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Archive 2011 · NEX Lens Database

  
 
Jacob D
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · NEX Lens Database


I hate to start yet another NEX lens thread but I want to begin working on another database and I think this will be the best way to collect data from forum members.

This is my first database which is not NEX specific but probably of interest to NEX users looking for small lenses: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AkDLVsAmrk_bdHFRdTktaThNeFFaYXVFOHFES2xCdVE#gid=0


What I'd like to gather data on is lens performance on the NEX (any body version) if the forum is willing to cooperate This information will be centralized by adding it to the same file above on a new worksheet.

If the following format sits well with everyone let's run with it:
-------------------------------------------------
{ Lens Specifics }
{ NEX Version }
{ Center Resolution }
{ Edge/Corner Resolution }
{ Vignette & Colorshift }
{ Other Notes }
-------------------------------------------------

Lens Specifics:
Make, model, mount, focal length, aperture, ADAPTER USED, etc...

NEX Version:
3, 5, 5N, etc...

Center Resolution & Edge/Corner Resolution:
Rated on a scale of 1 - 5 for performance at WIDE OPEN, and f5.6
1 = unacceptable
2 = needs improvement
3 = good
4 = very good
5 = superb

Colorshift
Describe it the best you can, not expecting anyone to get too technical

Other Notes
If you have comments about other performance such as CA, Distortion, or any general information, sum it up here.


** If you have used a lens on multiple bodies please make separate entries for them, even if the data is the same/similar to prevent confusion.


*** Don't worry about duplicating data from previous posters, the more data the better.



Here's an example:
-------------------------------------------------
LENS:
CV Color Skopar 35/2.5, m-mount, Voigtlander adapter

NEX:
5N

CENTER RES:
3 / 4 (wide open / f5.6)

EDGE RES:
2 / 3 (wide open / f5.6)

COLOR SHIFT:
Mild colorshift which is mostly noticeable when the corners are neutral colored.

OTHER:
A very nice, compact lens. Wide open it's a little glowy but that disappears when stopping down. The resolution improves by another step at f8. The colorshift rarely bothers me, can be corrected without too much trouble.
-------------------------------------------------




With the cooperation of the community of NEX users we should be able to generate a nice data set. I will handle the database updates as time allows. If the NEX users here visit this thread and make one contribution a day imagine how much data we'll have in only a month! Let's do it!!



Dec 08, 2011 at 10:52 AM
Sosua
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · NEX Lens Database


Will give this a go -although ratings will be subjective, dependent on the 'quality' one is accustomed too.

Lens Specifics:
Voigtlander 15mm F4.5, M Mount, Fotodiox Pro adaptor / regular Fotodiox adaptor.

NEX Version:
5N

Center Resolution & Edge/Corner Resolution:

Centre wide open
4/5
Edge wide open
3/5

Centre 5.6
4/5 - sharper than any UWA on crop i've used, but i'll leave the 5/5's for the uber-glass

Edge at 5.6
4/5

Colorshift
Color shift is very noticeable if you shoot a white wall, but in most real scenes is very subtle and would not require Cornerfix unless you are very picky

Other Notes
Very low distortion (especially compared to SLR wide angles) and makes nice (subjective) distinctive sunstars. Can flare if provoked, but pretty good flare perfromance. Vignettes a little but I don't mind. Looks great on a black 5N and is a good fit - size-wise. Focus by tab works nicely although a little awkward for verticals.


Lens - Leica Elmar-C 90mm F4, Fotodiox Pro adapter:

NEX version - 5N

Centre wide open:
4/5
Edge wide open:
3.5/5 (little more hazy at extreme edges but great over 85% of frame)

Centre 5.6
4.5/5
Edge 5.6
4/5

Color shift - none, no noticeable vignetting either.

Other comments:
Good, cheap, high quality telephoto option for NEX (I don't shoot tele that much so got this for $250US). Looks a little 'long' on the NEX, but its only about as long as the kit lens, and much thinner. Nice neutral bokeh, gets a little 'glowy' at the periphery at F4 in bright sunlight without a hood and for my uses, its perfect across the frame at 5.6. Can be a little long for handholding and focussing without the EVF.

I was pleasantly surprised how sharp it was wide open at close to minimum focus distance too - perfroms excellent at infirnity also. Bargain if you don't need the speed at 90mm.

Only complaint is a very long focus throw which means it can take a while to focus when handheld. Nice for precision focus though.

Lens specifics:

Leica Summaron (circa 1960) 35mm F2.8 (M3 version, goggles removed) Fotodiox pro adaptor.

NEX body - 5N

Centre wide open:
3.5 / 5 (gets a bit of glow going on but plenty of detail there)

Edge wide open:
2.5/5 (loses detail and has the glow)

Centre 5.6:
4.5/5

Edge 5.6
4.5/5 (seems to have a little field curvature, but when in DOF it is great to the extreme corners)

Color shift - none that I have noticed, although I have not tested against a white wall.

