Comparing 35mm Lenses: Would you be interested?

Mark: Thanks! I will update the list right now.
Do you have suggestions on groups of lenses or pairs that "must" be compared?

Greetings,

Raid

1. Summicron 35mm/2.0 (first version with goggles). OK
2. Summaron 35mm/3.5. OK
3. Canon 35mm/1.8. OK
4. Canon 35mm/2.8. OK
5. Canon 35mm/2.0 .................................................. ......................... (Mark) OK
6. J-12 .................................................. ...........................................(Robin)
7. CV Color Skopar .................................................. ..........................(Robin)
8. Summicron 35mm/2.0 Version 3 .................................................. .....(Rico)
9. CV 35mm/1.7 .................................................. ................................. (Alan)
10. Summaron 35mm/2.8 .................................................. ...........(Roger)
11. CV 35/2.5 PII .................................................. ..................... (Roland)
12. Leica 35/1.4 ASPH (current model) ........................................ (Fred)
13. Summicron-C 40mm/2.0
14. M Rokkor 40mm/2 .................................................. .................... (Roland)
15. CV 40/1.4 Nokton single coated................................ ............... (Fred)
16. CV 40/1.4 Nokton multi-coated .................................... (Dave) OK
17. Canon 35mm/3.5 .................................................. ........ (Steve) OK
18. Nikkor 35mm/1.8............................................... ...... (Mark) OK
19. Zeiss 35mm/2.8 Biogon.......................................... (Mark) OK
20. Zeiss 35mm/3.5 Planar........................................... (Mark) OK
21. Canon 35mm/1.5 .................................................. . (Mark) OK
22. Nikkor 35mm/2.5 ................................................. (Leigh)
23. Elmar 35mm/3.5 ............................................... (Bill)
24. 35mm/2.0 Biogon ZM .............................. (Huck Finn)
25. Rollei 40mm/2.8 ..................................... (Huck Finn)
26. Nikkor 35mm/3.5 ..................................... (Mark) OK
__________________
 
raid said:
Mark: Thanks! I will update the list right now.
Do you have suggestions on groups of lenses or pairs that "must" be compared?

Greetings,

Raid
Click to expand...

Raid, my suggestion would be to do an initial comparison of lenses of like vintage and focal length- one such group would be the fast 35s from the 50s, such as the Canon 1.5, 1.8 and 2.0, Nikkor 35/1.8, the oldest 35 summicron, etc.

Then I would probably have some fun comparing the lenses judged to be the best performers among the vintage lenses against modern lenses.

Lastly, I would test newer lenses such as the CV 35s and newer summicrons, such as the ASPH version.
 
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I would love to see your comparison. I only have two 35mm's, a Canon 35 f3.5 Senenar and a 35mm (brand new) Pentax. I wish I could offer to send you my RF 35, but I'm going to be using it a lot as I just had Sherry clean it. The first roll was great, you can't believe the difference.
 
charjohncarter said:
I would love to see your comparison. I only have two 35mm's, a Canon 35 f3.5 Senenar and a 35mm (brand new) Pentax. I wish I could offer to send you my RF 35, but I'm going to be using it a lot as I just had Sherry clean it. The first roll was great, you can't believe the difference.
Click to expand...

The Pentax would have added a new element to the comparisons.
Was the cost manageable?
I would send her or DAG the Summaron 35/3.5 and the Canon 35mm/2.8 maybe.

Raid
 
Update: Leigh's Nikkor 35mm/2.5 arrived today. Thanks Leigh!


Raid

1. Summicron 35mm/2.0 (first version with goggles). OK
2. Summaron 35mm/3.5. OK
3. Canon 35mm/1.8. OK
4. Canon 35mm/2.8. OK
5. Canon 35mm/2.0 .................................................. ......................... (Mark) OK
6. J-12 .................................................. ...........................................(Robin)
7. CV Color Skopar .................................................. ..........................(Robin)
8. Summicron 35mm/2.0 Version 3 .................................................. .....(Rico)
9. CV 35mm/1.7 .................................................. ................................. (Alan)
10. Summaron 35mm/2.8 .................................................. ...........(Roger)
11. CV 35/2.5 PII .................................................. ..................... (Roland)
12. Leica 35/1.4 ASPH (current model) ........................................ (Fred)
13. Summicron-C 40mm/2.0
14. M Rokkor 40mm/2 .................................................. .................... (Roland)
15. CV 40/1.4 Nokton single coated................................ ............... (Fred)

