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Archive 2017Contax 28 2.8 vs Nikkor 28 2.8
p.1 #1Contax 28 2.8 vs Nikkor 28 2.8
Yesterday I got a Contax 28mm 2.8 MM version. I have a Nikkor 28mm 2.8, but I’ve been unhappy with the soft edges. Normally that’s not something I worry about, but it was noticeable with the Nikon. It was cold (38F) and windy for the test, and I headed over to a nearby warehouse district. I haven’t see much testing of the Nikkor posted, so here goes. First, a couple Contax shots at F8, and hopefully this will work. (I don’t post much.)
https://s1.postimg.org/5qlivxzy5r/IMG_5813.jpg
https://s1.postimg.org/6unidcng27/IMG_5818.jpg
Ok, back to the car and I head off for the brick wall comparisons. Here’s the scene and the Nikkor is better than the Contax for vinetting.
Contax 2.8
https://s1.postimg.org/81m9h51qin/IMG_5831-_C.jpg
Nikkor 2.8
https://s1.postimg.org/4w6ri7ely7/IMG_5835-_N.jpg
Center crops. I think the Contax is sharper.
Contax 2.8
https://s1.postimg.org/19dz8uu973/IMG_5831-_C-2_8.jpg
Nikkor 2.8
https://s1.postimg.org/2ga1vmdvof/IMG_5835-_N-2_8.jpg
Contax 4
https://s1.postimg.org/646e9b5lfj/IMG_5832-_C-4.jpg
Nikkor 4
https://s1.postimg.org/6bmdiwnjbz/IMG_5836-_N-4.jpg
Contax 5.6
https://s1.postimg.org/5xfxs1pb4f/IMG_5833-_C-5_6.jpg
Nikkor 5.6
https://s1.postimg.org/6fiqusvh8v/IMG_5837-_N-5_6.jpg
Contax 8
https://s1.postimg.org/4k6626tc0f/IMG_5834-_C-8.jpg
Nikkor 8
https://s1.postimg.org/59c70djxu7/IMG_5838-_N-8.jpg
Upper left corner crops. I don’t think there is much question here on which is sharper.
Contax 2.8
https://s1.postimg.org/86ngv6afxr/IMG_5831-_C-2_8.jpg
Nikkor 2.8
https://s1.postimg.org/5buspeb45r/IMG_5835-_N-2_8.jpg
Contax 4
https://s1.postimg.org/1hyskln19b/IMG_5832-_C-4.jpg
Nikkor 4
https://s1.postimg.org/23l7l2omz3/IMG_5836-_N-4.jpg
Contax 5.6
https://s1.postimg.org/5xtz41hapb/IMG_5833-_C-5_6.jpg
Nikkor 5.6
https://s1.postimg.org/1bl3hi9m1r/IMG_5837-_N-5_6.jpg
Contax 8
https://s1.postimg.org/84653zaj9b/IMG_5834-_C-8.jpg
Nikkor 8
https://s1.postimg.org/3vqxu5s08v/IMG_5838-_N-8.jpg
The post shooting beer was good enough that I had two.
Camera: Canon5DII
-Straight out of the camera jpgs for the wall shots.
-Tripod? Yes.
Jay
https://s1.postimg.org/5qlivxzy5r/IMG_5813.jpg
https://s1.postimg.org/6unidcng27/IMG_5818.jpg
Ok, back to the car and I head off for the brick wall comparisons. Here’s the scene and the Nikkor is better than the Contax for vinetting.
Contax 2.8
https://s1.postimg.org/81m9h51qin/IMG_5831-_C.jpg
Nikkor 2.8
https://s1.postimg.org/4w6ri7ely7/IMG_5835-_N.jpg
Center crops. I think the Contax is sharper.
Contax 2.8
https://s1.postimg.org/19dz8uu973/IMG_5831-_C-2_8.jpg
Nikkor 2.8
https://s1.postimg.org/2ga1vmdvof/IMG_5835-_N-2_8.jpg
Contax 4
https://s1.postimg.org/646e9b5lfj/IMG_5832-_C-4.jpg
Nikkor 4
https://s1.postimg.org/6bmdiwnjbz/IMG_5836-_N-4.jpg
Contax 5.6
https://s1.postimg.org/5xfxs1pb4f/IMG_5833-_C-5_6.jpg
Nikkor 5.6
https://s1.postimg.org/6fiqusvh8v/IMG_5837-_N-5_6.jpg
Contax 8
https://s1.postimg.org/4k6626tc0f/IMG_5834-_C-8.jpg
Nikkor 8
https://s1.postimg.org/59c70djxu7/IMG_5838-_N-8.jpg
Upper left corner crops. I don’t think there is much question here on which is sharper.
