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Archive 2016 · Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?

DavidBM
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p.8 #1 · p.8 #1 · Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?

Fred Miranda wrote:
If anyone has any suggestions or comment about the mid-field results, let me know. I am looking at the full images and there is definitely a drop in that area at both sides of the frame (50 and 70 tests). As I wrote, the lens is very well centered. My take is that it's not bad...it's just that the GM is better on that area.

But the odd thing is that the corners are better than the midfield at 50mm. And the MTF says that shouldn't be so.

Unless, as I suggested before the measured MTF was measured for the midfield at a slightly different location in the field, and had they measured it where your crop comes from, the dip on the chart would have been deeper.

Apr 21, 2016 at 12:59 AM

Fred Miranda
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p.8 #2 · p.8 #2 · Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?

As you know, I tested the lens for about 30 minutes today. (decentering, resolution and CA). I didn't detect any significant field curvature at 35mm but didn't test for 50 and 70mm.

An explanation for what we are seeing for the 50 and 70mm mid-field crops is field curvature. Did you notice that the center and edges are sharp but the midfield is softer?
I will test it out tomorrow.

Apr 21, 2016 at 01:13 AM

DavidBM
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p.8 #3 · p.8 #3 · Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?

Fred Miranda wrote:
As you know, I tested the lens for about 30 minutes today. (decentering, resolution and CA). I didn't detect any significant field curvature at 35mm but didn't test for 50 and 70mm.

An explanation for what we are seeing for the 50 and 70mm mid-field crops is field curvature. Did you notice that the center and edges are sharp but the midfield is softer?
I will test it out tomorrow..

Ahh that's pretty plausible, especially if the MTFs are based on refocussing.

So you focussed on the edges? There might be a compromise focussing position that, especially stopped down, could give an even better overall result.

Apr 21, 2016 at 01:22 AM

Fred Miranda
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p.8 #4 · p.8 #4 · Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?

DavidBM wrote:
Ahh that's pretty plausible, especially if the MTFs are based on refocussing.

So you focussed on the edges? There might be a compromise focussing position that, especially stopped down, could give an even better overall result.

Lenses with moderate field curvature are sometimes tough to focus. A slightly change on the focus scale can throw an entire area out of focus. (The Loxia 21/2.8 is an example)
With the Loxia, it's inwards and the Contax is more complex and depends on the FL. I don't know for sure but will check out tomorrow. The GM is pretty much flat field.

The good news is that as long we know where to focus for optimum results, this issue should not be very noticeable with real landscapes where we have a 3d scene.

Apr 21, 2016 at 01:28 AM

Greggf
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p.8 #5 · p.8 #5 · Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?

Thanks again for all this testing Fred! It's greatly appreciated! But...I want to see Your Real world grabs with it! For example, side by with the GM @Mono Lake!!
As I said earlier, I don't get out enough, and where I deliver, I'm kinda over saturated with spots to snap at, since I've delivered the same area for 17+ years!!
I did take the 35-70 to Hawaii 2 yrs back, and it was my staple lens the whole time. Brilliant bold colors...
Gregg

Apr 21, 2016 at 08:54 AM

Jannik Peters
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p.8 #6 · p.8 #6 · Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?

Greggf wrote:
I did take the 35-70 to Hawaii 2 yrs back, and it was my staple lens the whole time. Brilliant bold colors...

[OT] I took the FE 28-70 to Hawaii 2 yrs back... I'm still hating me for that waste [/OT]

Apr 21, 2016 at 08:56 AM

Schlotkins
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p.8 #7 · p.8 #7 · Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?

Thanks for all your work Fred!

Apr 21, 2016 at 09:29 AM

rji2goleez
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p.8 #8 · p.8 #8 · Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?

Very interesting results overall. I'd say that the Contax does extremely well especially considering the huge price difference. Yes, it's not as wide nor as fast and it's MF only but I paid only $365 for my copy and am very happy even with the cheap $20 adapter.

BTW - I tried a Fotodiox adapter ($60) and it still focused past infinity. I guess the next step is to try a Metabones or Rayqual . . .

Apr 21, 2016 at 09:35 AM

Jannik Peters
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p.8 #9 · p.8 #9 · Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?

I use the Novoflex and it works as good as it gets. I bit expensive but worth every penny.

Apr 21, 2016 at 09:40 AM

rji2goleez
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p.8 #10 · p.8 #10 · Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?

I just ordered the Rayqual and it will be here tomorrow! Gotta love Amazon . . .

Apr 21, 2016 at 09:41 AM

Schlotkins
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p.8 #11 · p.8 #11 · Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?

BTW Fred, if at some point you'd be interested, I'd be willing to meet up with a Canon 24-70 2.8 II if you'd want to do that comparison. (I think you've moved on but...) I'm in Irvine.
Chris

Apr 21, 2016 at 09:55 AM

Fred Miranda
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p.8 #12 · p.8 #12 · Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?

