First Results: Test of Fifteen 50mm Lenses

...and here we have three Canon lenses compared (from left to right)

1. Canon 50mm/1.2 @ 2.0
2. Canon 50mm/1.4 @ 2.0
3. Canon 50mm/1.5 @2.0

Let me know if you want me to now identify all lenses for the overall test at 4.0.

Raid
 

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What about comparing the J-3 to the J-8 @ 2.0?

Here is the comparison:

1. J-3
2. J-8

Are such comparisons meaningful/helpful to you?
A good way to see the images side by side is simply to log on twice and to open each time a different photo. Then reduce the image size for viewing so you see both images side by side,

Raid
 

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Raid, I like these smaller comparisons. I get totally overwhelmed by the page with 48 shots on it.
 
Frank: I know. This is why I am now breaking things down into small groups. Note that the "big" color test is given in groups of five lenses each and not 48.

I am offering custom comparisons; you tell me which 2-3 lenses you want compared here! I just try to leave out images where either Dana moved or my eyes were not doing their job 100%.

Regards,

Raid
 
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Now let's take a look at the old Summarit 50mm/1.5, compared at 4.0 to the even older Industrar Rigid 50mm/3.5 and the highly praised Nikon 50mm/2.

(from left to right)

1. Nikon 50mm/2 at 4
2. Summarit 50mm/1.5 at 4
3. Industrar 50mm/3.5 at 4

Don't you love it! I find the "glow"of the Summarit inspiring.
Frank loves this lens for special applications.

Raid
 

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Here is a photo taken with the

1. Zeiss Sonnar at 4.0 and a photo taken with the
2. Summitar at 4.0.

The Zeiss lens does not focus well wide open when using an M adapter with it.


Raid


(left to right)
 

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Let's compare at 1.4-1.5 these three lenses:

1. Canon 50mm/1.2 at 1.4
2. Canon 50mm/1.4 at 1.4
3. Canon 50mm/1.5 at 1.5.

Forgive my focusing ...

(left to right)

Raid
 

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Raid,
Let me also thank you for all this testing. So very helpful and fun for us all. I really am pleased to see the results of the Summitar above as this is the only 50(5cm) lens I happen to own. I've grown to love the different "personalities" of this lens from soft wide open to sharp and contrasty pretty much from f4 on.

Roger
 
Roger: I agree with you that the Summitar can give great results. I bet, it is similar to the J-8.


Raid
 
raid said:
Roger: I agree with you that the Summitar can give great results. I bet, it is similar to the J-8.


Raid
Click to expand...

Yes, I would say so. I've only briefly used a J8 and it was soft wide open, but to my eye not as appealing as the summitar. Closed down I'd say they were comparable. This experience however was in poor lighting as are the majority of the photos I attempt.

Roger
 
like2fiddle said:
I still like that Canon 1.5 better than the other two, but I'd take any of the three Canons.

Roger
Click to expand...


Roger: I have a feeling that unless you quickly buy a Canon 50/1.5, it will only go up in price. In fact, I am looking for a clean example of it myself.

Raid
 
raid said:
Roger: I have a feeling that unless you quickly buy a Canon 50/1.5, it will only go up in price. In fact, I am looking for a clean example of it myself.

Raid
Click to expand...

I think Raid may be right about the Canon 50/1.5 going up in price. I recently bought one and did some simple comparison shots of it against a very clean Nikkor 50/1.4. I was very pleasantly surprised to see what a great job it does. Shared the results with Roland (ferider) who may be putting up a nice comparison webpage showing my shots. (Roland, you out there? Feel free to post the shots anytime.) Anyways, whether the Canon 50/1.5 goes up in price or not, I'm very happy with mine and would highly recommend it to others particularly if you like the Sonnar look. It eliminated my GAS for a much more expensive fast 50.

-Randy
 
Randy: Isn't the J-3 also a Sonnar design 50/1.5 lens? I love mine for sure after Brian Sweeney reshimmed it for me. Thanks Brian.


Raid
 
Gee, I think you guys are probably right about the inflation factor. There aren't alot of the 1.5's around though, or so it seems. I am contemplating putting up one of my M2's for sale, but then again, maybe I should try to sell the cv 40 and put the money towards a Canon 1.5. Yes, that makes more sense at this point. I saved for that second M2 and found a nice example of one freshly CLA'd for a good price. It's in much nicer shape than the one I use every day, which I'd only sell if I had to.
 
Maybe it's the angle, but the flare and loss of detail shows clearly on the top of the sofa (Nikkor > Canon) as well as the area you highlighted Roland.

Great comparison shots. I wouldn't kick either lens out of my bag.

Roger
 
Now this is what I like to see happen here; people add their own test results so that mine get corrected or completed. Either way I am glad.

raid
 
raid said:
Randy: Isn't the J-3 also a Sonnar design 50/1.5 lens? I love mine for sure after Brian Sweeney reshimmed it for me. Thanks Brian.


Raid
Click to expand...

Yes, it's my understanding that it is Raid. That's why I just bought one from Justin Low that was also serviced by Brian. It's on its way to me now and I'm looking forward to comparing it to the Canon 50/1.5.

And thanks, Roland, for putting up the webpage you did of the comparison shots I did. By the way folks, Roland had to guess what aperture I was shooting at on those shots and he guessed right for most, but not all, of them. He'll probably update it when he gets a chance. Anyways, thanks again Roland for putting my simple comparison shots into a nice and helpful format for folks to see. Oh, and I think I moved a bit when focusing that first Nikkor shot of the lamp; I don't really think the Canon is sharper than the Nikkor as one might presume based on the lamp shots.

Yep, Raid, it's great when we can all share our results with each other and motivate each other to do more of the same.

-Randy
 
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ferider said:
Yes, Randy, I will update with the info you gave me when I'm home again. It's a bit tricky from here.

Best,

Roland.
Click to expand...

Thanks, Roland.

Oh, and one more thought for folks looking at the comparison shots I did - these are just Walgreens scans so they aren't the highest resolution.

-Randy
 
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