i can volunteer to do a simple test this weekend, if there's interest. nothing serious probably since i'm limited in time these days. say 1 shot @ MFD (1m) + 1 shot at infinity on NEX 5n, for any combination of the following (pick ones you care about), and then post unprocessed full-res images
eosslr wrote:
i can volunteer to do a simple test this weekend, if there's interest. nothing serious probably since i'm limited in time these days. say 1 shot @ MFD (1m) + 1 shot at infinity on NEX 5n, for any combination of the following (pick ones you care about), and then post unprocessed full-res images
Today I picked up a ZM 50/2 Planar instead of the Contax 45, and from my initial shooting I think this is exactly what I've been looking for. It's everything that the Sonnar is not and I can immediately see the "Zeissiness" that I was after from the beginning. Sharpness is much better at f/2 than I expected, especially considering some slightly soft examples that I've seen from NEX cameras. Just a tiny bit of fringing, but still with high local contrast and it probably outresolves the 16 mpix sensor wide open if using a tripod.
I'll try to make some comparisons with the Sonnar and Planar tomorrow. Here's a teaser for now, wide open, handheld at 1/160 and ISO 400.
Between this and other discussions I've made up my mind to go for the Planar myself. I think I actually want both, but for now I want the Planar for versatility and all the other things I love about my 18/25/35 ZMs.
michaelwatkins wrote:
I think I actually want both...
So do I, but the Sonnar is just too expensive since I seldom shoot portraits or anything with shallow DOF. But it does have special qualities, no doubt!
alwang wrote:
What's the aperture? That's softer than what I've come to expect from my G45. Don't know that the difference is enough to be that meaningful, however.
It's wide open and you should remember that this equals 36 mpix on FF. I don't think you can expect better from any similar lens (~50/2), regardless of price. If the Contax 45/2 is even better, that's awesome.
Edit: The exit pupil of the Planar is quite far away from the sensor; much farther than the Sonnar, so I don't think the GXR will make much of a difference in the corners.
I just started playing with the Contax G 45 on the NEX-7, and, wow, I think I may have to get used to a longer focal length for my standard lens. This thing is a reference lens. Damn you, sebboh!!
Like Makten, I'm debating whether the ZM 50/1.5 is worth the cost to me right now. I like the lens, but it isn't something I use all the time. My SMC Tak 50/1.4 is also a good portrait lens, so I could always just use that in those situations. None of my ZMs perform as well as my Gs at the edges on the NEX-7, in terms of vignetting and color shift, so I'm thinking about an all G lineup, outside of the CV 15 with CornerFix for occasional wider stuff (I don't go wide that often.)
Makten wrote:
Edit: The exit pupil of the Planar is quite far away from the sensor; much farther than the Sonnar, so I don't think the GXR will make much of a difference in the corners.
Every bit helps, good to know.
Douglas: Maybe a GXR-II will tempt you all. It is on my wish list to be sure.
douglasf13 wrote:
I just started playing with the Contax G 45 on the NEX-7, and, wow, I think I may have to get used to a longer focal length for my standard lens. This thing is a reference lens. Damn you, sebboh!!
bwahaha.
the lens is just awesome when it comes to fine detail, i want to get the NEX-7 just to do it justice.
Are there problems or issues with the adapters for the Contax G lenses? I recall some gripes but not sure exactly what the issues are.... If they are minor, this lens may be next on my list.
Gary Clennan wrote:
Are there problems or issues with the adapters for the Contax G lenses? I recall some gripes but not sure exactly what the issues are.... If they are minor, this lens may be next on my list.
Yep, the G adapters have focus rings built in to them that all have kind of a grainy quality to them. The Metabones seems to have the smoothest feel, but it is large and heavy, and you have to remove the adapter to remove a lens from it. I've stuck with the Kipon adapter.
There are a couple of services that'll convert G lenses to M mount for a few hundred bucks, which I've been considering.
What I'd want to see is a comparison at ~3-5 meters distance, with bokeh included.