Contax 2.8
https://s1.postimg.org/86ngv6afxr/IMG_5831-_C-2_8.jpg
Nikkor 2.8
https://s1.postimg.org/5buspeb45r/IMG_5835-_N-2_8.jpg
Contax 4
https://s1.postimg.org/1hyskln19b/IMG_5832-_C-4.jpg
Nikkor 4
https://s1.postimg.org/23l7l2omz3/IMG_5836-_N-4.jpg
Contax 5.6
https://s1.postimg.org/5xtz41hapb/IMG_5833-_C-5_6.jpg
Nikkor 5.6
https://s1.postimg.org/1bl3hi9m1r/IMG_5837-_N-5_6.jpg
Contax 8
https://s1.postimg.org/84653zaj9b/IMG_5834-_C-8.jpg
Nikkor 8
https://s1.postimg.org/3vqxu5s08v/IMG_5838-_N-8.jpg
The post shooting beer was good enough that I had two.
Camera: Canon5DII
-Straight out of the camera jpgs for the wall shots.
-Tripod? Yes.
Jay
Oct 29, 2017 at 10:41 AM
p.1 #2Contax 28 2.8 vs Nikkor 28 2.8
The C/Y lenses are no joke! Yes you pay more for them, but there is a reason why 
The only 28mm i had was the Zuiko 28mm 3.5 and that was a pretty good lens, as everyone knows. I am undecided if i should go with the C/Y 28mm 2.8 (the Hollywood would be fantastic but a bit spendy) or the C/Y 25mm MMJ version.
The only 28mm i had was the Zuiko 28mm 3.5 and that was a pretty good lens, as everyone knows. I am undecided if i should go with the C/Y 28mm 2.8 (the Hollywood would be fantastic but a bit spendy) or the C/Y 25mm MMJ version. Oct 29, 2017 at 03:03 PM
p.1 #3Contax 28 2.8 vs Nikkor 28 2.8
I was looking for sharp and small and the contax seems to fit the bill well. I can't comment on the 25. I went for the 28 (a favorite focal length) and I have the Zeiss 21 and Contax 50 (1.7), but I considered a 24 or 25.
https://s1.postimg.org/1i3x8y4yr3/IMG_5845.jpg
Jay
https://s1.postimg.org/1i3x8y4yr3/IMG_5845.jpg
Jay
Oct 30, 2017 at 07:49 PM
p.1 #4Contax 28 2.8 vs Nikkor 28 2.8
I kind of assume that the Nikon 28/2.8 is the AiS one, but Nikon made at least 5 different 28/2.8's(including the plastic AF ones) so it'd be nice if you'd specify which one you are comparing.
Oct 30, 2017 at 11:19 PM
p.1 #5Contax 28 2.8 vs Nikkor 28 2.8
The CY 28/2.8 had a tremendous center, at f5.6 its as stronger as the Loxia 21/28 at f5.6. You see it here with the massive micro-contrast. That alone gives images great depth perception. You can use it to good effect in near far shots, and use the curvature as well.
Oct 31, 2017 at 03:19 AM
p.1 #6Contax 28 2.8 vs Nikkor 28 2.8
Keith B. wrote:
I kind of assume that the Nikon 28/2.8 is the AiS one, but Nikon made at least 5 different 28/2.8's(including the plastic AF ones) so it'd be nice if you'd specify which one you are comparing.
Yup, AiS from the early 80s. Both the Nikon and Contax were hitting infinity at the mark (not past).
I kind of assume that the Nikon 28/2.8 is the AiS one, but Nikon made at least 5 different 28/2.8's(including the plastic AF ones) so it'd be nice if you'd specify which one you are comparing.
Yup, AiS from the early 80s. Both the Nikon and Contax were hitting infinity at the mark (not past).
Oct 31, 2017 at 04:59 AM
p.1 #7Contax 28 2.8 vs Nikkor 28 2.8
Nikon 28mm f2,8 ais is better if the focus is before 7 ft.
