Even though we already have a thread on the Kolari, going through 50ish-page to check for tests can be daunting for some . I certainly saw a lot of repeated questions. I'm a strong believer of Kolari Mod.
So I create this thread to organize all the tests we have so far for any newcomer. I will link to all the future tests here in this first post.
Quick summary:
- Drastically improve the edges/corners of rangefinder (and film SLR) lenses, most notably below 50mm.
- Have no visible effect on vignetting and corner color cast
- Minor reduction in CA, most notably purple fringing
- Three iterations so far: 1st is normal thin glass, 2nd is humidity-resistant thin glass, 3rd is 2nd + anti-reflection coatings
Kolari Modded Camera’s DNG Dual-Illuminant Profile (To get your color right after the Mod) Sony A7RII Profile 1 (2nd gen. glass)
p.1 #7 · Kolari Mod's Improvements: A Summary of Tests
Can you include in your summary and test index information on how this impacts native lenses?
Oct 17, 2015 at 02:44 AM
Steve Spencer Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #8 · Kolari Mod's Improvements: A Summary of Tests
justruss wrote:
Can you include in your summary and test index information on how this impacts native lenses?
My take is that from the tests so far it is hard to tell. Only two native lenses have been tested the FE 35 f/2.8 that has a mild decrease in performance and the FE 55 f/1.8 that seems to perform about the same on the modded and unmoved cameras. Other lenses may or may not be affected. It would be great to see the FE 16-35 f/4 OSS tested and the new Loxia 21mm f/2.8. Even the FE 28 f/2, the Loxia 35, and Loxia 50 haven't been tested yet. The normal zooms haven't been tested yet and all the longer lenses as well. The Batis 25 and 85 haven't been tested yet either. So, I think it is way too earlier to say anything general about the affect of the mod on native lenses.
p.1 #9 · Kolari Mod's Improvements: A Summary of Tests
Good summary thread about an otherwise spread-out topic and then much harder to find information. Results coming from A7R II modifications should be maybe listed and summarized separately in the future from the A7/A7R/A7S Kolari-modified posts.
p.1 #10 · Kolari Mod's Improvements: A Summary of Tests
justruss wrote:
Can you include in your summary and test index information on how this impacts native lenses?
Like Steve said, only the FE 35/2.8 and 55 were tested. Both show loss, with the 35 has more, but not too significant as the gain in performance of RF lenses. I will wait for more native test cause right now, any conclusion I put there would be misleading.
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retrofocus wrote:
Good summary thread about an otherwise spread-out topic and then much harder to find information. Results coming from A7R II modifications should be maybe listed and summarized separately in the future from the A7/A7R/A7S Kolari-modified posts.
Is there any particular reason why the A7RII's result should be separated?
p.1 #11 · Kolari Mod's Improvements: A Summary of Tests
hiepphotog wrote:
Is there any particular reason why the A7RII's result should be separated?
Because of the difference in the BSI sensor technology which might provide some additional benefit for a Kolari-modified A7R II. From some earlier posts and reviews we already know that just the new sensor improves color cast with rangefinder lenses on the A7R II.
p.1 #12 · Kolari Mod's Improvements: A Summary of Tests
retrofocus wrote:
Because of the difference in the BSI sensor technology which might provide some additional benefit for a Kolari-modified A7R II. From some earlier posts and reviews we already know that just the new sensor improves color cast with rangefinder lenses on the A7R II.
Besides vignetting and color cast, I have not spotted any additional benefit in term of smear control when I compared stock A7RII and A7S with my RF lenses. But we'll see.
p.1 #13 · Kolari Mod's Improvements: A Summary of Tests
hiepphotog wrote:
Besides vignetting and color cast, I have not spotted any additional benefit in term of smear control when I compared stock A7RII and A7S with my RF lenses. But we'll see.
Correct. My saying to separate both was according to this that you can so far only see a benefit of the BSI sensor with RF lenses for less color cast but still both sensor generations show the same smearing effects with some RF lenses. So it would be interesting to see how a Kolari-modified A7R II BSI sensor changes in regard to (a) smearing and (b) color cast if the color cast reduction without modification is already decent. This can then separately compared to the Kolari-modified first gen of A7 series cameras where only the Kolari modification itself lead to a big difference in color cast.
p.1 #16 · Kolari Mod's Improvements: A Summary of Tests
Harleythor wrote:
How does the A7II with the Kolari sensor mod work with these lenses
If you went through the tests, you will see Jim Kasson's tests with the A7II. It's pretty much the same thing with others. The A7II has the same sensor architecture as others. However, with your question, I think it's better that label next to each test which body was tested.
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k-h.a.w wrote:
Thanks for starting this thread hiepphotog. Very timely and useful.
Hopefully the Batis 25/2 and Loxia 21/2.8 work well with the mod.
Regards, K-H.
Thank you. I'm eager to see some tests with the Batis and Loxia as well.
p.1 #18 · Kolari Mod's Improvements: A Summary of Tests
k-h.a.w wrote:
Of course, BTW, when do you expect your camera back? TIA.
Next week. Unfortunately, Ilija ran into problems with the AR coated glass. The vendor left so much dust particles under the coating that they would show up when stopped down. He had to throw out the entire batch and moved to another vendor. The AR coated glass might not be ready, at least, in another month. I sent mine back for several reasons, so I don't want to wait. At least the upgrade is free .
p.1 #19 · Kolari Mod's Improvements: A Summary of Tests
hiepphotog wrote:
Next week. Unfortunately, Ilija ran into problems with the AR coated glass. The vendor left so much dust particles under the coating that they would show up when stopped down. He had to throw out the entire batch and moved to another vendor. The AR coated glass might not be ready, at least, in another month. I sent mine back for several reasons, so I don't want to wait. At least the upgrade is free .
Many thanks for the update. I'll wait until Kolari has all that under control then I'll send in my cameras.
Question: Which one first, the A7r or the A7r2?
p.1 #20 · Kolari Mod's Improvements: A Summary of Tests
k-h.a.w wrote:
Many thanks for the update. I'll wait until Kolari has all that under control then I'll send in my cameras.
Question: Which one first, the A7r or the A7r2?
A7RII is infinitely better at reducing vignetting and color cast (slightly better than the A7S). You would be in for a treat. It's better than the native Leica with in-cam correction. I will also wait and see what Lloyd is going to say about the modded A7RII behavior. He hinted that the ZM 35/1.4 is still a disappointment. And that is the opposite of what I see. The lens has no induced field curvature after the mod. Lloyd has not returned his loaner yet so we'll see.
. I certainly saw a lot of repeated questions. I'm a strong believer of Kolari Mod.
