Micro Nikkor-P.C 3.5/55 vs Macro-Hexanon 3.5/55

alex ph · Joined: 16 Mar 2013 Posts: 1609

I happened to compare two macro lenses, both well reputed. Put on Sony Nex, some detail is noted in the chart. You may click on the image to see it in larger resolution.

The results look really close.

visualopsins · Expire: 2025-04-11

I want to say the center images are swapped. The white balance on first pair is different; right side is warmer.

alex ph · Joined: 16 Mar 2013 Posts: 1609

Not precisely. It's just an effect of autocontrast applied to both shots. I wished to avoid difference in colour balance set by the camera for each lens, and it worked the other way round.

Here are the SOOC jpegs of both, just resized.

Micro Nikkor

Macro Hexanon

visualopsins · Expire: 2025-04-11

Ah ha!

SandroB · Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2024 8:02 pm Post subject:

Judging from the photos you show my preference would be the Micro-Nikkor, but I don't think I could really explain why. Do you have a preference or do you use the lenses for different subjects, light situaions, indoor-outdoor etc.?
Lex

kiddo · Joined: 29 Jun 2018 Posts: 1174

judging by the first picture, the dof of the hexanon seems to be higher, there´s more area in focus, or maybe focusing point it is not the same on both pictures? it is still unclear to me on the the chair there seems to be less blurry area, i´m confused
On the long distance shots, probably hexanon do a bit better , but of course 3.5 shouldn´t be the one to tell which one is best

tachi · Joined: 09 May 2020 Posts: 98 Location: China guangzhou

The photo on the right is better

alex ph · Joined: 16 Mar 2013 Posts: 1609

I might for sure have shifted a bit the focusing point going from one lens to the other, as well as the physical point from which I was shooting handheld, thus contributing to the bokeh difference in complex background items.

The point I wished to demonstrate is that the difference between the two lenses is surprisingly small. So if you've got one or another for a good price, you should not be worried too much about the "best choice". Both perform very well, being very close all-purpose runners.

By the way, when I got the Macro Hexanon for 45 euros several years ago, I considered it as a really good catch for the price. I see now several Micro Nikkors (always 3.5/55) at local French boards for 45 and 50 euros, and ask myself if that is a particularly good moment to buy a macro lens if someone wishes it, or the era of high demand for macro + Nikon mark is over.