The beauty of Sonnar lenses - Post your pictures.

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There is something about Sonnar lenses that are smooth. And I am not speaking necessarily about the bokeh. It is more about the tonal and color gradation that is really beautiful when it is at its best -subtle changes of tone and subtle rendering of color. So much nicer than most latest lens designs which seem to have more "abrupt" rendering. Some old time lens reviews used to talk about "plasticity" of the images so produced. Back then I don't think I fully appreciated what this meant. But today in the time of the internet I have seen - we all have seen - many, many images made with Sonnar lenses. And I now think I at least know it when I see it even if I have trouble describing it in words. Sonnar rendering is smooth as I said and are certainly sharp enough. Though "plasticity" does not allow for the most super-duper levels of sharpness apparently sacrificing this in favor of that smooth rendering. Little wonder there is so much Sonnar love.
 
There is something about Sonnar lenses that are smooth. And I am not speaking necessarily about the bokeh. It is more about the tonal and color gradation that is really beautiful when it is at its best -subtle changes of tone and subtle rendering of color. So much nicer than most latest lens designs which seem to have more "abrupt" rendering. Some old time lens reviews used to talk about "plasticity" of the images so produced. Back then I don't think I fully appreciated what this meant. But today in the time of the internet I have seen - we all have seen - many, many images made with Sonnar lenses. And I now think I at least know it when I see it even if I have trouble describing it in words. Sonnar rendering is smooth as I said and are certainly sharp enough. Though "plasticity" does not allow for the most super-duper levels of sharpness apparently sacrificing this in favor of that smooth rendering. Little wonder there is so much Sonnar love.

Agree with most of this and would add that they sometimes seem to highlight the focused area (Sonnar Glow?) and subtly drop the exposure in OOF areas or at least give that impression.

As far as sharpness I would say that some Sonnars are vert sharp.

90mm Hexanon example

At 200% view

Shawn
 
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