Just For Fun: M-mount vs. F-mount

[the_jim]

Had a few extra frames remaining on a roll of Pan F+, so I thought I'd set-up an informal test of a few m-mount lenses vs. some f-mount lenses. This was all highly unscientific. Cameras used were a Zeiss Ikon and Nikon FM3a. I attempted to use a tripod, but switching cameras made exact framing a bit tricky. Did my best to focus as accurately as possible. Everythin is wide-open.

Voigtlander Nokton 35mm f/1.2@1.2
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimfischer/6023316942/] nokton1.2@1.2 by jamesfischer, on Flickr[/URL]

Voigtlander Nokton 35mm f/1.4@1.4

nokton1.4@1.4 by jamesfischer, on Flickr

Nikkor Ai-s 35mm f/1.4@1.4
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimfischer/6023331944/] nikkorais1.4@1.4 by jamesfischer, on Flickr[/URL]

 

[the_jim]

Two faster 50's

Jupiter-3 @f/1.5
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimfischer/6023472372/] j-31.5@1.5 by jamesfischer, on Flickr[/URL]

Nikkor Ai-s 50mm f/1.2@1.2
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimfischer/6023510792/] nikkorais1.2@1.2 by jamesfischer, on Flickr[/URL]

 

[the_jim]

Two triplet-type lenses.

Early 50's Red-Scale Elmar 50mm f/3.5@3.5
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimfischer/6023366228/] redscale3.5@3.5 by jamesfischer, on Flickr[/URL]

Early 2000's 45mm f/2.8p@2.8
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimfischer/6022824783/] nikkorais2.8@2.8 by jamesfischer, on Flickr[/URL]

 

[the_jim]

Here are some 100% crops of the 35mm lenses. Left to right is: 1.2 Nokton, 1.4 Nokton, 1.4 Nikkor. It's interesting to see how much veiling flare the Nikon has. Granted it's the oldest design of the three...It and the small Nokton seem to be resolving a bit more than the 1.2 35mm 100% by jamesfischer, on Flickr

 

[the_jim]

Here's a 100% crop of the faster lenses. On the left is is the Jupiter-3, right is the Nikon. Of all the lenses I tested here, the J-3 draws the sharpest and was the cheapest, by far.

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimfischer/6024065178/] Fast 100% by jamesfischer, on Flickr[/URL]

 

[the_jim]

100% crop of the triplets. Left is the Elmar, Right is the Nikkor. Looks like I might have missed the focus a hair on the Nikon. Still, as expected it's much more contrasty.

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimfischer/6024065180/] Triplet 100% by jamesfischer, on Flickr[/URL]

 

[kshapero]

a great job!!!

 

[Joe AC]

Wow. I would have expected better from the Nikkors

 

[the_jim]

I think this goes to show that the J-3 can be absolutely phenomenal. Unfortunately, the word is out on that and now the prices have risen considerably from when I bought mine three years ago.

It's interesting to see that the Nikkors tend to show more veiling flare.