| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
iangreenhalgh1
Joined: 18 Mar 2011
Posts: 15679
Expire: 2014-01-07
|
 Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2012 5:38 pm Post subject: Best lenses for infinity shooting, 100-150mm length? |
 |
|
iangreenhalgh1 wrote:
Hi folks
I'm kinda disappointed with the performance of my 135mm lenses for shooting landscapes, and I have some great ones - Hexanon 3.2/135, Hexanon EE 3.5/135, Sonnar 4/135, Topcor RE Auto 3.5/135, Pentacon 2.8/135 etc...
I reckon what I need is a lens that is optimised for infinity performance.
Anyone got any ideas? Large format lens from Rodenstock, Schneider etc? Medium format such as Bronica 150mm, Hasselblad Sonnar 150mm?
_________________
I don't care who designed it, who made it or what country it comes from - I just enjoy using it! |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
ManualFocus-G
Joined: 29 Dec 2008
Posts: 6622
Location: United Kingdom
Expire: 2014-11-24
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2012 5:41 pm Post subject: |
|
|
ManualFocus-G wrote:
Well, I'm aware of one brand of lenses which are apparently optimised for infinity, but you'll shoot me for mentioning their name 
_________________
Graham - Moderator 
Shooter of choice: Fujifilm X-T20 with M42, PB and C/Y lenses
See my Flickr photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/manualfocus-g |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
enzodm
Joined: 11 Sep 2010
Posts: 350
Location: Italy
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2012 5:55 pm Post subject: |
|
|
enzodm wrote:
This is a CZJ Sonnar 135/3.5, crop of a larger image:
_________________
Canon 60D, Tamron 17-50VC, Canon 55-250IS, Sigma 50-150/2.8 plus:
Wide: Mir 20/3.5, Kenlock 24/2.8, Tamron 28/2.5, Yashikor 35/2.8, Mir 37/2.8
Fifties: Voigtländer Color Ultron 50/1.8, Pentacon 50/1.8, Zenitar 50/1.9, Leica Summicron 50/2, CZJ Pancolar 50/2, CZJ Tessar 50/2.8, Industar 50/3.5 , Rikenon 55/1.4, Petri 55/1.8, Helios 58/2
In the middle: Cyclop 85/1.5, Nikon 100/2.8
135s: Tamron 135/2.5, CZJ Sonnar 135/3.5, Jupiter 135/3.5, CZJ Triotar 135/4, Tamron Twin Tele 135-225
Tele: Soligor 200/2.8, Pentax Super Takumar 200/4, Hanimex 400/6.3, Makinon 500/8
Various: Schneider-Kreuznach Componar 135/4.5, Tominon 105/4.5, Vest Pocket Kodak meniscus, Wray Supar 2"/4.5
Sony Nex 6 plus:
Industar 69 28/2.8, Fujian 35/1.7, Rokkor 50/1.4, Jupiter 50/2, Cosmicar 50/2.8, Industar-22 50/3.5, Leitz Elmar 90/4, Canon Serenar 100/4
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
FluffPuppy
Joined: 11 Dec 2011
Posts: 365
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2012 5:56 pm Post subject: Re: Best lenses for infinity shooting, 100-150mm length? |
|
|
FluffPuppy wrote:
| iangreenhalgh1 wrote: |
Hi folks
I'm kinda disappointed with the performance of my 135mm lenses for shooting landscapes, and I have some great ones - Hexanon 3.2/135, Hexanon EE 3.5/135, Sonnar 4/135, Topcor RE Auto 3.5/135, Pentacon 2.8/135 etc...
I reckon what I need is a lens that is optimised for infinity performance.
Anyone got any ideas? Large format lens from Rodenstock, Schneider etc? Medium format such as Bronica 150mm, Hasselblad Sonnar 150mm? |
Huh? Most lenses are calculated at infinity. The exceptions (obviously) are macro lenses. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
luisalegria
Joined: 07 Mar 2008
Posts: 6602
Location: San Francisco, USA
Expire: 2018-01-18
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2012 6:11 pm Post subject: |
|
|
luisalegria wrote:
Are you sure its the lens that's the problem ?
There are issues with infinity shooting that are independent of the optics.
Haze, heat shimmer, etc.
In the old days of aerial photography they always used yellow filters to cut down on haze problems.
