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Sharpest 20-28mm M42 lenses
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PostPosted: Wed May 25, 2011 12:08 pm    Post subject: Sharpest 20-28mm M42 lenses Reply with quote
Looking for sharpest lenses in the wide angle range in m42.

Corner to corner performance is important, I mostly shoot medium format and LF, but I am looking for one to make some low speed document film really shine to a set/series on 35mm, not for simple APS-C digital performance.

How does the MIR 20m fair?

Mostly looking at the Super Takumar 28mm f/3.5 atm.

Even considering the pricey Flektogon 20mm f/4


PostPosted: Wed May 25, 2011 12:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
It is not easy to compare a 20mm with a 28mm lens.
It's much easier to design a good 28mm than a good 20mm.

So, we should differentiate in three categories: 20mm / 24mm / 28mm.


PostPosted: Wed May 25, 2011 3:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
LucisPictor wrote:
It is not easy to compare a 20mm with a 28mm lens.
It's much easier to design a good 28mm than a good 20mm.

So, we should differentiate in three categories: 20mm / 24mm / 28mm.


+1

Good 28s are very cheap and common, 24s and 20s much harder to find...


PostPosted: Wed May 25, 2011 3:55 pm    Post subject: Re: Sharpest 20-28mm M42 lenses Reply with quote
Athiril wrote:
[...] Mostly looking at the Super Takumar 28mm f/3.5 atm. [...]


+1

The Super-Multi-Coated version has more contrast.


PostPosted: Wed May 25, 2011 5:00 pm    Post subject: Re: Sharpest 20-28mm M42 lenses Reply with quote
visualopsins wrote:
Athiril wrote:
[...] Mostly looking at the Super Takumar 28mm f/3.5 atm. [...]


+1

The Super-Multi-Coated version has more contrast.


For some (I'm one) the old big front S.T. is a bit sharper. Less contrast, yes.
And a bit prone to flare. You have to decide which.

Rino.


PostPosted: Thu May 26, 2011 9:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Personally I'm tempted to go for the contrast.

But my purpose is basically for pixel peeping/bragging to show off to others, on film such as Rollei ATP for landscapes, as I want to really wow people with some simple gear in 35mm film for landscapes that doesn't necessitate the jump to bigger formats for the ultimate landscape image quality.


PostPosted: Thu May 26, 2011 10:57 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Athiril wrote:
Personally I'm tempted to go for the contrast.

But my purpose is basically for pixel peeping/bragging to show off to others, on film such as Rollei ATP for landscapes, as I want to really wow people with some simple gear in 35mm film for landscapes that doesn't necessitate the jump to bigger formats for the ultimate landscape image quality.


+1

I can also dig that wish to impress with detail and definition. I really like net galleries that doesn't force resize or recompression upon your photos thus taking away some of the "edge". If you'd live closer i would offer you some of my lenses but shipping to Australia doesn't make much sense Smile.


PostPosted: Thu May 26, 2011 11:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
i suggest schneider reuznach curtagon 28/4


PostPosted: Thu May 26, 2011 5:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
For a 28mm some say Yashica's ML is one of the best, and in fact I just got one, posting some samples very soon!


PostPosted: Thu May 26, 2011 6:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
ChromaticAberration wrote:
For a 28mm some say Yashica's ML is one of the best, and in fact I just got one, posting some samples very soon!

Athiril wants M42 mount lenses , Yashica ML (wich I have and love , is in C/Y mount)
The CZJ Flektogon 20mm seems to be a good 20mm .Especially low distorsion ,good colors Ok contrast and good sharpness stoped down at f 8-11. Very good resistance to flare . Can be found in f2.8 and f4 versions (If I don't mistake the 2.8 version is multicoated the f4 ,not) . Some say that the f4 version would be better , I own only the 2.8
http://www.16-9.net/lens_tests/best19_21.html


PostPosted: Thu May 26, 2011 9:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
yinyangbt wrote:
Athiril wants M42 mount lenses , Yashica ML (wich I have and love , is in C/Y mount)


Yep, my mistake there. I don't know if there is a DS-M version for 28mm.


PostPosted: Thu May 26, 2011 10:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Flektogon 20mm f4, f2.8 . f2.8 quality is mixed , 20mm f4 is more stable.
Tomioka 21mm f3.5


PostPosted: Thu May 26, 2011 10:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Do you know if the Tomioka appears in other brands?


