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michaelanburaj
Joined: 16 Jan 2018 Posts: 31 Location: California, USA
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Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2018 7:11 am Post subject: Zenitar 50 f/1.7 vs Pancolar 50 f/1/8 |
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michaelanburaj wrote:
Hi All,
I have read countless postings, blogs and have seen many images from both lenses, and still cannot decide between them.
I have been using Sigma 50 Ex f/1.4, very sharp wide open and newly acquired Hilios 44m-5 sharp wide open and love the bokeh character.
Now looking to pick-up my third 50 with somewhat unique bokeh character (for creamy bokeh I already have my Sigma f1.4), mainly for full body portraiture.
Now the pricing is pretty even between the 2 lens: Zenitar and Pancolar. What are the advantages one has over the other? mainly: resolution, bokeh character, color and contrast (I prefer softer vintage like looks).
Thanks,
-Michael. _________________ A7r, 5D-mkI
Canon: 135L, 70-200 IS f/4L, 17-40 f/4L, Sigma 50 f/1.4
CZ distagon 21mm f/2.8, 35mm f/1.4, 35mm f/2, 28mm f/2, 25mm f/2
CZ C/Y distagon 35 f/1.4, 28 f/2.8, planar 50 f/1.4 C/Y, 50 f/1.7 C/Y
CZJ sonnar 50 f/1.5, pancolar 50 f/1.8, biotar 58, biometar 80, sonnar 180 f/2.8
Helios 44m-5, Zenitar 50 f/1.7, Jupiter 9, jupiter 3, Mir-1B, Fujinon 55 f/2.2
Samyang 14mm f/2.8, 35mm 1.4, 85 1.4, 135 f/2 |
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newst
Joined: 21 Oct 2014 Posts: 617 Location: Troy, MI USA
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Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2018 9:51 am Post subject: |
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newst wrote:
I have owned both and can understand your hesitation. They are both excellent lenses with similar rendering. I don't think I can make a recommendation, just a few items that you might consider.
Pancolar is larger and heavier than Zenitar.
Zenitar has more modern coatings.
Pancolar has amazing close focus capability. _________________ Steve
Just an armadillo on the shoulder of the information superhighway. |
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Lightshow
Joined: 04 Nov 2011 Posts: 3669 Location: Calgary
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Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2018 10:12 am Post subject: Re: Zenitar 50 f/1.7 vs Pancolar 50 f/1/8 |
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Lightshow wrote:
michaelanburaj wrote: |
Hi All,
I have read countless postings, blogs and have seen many images from both lenses, and still cannot decide between them.
I have been using Sigma 50 Ex f/1.4, very sharp wide open and newly acquired Hilios 44m-5 sharp wide open and love the bokeh character.
Now looking to pick-up my third 50 with somewhat unique bokeh character (for creamy bokeh I already have my Sigma f1.4), mainly for full body portraiture.
Now the pricing is pretty even between the 2 lens: Zenitar and Pancolar. What are the advantages one has over the other? mainly: resolution, bokeh character, color and contrast (I prefer softer vintage like looks).
Thanks,
-Michael. |
Wait, the Helios 44 doesn't have unique bokeh character? Or you want something different from that too? _________________ A Manual Focus Junky...
One photographers junk lens is an artists favorite tool.
My lens list
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lightshow-photography/ |
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calvin83
Joined: 12 Apr 2009 Posts: 7547 Location: Hong Kong
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Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2018 12:20 pm Post subject: |
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calvin83 wrote:
How about Primoplan 58/1.9? _________________ https://lensfever.com/
https://www.instagram.com/_lens_fever/
The best lens is the one you have with you. |
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blotafton
Joined: 08 Aug 2013 Posts: 1534 Location: Sweden
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Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2018 12:40 pm Post subject: |
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blotafton wrote:
The Pancolar 1.8/50 comes in two different optical versions.
One with thorium glass and one without.
I have a direct comparison between the Zenitar and non radioactive Pancolar here: #26 and #31.
http://forum.mflenses.com/42-lens-mega-bokeh-test-t78383.html |
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y
Joined: 11 Aug 2013 Posts: 304 Location: EU
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Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2018 12:48 pm Post subject: |
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y wrote:
Pick Zenitar if you are into calm bokeh. All my Pancolars tend to have double-lining issues from time to time. |
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D. P.
Joined: 26 Apr 2015 Posts: 146
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Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2018 2:43 pm Post subject: |
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D. P. wrote:
They are not very expensive - buy both |
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jamaeolus
Joined: 19 Mar 2014 Posts: 2913 Location: Eugene
Expire: 2015-08-20
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Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2018 12:25 am Post subject: |
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jamaeolus wrote:
I'm with D.P. I have a couple of pancolar that I love. The zenit 50 1.7 is on my wish list.... _________________ photos are moments frozen in time |
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michaelanburaj
Joined: 16 Jan 2018 Posts: 31 Location: California, USA
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Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2018 2:10 am Post subject: |
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michaelanburaj wrote:
Hello All,
Very useful info., thanks for sharing.
My Hilios 44m-5 does exhibit the famous "swirl" bokeh, other times bokeh it produces is very smooth and painting like. I love it! On the next ($100 range) lens I am looking for something special but different, that brought me to these 2 lenses.
I will take a look at the Primoplan 58/1.9 as well.
Zenitar is on its way. I will probably end-up buying them both.
on the pancolar: besides the thorium, non-thorium difference - I see electric, non-electric, auto, non-auto, MC and without MC. Regardless are they all optically same? Or should I pay attention to certain details / version when buying?
