Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2020 8:23 am Post subject: Yet another old zoom: Benoist-Berthiot Variastar 80-105 |
|
|
alex ph wrote:
I've got another old projector zoom which is Benoist-Berthiot Variastar 80-105mm. It comes from Sodisfom, one of French machines which looks quite a bit like many Germans from the 1960s (Leitz, Leisegang and some others), an all-metal model with a large radiator bar. The lens has a more modern aspect than Zoom Decar 85-150 some of you didn't appreciate, as for its IQ. No "starwars" style, and the construction is a metal-plastic hybrid.
As compared to Zoom Decar, the Variastar has a better sharpness and IQ across the field. It has a good general contrast and a low microcintrast. That makes it render BW in a pretty nostalgic way. I've already tried a fix length projector lens from Benoist Berthiot, and appreciated its cinematographic rendering. The zoom has something similar with that.
Here are some samples taken with Sony APS-C, at extremes focal ends, with colours and contrast boosted:
#1 Long end
#2 Wide end
#3 Wide end, showing how it bears contrast light
#4 Conversion into BW
#5 Another BW sample
|