Comparison 35mm Summicron v1, v2 and Zeiss Biogon f2.8

[ericdan]

Exactly. We are looking at photos taken at f/8 and printed at 4x3". They can't be used to compare anything. Any lens, even from a $12 disposable camera, will produce an image like this.

You are sadly mistaken. Disposables are more like f11 or even smaller. And I just developed a roll from a Fuji disposable today. It’s quite a big difference when you put them side by side.
Most of my photos are taken around the 5.6-11 aperture. I just wanted to see what the difference is at the settings I use most often. Sorry if I’m Disturbing people with this post.
Rock Kenwell has a Page on comparing at all kinds of aperture etc.

 

[McDiesel]

@ericdan sorry I meant to say that you've uploaded highly downsampled copies, 1280 pixels is an equivalent of 4" print. Every single lens I've ever used would look the same at this size at f/8.

 

[ericdan]

@ericdan sorry I meant to say that you've uploaded highly downsampled copies, 1280 pixels is an equivalent of 4" print. Every single lens I've ever used would look the same at this size at f/8.

Fair enough. Let me rethink how to upload bigger pictures.

 

[MattKing]

If the files are hosted elsewhere, you can link to them.
Otherwise our display limitations are what they are.

 

[ericdan]

Does this work?
Link

 

[MattKing]

It functions.
I'm not sure what resolution we are seeing though.

 

[ericdan]

Should be 5600x3800

 

[MattKing]

For clarity and these purposes, we have to download the photos in order to compare resolution, because if you just view them at that link, they are smaller than on Photrio.

 

[snusmumriken]

I see you’re located in the UK. Go somewhere sunny and you will see flare.

Hm, I'm not looking toward to that. We do have sun occasionally - we had quite a bit today for instance. But I tend to avoid taking photos in harsh sunlight, so maybe that's why I haven't seen flare. Mind you, the 50mm Summicron flares indoors with window lighting!

Very nice photos on your website btw!!

Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed.

 

[Huss]

Hm, I'm not looking toward to that. We do have sun occasionally - we had quite a bit today for instance. But I tend to avoid taking photos in harsh sunlight, so maybe that's why I haven't seen flare. Mind you, the 50mm Summicron flares indoors with window lighting!

The veiling flare with the Summicron Asph 35 is awful. Sun quite a bit outside frame, using the lens hood, no filter. Still terrible, and this wasn't that often cool looking flare rings, but the kind that just kills contrast and detail everywhere.

p.s. very nice pics indeed on your site!

 

[snusmumriken]

The veiling flare with the Summicron Asph 35 is awful. Sun quite a bit outside frame, using the lens hood, no filter. Still terrible, and this wasn't that often cool looking flare rings, but the kind that just kills contrast and detail everywhere.

p.s. very nice pics indeed on your site!

I know this sounds dumb, but I've just realised that it's the Summicron Asph 35 that I have. At least that shows I'm not much of a gear freak. I have used it for several years, but rarely fully open. I must try to challenge it (and myself) a bit more.

Thanks, Huss, for your kind comment! Quite a few more to add to the site when I get a chance.

 

[rulnacco]

Somewhat interesting. Looks like the Zeiss is a little better at F8 than either Leica lens is--although none are slouches. Of course, the two Leica lenses are better at F2.0, so there you go.

 

[ericdan]

I know this sounds dumb, but I've just realised that it's the Summicron Asph 35 that I have. At least that shows I'm not much of a gear freak. I have used it for several years, but rarely fully open. I must try to challenge it (and myself) a bit more.

Thanks, Huss, for your kind comment! Quite a few more to add to the site when I get a chance.

wait, so you thought you have a v2 summicron but you actually have the asph? I think there are 30 years between those lenses. Maybe that's what you don't see much flare. The coatings on that lens are probably much better.

 

[snusmumriken]

wait, so you thought you have a v2 summicron but you actually have the asph? I think there are 30 years between those lenses. Maybe that's what you don't see much flare. The coatings on that lens are probably much better.

Yes, I feel rather stupid now. Anyway, the coating on this lens has the magical ability to make the surface of the rear element invisible. I’m always terrified of scratching it when changing lenses.

 

[flavio81]

Does this work?
Link

Thanks for this link!!!

The three are surprisingly really, really close. But at 100%, pixel-peeping, i'd say the Zeiss has a bit more crispness, it's noticeable.

 

[Patrick Robert James]

I compared the V2 Summicron and the Biogon f/2 years ago when I had them both. The V2 had quite a bit of vignetting compared to the Biogon. The image almost looked round because of it in comparison. The Biogon was sharper, had better local contrast and less flare in the tests I did. I ended up selling the Summicron. The difference when comparing two images next to each other was quite dramatic IIRC. It made me realize how much people drink the Leica Kool-Aid.