C-Sonnar, 1936 Sonnar, and Hybrid J-3 at the Udvar hazy.

[Sonnar Brian]

The new ZM C-Sonnar 50mm F1.5 arrived from Popflash yesterday, just in time for a cloudy weekend. Decided to take it to the Udvar Hazy Air and Space museum along with the 1936 5cm F1.5 Uncoated Sonnar that i converted to Leica thread Mount and the Hybrid J-3 made parts. for the latter, I went through 4 different front elements to replace one on a 1955 KMZ, then set the lens in a Black Valdai mount.

I used the M8 for the test, with UV/IR cut filters and hoods on each lens. I use a 1.25x magnifier for focus.

These shots are all hand held, ISO 160, relatively slow shutter speeds. It is not a formal test, more of the rendering of the three Sonnar lenses.

The new Sonnar arrived. It was a cloude weekend, decided to bring the new lens, 1936 Sonnar, and a 1955 KMZ J-3 with the Leica M8 to the Udvar Hazy Air and Space Museum.

First up, the Flying Wing built by Northrop at about the same time Zeiss was making my Sonnar.

C-Sonnar, F1.5.

1936 Uncoated 5cm f1.5 Sonnar,

And my KMZ J-3, made from parts. Means I went through 4front elements ro get it this sharp.

On the J-3, "she may not look like much, but I've made some special modifications. She'll do a Parsec in 50lp/mm"

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Mig 15. Focus is on the Gun camera above and to the left. I figured KMZ probably made the lens in it, like my J-3.

C-Sonnar, F1.5

100% crop

the 1936 Sonnar.

and the Hybrid J-3:

 

[Sonnar Brian]

F-86 Sabre.

Note: I was farther back with the C-Sonnar shot, took a set with each lens and changes lenses then repeated the set.
c-Sonnar, at F1.5.

1936 Sonnar, F1.5

and the 1955 KMZ, also about as old as this plane.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

The P80 "Shooting star" is great for flare tests. "OOOhhhh, Shiny Thing"

C-Sonnar, at F1.5

1936 Sonnar:

And the KMZ J-3:

 

[dexdog]

Fun field test, Brian. Of course the newer lenses are better in all aspects performers, but I find the performance of the 1936 uncoated lens to be surprisingly good. Except for loss of contrast, it holds its own against the other two.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

The 1930's Sonnars just amaze me. Uncoated optics, fast, and sharp.

I really like the C-Sonnar, and the higher contrast is the main difference between it and prior generations. the Sonnar signature is faithfully recreated.

Next round I'll pull out the 1943 Sonnar "T". But the Hybrid J-3.... is now the lens known as "Brian's J-3"...

Just to add, all shots with the M8 in RAW mode, and all DNG files batch converted to JPEG with LR3.3.1. No profiles/post processing applied except to resize and crop.

 

[MCTuomey]

really enjoyed the comparisons, brian. thanks for all the work. makes me want to pick up an uncoated sonnar.

 

[Pikapig]

Im so tempted to pick a J-3 up as well...but most of which comes with free scratches and cleaning stain...and in comparison with my vc 50mm f1.5, which i am quite satisfied with...im unsure if i got a j-3, will it ended up in my dry cabinet.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Two Sonnars in one week.

I could not resist this one.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...T5lXzEY%3D&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWNX:IT

It looks like a very early Sonnar "T" 5cm F1.5, a SN255xxxx.

Will be interesting to take this one apart, I'm betting that it is in heavier brass compared with the wartime lenses.

 

[ray*j*gun]

Brian, what will you do with the camera body?

 

[porktaco]

while i love the way the modern sonnar looks on the shooting star (i really need to visit this museum...), i am pretty astonished at how good the 30's lens is. dang.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Brian, what will you do with the camera body?

The Contax III now has a Post-War CZJ 5cm F1.5 on it. The post-war lens cannot be converted using a J-3 mount, the rear is too big. And- the Meter works on the Contax III, it must have been serviced recently. It's loaded with Kodacolor 400 now.