16. CV 40/1.4 Nokton multi-coated .................................... (Dave) OK
17. Canon 35mm/3.5 ........................... ........ (Steve) OK
18. Nikkor 35mm/1.8............................................... ...... (Mark) OK
19. Zeiss 35mm/2.8 Biogon.......................................... (Mark) OK
20. Zeiss 35mm/3.5 Planar........................................... (Mark) OK
21. Canon 35mm/1.5 .................................................. . (Mark) OK
22. Nikkor 35mm/2.5 ................................................. (Leigh) OK
23. Elmar 35mm/3.5 ............................................... (Bill)
24. 35mm/2.0 Biogon ZM .............................. (Huck Finn)
25. Rollei 40mm/2.8 ..................................... (Huck Finn)
26. Nikkor 35mm/3.5 ..................................... (Mark) OK
__________________
 
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Update: I met with Robin today, and he gave me two lenses. It was nice to meet Robin.

Three other RF members alerted me to the fact that they had just mailed me their lenses. Thanks!

Thanks.

Raid

1. Summicron 35mm/2.0 (first version with goggles). OK
2. Summaron 35mm/3.5. OK
3. Canon 35mm/1.8. OK
4. Canon 35mm/2.8. OK
5. Canon 35mm/2.0 .................................................. ......................... (Mark) OK
6. J-12 .................................................. ...........................................(Robin) OK
7. CV Color Skopar .................................................. ..........................(Robin) OK
8. Summicron 35mm/2.0 Version 3 .................................. .....(Rico)
9. CV 35mm/1.7 .................................................. ................................. (Alan)
10. Summaron 35mm/2.8 .................................................. ...........(Roger)
11. CV 35/2.5 PII .................................................. ..................... (Roland)
12. Leica 35/1.4 ASPH (current model) ........................................ (Fred)
13. Summicron-C 40mm/2.0
14. M Rokkor 40mm/2 .................................................. .................... (Roland)
15. CV 40/1.4 Nokton single coated................................ ............... (Fred)
16. CV 40/1.4 Nokton multi-coated .................................... (Dave) OK
17. Canon 35mm/3.5 ........................... ........ (Steve) OK
18. Nikkor 35mm/1.8............................................... ...... (Mark) OK
19. Zeiss 35mm/2.8 Biogon.......................................... (Mark) OK
20. Zeiss 35mm/3.5 Planar........................................... (Mark) OK
21. Canon 35mm/1.5 .................................................. . (Mark) OK
22. Nikkor 35mm/2.5 ................................................. (Leigh) OK
23. Elmar 35mm/3.5 ..................... (Bill)
24. 35mm/2.0 Biogon ZM .............................. (Huck Finn)
25. Rollei 40mm/2.8 ..................................... (Huck Finn)
26. Nikkor 35mm/3.5 ..................................... (Mark) OK
 
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Lenses would be used as fancy paper weights!

Anyway, here is an update on the lenses:

1. Roland will send me a Rokkor for the CLE now and not the CL, which is a relatively rare lens.
2. I received a parcel from :

a. Alan (CA)
b. Bill (FL)



I was out of town for 3 days, so I am behind a few things. There is a FEDEX note to pick up a parcel. I will do this on Monday.

Thanks to all!



Raid

Updated List:

1. Summicron 35mm/2.0 (first version with goggles). OK
2. Summaron 35mm/3.5. OK
3. Canon 35mm/1.8. OK
4. Canon 35mm/2.8. OK
5. Canon 35mm/2.0 .................................................. ......................... (Mark) OK
6. J-12 .................................................. ...........................................(Robin) OK
7. CV Color Skopar .................................................. ..........................(Robin) OK
8. Summicron 35mm/2.0 Version 3 .................................. .....(Rico)
9. CV 35mm/1.7 .................................................. ................................. (Alan) OK
10. Summaron 35mm/2.8 .................................................. ...........(Roger)
11. CV 35/2.5 PII .................................................. ..................... (Roland)
12. Leica 35/1.4 ASPH (current model) ........................................ (Fred)
13. Summicron-C 40mm/2.0
14. M Rokkor 40mm/2 .................................................. .................... (Roland)
15. CV 40/1.4 Nokton single coated................................ ............... (Fred)
16. CV 40/1.4 Nokton multi-coated .................................... (Dave) OK
17. Canon 35mm/3.5 ........................... ........ (Steve) OK
18. Nikkor 35mm/1.8............................................... ...... (Mark) OK
19. Zeiss 35mm/2.8 Biogon.......................................... (Mark) OK
20. Zeiss 35mm/3.5 Planar........................................... (Mark) OK
21. Canon 35mm/1.5 .................................................. . (Mark) OK
22. Nikkor 35mm/2.5 ................................................. (Leigh) OK
23. Elmar 35mm/3.5 ..................... (Bill) OK
24. 35mm/2.0 Biogon ZM .............................. (Huck Finn)
25. Rollei 40mm/2.8 ..................................... (Huck Finn)
26. Nikkor 35mm/3.5 ..................................... (Mark) OK
 