_________________
I like Pentax DSLR's, Exaktas, M42 bodies of all kinds, strange and cheap Japanese lenses, and am dabbling in medium format/Speed Graphic work. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Attila
Joined: 24 Feb 2007
Posts: 57865
Location: Hungary
Expire: 2025-11-18
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2012 6:20 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Attila wrote:
| luisalegria wrote: |
Are you sure its the lens that's the problem ?
There are issues with infinity shooting that are independent of the optics.
Haze, heat shimmer, etc.
In the old days of aerial photography they always used yellow filters to cut down on haze problems. |
I think this right answer to Ian, he is living in England, weather is rarely clear enough to quality landscape shoots. Filter perhaps help.
_________________
-------------------------------
Items on sale on Ebay
Sony NEX-7 Carl Zeiss Planar 85mm f1.4, Minolta MD 35mm f1.8, Konica 135mm f2.5, Minolta MD 50mm f1.2, Minolta MD 250mm f5.6, Carl Zeiss Sonnar 180mm f2.8
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ManualFocus-G
Joined: 29 Dec 2008
Posts: 6622
Location: United Kingdom
Expire: 2014-11-24
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2012 6:27 pm Post subject: |
|
|
ManualFocus-G wrote:
+1 for the old Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 135/3.5:
_________________
Graham - Moderator
Shooter of choice: Fujifilm X-T20 with M42, PB and C/Y lenses
See my Flickr photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/manualfocus-g |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
rbelyell
Joined: 13 Oct 2009
Posts: 4269
Location: somewhere in the mountains of central NY
Expire: 2014-01-31
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2012 6:40 pm Post subject: |
|
|
rbelyell wrote:
issue can also be aperture setting. we are in an 'open' aperture shooting craze at the moment. i know ian's a good photographer, so maybe this doesnt apply, but certainly you cant shoot landscapes with 135's at anything near open aperture. i typically use at least f8. in my testing of maybe a dozen lenses for this purpose i notice totally different performance at f8-11 from say 2.8-5.6.
_________________
Epson RD1 + Elmarit 21/2.8; Summarit 50/1.5; Summarit 75/2.5; Elmar-c 90/4; Sankyo Komura 135/2.8, Hektor 135/4.5; Braun Paxina 29 6x6; Photax Boyer Paris; Holga 120 Pano
GREAT STUFF FOR SALE:
Contax T
Hasselblad XPan + 45/4, 90/4
Kodak Retina Reflex IV + full set of Schneider Krueznach lenses
Mercury 2 half frame 35mm
Kodak Pro slr/n
Fuji GM670+100/3.5+65/8!
Praktisix 6x6 medium format + ZeissBiometar 120/2.8
Bessa T 101 Anniversary Edition in Navy Blue
Mamiya Six Folder with Zuiko 75/3.5
Adaptall: Tamron SP 28-85 macro
Cameras: Canon IX
PM for more complete descriptions/pix. All in great shape!
_________________________
'buy me a drink, sing me a song,
take me as i come 'cause i can't stay long' |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
natebarnz
Joined: 14 Jan 2010
Posts: 331
Location: Los Angeles / Tucson
Expire: 2013-01-23
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2012 7:01 pm Post subject: |
|
|
natebarnz wrote:
Planar 100/2 is one of the best landscape infinity lenses I've seen in that range. Sharper than the Planar 85/1.4? Most certainly at least as sharp.
_________________
500D / SPII / FTn / Contax D / 137MA / Contaflex
Contax 28/2 - 35/1.4 - 35/2.8 - 45/2.8 - 50/1.4 - 100/3.5 - 135/2.8
CZJ 20/4 - 35/2.8 - 50/2.8 - 58/2 - 135/3.5
Rokkor PG 58/1.2 - PF 58/1.4 - X 85/1.7
Nikkor S 55/1.2 - H 85/1.8 - P.C. 55/3.5
Helios 44-2 58/2 Meyer Oreston 50/1.8
Elmarit-R 90/2.8 Sears 55/1.4
--> Visit My Picasa Galleries <-- |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
poilu
Joined: 26 Aug 2007
Posts: 10472
Location: Greece
Expire: 2019-08-29
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2012 7:10 pm Post subject: |
|
|
poilu wrote:
after having compared my lenses with the best lens click here, the differences of sharpness are small after F5.6
differences of color & rendering are big, but that doesn't play role for landscape
40D, in random order, Zuiko 135:3.5 - Tak 135:3.4 - Contax 135:2.8 - Leica
on my lcd, it is easy to find the Leica
_________________
T* |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
iangreenhalgh1
Joined: 18 Mar 2011
Posts: 15679
Expire: 2014-01-07
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2012 7:18 pm Post subject: |
|
|
iangreenhalgh1 wrote:
I will have to try a CPL, see if that helps with things. I tend to shoot landscapes at f11 or smaller.
