Test of five 50mm LTM lenses

[Gabriel M.A.]

OK, there may be a bit of lens test fatigue, but I finally got one of the rolls back, and I actually kept notes for this one. I've done a few before, but forgot to write down the sequence of the lenses, rendering it nil.

My girlfriend and I went to a restaurant last week, and it was the first warm, sunshiny day in a long time. We were seated by a window, and took the opportunity to shoot away (yes, sometimes I carry a bag full of lenses). I don't have the roll which included the Summilux, and that day I forgot to bring my tabbed 'cron. She has been sick for the past week and a half. So, I know how much it means that she actually let me do this (you know how it is). I am so lucky.

OK, these were all shot with my Bessa-R with Ilford XP2 Super film, available light, hand-held.

The lenses are: Canon 50 f/1.2, Jupiter-8, Summitar, Jupiter-3, Summar edit: added 50mm Z.O. Sonnar f/1.5; all shot wide open.

The Canon 50 is shot twice, once at f/1.2, then at f/2. You may not have trouble figuring out which is the Summar.

 

[John]

I'll take a shot at guessing.

1. Summitar, 2. Canon, 3. J3, 4. Summar, 5. Canon, 6. J8

Hoping to have matched something? Thanks for posting these. 🙂 🙂

 

[Todd.Hanz]

summitar is #6?

Todd

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

I just realized I have a shot with the Zeiss-Opton Sonnar f/1.5 and forgot all about it.

Nope, sorry guys. You do have one right, John.

 

[RayPA]

I think these lens tests might work better if the images were all placed onto a single document, or this would be a good case for supplying inline images. It's hard for me to "retain" the differences between images, particularly from the first image to the last one. 🙂



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[John]

I could have sworn one of those is from a Zeiss Opton Sonnar. 😛 😀 😛

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

I could try, Ray. Perhaps later tonight. I'm starving, and just hovering, waiting for her to come back so we can go out to eat (I don't want to cook tonight).

Oh, btw, the variations in lighting were due to the rapidly changing lighting conditions that day (fast-flying clouds).

 

[jingles_97]

hehe , here is my guess:
1 j3
2 summitar
3. j8
4. summar
5 canon f1.2
6. canon f2

 

[Simon Larbalestier]

I would guess that shots 2 and 3 are the Canon 1.2, shot 2 is with it wide open.
But it's hard to remember them when viewing each one at a time and flicking back and forth.

 

[SteveM(PA)]

Nice test! Well aren't the defined aperture blades in #6 the hallmark of a stopped down lens? It must be the 1.2 at 2.0 then. I never really considered this benefit of the 1.2...that at 2.0 the subject still pops, but you have this great specular definition that the slower lenses can't provide. I think I need one of these lenses.
Wait, I'm completely wrong aren't I 😛
BTW, very nice of your gf for helping out!

 

[Wayne R. Scott]

Here is my SWAG:

1. Canon f2.0
2. J-8
3. J-3
4. Summitar
5. Summar
6. Canon f1.2

Wayne

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

OK, here's one file for those of you that suggested it was difficult to see each file separately...

Notice that it is now six lenses (it's a giveaway now which one that is I guess), for I added the 50mm Zeiss-Opton f/1.5, also in the first post. It's 452 KB.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Steve and Wayne: you are correct about #6!

Nice test! Well aren't the defined aperture blades in #6 the hallmark of a stopped down lens? It must be the 1.2 at 2.0 then. I never really considered this benefit of the 1.2...that at 2.0 the subject still pops, but you have this great specular definition that the slower lenses can't provide. I think I need one of these lenses.
Wait, I'm completely wrong aren't I 😛
BTW, very nice of your gf for helping out!

Thanks, Steve. I was very surprised at how nice it turned out stopped down; however, I don't like how you can literally see the aperture blades in the lights in the background; that's what I miss about my Summarit, that had a completely circular aperture. Oh well.

But very well observed.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Well, I'm going to guess that Lens #5 is the J-3. Less DOF; larger OOF circles; sharp plane of focus; some overcorrection for spherical abberration.

Guess: Picture 3 shot with the Summitar: astigmatism on the OOF circles; but higher contrast than #4.

Guess: Picture 4 is the Summar. Less contrast than #3, and astigmatism on OOF circles.

Well, I hope I at least could find my pride J-3.

And shot #3 is my favorite. BTW, you are a lucky man. Just think how photogenic KIDS would be!

 

[einolu]

3rd and 6th are my favorites! This was a great lens test, good shots. I think all the lenses did great.

*hands out little star stickers to all the lenses*

😉

 

[RayPA]

OK, here's one file for those of you that suggested it was difficult to see each file separately...

Notice that it is now six lenses (it's a giveaway now which one that is I guess), for I added the 50mm Zeiss-Opton f/1.5, also in the first post. It's 452 KB.

Gabriel, thank you for doing this...much easier to see and compare!


🙂

 

[RayPA]

I like the contrast of 1 & 3 (and want to say they are related, but I know nada) and I like the bokeh of 6. I couldn't even begin to guess which is which, but I'm interested in the results. Good test, Gabriel!


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[ray_g]

OK, here's my guess:
1. Opton
2. Summitar
3. J8
4. Summar
5. Canon wide open
6. Canon stopped down
7. J3

Too bad the lux and cron couldn't play.

BTW, I did not realize your Opton Sonnar was an LTM. I thought you were using it with a Contax.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

OK, here's my guess:
1. Opton
2. Summitar
3. J8
4. Summar
5. Canon wide open
6. Canon stopped down
7. J3

Too bad the lux and cron couldn't play.

BTW, I did not realize your Opton Sonnar was an LTM. I thought you were using it with a Contax.

Wow, you're the closest, but off still. I'll let everyone in on the following clues:

a) Ray has two lenses swapped.
b) Brian and Ray are right about the same lens.
c) The J-8 I have has some scratches on the front element.

Also, my Z.O. Sonnar is not LTM, I just had my Contax with me that time. As well as my Leica M6, but that roll isn't back yet. Once I have the frame with the 'lux I'll post the answers.

If the test had been with all the variables controlled, I am sure it would have been easier to pick out; there a few variations (I wasn't exactly at the same distance down to the centimeter, and the light kept on changing).

And I agree, Brian and einolu, #3 and #6 are my favorites too! 🙂

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I missed that the Canon F1.2 was in twice.

Okay so 5 and 6 are the Canon F1.2.

1 is the J3,
7 is the Zeiss-Opton;
4 is the Summar;
2 is the Summitar ;
3 is the J-8