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Vintage 55mm f/1.8 lenses vs Sony Zeiss 55mm f/1.8
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 14, 2021 6:35 pm    Post subject: Vintage 55mm f/1.8 lenses vs Sony Zeiss 55mm f/1.8 Reply with quote

Not sure if it is appropriate to ask the question here as it is an MF lens forum. If not, I can delete the post.

The Sony/Zeiss lens has a great reputation. Has anyone ever compared any vintage 55mm f/1.8 lens with it? My understanding is that there are many old vintage 55mm f/1.8 lenses. Just curious.


PostPosted: Thu Jan 14, 2021 7:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The Zeiss is simply a modern lens - not the traditional double-gauss/Planar and it is full of exotic elements. Traditional MF 50s can't really compete due to age of their design.

// Here is a nice test comparing Zeiss vs old Minolta MC 55/1.7. https://phillipreeve.net/blog/test-20-minolta-mc-1-755-vs-1000-zeiss-1-855/


PostPosted: Thu Jan 14, 2021 7:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

You can't delete your post after a reply. Smile

https://www.dxomark.com/sony-a7r-ii-best-prime-lenses-review/ -- scroll down to "Best standard prime lens: Sony FE Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 55mm f/1.8 ZA" comparison with the Sony 1.8/55 which is considered better than most/all vintage 1.8/55s due to its aspherical rear element which spreads scenter sharpness into the corners...

You already know the howevers, like the Zeiss is huge & expensive, many times the price of the Sony which is 3-5 times as much as vintage lens.

My experience with Sony FE 1.8/55 and vintage 1.8/55s says the Sony is the best lens, not by far, but if you want vintage look go for vintage.


PostPosted: Thu Jan 14, 2021 8:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

y wrote:
The Zeiss is simply a modern lens - not the traditional double-gauss/Planar and it is full of exotic elements. Traditional MF 50s can't really compete due to age of their design.

// Here is a nice test comparing Zeiss vs old Minolta MC 55/1.7. https://phillipreeve.net/blog/test-20-minolta-mc-1-755-vs-1000-zeiss-1-855/


Thank you very much for the link. I didn't realize Phillip has already done the comparison, which is exactly what I am looking for. It is no question that the modern Sony/Zeiss wins, but
for regular use, the vintage lens is really good enough for me.


PostPosted: Thu Jan 14, 2021 8:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

visualopsins wrote:
You can't delete your post after a reply. Smile

https://www.dxomark.com/sony-a7r-ii-best-prime-lenses-review/ -- scroll down to "Best standard prime lens: Sony FE Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 55mm f/1.8 ZA" comparison with the Sony 1.8/55 which is considered better than most/all vintage 1.8/55s due to its aspherical rear element which spreads scenter sharpness into the corners...

You already know the howevers, like the Zeiss is huge & expensive, many times the price of the Sony which is 3-5 times as much as vintage lens.

My experience with Sony FE 1.8/55 and vintage 1.8/55s says the Sony is the best lens, not by far, but if you want vintage look go for vintage.


Thanks. Interesting technical reading.


PostPosted: Fri Jan 15, 2021 2:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote



Last edited by michelb on Fri Jan 15, 2021 2:21 pm; edited 2 times in total


PostPosted: Fri Jan 15, 2021 2:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote



PostPosted: Fri Jan 15, 2021 2:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote



PostPosted: Fri Jan 15, 2021 2:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

michelb wrote:
I did test a 55 year old Minolta Auto Rokkor-PF 55mm F 1.8 from circa 1958-59 ( SN makes it about the 1200th 55mm lens they made ) versus that Sony/Zeiss on Sony A7R

Album of the Minolta https://www.flickr.com/photos/55173440@N08/albums/72157647305018172

Album of the Zeiss with in-camera lens corrections:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/55173440@N08/albums/72157646907335818

Album of the Zeiss without lens corrections

https://www.flickr.com/photos/55173440@N08/albums/72157647255858186

Sorry but after looking at the results, i figured the Zeiss without corrections was not with its price for me so i sold it and never looked back


PostPosted: Fri Jan 15, 2021 2:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Can not see my replies to this post