what's the point?


Well I had that at some time, two sets with sequential numbers, found at different times, in different parts
of the world :BIGGRIN:


Nice catch!


PostPosted: Sun Apr 08, 2018 9:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Zeiss ultron 50mm 1.8 must be considered.

Also the SMC takumar 100mm f4 macro is very good and can be had for way less than the tokina or tamron offerings.


PostPosted: Sun Apr 08, 2018 10:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
jamaeolus wrote:
Zeiss ultron 50mm 1.8 must be considered.

Also the SMC takumar 100mm f4 macro is very good and can be had for way less than the tokina or tamron offerings.


I have the Ultron, too and it is very sharp indeed; still I'd prefer the Pancolar.


PostPosted: Mon Apr 09, 2018 1:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
You guys know all these exotic European makes that we seldom see over on this side of the pond. So when I think of really sharp M42 stuff, I have to base it on what I've come across. I have a tack sharp Yashica Yashinon DX 50/1.7 that I'll put up against just about any 50. Another M42 lens I own that I'll put up against any other lens in its category is the Pentax SMC 100mm f/4 Macro. Very sharp, great contrast.


PostPosted: Mon Apr 09, 2018 7:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
All versions of Asahi Macro Takumar 50/4 or 100/4 are very sharp. I would also include Soviet macro lenses like - Industar-61 L/Z 50/2.8 or Volna-9 50/2.8.

CZJ Pancolar 80/1.8 and Asahi SMC Takumar 85/1.8 are very nice... but costly. Asahi Super Takumar 85/1.9 is also nice and cheaper but a bit less sharp wide open.
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