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Micro Nikkor-P.C 3.5/55 vs Macro-Hexanon 3.5/55
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PostPosted: Thu May 23, 2024 9:56 am    Post subject: Micro Nikkor-P.C 3.5/55 vs Macro-Hexanon 3.5/55 Reply with quote

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.



PostPosted: Fri May 24, 2024 4:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Like 1 Like 1 Thank you!

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


PostPosted: Fri May 24, 2024 6:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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



PostPosted: Fri May 24, 2024 9:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ah ha! Thank you!


PostPosted: Mon Jun 10, 2024 8:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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


PostPosted: Mon Jun 10, 2024 9:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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


PostPosted: Wed Jun 12, 2024 10:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

The photo on the right is better


PostPosted: Fri Jun 14, 2024 1:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.


PostPosted: Tue Jun 18, 2024 5:45 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I prefer the nikkor's rendering from what I see here, but the differences are indeed small.

As an all-around lens, there are much better choices around. The P.C. 55 3.5 that I have has a slight tendency to barrel distort on general scenics taken near infinity. For all-around use, the k-based nikkor 50mm f2 is a much better lens. The old "micro" shines best where it is supposed to~ at minimum focus distance, especially with the extension tube that was designed for it.

-D.S.


PostPosted: Tue Jun 18, 2024 1:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

could you check if is same speed and iso on both first two shots? i might be wrong , but maybe one second shot has more dof that first , or the lens is not true same aperture
there seems to be a spec of dust on top of the small glass and the blur on the chair is higher on the nikkor


PostPosted: Tue Jun 18, 2024 1:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I checked, both shots are made at ISO 200. The Nikkor shot shutter speed is 1/500, the Hexanon one is 1/400.
You may double check downloading the individual pictures, I kept all exif data before uploading them to the forum.

The aperture is WO at both shots, as I said, it could be focus point or point of view (or finally the lens scheme?) which may give a different idea.


PostPosted: Tue Jun 18, 2024 2:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Doc Sharptail wrote:
For all-around use, the k-based nikkor 50mm f2 is a much better lens.


You might be right. Unfortunately, my experience with Nikkor 2/50 is limited to one test shot, after which happened an epic fail, il literal sense. Here is an explanation of why I do not own that lens any more. Since then, I have been looking at various listings, but the actual prices seem to be a little bit (pretty much, indeed) exaggerated for a 50mm.


PostPosted: Tue Jun 18, 2024 2:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

alex ph wrote:
Doc Sharptail wrote:
For all-around use, the k-based nikkor 50mm f2 is a much better lens.


You might be right. Unfortunately, my experience with Nikkor 2/50 is limited to one test shot, after which happened an epic fail, il literal sense. Here is an explanation of why I do not own that lens any more. Since then, I have been looking at various listings, but the actual prices seem to be a little bit (pretty much, indeed) exaggerated for a 50mm.


I've gotten all of mine (which I have 3 left) all on camera bodies in package deals, and they were not all that expensive that way.
The K, which replaced the old H.C. first appeared on the nikkormat FT-2, IIRC, in standard non-A/I F mount. It was paired with an awful lot of cameras, including the F2 pro body, all the way up to at least the FE, when a new f1.8 came to replace it at the mid-point of the FE line. I may be wrong on this, but I think the first A/I variants appeared on the nikkormat FT-3. At any rate, there are an awful lot of them around, and a little digging should find reasonable pricing for good condition lenses.

It is still the lens I reach for when contrast is important.

-D.S.


PostPosted: Tue Jun 18, 2024 3:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thank you for the hint! I will keep my eye on the cameras you mention.


PostPosted: Tue Jun 18, 2024 3:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

alex ph wrote:
Thank you for the hint! I will keep my eye on the cameras you mention.


One of them here has the A/I-s scoop milled into the flange, so a few at least, probably shipped with the FA/FG series cameras as well.

-D.S.