Home

Please support mflenses.com if you need any graphic related work order it from us, click on above banner to order!
SearchSearch MemberlistMemberlist RegisterRegister ProfileProfile Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages Log inLog in

Mamiya EF 50mm f/1.4 vs TT Artisan 50mm f/1.4 asph.
Post new topic   Reply to topic
Home   Manual Focus Lenses
View previous topic :: View next topic  


PostPosted: Sun Jul 09, 2023 10:18 am    Post subject: Mamiya EF 50mm f/1.4 vs TT Artisan 50mm f/1.4 asph. Reply with quote
Just did a test because I was curious how my old Mamiya EF 50mm f/1.4 would hold up to the modern glass of the TT Artisan 50mm f/1.4.

First a center and corner test @ about 30 meters:
comparison by devoscasper, on Flickr

First thing that strikes me is that the Mamiya colors are very warm; the TT Artisan's glass is slightly cool.
Center performance of both lenses is pretty similar at all apertures. Corners of the TT Artisan become significantly better @ f/4.
@ f/8 and f/11 this difference becomes very small.

Bokeh comparison (distance to subject: 70cm):
bokehcomparisonklein by devoscasper, on Flickr
The Mamiya lens has less blades and somewhat harsher bokeh balls stopped down; it will show in some situations more than in other. The Mamiya also shows some pretty pronounced barrel distortion (correctable) at this distance. The TT Artisan shows some pincushion distortion.

100% crops of upper images:
ComparisonCloseFocus by devoscasper, on Flickr

Here, the Mamiya does a really good job, comparable to the TT Artisan. In some areas of the image, the Mamiya shows some spherical aberration when used wide open. Probably there's also a slight difference in focus.
MamiyaTTartisan14comparison by devoscasper, on Flickr

Conclusion: I think the Mamiya holds up pretty good against the highly regarded TT Artisan.

TT Artisan 50mm f/1.4 aspherical
+ sharp wide open (hardly any softness)
+ great corners @ f/5.6
+ better bokeh stopped down
+ fantastic build quality
- heavy
- longer MFD (70cm)
- pincushion distortion

Mamiya EF 50mm f/1.4
+ sharp wide open, very good for vintage lens
+ great corners @ f/8 and f/11
+ lightweight and tiny lens
+ budget lens
+ short MFD (45 cm)
- less nice bokeh balls stopped down
- pronounced barrel distortion
- pinch of spherical aberration wide open


PostPosted: Sun Jul 09, 2023 10:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Very interesting and insightful.

Thank you.


PostPosted: Sun Jul 09, 2023 2:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Thanks, very interesting and informative.

Were you shooting in RAW and processing files identically, or are these out-of-camera jpegs?

Asking becasue the Mamiya files seem quite a bit warmer than TT Artisan.


PostPosted: Sun Jul 09, 2023 6:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Arutemu wrote:
Thanks, very interesting and informative.

Were you shooting in RAW and processing files identically, or are these out-of-camera jpegs?

Asking becasue the Mamiya files seem quite a bit warmer than TT Artisan.


These are all shot in RAW and directly converted into jpeg without applying any additional pp. The Mamiya has warm colors, true.


PostPosted: Mon Jul 10, 2023 7:38 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Thanks for sharing


PostPosted: Mon Jul 10, 2023 7:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
You’re welcome 👍


PostPosted: Mon Jul 10, 2023 8:23 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
caspert79 wrote:
Arutemu wrote:
Thanks, very interesting and informative.

Were you shooting in RAW and processing files identically, or are these out-of-camera jpegs?

Asking becasue the Mamiya files seem quite a bit warmer than TT Artisan.


These are all shot in RAW and directly converted into jpeg without applying any additional pp. The Mamiya has warm colors, true.


Using the same white balance setting on conversion allows for comparing lens color rendering, i.e
warmer, etc.. Using auto white balance would eliminate color rendering differences; no comparison possible.


PostPosted: Mon Jul 10, 2023 8:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Thank you for the test. An observation: in the bokeh images it looks like the actual focal length of the Artisan is longer than of the Mamiya, could that be correct? On corner detail: older tests showed that the Mamiya is not a champion at the edges at wider openings, the Olympus OM 50mm 1.4 will get them sharp between 4.0 and 5.6.


PostPosted: Mon Jul 10, 2023 10:50 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Ernst Dinkla wrote:
Thank you for the test. An observation: in the bokeh images it looks like the actual focal length of the Artisan is longer than of the Mamiya, could that be correct? On corner detail: older tests showed that the Mamiya is not a champion at the edges at wider openings, the Olympus OM 50mm 1.4 will get them sharp between 4.0 and 5.6.


There is a small difference in focal length indeed. I don’t share you opinion on the Mamiya’s corners though. I think it’s actually very good in that regard, check out this thread: http://forum.mflenses.com/mamiya-sekor-ef-1-4-50mm-vs-zeiss-cy-planar-1-4-50mm-t83671.html

There may be sample variation, but mine showed to be very good in this regard as well. Check: http://forum.mflenses.com/4-mamiya-standard-lenses-at-infinity-t83703.html

However, these earlier test are @infinity, whereas this current comparison is @ approximately 30m.

