Comparing 35mm Lenses: Would you be interested?

[raid]

Raid, I have a Nikkor 35/1.8 in Nikon RF mount that I use on my Contax bodies. The slight difference in focusing helicals is covered by the DOF of the 35mm lens. If you are interested in expanding the test, I can send you a Bessa R2C camera body in Contax mount with the Nikkor 35/1.8, and a Carl Zeiss 35/2.8 Biogon and 35/3.5 Planar in classic Contax mount. The Bessa works quite well with all of these lenses.

Mark: You are a life saver! This will open up the door for Nikon AND Zeiss optics!
This is great.

We now have twenty lenses as a total for the lens comparisons. Maybe we should soon wrap up the "recruiiting" period. Soon, it will be one roll of film per aperture setting! There is no room for making mistakes here. I hinted to my wife about the upcoming test and the first thing she said was "you will not take over the dining table again by covering it with lenses."

I will find another room.

Raid

We have:

1. Summicron 35mm/2.0 (first version with goggles).
2. Summaron 35mm/3.5.
3. Canon 35mm/1.8.
4. Canon 35mm/2.8.
5. Canon 35mm/2.0 .................................................. ......................... (Mark)
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 .................................... (Ravid)
17. Canon 35mm/3.5 .................................................. ........ (Steve)
18.Nikkor 35mm/1.8..................................................... (Mark)
19. Zeiss 35mm/2.8 Biogon.......................................... (Mark)
20. Zeiss 35mm/3.5 Planar........................................... (Mark)
__________________

 

[raid]

Wow, Raid, this is going to be great to watch. I only have the Canon 28/3.5 & 35/1.8 so I can't contribute in that way. But I am really looking forward to this test. I know so much less about the wides to begin with that it can't help but teach me a great deal.

I have to admit that the "5. Canon 35mm 1.8 vs. 2.0" is one I'll be interested in.

Poor Dana...

Thank you for doing this.

William

William: Your contribution will be following the thread and commenting on the findings. This is what we need mostly to make such testing fun. Duplicates are also welcome to a degree. After a while, things become less manageable.

Raid

 

[ferider]

We are missing a Nokton and a ZM Biogon. Anybody ?

 

[raid]

We are missing a Nokton and a ZM Biogon. Anybody ?

Roland: Mark will send a Biogon. Is there another Biogon type lens? There are two Noktons already volunteered. Is there another Nokton? Maybe you could specifiy which particular lenses you mean. I know less than you about these lenses. Thanks Roland.

Raid

 

[dexdog]

Riad, I think that Roland is referring the new M-Mount Biogon. I am sending you a Biogon in classic Contax RF mount.

 

[ferider]

Correct. The one (ZM 35/2) that x-ray and Joe rave about, among others.
Also the Hexanon 35/2 is used quite frequently and not on the list.

Roland.

 

[bmicklea]

Thanks Raid and all the contributors - this is going to be a fantastic test! Will the results be posted here? I don't want to miss this so I'll subscribe to the thread if this is where the results will be going.

Thanks,

 

[raid]

Riad, I think that Roland is referring the new M-Mount Biogon. I am sending you a Biogon in classic Contax RF mount.

Mark: Shouldn't Biogon design lenses give similar looking results except for maybe the multicoating in newer lenses that may be different from the older lenses?

Raid

 

[dexdog]

Raid, I have no idea if the new ZM 35mm Biogon is the same design as my 1950s version, although I doubt that it would be. Also in addition to coating technology, lens grinding manufacture is a lot more advanced. The ZM lens willl likely blow the doors off my antique lens.

 

[raid]

Mark: Maybe someone will allow us to test such a lens. My heart is with older lenses, though.

Raid

 

[raid]

Thanks Raid and all the contributors - this is going to be a fantastic test! Will the results be posted here? I don't want to miss this so I'll subscribe to the thread if this is where the results will be going.

Thanks,

bmicklea: If doing such testing makes you subscribe here, then we already have good results. Welcome.

Raid

 

[Rico]

... I hinted to my wife about the upcoming test and the first thing she said was "you will not take over the dining table again by covering it with lenses."

I will find another room.

