Comparison of MS-MODE-S Dual Mount 50/1.3 and Millennium 50/1.4

[Captain]

Jon, Can we expect a similar comparison with the Sonnar S when it arrives? You dont have a Heliar S handy as well? 😉

 

[jonmanjiro]

Jon, Can we expect a similar comparison with the Sonnar S when it arrives? You dont have a Heliar S handy as well? 😉

Yes. I'm looking forward to comparing the Sonnar S with the Millennium, as well as learning how to shoot it. It should go on sale in a month or so. I don't have a Heliar S, but if there is a kind sole out there who can loan me one (wink, wink) just let me know!

 

[Sonnar2]

The same shots taken at f2.8 and f5.6 show almost no difference in sharpness at the centre.

A lot of fine contrast for the Millenium Nikkor here, less contrast but quite the same sharpness for the MS-MODE-S. Warmer color, more pleasent look for my feeling. Smoother background for the MS-MODE-S (again, typical for a less corrected lens).

Many, if not most excellent lenses showing great sharpness in the center wide open. It's the edge sharpness, and contrast which enhances when stopped-down.

Maybe the MS-MODE-S is the fastest portait lens available in the world. But I wouldn't sell my Nikkor-S 50/1.4 either, even if it failed your tests at infinity (the MS-MODE-S probably will fail even worse here). It wasn't just calculated for that. It was a "special" lens whereas the Nikkor-H 50/2 was for "allround" usage. The designer of the 50/1.4 kept in mind Capa's "IIf your pictures aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough”...

 

[jonmanjiro]

Actually, as I mentioned in post#17 the MS-MODE-S performed significantly better at infinity (including in the corners) than the vintage Nikkor-S I tested. I don't think that my vintage Nikkor-S was a particularly good sample though.

 

[Captain]

I don't have a Heliar S, but if there is a kind sole out there who can loan me one (wink, wink) just let me know!

I do happen to have one as a matter of fact 😉

 

[Hacker]

Many, if not most excellent lenses showing great sharpness in the center wide open. It's the edge sharpness, and contrast which enhances when stopped-down.

The last set of pictures (reposted for awilder) show CA with the Nikkor in the center?

 

[xayraa33]

Wow, this thread really shows what a great lens that Millenium Nikkor is.

 

[Hacker]

According to literature I've read about the MS-MODE-S 50/1.3, it was designed to be its sharpest at 3 metres, while sacrificing a little sharpness at minimum focus. The next series of shots show the centre and edge sharpness at 3 metres.

Must have missed this. At minimum distance, it is soft, but not terribly soft.

 

[jonmanjiro]

Lovely photo, Stephen! Looks like the MS-MODE-S is plenty sharp enough wide open for portraits. And focus with the LTM mount looks accurate as well.

I wonder if the front focus I saw with the MS-MODE-S was due to the S-mount adapter??? Have you tried shooting with the S-mount adapter too?

 

[Hacker]

Lovely photo, Stephen! Looks like the MS-MODE-S is plenty sharp enough wide open for portraits. And focus with the LTM mount looks accurate as well.

I wonder if the front focus I saw with the MS-MODE-S was due to the S-mount adapter??? Have you tried shooting with the S-mount adapter too?

I did not try the S-mount adapter as I have tightened the adapter and MS adapter pretty tighly. I do not have a Nikon RF, so I have to make do with the LTM one for now.

I noticed that the rendering of the OOF is extremely pleasant, and the contrast is medium, without being overly pastel. This lens feels like a Sonnar on steroids.

 

[Hacker]

Some more samples:

#1: f1.3 at minimum focusing distance of about 1m

#2: f5.6

#3: f1.3 at minimum focusing distance of about 1m

 

[jonmanjiro]

Bump for Kiu 😀

 

[Hacker]

 

[bennyng]

The images from the Nikkor seems to be better. Still, it's nice to own a piece of rare glass I suppose.

Cheers,

 

[Hacker]

Art is very subjective, and that is why we need multiple lenses.

 

[bennyng]

...that is why we need multiple lenses.

Ain't that the truth! 😀

 

[jonmanjiro]

Bump for current Sonnar discussion in Optics and Lenses forum.

 

[axiom]

Good bump
MS-MODE-S is better IMO

 

[jonmanjiro]

Good bump
MS-MODE-S is better IMO

Very nice OOF rendering with the MS-MODE-S, but the field curvature is so bad that its performance is pretty average in most cases. That's what I found but YMMV.

 

[NIKON KIU]

I really enjoy these kinda threads, it gives me the extra ability to spread GAS. 😀

Here is one offered on Yahoo Japan Auctions, starting bid is 100,000 yen
http://page4.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/d97248589

Kiu