Schlotkins wrote:
BTW Fred, if at some point you'd be interested, I'd be willing to meet up with a Canon 24-70 2.8 II if you'd want to do that comparison. (I think you've moved on but...) I'm in Irvine.
Chris

Anytime!

Apr 21, 2016 at 01:58 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.8 #13 · p.8 #13 · Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?

So, I decided to test the C/Y 35-70 against the Loxia 50 at 50mm. It's not really far because the Loxia 50/2 is a superb 50mm lens. So, if the the Contax zoom comes close, it will be just amazing.

The lighting was a bit harsh but we will be able to see contrast and resolution from these 2 lenses. (color may not be pleasant, it will render differently as well)


	https://www.fredmiranda.com/Buzz/loxia-cy-thumb-50.jpg

Starting with the center crops.

CENTER AT 50mm

LOXIA 50/2 | C/Y 35-70/3.4


	https://www.fredmiranda.com/Buzz/LOXIAvscy-CENTER-50.jpg

LOXIA 50/2 | C/Y 35-70/3.4

-------------

Very similar in my view. The Loxia is better at f/4 but starting at f/5.6 both lenses are excellent in the center area.

Apr 21, 2016 at 02:02 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.8 #14 · p.8 #14 · Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?

EXTREME EDGES AT 50mm

LOXIA 50/2 | C/Y 35-70/3.4


	https://www.fredmiranda.com/Buzz/loxiavscy-EDGES-50.jpg

LOXIA 50/2 | C/Y 35-70/3.4

Apr 21, 2016 at 02:13 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.8 #15 · p.8 #15 · Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?

MID-FIELD AT 50mm

LOXIA 50/2 | C/Y 35-70/3.4


	https://www.fredmiranda.com/Buzz/loxiavscy-MID-50.jpg

LOXIA 50/2 | C/Y 35-70/3.4

Apr 21, 2016 at 02:21 PM

GMPhotography
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p.8 #16 · p.8 #16 · Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?

Thats pretty good. I need to stop looking. Bye love ya see you at your VC 15III test. ROTFLMAO

Seriously nice work Fred

Edited on Apr 21, 2016 at 02:42 PM · View previous versions

Apr 21, 2016 at 02:23 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.8 #17 · p.8 #17 · Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?

At 50mm, I would not hesitate to use the C/Y 35-70 starting at f/5.6. The level of micro-contrast is high and very similar to the Loxias. Colors are a bit more saturated. It pretty much matched my best 50mm landscape lens. (Loxia 50/2)
There is slight improvement at f/8 towards the very edges of the frame but f/5.6 is very good at this FL. I would say, set the lens to f/8 and forget about it.

To me, I don't know why I got this lens. Peer pressure!

I already have the Loxia 50/2 and use my RX1RII for 35mm. However, it's nice having a high quality lens covering this range and we can't complain about the price, size or weight. The lens is all metal but my adapter costs almost the same as the lens.

All I need is both Loxia 21/2.8 and CV 15/4.5III lenses in my pockets and I'm done.

Apr 21, 2016 at 02:24 PM

rji2goleez
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p.8 #18 · p.8 #18 · Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?

Fred Miranda wrote:
At 50mm, I would not hesitate to use the C/Y 35-70 starting at f/5.6. The level of micro-contrast is high and very similar to the Loxias. Colors are a bit more saturated. It pretty much matched my best 50mm landscape lens. (Loxia 50/2)
There is slight improvement at f/8 towards the very edges of the frame but f/5.6 is very good at this FL. I would say, set the lens to f/8 and forget about it.

To me, I don't know why I got this lens. Peer pressure!

I already have the Loxia 50/2 and use my RX1RII for...Show more →

I agree. But there are times when carrying just the FE16-35/4 and the Contax 35-70/3.4 is just a wonderful two lens kit that covers just about everything! It's a great travel kit. In the end, I will probably use my CV15/4.5III and the Loxia trilogy for most of my landscapes but I'm glad I have the two zooms too.

Apr 21, 2016 at 03:00 PM

photomadnz
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p.8 #19 · p.8 #19 · Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?

When it comes to making large prints I love the look my 35-70 gives me. Thats something that cant be studied only with pixel peeping. I also find the lens seems to give about a stop better DOF for any given aperture which is nice also.
Great lens though as we can see, considering I was given mine I would never part with it! Or my RX1rII for that matter ;-)

Apr 21, 2016 at 03:34 PM

DavidBM
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p.8 #20 · p.8 #20 · Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?

Is it my imagination, or because the material is harder to judge, or does the midfield look a little better in the 50mm crops against the Lox compared with the earlier 50mm crops compared to the GM?

Apr 21, 2016 at 03:53 PM

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