p.1 #1 · $10 vs $1000 or Takumar SMC 55mm F1.8 vs Sony Zeiss FE 55mm F1.8
I bought Takumar SMS 55mm F1.8 for $10 on auction and I decide compare it with my Sony FE 55mm F1.8 for $1000.
They have same lens parameters, but 40 years difference :-)
1) Sony FE 55mm F1.8
2) Takumar SMC 55mm F1.8
3) Pentax A 50mm F1.2
All photos shot at the same values of ISO, aperture and shutter spedd on Manual mode and Manual focus.
Camera Sony A7.
Also you can view original sizes of photos.
p.1 #4 · $10 vs $1000 or Takumar SMC 55mm F1.8 vs Sony Zeiss FE 55mm F1.8
For someone who likes to do manual focus, a good condition takumar 55 beats the sony. here is a shot of mine by the little brother, f/2 version of the same lens:
p.1 #5 · $10 vs $1000 or Takumar SMC 55mm F1.8 vs Sony Zeiss FE 55mm F1.8
damaru wrote:
For someone who likes to do manual focus, a good condition takumar 55 beats the sony.
I have lens in very good condition and I think that Sony 55 better in autofocus only :-)
Jun 29, 2015 at 03:24 AM
Steve Spencer Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #6 · $10 vs $1000 or Takumar SMC 55mm F1.8 vs Sony Zeiss FE 55mm F1.8
I am a fan of old MF lenses, despite that I think I can see in these examples some clear advantages of the Sony FE. I like the bokeh better for the Sony 55. When I look at the yellow flowers to the left and the roses to the right of the delphiniums in focus, I think the rendering is much better with the Sony. That it was better than the Pentax f/1.2 did not surprise me, but that it was better than the Pentax f/1.8 did. I also like the sharpness in the eyes of the first photo of the boy better with the Sony 55, and in all the photos I like the colours better with the Sony FE. Finally, I think the transition from focus to out of focus makes the flowers stand out a bit better with the Sony FE. So, no I would not the say the Sony 55 is 100 times or even 10 times or 2 times as good as the Pentax, but I do see clear differences and I prefer the Sony in all these shots except maybe the last set of portraits.
Bottom line for me is that to my eyes the Sony is a bit better lens, but the Pentax is a much better value.
Thanks for sharing! When viewed at 1:1 original size, the FE 55 is clearly better and ahead the other two legacys wide open. It should be said that if all you do is share pictures via instagram or flicker, any of the above lens is more than sufficient for the task. :-)
p.1 #11 · $10 vs $1000 or Takumar SMC 55mm F1.8 vs Sony Zeiss FE 55mm F1.8
Beni wrote:
Prefer the rendering of the Tak myself. The sony, as always, has about as much soul to its rendition as a politician.
I guess it's personal preference, but I don't understand the handful of people who say this about the 55/1.8. I personally love the way the Sony/Zeiss 55/1.8 draws. Super punch contrast and sharpness with pretty smooth background blur (especially considering how sharp it is), with a nice bit of vignetting to take the edge off at f/1.8. I especially love how it renders with greens in the background. But to each his own, I guess.
I find it especially odd here, as the Tak 55 really doesn't draw that differently. Slightly busier bokeh, slightly less contrast and a warm cast from the yellowed elements, but otherwise they're very close in rendering.
p.1 #12 · $10 vs $1000 or Takumar SMC 55mm F1.8 vs Sony Zeiss FE 55mm F1.8
To be frank I'd say it about almost every other 50mm in comparison to the Zeiss, I find the rendition of that Zeiss to be clinical and boring, a scientific lens rather than a drawing tool. It's why I didn't buy it. Just my opinion of course.
p.1 #13 · $10 vs $1000 or Takumar SMC 55mm F1.8 vs Sony Zeiss FE 55mm F1.8
Beni wrote:
To be frank I'd say it about almost every other 50mm in comparison to the Zeiss, I find the rendition of that Zeiss to be clinical and boring, a scientific lens rather than a drawing tool. It's why I didn't buy it. Just my opinion of course.
I own the 55 1.8 and I sort of agree. Its a fantastic lens optically, but in some sense that's what makes it a bit boring.
One of my favorite lenses is the CZJ 35mm f/2.4 Flek, it definitely has some optical imperfections, but I think that often makes the rendering more interesting.......
p.1 #15 · $10 vs $1000 or Takumar SMC 55mm F1.8 vs Sony Zeiss FE 55mm F1.8
Film era lenses had to work with the emulsions of the day, so a strong color signature was more a feature than a bug, to overcome the lack of neutrality in the films commonly used. You see that here in the muddy color, lack of contrast, poor front/back separation and subsequent lack of image depth of the Pentax pair. The FE has Zeiss heritage (let's call it) so there are much better hints at detail within bokeh, one of its more endearing features. I often tone down the highlights for some colors with the FE55, such is the contrast.
It is a scalpel however, and needs careful WB/exposure setting in post. But we all see color differently, and some prefer the flat imagery that the Pentax pair deliver in spades. It is more 'pictorial' to my vision.
I just love the FE's reality depiction and subject separation - and skin tones are far better, light plays across a face - it's all opinion, isn't it. The shots of the young guy are so much more expressive from the Sony, in the P1.8 he looks the same hue as the brickwork. I'm not a fan of orange skin.
Here are two for the 'no soul' poster. But I like to show my subjects close to remembered reality, and get them right with a strong lens, a personal preference.
p.1 #16 · $10 vs $1000 or Takumar SMC 55mm F1.8 vs Sony Zeiss FE 55mm F1.8
Thanks for sharing. I agree about the SZ being better when printing big and viewing at 1:1. Pentax is quite great for the price, but so are most 50s from the film days.
p.1 #17 · $10 vs $1000 or Takumar SMC 55mm F1.8 vs Sony Zeiss FE 55mm F1.8
I'm a big fan of legacy lenses and when is comes to bang for the buck, you can't beat them. I see a clear superiority in the Sony lens, however, but is worth the difference in cost? One factor that would drive me to a modern lens is the better flare control. If you frequently shoot with bright light sources in the field of view, they are probably a better choice.
