Lens Comparison

Nikanon · Oct 3, 2013

Here is a fun lens comparison that I did. All images were shot on Tri-x 400 at 800 and developed in Edwal FG-7 1:15 and 20C for 12 minutes. The three lenses shown here are a Canon 50mm f1.8 FD, a 50mm f1.5 Nokton LTM ASPH, and a 50mm f1.9 Promaster lens. Which lens shot which image?? Roll over the image with your mouse to see the file name and the lens name. The conditions are similar, overcast light or shade, but the most interesting aspect is really to look at how each lens renders a scene at a wide aperture.

blockend · Oct 3, 2013

The Canon is my favourite. Maybe the single coated optic lends it a pleasing softness?

AgX · Oct 3, 2013

Only the breech-lock version was single coated (maybe even only at the beginning). All lenses with the new bayonet (or the omission of the S.C./S.S.C. designation) were multicoated.

Pioneer · Oct 4, 2013

I preferred the look of the Nokton. But they all did a nice job wide open.

blockend · Oct 4, 2013

AgX said:
Only the breech-lock version was single coated (maybe even only at the beginning). All lenses with the new bayonet (or the omission of the S.C./S.S.C. designation) were multicoated.

I was under the impression that the Canon 50mm 1.8 was the only single coated optic in the FDn range until the end of the designation.

AgX · Oct 4, 2013

In the contempory literature made in cooperation with Canon it was stated (if my memory does not fail) that with the ommission of those coating designations all coatings werer multi-layered.

Slixtiesix · Oct 4, 2013

The Canon is my favorite too.

blockend · Oct 4, 2013

AgX said:
In the contempory literature made in cooperation with Canon it was stated (if my memory does not fail) that with the ommission of those coating designations all coatings werer multi-layered.

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

ntenny · Oct 4, 2013

The Nokton sure comes out looking contrasty, even a little harsh.

-NT

Nikanon · Oct 4, 2013

ntenny said:
The Nokton sure comes out looking contrasty, even a little harsh.

-NT

I did my best to try and shoot them all in similar conditions but the Nokton was shot in a shadow on a sunny day, so the contrast of the background is a little over-emphasized. I was mostly looking at the rendering of the background, but the Nokton seems to not smear details as much as the promaster or the Canon wide open. The canon was very impressive with its out of focus renderings, SO smooth. The promaster was still impressive none the less for a little plastic SLR lens.

Im assuming based on what I know about the Canon and the Nokton, that the Promaster is a double gauss design as well, so its just interesting to see how the small alterations of that design can create very individual characteristics of different lenses and very similar ones. Look at the optical vignetting (cats eye effect) on the promaster.

Nikanon · Oct 4, 2013

Some more examples shot with the Canon 50mm f1.8 FD. Notice in the middle image how the edges lose some contrast where aberrations set in. Overall its pretty impressive

elekm · Oct 4, 2013

See how interesting that is?

I actually like the look of the Promaster.

My one suggestion would be to photograph the same subject with the lenses and from the same position.

Nikanon · Oct 4, 2013

elekm said:
See how interesting that is?

I actually like the look of the Promaster.

My one suggestion would be to photograph the same subject with the lenses and from the same position.

Working on it now, except im replacing the Nokton with a Summicron-R 50mm

Mustafa Umut Sarac · Oct 5, 2013

What is white large dot on your nose ? Microcontrast ?

dynachrome · Oct 5, 2013

The middle image does not have lower contrast or aberrations. The reason the edges are unsharp is that the lens is open far enough that there is insufficient depth of field to cover them. There are many excellent standard lenses which are slower than f/1.4 and which sometimes even cost very little. Of the Canon FD standard lenses my favorite is the FD SC with the aperture lock lever on the back. The letters SC stand for Spectra Coating and not "single coated." As has been mentioned, few if any SLR lenses from this time period had single layer coating. They had multilayer coatings which were just not as advanced as later ones. Other slower standard lenses I like include the 50/2 Nikkors from the HC to the AI, the early 50/1.8 AI Nikkor, all of the 50/1.7 Rokkor lenses up to the MD, the early 50/1.7 Konica Hexanon (the one which focuses to 1.5 feet rather than 1.75 feet), The 55/1.8 and 55/2 SMCT, SMC and SMC Pentax lenses and the 50/1.7 Alpa (made by Chinon). These lenses all have different out of focus rendition and varying levels of flare resistance and are all capable of excellent results.

gone · Oct 7, 2013

If you're replacing the Nokton w/ the Summicron, assuming you don't need that extra bit of speed, you'll be more than happy. Wonderful lens, though a bit contrasty. I have shots that were printed from that one that are superb, w/ the one caveat that the early lens is the one to get. I had a couple of copies of the later Canadian lenses w/ the built in hoods, and the bokeh was not in the same league at all. Looked pretty rough to me. I wouldn't get rid of the FD 50 lens though. Your copy sure looks good. The street shot of the guy w/ the ear buds looking warily at the guy w/ the camera looks nice and sharp.

I might put in a plug for the Nikkor H 50 2 lens here too. I sold my R 50 Summi and got one of those that was attached to a FT2 body, and it's turned into one of my favorite lenses. While it can't close focus like the Leica lens, it makes beautiful images that are very sharp, and the bokeh is really smooth. Light as a feather lens too.

Nikanon · Oct 8, 2013

momus said:
If you're replacing the Nokton w/ the Summicron, assuming you don't need that extra bit of speed, you'll be more than happy. Wonderful lens, though a bit contrasty. I have shots that were printed from that one that are superb, w/ the one caveat that the early lens is the one to get. I had a couple of copies of the later Canadian lenses w/ the built in hoods, and the bokeh was not in the same league at all. Looked pretty rough to me. I wouldn't get rid of the FD 50 lens though. Your copy sure looks good. The street shot of the guy w/ the ear buds looking warily at the guy w/ the camera looks nice and sharp.

I might put in a plug for the Nikkor H 50 2 lens here too. I sold my R 50 Summi and got one of those that was attached to a FT2 body, and it's turned into one of my favorite lenses. While it can't close focus like the Leica lens, it makes beautiful images that are very sharp, and the bokeh is really smooth. Light as a feather lens too.

Oh, I'm sorry for the confusion, I was only referring to this test! Not only do I not shoot an SLR, but also only use a 21 and a 28mm. These lenses are all good, but 50mm is just too long for me, I sold the Nokton which was except for this test, gathering dust.

Jeff Kubach · Oct 9, 2013

The Canon 50 1.4 is my favorite!

Jeff

Lens Comparison

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blockend

AgX

Pioneer

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Slixtiesix

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ntenny

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elekm

Nikanon

Mustafa Umut Sarac

dynachrome

gone

Nikanon

Jeff Kubach

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