My latest comparison of lenses

raid

raid

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I received today in the mail two G1/G2 Zeiss lenses that have been converted to M mount by a company in Japan. The 45mm/2.0 and the 28mm/2.8 look different from my G1/G2 lenses since the outer shell is not a Contax Zeiss lens shell. The optics are the same.

The first thing that I did was to figure out the lens hood size for the lenses. Both take the 46mm accessories, which may not be the most popular. At least forme,among my several dozen lens hoods, none was in 46mm size. I found a 46mm-52mm adapter,which got me started on the road to put a lens hood on each lens.

[edit: I will this evening post pics of the lenses and their matched competitor lenses].

While I wished I had the latest ZM lenses to use for a comparison with these two lenses, I will instead just use the converted lenses and also shoot side by side with a Summicron-C 40mm/2 and a Summicron rigid 50mm/2 for the 45mm/2 lens, plus I will use a Rokkor-M 28mm/2.8 and a Kobalux 28mm/3.5 to see how images from these two lenses look different from the Biogon 28mm/2.8 G-M lens.


I have the 45mm/2 and the 28mm/2.8 in G1/G2 mount too. Optically, these lenses will be identical to the converted G-M lenses, except maybe for a change in the minimum aperture for one lens.

The lenses arrived in a parcel in which a wooden case with "straw" housed the two lenses. Ken Rockwell sent me the lenses after he completed his testing of them. Thanks to Dirk [JapanExposures] for lending us the lenses.

Ken has already posted his review online on his website, so I will not even try to do any "testing" like he has done. In his review, he praised the optics but he did not find the converted lenses as well made as Leica made lenses.


Tomorrow will be my first day for outdoor photos. I will use the lenses as some of you would do. As usual, your input is very important to steer me in the right directions.
 
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Erik L said:
you are freinds with kenny? i would have never guessed
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Erik,
I don't know Ken (Rockwell) nor have I exchanged emails with him.
I was simply informed by Dirk that I would get the loaner lenses after Ken completed his lens tests.
 
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The two lenses arrived in black. Their shape is similar to the shape of a collapsible lens, such as the Elmar-M. Here are some side by side photos of the lenses.

The 45mm 2.0: The chrome lens is the regular G2 lens, whereas the black lens is the converted lens.

16.jpg
 
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The lenses feel much lighter than a Summicron 50mm/2. The aperture ring sits in the middle of the lens, and thin fingers are needed to easily rotate the aperture ring. The lenses look smaller in size than their corresponding G1/G2 lenses, which is a plus.
 
Hi Al,
The shape is not bad. I dislike the shape of the rigid Heliar, but these two lenses look good to my eyes.

I will tomorrow try to enjoy these lenses on a M6 and M3.
The real advantage is having them in Leica mount [M] and not the G1/G2 mount. Of course, some may prefer using the AF G1 or G2 over the M6 or M3. Focusing should be more precise with the M mount lenses. I like to be able to choose my focus points without having to worry where the G1 focuses.


Another advantage is not to worry about battery need.
 
I have narrowd down my choices to the following match-up lenses for these two G1/G2 lenses. All lenses are proven sharp.

Canon 50mm/1.4 and Summicron-C 40mm/2 for the Zeiss 45mm/2. Most likely, the 45mm lens will be the winner here. Still, I would like to see if everyday photos reveal the finer differences or not. The 50/1.4 and the 40/2 are first class optics, so the challenge is there.

For the Biogon match-up I provide the vintage Rokkor-M 28mm/2.8 and the Kobalux 28mm/3.5. Both lenses are sharp,but the Zeiss G-M Biogon is of a modern make,and most likely it will have the edge here. We'll see.

2x.jpg
 
Good morning people.
The sun is shining beautifully here in Pensacola, and I will be off to the beaches with the family today. I will have controlled photos the coming days where I use a tripod and I will use several lenses for comparison. Today will be a free lance shoot out with the two lenses. I will use Fuji Reala 100.
 
digitalintrigue said:
These are great optics. I'm looking forward to seeing some of the results of the 45 Planar.
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I don't know which frames are visible in the M3 and the M6 when I use these two adapted lenses. Does anyone here know? To be on the safe side, I am using an external finder for the 28mm lens. What frame does the 45mm lens show?
 
i know people often use the 35 for 40mm lenses but i think the 45 would be better (if loose) with the 50mm. absolutely no idea which frame lines it brings up, though.

eta: i think possibly most of the available VF on the M3.
 
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