well, maybe this question belonged here since this is the Zeiss photo AND discussion thread. I'll just copy-paste my question from the other thread.
OK, so how exactly does the ZM50P compare to the 50MP at 1+ meters? Are they similar only in focal length and max aperture?
Secondly, I've heard many people say the ZM50P is the best 50 they've ever used. I've always wondered though, because it doesn't exactly have the best MTFs in the world, what exactly that's about. Is this a case of the MTF failing to accurately predict performance? Or is the lens better at close range vs infinity? Or maybe it's just a matter of sharpest not being the best?
the latter is because I am curious to know if what other people see in the lens is the same thing I am getting out of it.
There were quite a few detailed discussions of the 50P vs. 50MP in the ZE/ZF/ZM thread, but quite a while back. Quick summary:
- some feel that the 50MP is very much like the 100MP, i.e. a smaller brother.
- others feel that it isn't, due to differences in boke, CA and corner sharpness.
- some feel that the 50MP is much better than the 50P, due to higher sharpness and less CA.
- others feel that it isn't, preferring the lower sharpness but smoother boke of the 50P (and there are the corners of the 50MP wide open)
- some feel that the narrow depth of field of the 50P wide open is better.
- others feel that the larger depth of field (at the same aperture) wide open is better.
I think everyone will generally accept that as long as you don't need very sharp corners wide open, the 50MP is superior close up. At distance, it is a toss-up and depends more on what characteristics you prefer. A few of us here own both, and value both, for each their strengths.
I own both, generally prefer the 50P, but the 50MP is really great for close-ups (except the far corners) and portraits. The 50P is definitely less sharp near wide open, but it has a lovely rendering, and has much more 3D ability at mid distances.
Carsten, great shots, and I think the HDR effect works very well in your last image (your HDR workshop appears well equipped with some serious processing tools ).
wfrank, I think your first shot above is excellent also.
Carsten, I like the natural (almost zero HDR) feel of your first shot, nothing I am able to do myself with all those levers at hand. The second is (for me) something in between. I like it but would either like you to push harder - or the opposite. Still life can work really well with pushed HDR, see link below my image.
I myself occasionally visit the overcooked department - but normally dont post here (as most people dislike it) but since we're on the subject and I did this one today I apologize for this. It's kind of the opposite of lens characteristics - just brute PP - which kind of is the point:
wfrank, just want to comment on your last image - I like the look, and while HDR is more about PP then lens characteristics, like you said, I'd venture to say that the inherent contrast in Zeiss lenses works very well (and is also very much apparent) in HDR images also, and it actually provides a certain 'bite' that gives a sense of realism to HDR images.
At least that's the hunch I have, and I might be wrong of course.
I already owned Photomatix Pro before the workshop, but never really got along with it. I have the feeling that every slider is difficult to understand, and it is as if they all change two or three "real" parameters inside the software. If I ever see something as powerful but easier to understand and use, I will immediately switch.
Wilhelm, I see what you mean, but don't yet fully understand the HDR workflow. I like the gritty look you got but don't know how to get it. I also don't yet know how to move between Lightroom, Photoshop and Photomatix Pro in such a way that I can jump back to intermediate steps and redo some part of the process.
carstenw wrote:
There were quite a few detailed discussions of the 50P vs. 50MP in the ZE/ZF/ZM thread, but quite a while back. Quick summary:
- some feel that the 50MP is very much like the 100MP, i.e. a smaller brother.
- others feel that it isn't, due to differences in boke, CA and corner sharpness.
- some feel that the 50MP is much better than the 50P, due to higher sharpness and less CA.
- others feel that it isn't, preferring the lower sharpness but smoother boke of the 50P (and there are the corners of the 50MP wide open)
- some feel that the narrow depth of field of the 50P wide open is better.
- others feel that the larger depth of field (at the same aperture) wide open is better.
I think everyone will generally accept that as long as you don't need very sharp corners wide open, the 50MP is superior close up. At distance, it is a toss-up and depends more on what characteristics you prefer. A few of us here own both, and value both, for each their strengths.
I own both, generally prefer the 50P, but the 50MP is really great for close-ups (except the far corners) and portraits. The 50P is definitely less sharp near wide open, but it has a lovely rendering, and has much more 3D ability at mid distances....Show more →
Could you point me to where abouts this was in that thread? Page-wise I mean.
I tried to do a google search of the site but all I could find were discussions about the SLR planar vs the MP, not the rangefinder lens, which is what I have.
I just received a PC-Distagon and i shot a few test frames and i am really impressed. The lens is really sharp, almost no CA, not a big fringer either. Distortion is a bit stronger than expected though.
Not to fear, though: I will not pollute this thread with any more cellphone images. I have started to consider getting a CY Zeiss in the near future, as they appear to be quite reasonably priced.
AbramG and alwang, thanks a lot for the encouraging comments! I'm still somewhat hesitant about posting my images on FM, because the quality of images posted on here is invariably very high.
Granted, the shots were processed in Lightroom, and I used Samuli's excellent step-sharpening script on these as well, but current cellphones (a Nokia N8 in this case) really do produce some very usable images. It is somewhat difficult to hold such a light device steady during shooting, though.
Wilhelm - 'I see humans but no humanity' - that shot and the painted tree trunk shot as a set. That is brilliant.
Carsten - I really like the HDR shot of hanging apparatus. I did not realize the advantage of HDR until you shared the mid exposure shot. Great use of technique to bring out your view. Punchy one was a bit too punchy for my taste.
ukkisavosta - Great works. Especially the first shot. great composiion. Cell phone eh? I guess I need to work much harder to justify using DSR.
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