PostPosted: Thu May 26, 2011 11:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
iangreenhalgh1 wrote:
Do you know if the Tomioka appears in other brands?


I see only Chinon Tomioka 21mm label. Perhaps it was labeled with other brand too.


PostPosted: Fri May 27, 2011 12:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Thankyou, I'll keep my eye out for it. Only Chinon lenses I see often are 28s, 50s and the odd 135 and zoom.


PostPosted: Fri May 27, 2011 5:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
no Takumar 20mm ?

seems that the Ensinor 24mm is a good choice , if you can find one
for the 28mm , the 29mm Pentacon could be a good choice


PostPosted: Thu Jun 02, 2011 12:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
The Super-Tak 28/3.5 is really sharp but I think their 24/3.5 is more versatile and at least as good. Even though it is not an extremely rare lens, it is quite hard to obtain one, and I think I know why: I will never sell mine.

It has given me this gem:



PostPosted: Thu Jun 02, 2011 1:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Quote:
It has given me this gem


The Tak gave you that car?! Wow! Very Happy

In all seriousness, great pic. Very nice colors.


PostPosted: Thu Jun 02, 2011 2:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I have the Pentacon 2.8/28, very good lens, has a vintage look:







I also have the Ensinor 2.8/28, also good, like the 24mm version:





I heartily recommend both of these lenses, especially as they can be had so cheap, I have two copies of each.


PostPosted: Mon Jun 06, 2011 6:18 pm    Post subject: 28mm lens options Reply with quote
I had a Takumar 3.5/28 and a 14-140 Panasonic for my GH2. That didn't stop me from purchasing a Vivitar 2.8/28 close focus and Kiron 2.8/28.

I decided to test them against each other and the shots are posted in full size at https://picasaweb.google.com/homershannon/2011528mmShootOut?authkey=Gv1sRgCLKA7ZSf3vj2LA# I'll let you be the judge, but I will say that the Kiron is now available on eBay Wink


PostPosted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 4:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Subfanatic wrote:
IAZA wrote:
i suggest schneider reuznach curtagon 28/4


I'll second that. If you want to impress, Curtagon 4/28mm will make your eyes bleed on Rollei ATP Wink

It's hard to find this curtagon. and the price is never cheap.
I bought mine in exakta mount. There's some like hair scratches. But I tell you. I tried, elmarit 28/2,8, vivitar 28/2,5, pentax 28/3,5, canon fd 28/2,8, flek 20/2,8. I sold all, keep my curtagon. why? sharpness in wide open @ close focus & infinity is same. detail is crazy
samples
closest distance wideopen


infinity


PostPosted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 5:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I's suggest that a Pentacon 29/2.8 is NOT a good choice, unless you get a good one. Which is rare Laughing


PostPosted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 8:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
ManualFocus-G wrote:
I's suggest that a Pentacon 29/2.8 is NOT a good choice, unless you get a good one. Which is rare Laughing


This lens reminded me of times of ZX Spectrum and Commodore 64 when games had to be downloaded from Cassette tapes. On Commodore you could learn to align head in player / recorder with small screw. Different games required different alignments or you received Error code. So you carefully listened to squeaking sounds the computer was making while data being loaded and by listening to them you were turning screwdriver slowly. Fine-tuning Smile.

On Pentacon you can adjust rear lens combo by adjusting 3 small screws. The slight change matters!


PostPosted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 8:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Pancolart wrote:
ManualFocus-G wrote:
I's suggest that a Pentacon 29/2.8 is NOT a good choice, unless you get a good one. Which is rare Laughing


This lens reminded me of times of ZX Spectrum and Commodore 64 when games had to be downloaded from Cassette tapes. On Commodore you could learn to align head in player / recorder with small screw. Different games required different alignments or you received Error code. So you carefully listened to squeaking sounds the computer was making while data being loaded and by listening to them you were turning screwdriver slowly. Fine-tuning Smile.

On Pentacon you can adjust rear lens combo by adjusting 3 small screws. The slight change matters!


Maybe! I've seen lots of copies with poor sides / cornders (poorly aligned elements?) or just poor IQ. Problem is, for the casual photographer with no experience of taking things apart, adjusting etc. it would be daunting and so not recommended, in my opinion Smile


PostPosted: Thu Jun 09, 2011 6:16 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I have the Super-Tak 24mm F3.5 which is one of my favourite lenses on for B&W film.
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