Today, while on the plane back to Pensacola, I was thinking about how to execute the lens testing. There are several issues involved, and the most important is the lens match-up.
One way is to group lenses by max aperture. Here, we have two groups:

Slower than F2.0 (13 lenses)
Canon 35mm/2.8 2.8 4.0
J-12 35mm/2.8 2.8 4.0
CV Color Skopar 35mm/2.8 2.8 4.0
Summaron 35mm/2.8 2.8 4.0
CV 35/2.5 PII 2.8 4.0
Zeiss 35mm/2.8 Biogon 2.8 4.0
Nikkor 35mm/2.5 2.8 4.0
Rollei 40mm/2.8 2.8 4.0
Nikkor 35mm/3.5 4.0
Summaron 35mm/3.5 4.0
Canon 35mm/3.5 4.0
Zeiss 35mm/3.5 Planar 4.0
Elmar 35mm/3.5 4.0

Total: 25 photos x 3=75 (one focus test and two portrait tests)


F 2.0 and Faster (13 lenses)
Leica 35/1.4 ASPH (current model) 1.4 2.0 2.8 4.0
Canon 35mm/1.5 1.5 2.0 2.8 4.0
Summicron 35mm/2.0 Version 3 1.4 2.0 2.8 4.0
CV 40/1.4 Nokton single coated 1.4 2.0 2.8 4.0
CV 40/1.4 Nokton multi-coated 1.4 2.0 2.8 4.0
Canon 35mm/1.8 2.0 2.8 4.0
CV 35mm/1.7 2.0 2.8 4.0
Nikkor 35mm/1.8 2.0 2.8 4.0
35mm/2.0 Biogon ZM 2.0 2.8 4.0
Summicron 35mm/2.0 2.0 2.8 4.0
Canon 35mm/2.0 2.0 2.8 4.0
Summicron-C 40mm/2.0 2.0 2.8 4.0
M Rokkor 40mm/2 2.0 2.8 4.0

Total: 44 photos x 3 = 132 (one focus test and two portrait tests)

A follow-up testing could be focusing on lenses by brand:


Canon Lenses:
Canon 35mm/1.5
Canon 35mm/1.8
Canon 35mm/2.0
Canon 35mm/2.8
Canon 35mm/3.5

CV Lenses:
CV Color Skopar 35mm/2.8
CV 35/2.5 PII
CV 40/1.4 Nokton single coated
CV 40/1.4 Nokton multi-coated
CV 35mm/1.7

Leica Lenses:
Leica 35/1.4 ASPH (current model)
Summaron 35mm/2.8
Summaron 35mm/3.5
Elmar 35mm/3.5
Leica 35/1.4 ASPH (current model)
Summicron 35mm/2.0 Version 3
Summicron 35mm/2.0 first version
Summicron-C 40mm/2.0


Nikon Lenses:
Nikkor 35mm/1.8
Nikkor 35mm/2.5
Nikkor 35mm/3.5


Other Lenses:
J-12 35mm/2.8
35mm/2.0 Biogon ZM
Zeiss 35mm/2.8 Biog
Rollei 40mm/2.8
M Rokkor 40mm/2



The tests themselves will most likely include:

1. Focus Test, which also shows bokeh and flare.
2. Portrait Test (B&W).
3. Portrait Test (Color)


Let me know if you have suggestions on how to minimize the number of required photos while still capturing the most interesting information. Any tips will help.

