UC Hexanon 35mm vs M Hexanon 35mm

[wintoid]

I was asked to try to compare the bokeh of these 2 lenses. I've had a go at this, but not sure how successful it is. I don't think I can tell the lenses apart. If anyone can suggest better ways of showing the bokeh, please let me know.

These 2 shots are both wide open at f/2.0, both processed in C1 v4, both shot with an Epson RD1S. If you click the photo, you will get to a link on FlickR from which you can select different sizes of the images.

First, the UC Hexanon



Now the M Hexanon

 

[rogue_designer]

sometimes having point light sources (like christmas lights) in the OOF areas can be nice to evaluate bokeh. Especially good if you get some near the center of the frame, and some near the edge of the frame - so you can see if there is any distortion/ellipse/footballing going on.

 

[wintoid]

Realising that the newspaper showed the bokeh more, I tried again.

Here's the UC Hexanon



Here's the M Hexanon



Here's the M Hexanon with the Heliopan filter removed



Finally, the Voigtlander Nokton 35mm f/1.2 at f/2.0

 

[Gid]

The M looks to have lower contrast or needs cleaning 😉 The colours from the UC are more vibrant.

 

[RayPA]

Good job. Thanks for posting these. You're right about the second pair. The newspaper really helps.

The M looks to have lower contrast or needs cleaning 😉 The colours from the UC are more vibrant.

Yeah, the UC looks more like what I've come to accept as the M-Hex look than the M-Hex does. I own both lenses too. I really like the physical size of the UC.



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[Hacker]

Thanks for posting the comparison. The base wheere the newspaper sits appears to be more detailed at the bottom right of the M-Hexanon. I'm not sure whether it is because of the appearance of more exposure?

I've asked for the comparison because I've read many conflicting reports about the M. While the UC's performance is stellar most notably the bokeh (dethroning the King), some say that the M's bokeh is even better.

As you can imagine, it is hard to have a comparison because so few people own both lenses.

Thanks again!

 

[wintoid]

OK, I have edited the second post with pictures. I realised that the M Hexanon had a Heliopan filter on whereas the UC Hexanon had a B+W filter on. I removed the Heliopan from the M Hexanon to see if it made a difference. I think it did.

I've also added the Voigtlander Nokton 35mm f/1.2 at f/2.0. IMHO that's the finest lens I've ever used.

 

[Hacker]

Is there something not right with the M-Hexanon? The color of the doll's dress seems to be the odd one out. Other than that, I'm seeing that in this shot, both the M and the Nokton have a slight edge in the OOF areas in regards to the newspaper letters.

The CV really looks sweet.

 

[wintoid]

I dunno, I'm just presenting the shots. Your interpretation is as good as mine.

In my opinion, the M Hexanon without the Heliopan is fine.I certainly wouldn't say there's something not right. I agree with Gid's assessment of the M Hexanon with the Heliopan. The UC looks sharper, but the bokeh seems a bit stronger. The VC just blows the Hexanons away.

 

[edhohoho]

In this series, I like the Nokton 1.2 @ 2.0 compared to the others. Very smooth out of focus areas, especially seen in the letters of the newspaper. The M-Hexanon is a distant second, and the UC third because I am not too crazy about the "double line effect" that both exhibit, with the M slightly more than the UC. (And this is consistent with other photos I have seen that were taken with a UC.)

Of course, only my personal opinion and preferences according to what I see in this series. Also, this is obviously not taking into account the size, weight , and cost of the respective lenses.

BTW, I don't own any of these lenses, but my GAS attack for the UC or M has temporarily subsided.

Anyone a serious 35mm focal length aficionado who can test the above lenses alongside the Summicron IV, Summicron ASPH, Summilux pre-asph, and Summilux ASPH? That would really be great.

Thanks for the comparisons!

 

[noimmunity]

the nokton!

the nokton!

to my eyes, the nokton wins on every count: bokeh, sharpness, color rendition.

 

[RayPA]

...

I've also added the Voigtlander Nokton 35mm f/1.2 at f/2.0. IMHO that's the finest lens I've ever used.

It's a fantastic lens. It's almost not fair to the other lenses, because it's really in a different class (by itself! 🙂 ). It's kicking butt here at f2, but it's not a fast compact 35.



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[infrequent]

that cv is sure sharp but i like the look of the UC-hex. not that i can afford it! thx for the comparisons wintoid. the new cv 35mm f1.4 nokton has a lot to live up to.