The Nikon f2,0 vesion is better @f2,8 after this distance.
The CY is more balaced.
Last but not least, the copy variation in classic glass.
The Nikon f2,0 vesion is better @f2,8 after this distance.
The CY is more balaced.
Last but not least, the copy variation in classic glass.
Nov 02, 2017 at 12:55 AM
p.1 #8Contax 28 2.8 vs Nikkor 28 2.8
I have both the CZ 28mm 2.8 MM and the Nikon 28mm 2.8 AIS. Your findings are exactly what I've noticed over the years. For distance, the CZ in better, but I prefer the Nikon for close up work. This is a great pair to own for covering this focal length. The other manual 28mm lens I'm curious about is the Pentax 28mm 3.5 K. I've seen some excellent samples on FM recently and it seems to have similar IQ as the CZ & Nikon. It's also less expensive.
Nov 02, 2017 at 06:06 AM
p.1 #9Contax 28 2.8 vs Nikkor 28 2.8
Cadaver wrote:
... The other manual 28mm lens I'm curious about is the Pentax 28mm 3.5 K. I've seen some excellent samples on FM recently and it seems to have similar IQ as the CZ & Nikon. It's also less expensive.
My SMC Pentax 28/3.5 has similar performance to the Contax 28/2.8 MM in the centre (zones A & B), and the Pentax is better at the edges and corners. This is at f/8 and infinity focus, for scenic photography. Note that I had to get infinity focus adjusted on the Pentax, in order to get this performance.
I also have the SMC Pentax 28/2 (Vancouver), which is about the same or a bit better than the 28/3.5 at infinity (i.e. excellent). Of course, the 28/2 is much more interesting for closer subjects, where its faster aperture and floating rear elements give better subject separation (not allowed to say "3D" for Pentax) and sharper detail in the primary subject.
Most of my Alt lenses are Zeiss CY/ZE and Mamiya 645, with a smattering of Pentax, Leica, Voigtlander, and Oly. These two 28mm lenses are the only Pentax lenses of the 50+ that I own/have owned, that can 'keep up' with my Zeiss Contax and ZE lenses. Now that I have a high res body (5DS), I'll be doing another round of lens comparisons at f/8 and infinity focus. Let the weak ones fall (into my for sale bin).
... The other manual 28mm lens I'm curious about is the Pentax 28mm 3.5 K. I've seen some excellent samples on FM recently and it seems to have similar IQ as the CZ & Nikon. It's also less expensive.
My SMC Pentax 28/3.5 has similar performance to the Contax 28/2.8 MM in the centre (zones A & B), and the Pentax is better at the edges and corners. This is at f/8 and infinity focus, for scenic photography. Note that I had to get infinity focus adjusted on the Pentax, in order to get this performance.
I also have the SMC Pentax 28/2 (Vancouver), which is about the same or a bit better than the 28/3.5 at infinity (i.e. excellent). Of course, the 28/2 is much more interesting for closer subjects, where its faster aperture and floating rear elements give better subject separation (not allowed to say "3D" for Pentax) and sharper detail in the primary subject.
Most of my Alt lenses are Zeiss CY/ZE and Mamiya 645, with a smattering of Pentax, Leica, Voigtlander, and Oly. These two 28mm lenses are the only Pentax lenses of the 50+ that I own/have owned, that can 'keep up' with my Zeiss Contax and ZE lenses. Now that I have a high res body (5DS), I'll be doing another round of lens comparisons at f/8 and infinity focus. Let the weak ones fall (into my for sale bin).
Nov 02, 2017 at 06:47 AM
p.1 #10Contax 28 2.8 vs Nikkor 28 2.8
I had a Contax 28/2.8 MM, have the Nikon 28/2.8 AI-s, and the Pentax 28/3.5 K. My fave is the Pentax and I post shots and samples from that lens quite a bit here.
To each his own, but I find the Pentax to be a winner and have no qualms using it next to my Loxia 21 and Batis 25 when shooting landscapes.
-Tim
Nov 02, 2017 at 10:25 AM
p.1 #11Contax 28 2.8 vs Nikkor 28 2.8
Great post. I just received my MMJ 28/2.8 in the mail too! I’ll be shooting landscapes this weekend with it and post some images.
Nov 02, 2017 at 11:18 AM