Some shots from yesterday which had not great light to work with and some mist in the distance.
Topcor 5.6/200:
Tokina 4/100:
_________________
I don't care who designed it, who made it or what country it comes from - I just enjoy using it! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
simbon4o
Joined: 19 Dec 2011
Posts: 390
Location: Bulgaria
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2012 7:31 pm Post subject: |
|
|
simbon4o wrote:
From the cheap ones, the CZJ Sonnar 135 3.5 is the winner in terms of sharpness! sonnar 135 4.0 is a little only sharper but if my memory is right - it has some CAs(it's possible the 3.5 version to have the CA I can't remember now).
There was a thread in this forum about 135s, "war of the 135" or something there was 10+ lenses tested to shoot sculptures, opel astra and landscape. Sonnars were the best from the cheap ones.
_________________
10-300мм 4.0 - 1.2 - 4.5  NIKON&Sony bodies / Sony 10-18, Pentax 28 2.8 II, CZJ 35 2.4, Nikkor DX 35 1.8, Samyang 35 1.4, KMZ 50 1.7, FDn 50 1.2 L, Nikkor 55 2.8, Rokkor 58 1.2, Soligor 85 1.8 Preset, Samyang 85 1.4, Canon FDn 85 1.2 L, Tokina AT-X 90 2.5, Canon FDn 135mm 2.0, Nikkor 180 2.8 ED, Tair 300 4.5
________
snimo.net |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bob955i
Joined: 15 Apr 2007
Posts: 2495
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2012 9:11 pm Post subject: |
|
|
bob955i wrote:
| iangreenhalgh1 wrote: |
| I will have to try a CPL, see if that helps with things. I tend to shoot landscapes at f11 or smaller. |
By all means try a PL as under the right conditions it'll give you more punch albeit with a 2 stops or so penalty but I'd be more inclined to go for the old 'f8 and be there' standby. By f11 and smaller, you're heading into diffraction territory and less sharpness.
Costs nothing to try... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
jjphoto
Joined: 17 Mar 2009
Posts: 410
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2012 11:07 pm Post subject: |
|
|
jjphoto wrote:
| bob955i wrote: |
| iangreenhalgh1 wrote: |
| I will have to try a CPL, see if that helps with things. I tend to shoot landscapes at f11 or smaller. |
By all means try a PL as under the right conditions it'll give you more punch albeit with a 2 stops or so penalty but I'd be more inclined to go for the old 'f8 and be there' standby. By f11 and smaller, you're heading into diffraction territory and less sharpness.
Costs nothing to try... |
It's true that a polarising filter can increase contrast and give a punchier image with SLIGHTLY better definition or 'sharpness' in the right circumstances.
Last edited by jjphoto on Sat Mar 30, 2013 11:04 am; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
danfromm
Joined: 04 Sep 2011
Posts: 585
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2012 11:39 pm Post subject: |
|
|
danfromm wrote:
Ian, nearly everyone's first impulse when the results aren't satisfactory is to blame the equipment. I usually blame the photographer, especially when my own shots don't please, but check the gear just to make sure.
So, photographer, did you take the shots you posted handheld or from tripod? Lack of steadiness is a killer.
And, did you check to make sure that the lens is focused where you think is? I ask this because the shots you posted seem soft everywhere, not just a great distance. DoF should make most of the image sharp. And that raises another question. Does any of the lenses in question give you a satisfactorily sharp image at any aperture and distance? Does any of your other lenses give you good image quality on the body you used to take the shots you posted? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
james
Joined: 25 Sep 2009
Posts: 308
Expire: 2011-12-28
|
| Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 12:13 am Post subject: |
|
|
james wrote:
Leica R 180 Telyt APO was created for military use (naval surveillance). It is optimized for infinity; a bit longer than you bargained for but that's exactly what it was designed for. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
iangreenhalgh1
Joined: 18 Mar 2011
Posts: 15679
Expire: 2014-01-07
|
| Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 12:35 am Post subject: |
|
|
iangreenhalgh1 wrote:
I don't think my technique is faulty, I use a tripod and take great care with focussing using the 14x assist on my NEX.
