SL66 120mm lens questions

[Richard Wasserman]

I am thinking of getting a 120mm S Planar lens for my SL66 and have a couple questions. I am interested in it primarily for the focal length, not as a macro lens, but want to use it at or near infinity and often wide open at its maximum whopping big f/5.6. I assume it does just fine at longer distances? Is it sharp wide open? And lastly how does it render out of focus areas? I'm hoping buttery smooth...

 

[ic-racer]

I have the SLX version, but I think the optics are the same. I use mine at infinity frequently and it is fine.

 

[droebbel]

The 5.6 S-Planar is not at all optimized for Infinity. Use the later Makro-Planar for that. Its construction is more of a compromise between close-up quality and infinity usability. Isn't the 150 an option at all? It should be still much better.

 

[Slixtiesix]

The S-Planar is a stunning perfomer in the close range, but according to the MTFs, resolution will decrease with object distance. It delivers superb quality within a range from 1:1 to some 60 feet or so. I have never used this lens for infinity shots anyhow, maybe I should try. But according to the MTFs, picture quality will be not so good at infinity and wide open.
Nethertheless a lovely lens...

Regards, Benjamin

 

[Richard Wasserman]

Thank you everybody. I've had my eye on a 120 S-Planar for a while. I'm encouraged by your responses and will try it for this project. If it doesn't quite work out the worst is that I'll be stuck with a terrific lens, which I'm sure I'll enjoy using.

 

[Q.G.]

The S-Planar is a stunning perfomer in the close range, but according to the MTFs, resolution will decrease with object distance. It delivers superb quality within a range from 1:1 to some 60 feet or so. I have never used this lens for infinity shots anyhow, maybe I should try. But according to the MTFs, picture quality will be not so good at infinity and wide open.
Nethertheless a lovely lens...

I have used the lens (different mount) at infinity, and there is nothing to worry about.
Maybe other lenses perform better at infinity. But you will have to look really, really hard to find a difference between how the 120 mm performs at infinity and how, say, a 150 mm Sonnar performs at infinity. That is, if you can at all...

The later Makro-Planar is the same lens.

 

[Slixtiesix]

Hi Q.G.
if I ever get a 150mm Sonnar I will try them side by side. I never used this lens at infinity just because this focal lengt suits me more for other things.

Richard, look at my gallery pictures, there is one of a car for which I used this lens. You can also see a little bit "bokeh" in there. I find it quite pleasing with this lens.

Regards, Benjamin

 

[Richard Wasserman]

Thank you Q.G. and Benjamin, I'm feeling better all the time about the 120!