Comments - Beautifually made little lens - very small, but quite dense. Nice,smooth focus tab with infinity lock. Plenty sharp wide open for general use with a bit of glow and as good a lens as i've used stopped down. Perfroms well at close focus too (65cm). Nice, neutral bokeh. Have not tried to make it flare yet, but seems quite resistant for a 50 year old lens. Good option of you can get one in decent shape and don't need the speed - excellent for stopped down landscapes, although something like the Biogon-C would be better at wider apertures thanks to its flat field of focus. Mine was very cheap (NZ $450) in decent shape but most seem to be a little overpriced for a slower 35mm. Only wish it was black



Dec 08, 2011 at 04:49 PM
sebboh
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · NEX Lens Database


-------------------------------------------------
LENS:
carl zeiss contax g 35mm f/2 planar, contax g mount, kipon adapter

NEX:
3

CENTER RES:
3 / 4.5 (wide open / f5.6)

EDGE RES:
2 / 3 (wide open / f5.6)

COLOR SHIFT:
none noticeable, but i never shot a test shot to be sure.

OTHER:
very compact fast normal (on NEX). the lens performs better at a distance than close up and can be susceptible to flare. very good contrast pop stopped down. bokeh is horrendous wide open but extremely good at f/4.
-------------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------
LENS:
olympus pen f 38mm f/1.8, olympus pen f mount, rj adapter

NEX:
3

CENTER RES:
3 / 4.5 (wide open / f5.6)

EDGE RES:
2 / 3.5 (wide open / f5.6)

COLOR SHIFT:
none noticeable, but i never shot a test shot to be sure.

OTHER:
tiny fast normalish lens (on NEX). suffers from astigmatism and field curvature giving it swirly bokeh and making it impossible to have both sharp corners and a sharp center at wide apertures. surprisingly good contrast. bokeh is "interesting". lens is not noticeably faster at f/1.8 than f/2. vignetting is noticeable at large apertures.
-------------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------
LENS:
olympus pen f 42mm f/1.2, olympus pen f mount, rj adapter

NEX:
3

CENTER RES:
3 / 5 (wide open / f5.6)

EDGE RES:
3 / 4.5 (wide open / f5.6)

COLOR SHIFT:
none noticeable, but i never shot a test shot to be sure.

OTHER:
lightest, most compact ultrafast lens available on the NEX. suffers from astigmatism and field curvature giving it swirly bokeh at f/1.2 and making it impossible to have both sharp corners and a sharp center at apertures faster than f/2. low overall contrast. bokeh is "interesting" wide open and prone to bright aqua colored rings on oof highlights. stopped down bokeh becomes decently smooth. shows significant barrel distortion and vignetting wide open. produces lovely pastel colors. mfd is only .3m.
-------------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------
LENS:
carl zeiss contax g 45mm f/2 planar, contax g mount, kipon adapter

NEX:
3

CENTER RES:
4 / 5 (wide open / f5.6)

EDGE RES:
4 / 5 (wide open / f5.6)

COLOR SHIFT:
none noticeable, but i never shot a test shot to be sure.

OTHER:
very compact and sharper than any lens i've owned (except at f/2 where the canon fl 55/1.2 beats it). very high contrast and good at producing textures. bokeh is poor wide open, it improves significantly at stopping down to f/2.8 or below, however hexagons can arise at all non wide open apertures.
-------------------------------------------------



Dec 08, 2011 at 05:26 PM
lenticular11
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · NEX Lens Database


Nice idea. I can contribute when I receive my C/Y and Canon EF adapters for the NEX5N. Chinese post must use glaciers for transport to airports!


Dec 09, 2011 at 06:29 AM
philber
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · NEX Lens Database



Here goes:

Contax G 45mm f:2.0

Kipon adapter

NEX 5N

Center resolution 4 / 5 (WO, 4 and down)

Edge resolution 3 / 5 (W/O, 4 and down)

Vignette: mild wide open. Colour shift: none

Note: Absolutely übersharp, a la macro lens. So sharp and contrasty that, at times, I wish it were just a tad less. Phenomenal short tele, great for landscapes, and for portraits if such relentless scrutiny is desired. For the low price, an absolute must, despite the ungainly adapter

Contax G 90mm f:2.8

Kipon adapter

NEX 5, NEX 5N

Center resolution: 4 / 5

Edge resolution 3 / 5

Vignette: mild wide open. Colour shift: none.

Notes: absolutely übersharp, like its G 45 sibling. But huge amount of detail makes it appear just a bit milder. And thanks to beautiful colours, gorgeous IQ. Can be a bit hard to use due to the combination of focal length and a less-than-delightful focus-ring-on-the-adapter system. Again, in light of its low price, an absolute must.



Dec 09, 2011 at 10:15 AM
Jacob D
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · NEX Lens Database


Good start!

I realize it's subjective but multiple opinions will average over time (assuming we get that far down the road). I will get started on putting together the spreadsheet....



Dec 09, 2011 at 10:28 PM
shogo73
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · NEX Lens Database


NEX 5N: Version 1.0 (I am not sure if this is the latest firmware...)

Summarit-M 35/2.5, m-mount, Voigtlander VM adapter

CENTER RES:
3.75/5 (wide open)
4/5 (2.8)
Excellent from 3.3 and up.

EDGE RES:
3.75/5 (wide open)
4/5 (2.8)
Excellent from 3.3 and up.

COLOR SHIFT:
None

OTHER:
A very nice compact lens. Almost too small. Bokeh is very nice.



Dec 10, 2011 at 09:18 AM





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