These shots are from yesterday with my Topcon 5.6/200, light was less than ideal.
Tokina 4/100:
_________________
I don't care who designed it, who made it or what country it comes from - I just enjoy using it! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
iangreenhalgh1
Joined: 18 Mar 2011
Posts: 15679
Expire: 2014-01-07
|
| Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 12:44 am Post subject: |
|
|
iangreenhalgh1 wrote:
Here's a couple from today in better light with my Topcor 2.5/135, no PP or resizing, just RAW to JPG conversion in Photoshop CS5.
_________________
I don't care who designed it, who made it or what country it comes from - I just enjoy using it! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
luisalegria
Joined: 07 Mar 2008
Posts: 6602
Location: San Francisco, USA
Expire: 2018-01-18
|
| Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 12:54 am Post subject: |
|
|
luisalegria wrote:
Do you have crops for these ? Its hard to see the problem otherwise.
I can't believe the Topcor lenses are giving bad results.
Let me note again that you have incredible scenery over there.
_________________
I like Pentax DSLR's, Exaktas, M42 bodies of all kinds, strange and cheap Japanese lenses, and am dabbling in medium format/Speed Graphic work. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
iangreenhalgh1
Joined: 18 Mar 2011
Posts: 15679
Expire: 2014-01-07
|
| Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 1:01 am Post subject: |
|
|
iangreenhalgh1 wrote:
Here are crops for you Luis.
_________________
I don't care who designed it, who made it or what country it comes from - I just enjoy using it! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
luisalegria
Joined: 07 Mar 2008
Posts: 6602
Location: San Francisco, USA
Expire: 2018-01-18
|
| Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 1:39 am Post subject: |
|
|
luisalegria wrote:
It looks somewhat like they aren't perfectly focused, but then I can't really see a spot thats in better focus.
What aperture did you use for these ?
_________________
I like Pentax DSLR's, Exaktas, M42 bodies of all kinds, strange and cheap Japanese lenses, and am dabbling in medium format/Speed Graphic work. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
iangreenhalgh1
Joined: 18 Mar 2011
Posts: 15679
Expire: 2014-01-07
|
| Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 1:46 am Post subject: |
|
|
iangreenhalgh1 wrote:
Those were both f22, I should try it at f8, see if it's sharper.
_________________
I don't care who designed it, who made it or what country it comes from - I just enjoy using it! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
IAZA
Joined: 16 Apr 2010
Posts: 2587
Location: Indonesia
|
| Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 1:48 am Post subject: |
|
|
IAZA wrote:
| bob955i wrote: |
By f11 and smaller, you're heading into diffraction territory and less sharpness.
. |
+1 smaller aperture not always sharper. some lenses has sharpest aperture at F8 or even 5,6
How about the adapter? I have experience some lenses not hit infinity due adapter is too thick or to thin.
_________________
nex5, Olympus EPM1, yashica half 14, Canon eos 650 want to see samples of mine? please click My lenses
and My gallery
~Suat~ |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
iangreenhalgh1
Joined: 18 Mar 2011
Posts: 15679
Expire: 2014-01-07
|
| Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 2:41 am Post subject: |
|
|
iangreenhalgh1 wrote:
I am sure the adapter is fine, here is a shot with a Pancolar 1.8/50 at f22 and the lens focused to infinity with the same adapter.
100% crop, unsharpened, no PP:
_________________
I don't care who designed it, who made it or what country it comes from - I just enjoy using it! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
iangreenhalgh1
Joined: 18 Mar 2011
Posts: 15679
Expire: 2014-01-07
|
| Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 3:01 am Post subject: |
|
|
iangreenhalgh1 wrote:
Here are the two panoramas I shot with the Topcor 3.5/135 today:
_________________
I don't care who designed it, who made it or what country it comes from - I just enjoy using it! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
Search
Memberlist
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
