Comparison of three lenses on a Leica M8

[pepeguitarra]

I wanted to compare my Tele-Elmarit-M 90/2.8, Chiyoko Super Rokkor 85/2.8 and CV Heliar Classic 75/1.8 to decide whether to sell them all, or keep all of them (after the test, they all seem keepers!). However, you help me decide please. I shot two subjects (1-Bottle on Fountain and 2-YellowRose) at about 5 feet away, Leica M8 camera on a tripod. Here are the shots of the Bottle on Fountain in groups:

Bottle on Fountain @f2.8



Fountain-TeleElmaritM90mm2.8@f2.8-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr



Fountain-SuperRokkor85mm2.8@f2.8-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr



Fountain-CVHeliar75mm1.8@f2.8-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr







BOTTLE ON FOUNTAIN @ f5.6:



Fountain-TeleElmaritM90mm2.8@f5.6-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr




Fountain-SuperRokkor85mm2.8@f5.6-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr




Fountain-CVHeliar75mm1.8@f5.6-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr





HERE ARE SHOTS TAKEN WITH THE CVHELIAR CLASSIC 75/1.8 @F1.8 AND @F2:


Fountain-CVHeliar75mm1.8@f1.8-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr



Fountain-CVHeliar75mm1.8@f2-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr

 

[pepeguitarra]

Here are similar shots of another subject: Yellow Rose

Here are similar shots of another subject: Yellow Rose

@f2.8


YellowRose-TeleElmarit90mmf2.8@f2.8-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr



YellowRose-SuperRokkor85mmf2.8@f2.8-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr



YellowRose-CVHeliar75mmf1.8@f2.8-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr





Here are shots with the CV Heliar Classic at f1.8 and f2:



YellowRose-CVHeliar75mmf1.8@f1.8-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr




YellowRose-CVHeliar75mmf1.8@f2-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr

 

[Scrambler]

They all seem "good enough." If they all have the same role in your photography, chose the one you like using.

I have one 85mm which performs the slightly-longer-lens role. I don't really get tempted to get another because I know I won't use it - I like my existing lens too much.

Which one do you actually take out and use? And if its none of them, it doesn't matter how good they are, they are just paperweights.

 

[pepeguitarra]

I got the Tele Elmarit first, I got the other two recently because of the lower price. I feel very comfortable with the Tele Elmarit. However, the Chiyoko has shown clean colors and some shots I like better. The Heliar is fantastic with portraits.

 

[Scrambler]

I got the Tele Elmarit first, I got the other two recently because of the lower price. I feel very comfortable with the Tele Elmarit. However, the Chiyoko has shown clean colors and some shots I like better. The Heliar is fantastic with portraits.

The reason for buying the cheaper lenses was to sell the Tele-elmarit? Or just because you could afford them?

It sounds like the Heliar is a keeper - you prefer it for portraits over the other 2. Chose whichever of the Rokkor or Tele-elmarit works for you and sell the other. Or sell them both and use the Heliar for everything. It does get you an extra 1 1/3 stops.

 

[peterm1]

I have both a "thin" Tele Elmarit and a CV Heliar 75mm f1.8.

Of the two I definitely prefer the Heliar. It is sharp pretty well from wide open and renders OOF nicely. The T.E. is not a "bad" lens - it certainly can perform when conditions are right and its small - better balanced than the Heliar on an M8 in my view. But it is inclined to flare like all get out which can destroy images if you are not careful. Even with a suitable hood I find its a bit prone to flaring. Also to my way of thinking the overall image render is not quite so nice as the Heliar. For the moment I will keep both (just because I can) but I may consider selling to buy something else as my 90mm. I should add here that I also have a 1960 era Elmarit 90mm and think I prefer it to the T.E.

I have often been tempted to buy a Summicron 90mm but from past experience know I would not really use it as much as I "should" just because of its size and weight. It sure is tempting though - gorgeous glass.

A shot from the Heliar wide open or at f2.


Church by yoyomaoz, on Flickr

Stopped down to probably f5.6 or maybe f8


Victoria Harbour - old and new by yoyomaoz, on Flickr

Also shot wide open


Through a glass darkly 6 by yoyomaoz, on Flickr


Through a glass darkly 3 by yoyomaoz, on Flickr

 

[Rob-F]

The Heliar seems to have much less OOF blur at f/2.8, than the other two. I'd say the TE and the Rokkor have better bokeh.

 

[Scrambler]

The Heliar seems to have much less OOF blur at f/2.8, than the other two. I'd say the TE and the Rokkor have better bokeh.

But then the Heliar opens up another stop-and-a-bit.