I’ve heard good things about the Oly as well before in this regard. Definitely worth checking out.


PostPosted: Mon Jul 10, 2023 5:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Another wide open comparison:
flowerscomparison14 by devoscasper, on Flickr

Mamiya is slightly glowy in comparison, but still really good performance.


PostPosted: Tue Jul 11, 2023 1:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
The later Mamiya lenses are little-explored due to their tough-to-adapt mounts, but tend to be excellent performers. Heck, even the SX modified m42 ones are fairly poorly-known.

This one doesn't seem to be an exception to that trend. Lovely rendition and good sharpness (center actually looks a smidge better than the TTA at all tested apertures!), with that characteristic Mamiya warmth.


PostPosted: Tue Jul 11, 2023 4:17 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
BrianSVP wrote:
The later Mamiya lenses are little-explored due to their tough-to-adapt mounts, but tend to be excellent performers. Heck, even the SX modified m42 ones are fairly poorly-known.

This one doesn't seem to be an exception to that trend. Lovely rendition and good sharpness (center actually looks a smidge better than the TTA at all tested apertures!), with that characteristic Mamiya warmth.


True, I can also recommend the E(F) 50mm f/1.7. Great performance as well. Usually very cheap.


PostPosted: Tue Jul 11, 2023 6:26 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Very intresting Thank you!


PostPosted: Tue Jul 11, 2023 7:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Of course, it is better to test on portraits with both lenses on hand at once and process them the same way, and then you can look at the similarity / dissimilarity of the lenses.

p/s
TT Artisan 50mm f/1.4
Катя by Сергей Пашнин, on Flickr


PostPosted: Tue Jul 11, 2023 9:57 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
caspert79 wrote:
BrianSVP wrote:
The later Mamiya lenses are little-explored due to their tough-to-adapt mounts, but tend to be excellent performers. Heck, even the SX modified m42 ones are fairly poorly-known.

This one doesn't seem to be an exception to that trend. Lovely rendition and good sharpness (center actually looks a smidge better than the TTA at all tested apertures!), with that characteristic Mamiya warmth.


True, I can also recommend the E(F) 50mm f/1.7. Great performance as well. Usually very cheap.


Unlike the corresponding Minolta lenses, those Mamiya Sekor E and EF lenses have quite some copy-to-copy variation (tested with ten samples each of the Sekor E 1.7/50 and E 3.5/135). Be aware when buying one ... Adaptation of E and EF is straightforward when using the Fotodiox adapter. Adaptation of CS lenses is tricky (I have modified my Fotodiox adapter with a rubber O-ring, but that's for testing only).

S


PostPosted: Tue Jul 11, 2023 10:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
BrianSVP wrote:
The later Mamiya lenses are little-explored due to their tough-to-adapt mounts, but tend to be excellent performers. Heck, even the SX modified m42 ones are fairly poorly-known.

This one doesn't seem to be an exception to that trend. Lovely rendition and good sharpness (center actually looks a smidge better than the TTA at all tested apertures!), with that characteristic Mamiya warmth.


All the Mamiya lenses I have got a Canon EF mount conversion with two exceptions: A Mamiya Sekor E 50mm 2.0 got a 3D printed adapter to Sony FE mount, original aperture ring mechanically connected (with a 1:2 reduction) to the aperture mechanism. The fixed 48mm 1.7 rangefinder lens of the Majamatic (rebranded Mamiya 35 Super De Luxe) is also converted to FE mount.
The other three got a Canon EF mount with programmable EMF chip for smart adapters to Sony FE: Mamiya Sekor SX 55mm 1.8 (stopped down to 5.6/8.0 a very good lens for landscapes). the Mamiya Sekor CS 35 2.8 (stopped down to 5.6 a very good lens for landscapes), the CS 135mm 2.8 (not so wonderful in my opinion. CA and purple fringing). For all some reversing of springs in the aperture mechanisms needed to let it all work if I recall it correctly.


PostPosted: Tue Jul 11, 2023 1:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Two portraits @ f/1.4

Color balance is corrected for both images, and a few stains removed from the t-shirt. No additional pp.
Click for full size.

Mamiya:
Mamiyaportret1447 by devoscasper, on Flickr

TTartisan:
TTArtisanportret1446 by devoscasper, on Flickr

It confirms what I found before: the TTartisan is tack sharp wide open, whereas the Mamiya has a pinch of softness but still has very good resolution and contrast.
The bokeh of the Mamiya is more funky than the TTartisan's.


PostPosted: Tue Jul 11, 2023 8:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
caspert79 wrote:
The bokeh of the Mamiya is more funky than the TTartisan's.

This is a typical picture for many old lenses, in difficult conditions it has a distracting (mottled bokeh)


PostPosted: Tue Jul 11, 2023 8:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
sergun wrote:
caspert79 wrote:
The bokeh of the Mamiya is more funky than the TTartisan's.

This is a typical picture for many old lenses, in difficult conditions it has a distracting (mottled bokeh)


True, the TTartisan’s bokeh is not distracting.