How many scientific discoveries have been delayed or lost by such words! Perhaps Michaelson heard them when describing his latest idea to his wife about measuring the speed of light. Perhaps he was banished to the basement...

​

Ref:

Michelson-Morley Experiment​

 

[raid]

She is a wonderful person, and I sometimes take it too far with photography.

By the way, I am trying to pm all people my mailing address who have expressed interest in participating in the test by sending me a lens or more.
If I have not contacted you, please pm me. Thanks.

Raid

 

[raid]

I will be away from my desk for the coming 8 days, so don't be surprised if I cannot reply to any pm.

Raid

 

[raid]

I am pleased to inform you that now we also will be having a Canon 35mm/1.5 in the upcoming comparison. Mark has kindly volunteered to send me the lens. Thanks!

I should be ready for receiving lenses before the end of the month unless you don't mind sending your lenses earlier.



Raid
1. Summicron 35mm/2.0 (first version with goggles).
2. Summaron 35mm/3.5.
3. Canon 35mm/1.8.
4. Canon 35mm/2.8.
5. Canon 35mm/2.0 .................................................. ......................... (Mark)
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)
17. Canon 35mm/3.5 .................................................. ........ (Steve)
18.Nikkor 35mm/1.8............................................... ...... (Mark)
19. Zeiss 35mm/2.8 Biogon.......................................... (Mark)
20. Zeiss 35mm/3.5 Planar........................................... (Mark)
21. Canon 35mm/1.5 ................................................... (Mark)

 

[raid]

Mark has already mailed me his [several] lenses, and I also have received a lens from Steve [sent by Dean] and a lens by Dave [from Canada]. I am getting psyched up for some serious fun.


1. Canon 35mm/2.0 .................................................. ......................... (Mark)
2. Nikkor 35mm/1.8............................................... ...... (Mark)
3. Zeiss 35mm/2.8 Biogon.......................................... (Mark)
4. Zeiss 35mm/3.5 Planar........................................... (Mark)
5. Canon 35mm/1.5 .................................................. . (Mark
6. Canon 35mm/3.5 .................................................. ........ (Steve)
7. CV 40/1.4 Nokton multi-coated .................................... (Dave)



I suggest that volunteers mail me their lenses starting any day if they want to.
I am over my jet lag and I can see myself "back to work" whenever all lenses have arrived.


Raid

 

[raid]

Leigh is volunteering a Nikkor 35mm/2.5. Thanks!
The lenses marked with "OK" are already with me here.

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)

 

[raid]

Bill is loaning me an Elmar 35mm/3.5 (uncoated). Thanks, Bill.


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)

 

[raid]

The list of volunteered lenses keeps on getting better. Now Huck Finn (Bill) is going to send me a Rollei 40/2.8 and a Zeiss ZM 35/2 Biogon. Now I can compare the older Biogon with the newer ZM Biogon. Also, we can compare the Rollei 40/2.8 to the Summicron-C 40mm/2.0.

I don't think that I have before had such a variety of lenses from so many volunteers.

Thanks Bill.

What would help me in making specific group-wise comparisons if you would suggest specific meaningful and logical grouping. This way, after making tests for all lenses, I could take extra rolls of film for specific groups of lenses for additional information. I will be unable to do a test as extensive as I would be able to do for a few lenses. Here, a Leica M8 [or similar] would have saved money in doing the testing.


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)

 

[dexdog]

The list of volunteered lenses keeps on getting better. Now Huck Finn (Bill) is going to send me a Rollei 40/2.8 and a Zeiss ZM 35/2 Biogon. Now I can compare the older Biogon with the newer ZM Biogon. Also, we can compare the Rollei 40/2.8 to the Summicron-C 40mm/2.0.

I don't think that I have before had such a variety of lenses from so many volunteers.

Thanks Bill.

What would help me in making specific group-wise comparisons if you would suggest specific meaningful and logical grouping. This way, after making tests for all lenses, I could take extra rolls of film for specific groups of lenses for additional information. I will be unable to do a test as extensive as I would be able to do for a few lenses. Here, a Leica M8 [or similar] would have saved money in doing the testing.


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)

Raid, looking over this list, I think that you have forgotten to add the 35/3.5 Nikkor in LTM that I sent you.