Fast Sonnar Clone Shootout - Canon, Jupiter, Nikkor

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goamules

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I don't have the original Zeiss Sonnar, but do have three clones or "Sonnar type" lenses. So I shot them close up and wide open, then F2.0. Next will be wide open at infinity, then finally stopped down a good ways. They are all in extremely good condition; an an early 50s Nikkor 50/1.4, a 1963 Jupiter-3 50/1.5, and an early 50s Canon 50/1.5.

Here they are wide open, in secret order to be disclosed later:

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I'm not going to even try and guess which is which! Of the three, I like the rendering of #2 best, followed closely by #1. Interested to see the results of your other tests (as well as find out which lens is which!)
 
I'll guess N, C, J, but what do I know? I like 2,3,1 in that order, close between 2,3. 1 is a bit harsh for my taste. Look forward to the further tests -thanks.
 
I'm glad you are participating! Here are the same lenses in the same order, at F2.0. You'll notice things definitely changing (sharpness, spherical aberration) but some features are carrying through (color rendering, coma):

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I would have said N, J, C after the wide-open ones, but after F2, I would have said N, C, J. But I'll stick with N, J, C, just so as not to be seen as a ray*j*gun copier.
 
Canon, J3, Nikkor, like the title says. And, I favor the Nikkor (just in case you didn't know 🙂 ). Have the Canon, too.

What version is your Nikkor ? Also, on a crop sensor I assume ? Differences would be more visible full frame.

Thanks for the comparison.
 
ferider said:
Canon, J3, Nikkor, like the title says. And, I favor the Nikkor (just in case you didn't know 🙂 ). Have the Canon, too.

What version is your Nikkor ? Also, on a crop sensor I assume ? Differences would be more visible full frame.

Thanks for the comparison.
Click to expand...

DING...Ding...Ding! We have a winner. Good job, and I think the key is how the Nikkor changes from F1.4 to F2, eh? If you know them.... Mine is a 350xxx Nippon Kogaku Japan. And yeah, we'd be able to tell a lot more on 35mm, but I was using a G1 m4/3.

So the order is:

Canon
Jupiter 3
Nikkor
 
I like to do these comparisons sometimes, because they're less subjective than when we try to describe a lens with words. What is "glow....smooth rendering....the way it draws...etc." Here, as close as I could, are three lenses shot the same way.

I used to not see the difference in 35mm lenses. I shot LF mostly where I can. When someone posts a great picture, then tags the lens used, it's hard to tell how the shot would have looked with a different lens.

What is amazing is that three lenses, ostensibly of the same Sonnar design, look so different. So, what could be different in 3 sonars? The coatings, the accuracy of the ground curves, the thickness of the elements, the types of glass, the type of balsam or cement to glue the elements, the internal reflectivity of the barrel, and more! Even 3 similar designs from 3 different makers are different.
 
JSU said:
My one concern with my soon to arrive Canon 50/1.5 is whether it is optimal @ f1.5 or f2.8? I guess it is a matter of shims in front of the rear group.
Click to expand...

How would we know then in case of the Canon? What shim thickness for f/1.5?

As for Nikkor, I assume they're all optimized for f/1.4, that's the way it is designed for. Right?
 
Very interesting.

I prefer the Nikkor at f/1.4 and the Jupiter at f/2. All 3 lenses seen very sharp in the foreground. My preference is primarily the attributes of the background (though the color cast of the Canon does hurt its appeal slightly).
 
Thank You for curing my GAS for the Nikkor 50/1.4. 🙂
I'll stick with my Jup3, nicest in this test, imho.

What year is the used Jup3?
 
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