The lens test i wanted to see

[pedro.m.reis]

Hi ppl.

For a long time know i wanted to see another kind of lens test. I just love the tests some members are doing/done but almost every time they are using lens/cameras way too expensive to me 🙂.
What about a poor man test ? 🙂
Many times i see people sayng that that canonet QL 17 has wonderfull lens, that yashica electro is "sharp" or that the Olymps SP/RC/XA are the best around...
But, how do realy they compare to the "big" brothers (Leica, contax, etc)?
Or among themselves?

Just a though.

 

[Davor]

That would be quite interesting. I agree!

 

[Trius]

I'm up for it! I would think a local/area RFF meet-up would be a good chance to do this. While some members have a variety of RFs, no one probably has them "all" or has the time to do it. It would take a couple of standardized compositions, the same film/processing, etc. Not simple to coordinate, but I think it would be fun!

 

[Xmas]

Pedro

A J8 on a Fed or Kiev, must be the most lines per inch for the $. The premium for a pre 72 kiev with nice leather and chrome is not too big, the 35mm and 85mm are not too expensive. You may need screwdrivers and zippo...

Noel

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

It would be fun.

We should remember to use the same background and conditions. Frequently I see tests where one lens is tested against a benign background, while another lens is subject to the bokeh killer ... tree leaves in the background. It has to be standardized to be fair 🙂

 

[raid]

The only drawback to such a test is the need to take an entire roll per camera.
If you compare ten cameras, you then need ten rolls of film plus development and scanning.

Raid

 

[dmr]

Are there any standardized test targets that can be printed out on a reasonably decent laser or inkjet printer?

I know that this is not ideal, but it would allow at least some kind of a test where all of the cameras don't have to be in the same place at the same time. I would be interested in comparing the GIII and the Mamiya SD, for example.

 

[raid]

Yes, there are such targets available, and teamwork could be used to get the testing done at several locations. Still, it would be difficult to reproduce identical light situations and use identical batches of film and so on. If the goal is limited to comparing the overall rendition of a scene, then it is possible.

Raid

 

[40oz]

The only drawback to such a test is the need to take an entire roll per camera.
Raid

Not a big deal if you roll your own.

Presumably, however, people could simply use the compact rangefinder they have to shoot a scene, then use another camera/lens in their collection to do the same scene at the same settings. Post both sets of pics, and everyone can see how your Canonet compares to your J8. They can compare someone else's Olympus 35 to that person's J8 or whatever. Not perfect, but certainly possible to make relative judgements.

Of course, this assumes a reliable metering system and requires people to use a decent example of whatever "control" lens, ideally one that others might be familiar with, such as the most common 50's. It would make no sense to use a lens known for being soft, or an obviously aberrant example of a particular lens.

To make this work, all that would really be needed is for people to take a couple shots: wide open and stopped down to say F8. Typical scenes like the mythical brick wall or other regular pattern, human face with out of focus highlights in the background, and perhaps "landscape/cityscape." Use apertures appropriate to the scene - wide open for the portrait, stopped down for the other two. That way everyone would be able to shoot the same kinds of scenes. Six shots total.

As long as there is a "control" image for reference, the relative merits of each individual's samples should be apparent. Variation between samples would obviously prevent this from becoming scientific, but close enough for government work, so to speak 🙂

 

[Trius]

40oz: Those control factors are exactly when I suggested doing it at a gathering. Plus, there's no problem with filling out a roll at such an event. Folks are shooting away at each other, pitchers of focusing fluid, etc., so nearly all films get completed in any event.

 

[Pherdinand]

I have not done a scientific "test" on them, only a "field test" but here's what I can contribute:

The Rokkor 45/1.7 on the Minolta Hi-matic 9 (and some other hi-matics) is an excellent lens - very sharp even wide open, and very good colours. Also the bokeh is pleasant in the shots I took with the machine. It's a better lens than the color yashinon on the GSN or on the Electro35 CC or the lens on the Canonet QL17 GIII.
The 35/1.8 lens on the yashica electro35 CC is surprisingly good and flare resistant, i think is a tad better as to sharpness, than the lens on the canonet.
The canonet's and the GSN's lens are about the same in my experience.

 

[raid]

I have done side by side photography with a Minox GT and a Rolleiflex camera with Zeiss lens, and when printed on first class paper (Kodak Royal) in Germany, I was unable to tell the difference. When getting prints in the USA, the Minox looks less sharp.

Raid

 

[dmr]

Yes, there are such targets available,

Any pointers to where things like this might be available?

Or, I wonder if back issues of things like Popular Photography and Modern Photography might have test reports on these cameras back when they were new?

 

[pedro.m.reis]

What about this?

What about this?

Maybe the test could be done in team efford and using standard conditions and target.
If i'm saying anything that makes no sense please tell me, i've never done nothing like this.
Here what i think:
1 - Among the most knowlage members a "target" test is chosen. Like some pdf picture everyone can download from someware and print at home;
2 - The test conditions must also be standard: distance to the target(s), angle, etc. For the bokeh i dont realy know how to make a standard test condition 🙂.
3 - Film, process and scan i realy sugest some c-41 and standard minilab scan...
4 - Light, well, i dont know how to make it the same.... sugestions?

If several members test 2 or 3 different camera/lens we may get a global test that says something, or not...

I can test a GSN, Canonet and a Lynx 14 (with bad front element 🙄).

For this to work, someone must explain how a test like this must be done, like a roadmap, since i dont have a clue other than a test is about shooting at diferent apertures 🙂

In the end we can even get some important scientif results like a canonet in north america is sharper than a GSN in europe but not sharper than a GSN in latin america, and then everyone knows what cameras to take when traveling 🙂🙂🙂