Thanks,
-Michael. _________________ A7r, 5D-mkI
Canon: 135L, 70-200 IS f/4L, 17-40 f/4L, Sigma 50 f/1.4
CZ distagon 21mm f/2.8, 35mm f/1.4, 35mm f/2, 28mm f/2, 25mm f/2
CZ C/Y distagon 35 f/1.4, 28 f/2.8, planar 50 f/1.4 C/Y, 50 f/1.7 C/Y
CZJ sonnar 50 f/1.5, pancolar 50 f/1.8, biotar 58, biometar 80, sonnar 180 f/2.8
Helios 44m-5, Zenitar 50 f/1.7, Jupiter 9, jupiter 3, Mir-1B, Fujinon 55 f/2.2
Samyang 14mm f/2.8, 35mm 1.4, 85 1.4, 135 f/2 |
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tb_a
Joined: 26 Jan 2010 Posts: 3678 Location: Austria
Expire: 2019-08-28
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Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2018 2:56 am Post subject: |
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tb_a wrote:
michaelanburaj wrote: |
Zenitar is on its way. I will probably end-up buying them both.
on the pancolar: besides the thorium, non-thorium difference - I see electric, non-electric, auto, non-auto, MC and without MC. Regardless are they all optically same? Or should I pay attention to certain details / version when buying? |
The Zenitar is indeed a good choice. I was rather impressed after my first session with it, particularly the bokeh is very nice. A very good buy for little money. My introduction of this lens: http://forum.mflenses.com/zenitar-50mm-f1-7-domestic-version-on-ricoh-gxr-m-t71542.html
However, I can't comment on the Pancolar as I never had one myself. _________________ Thomas Bernardy
Manual focus lenses mainly from Minolta, Pentax, Voigtlaender, Leitz, Topcon and from Russia (too many to be listed here). |
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y
Joined: 11 Aug 2013 Posts: 304 Location: EU
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Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2018 8:46 am Post subject: |
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y wrote:
michaelanburaj wrote: |
on the pancolar: besides the thorium, non-thorium difference - I see electric, non-electric, auto, non-auto, MC and without MC. Regardless are they all optically same? Or should I pay attention to certain details / version when buying? |
The oldest f/1.8 version is "Zebra" styled, thoriated and features 8 aperture blades. The newer "Zebra" has a changed non-thoriated design and 6 aperture blades only. The rest of "black" versions are multi-coated (relatively weak tech comapred to T* or SMC) and optically the same. The only differences are barrel length and maybe multi-coating quality.
A few people prefers the black version with red 'MC' mark. This one is said to be the sharpest and aesthetically best of M42 Pancolars. However, there is no conclusive proof, IIRC.
You might also try to look for a "MC Carl Zeiss Jena Prakticar 50/1.8". That one is the final development of Pancolar. It exists in PB mount only. Just don't confuse this lens with the common "MC Prakticar 50/1.8". |
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michaelanburaj
Joined: 16 Jan 2018 Posts: 31 Location: California, USA
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Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2018 12:29 am Post subject: |
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michaelanburaj wrote:
Thanks a lot to you both for sharing pictures from Zenitar and detailed Pancolar information, this will guide me very well on my next buy.
All, Thanks for sharing info. I will share pictures and thoughts back on the forum. _________________ A7r, 5D-mkI
Canon: 135L, 70-200 IS f/4L, 17-40 f/4L, Sigma 50 f/1.4
CZ distagon 21mm f/2.8, 35mm f/1.4, 35mm f/2, 28mm f/2, 25mm f/2
CZ C/Y distagon 35 f/1.4, 28 f/2.8, planar 50 f/1.4 C/Y, 50 f/1.7 C/Y
CZJ sonnar 50 f/1.5, pancolar 50 f/1.8, biotar 58, biometar 80, sonnar 180 f/2.8
Helios 44m-5, Zenitar 50 f/1.7, Jupiter 9, jupiter 3, Mir-1B, Fujinon 55 f/2.2
Samyang 14mm f/2.8, 35mm 1.4, 85 1.4, 135 f/2 |
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Cabessius
Joined: 28 Oct 2014 Posts: 21 Location: Ibiza, Spain
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Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2018 5:35 pm Post subject: |
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Cabessius wrote:
You can also try a dirt cheap Fujinon 55mm f/2.2 for nice bokeh. |
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calvin83
Joined: 12 Apr 2009 Posts: 7547 Location: Hong Kong
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Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2018 6:16 pm Post subject: |
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calvin83 wrote:
Cabessius wrote: |
You can also try a dirt cheap Fujinon 55mm f/2.2 for nice bokeh. |
This lens is not dirty cheap anymore. Sometime, it cost as much as other 55/1.4. It will take sometime to find one for less than $30. _________________ https://lensfever.com/
https://www.instagram.com/_lens_fever/
The best lens is the one you have with you. |
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Cabessius
Joined: 28 Oct 2014 Posts: 21 Location: Ibiza, Spain
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Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2018 6:45 pm Post subject: |
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Cabessius wrote:
calvin83 wrote: |
Cabessius wrote: |
You can also try a dirt cheap Fujinon 55mm f/2.2 for nice bokeh. |
This lens is not dirty cheap anymore. Sometime, it cost as much as other 55/1.4. It will take sometime to find one for less than $30. |
You are probably right, mine costed me close to nothing but that was long ago.
Maybe attached to a Fujica camera it can be found cheaper.
Other options for funny bokeh in 50mm could be a Volna-9 of a Industar 61 L/Z. |
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