PostPosted: Tue Jul 11, 2023 9:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
caspert79 wrote:
sergun wrote:
caspert79 wrote:
The bokeh of the Mamiya is more funky than the TTartisan's.

This is a typical picture for many old lenses, in difficult conditions it has a distracting (mottled bokeh)


True, the TTartisan’s bokeh is not distracting.


Could difference in focusing distance cause thus? (noticeable looking at chair backs)


PostPosted: Wed Jul 12, 2023 4:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
visualopsins wrote:
caspert79 wrote:
sergun wrote:
caspert79 wrote:
The bokeh of the Mamiya is more funky than the TTartisan's.

This is a typical picture for many old lenses, in difficult conditions it has a distracting (mottled bokeh)


True, the TTartisan’s bokeh is not distracting.


Could difference in focusing distance cause thus? (noticeable looking at chair backs)


It’s possible.


PostPosted: Wed Jul 12, 2023 6:27 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Ernst Dinkla wrote:
BrianSVP wrote:
The later Mamiya lenses are little-explored due to their tough-to-adapt mounts, but tend to be excellent performers. Heck, even the SX modified m42 ones are fairly poorly-known.

This one doesn't seem to be an exception to that trend. Lovely rendition and good sharpness (center actually looks a smidge better than the TTA at all tested apertures!), with that characteristic Mamiya warmth.


All the Mamiya lenses I have got a Canon EF mount conversion with two exceptions: A Mamiya Sekor E 50mm 2.0 got a 3D printed adapter to Sony FE mount, original aperture ring mechanically connected (with a 1:2 reduction) to the aperture mechanism. The fixed 48mm 1.7 rangefinder lens of the Majamatic (rebranded Mamiya 35 Super De Luxe) is also converted to FE mount.
The other three got a Canon EF mount with programmable EMF chip for smart adapters to Sony FE: Mamiya Sekor SX 55mm 1.8 (stopped down to 5.6/8.0 a very good lens for landscapes). the Mamiya Sekor CS 35 2.8 (stopped down to 5.6 a very good lens for landscapes), the CS 135mm 2.8 (not so wonderful in my opinion. CA and purple fringing). For all some reversing of springs in the aperture mechanisms needed to let it all work if I recall it correctly.


Hello, can you show us the adapter of the mamiya ef to sony that maintains the aperture ring of the lens working? Thanks


PostPosted: Wed Jul 12, 2023 6:55 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
This is the adapter:
https://fotodioxpro.com/products/me-sne-p


PostPosted: Wed Jul 12, 2023 12:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
kiddo wrote:
Ernst Dinkla wrote:
BrianSVP wrote:
The later Mamiya lenses are little-explored due to their tough-to-adapt mounts, but tend to be excellent performers. Heck, even the SX modified m42 ones are fairly poorly-known.

This one doesn't seem to be an exception to that trend. Lovely rendition and good sharpness (center actually looks a smidge better than the TTA at all tested apertures!), with that characteristic Mamiya warmth.


All the Mamiya lenses I have got a Canon EF mount conversion with two exceptions: A Mamiya Sekor E 50mm 2.0 got a 3D printed adapter to Sony FE mount, original aperture ring mechanically connected (with a 1:2 reduction) to the aperture mechanism. The fixed 48mm 1.7 rangefinder lens of the Majamatic (rebranded Mamiya 35 Super De Luxe) is also converted to FE mount.
The other three got a Canon EF mount with programmable EMF chip for smart adapters to Sony FE: Mamiya Sekor SX 55mm 1.8 (stopped down to 5.6/8.0 a very good lens for landscapes). the Mamiya Sekor CS 35 2.8 (stopped down to 5.6 a very good lens for landscapes), the CS 135mm 2.8 (not so wonderful in my opinion. CA and purple fringing). For all some reversing of springs in the aperture mechanisms needed to let it all work if I recall it correctly.


Hello, can you show us the adapter of the mamiya ef to sony that maintains the aperture ring of the lens working? Thanks


Better go for the adapter that is already mentioned. What I have done was more a challenge to get a 1 Euro lens adapted with the tools at hand and without an extra aperture ring as the solution.

Chinese reverse NEX ring glued in on the other end of the 3D printed part. E bayonet integrated in the 3D print and a small screw added to fix the lens position. Adapter has no role in the aperture solution. Nylon wire with one end attached to the aperture ring, the other end to the lens body and in between running over a pin on the internal ring of the aperture mechanism. Roughly creating half the rotation on the last ring compared to the exterior aperture ring. A spring counter acting on that movement. The commercial adapter seems to use the rotation angle of the internal mechanism, I guess without the half stop settings of the original aperture ring. That said the solution I have is not that precise but good enough for what I intended.


PostPosted: Wed Jul 12, 2023 7:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I'm impressed, it's true that the original fotodiox adapter doesn't maintain the steps of the aperture properly, the only way is guiding from wo aperture and closing down measuring the speed to get a more real aperture .
Post new topic   Reply to topic
Home   Manual Focus Lenses
Goto page 1, 2  Next
Page 1 of 2