I am still not favoring the use of slide film due to the time delay to develop E6 film, plus the extra work needed and the cost too. Maybe someone can explain why using slide film is absolutely necssary here.


Raid
 
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Raid, for this test, I'd consider C41 to be more than acceptable. The real issue with these films is how saturated do you want to shoot? Personally I'd say go find a bunch of cheap Fuji Supermarket, er, Superia for this test.

Other than that, the methodology seems a whole lot better than anything my scrambled brain could come up with 🙂 Looking forward to the pics,

William
 
Mark and Wiliam: I will then use some C-41 film for practical purposes. A quick turn around time is also important. I am glad that both of you think of the planned methodology as sound. With that many lenses, there is no room for error. Typically, one roll of film is needed to handle one aperture setting for all lenses.

I went back to my earlier test results for 50mm lenses, and I got some ideas for the set-up. In the color film results taken with window light, Dana looks very sharp in almost all photos, except the Summarit which seems to have "problems". The sharpness is stunning with most 50mm lenses. Many photos could be enlarged as portraits. The trick will be to keep Dana still for a long time, b ut the window light portraits always look great, and this would allow RFF members on limited budgets to see how well/bad the less expensive lenses can perform.

Ref: http://photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=670650


The focus test takes up film and time, and I wonder if I really needto go through it [again]. What do you think? It is amazing the there are sometimes over 1000-2500 views of such images.


Ref: http://photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=669440


An earlier test used outdoors photos. Color film shows the color warmness of the lenses. Clearly, in that test we had some winners and one loser which was defective.

Ref: http://photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=585097

Then I tried out the "dark room" setting with one lamp. It took me forever to find a focus point. My eyes were strained!


Ref: http://photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=679553


The set-ups above were mainly what I used in the past. I will maybe use some of those again. It would be easier for me not to include a person in the photos, but I think that people get a better idea about lens performance in real life situations and about howa person will look like when I use a person.


What do you think about possibilities I have not tried out yet?


Raid
 
Good process, Raid, lots of work ahead, thanks for doing this.

I would skip the focus tests, though. Not so important for 35mm IMO,
I have never had a 35mm that misfocuses (several 50s and short teles
though). Unless you go to very short distances, the DOF window
is wide enough.

Would be nice to have some landscapes instead, this is what I use
my 35/40mm lenses for and many RFFers use 35mm for street ...

Also, like many of us you have an XA, would be great to add some
comparison shots ...

Best,

Roland.
 
ferider said:
Good process, Raid, lots of work ahead, thanks for doing this.

I would skip the focus tests, though. Not so important for 35mm IMO,
I have never had a 35mm that misfocuses (several 50s and short teles
though). Unless you go to very short distances, the DOF window
is wide enough.

Would be nice to have some landscapes instead, this is what I use
my 35/40mm lenses for and many RFFers use 35mm for street ...

Also, like many of us you have an XA, would be great to add some
comparison shots ...

Best,

Roland.
Click to expand...

Hi Roland,

I will skip the focus test since this would be a time and effort that I can use for outdoors photos. I am always worried about the lenses sent to me, so I will limit the photos to backyard photos. Comparison shots with another camera are not a problem. Is the XA a "best choice" here? I have the XA, but also have other fixed lens cameras, such as the Minox GT, the Contax T2, the Konica S2, S3 and the II, and the Yashica.

Raid
 
raid said:
Hi Roland,

I will skip the focus test since this would be a time and effort that I can use for outdoors photos. I am always worried about the lenses sent to me, so I will limit the photos to backyard photos. Comparison shots with another camera are not a problem. Is the XA a "best choice" here? I have the XA, but also have other fixed lens cameras, such as the Minox GT, the Contax T2, the Konica S2, S3 and the II, and the Yashica.

Raid
Click to expand...

The XA is best choice for me, but I'm selfish 🙂

I would guess the Yashica and T2 are very popular as well.

Roland.
 
a small suggestion if I may. Include lens price in your description of each lens. Current EX+ for lenses that are no longer available new should suffice. This test will become a great archive and this information will help future readers use it to make purchasing decisions.

Cheers.
 
Hi Michel,

The test results are open access files for everyone to use. If someone wants to make it a pricing guide, feel free to work on it. I will focus on lens performance overall.

I am surprised that the earlier and current lens tests done by several people are not being archived as a sticky image library for members to use.


Raid
 
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