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Archive 2020 · 35mm blind test

  
 
wolfloid
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p.2 #1 · 35mm blind test


1a, 2f.


Jun 27, 2020 at 04:23 PM
sebboh
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p.2 #2 · 35mm blind test


a for both, but in some situations d or f for 2.

shouldn't b have a pcx filter or something to make it fair?



Jun 27, 2020 at 06:31 PM
Makten
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p.2 #3 · 35mm blind test


Olaf G wrote:
Couldn't this be the Zeiss Classic/Milvus Distagon 35mm f2?



Maybe, but I don't remember it having that smooth bokeh. OTOH, the transition zone looks very good (the little of it that can be seen) and that is one of the best characteristics of the Distagon.



Jun 27, 2020 at 06:35 PM
AdaptedLenses
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p.2 #4 · 35mm blind test


Set 1: Photo A if I have to pick, but the field curvature is pretty distracting in both, much worse in B.

Set 2: F for similar reason but it’s also unfair as the hydrant got full light on its “head” which makes the whole thing pop more.

nehemiahphoto wrote:
Which do you all prefer for both sets?

Set 1 is two different lenses both at f1.4.

Set 2 is six different lenses at f1.7-2.

Set 1:





Jun 27, 2020 at 09:15 PM
Sliding Focus
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p.2 #5 · 35mm blind test


Yet another vote for 1a and 2f. Image a would be my second choice in set 2, and c my third.

If you open the images in separate tabs and click between them, it looks like images a and b in both sets are the same lenses (the framing stays the same).



Jun 27, 2020 at 10:38 PM
imagesfromobjects
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p.2 #6 · 35mm blind test


A and D.


Jun 27, 2020 at 10:41 PM
nikonos6
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p.2 #7 · 35mm blind test


also think that a and b are same lenses in both sets -
a is quite good, though background not always smooth, otherwise like the rendering here in general
f is really having smoothest bookeh - wonder what lens this is
d looks nice colorize, a little warmer

So - which lenses could be a and b ?
Actually hard to guess for me, for my only 35mm is the Zeiss ZF f2.
Would be nice to know if f is really the RX .



Jun 28, 2020 at 07:54 AM
RustyBug
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p.2 #8 · 35mm blind test


1a

Lighting changes too much on the subject for me, so I kinda have to default to the bokeh for consideration. Point being that on the surface, 1B looks to have more contrast in the subject, but since it has such different lighting (top vs. bottom), that would account for the contrast variance more than the lens itself might.

That said, thanks for the effort ... now, how about the reveal.



Jun 28, 2020 at 09:35 AM
nehemiahphoto
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p.2 #9 · 35mm blind test


Ok guys. First, thanks for participating. Interestingly, there is a very strong bend towards 3 lenses--CV 35 1.2iii, Pentax 31 ltd and the RX1. This strongly correlates to my real world shooting preferences as well. Tallying the responses (as best I could tell, not everyone voted the same way):

Votes:
Set 1:
a: 19 votes
b: 0 votes (ouch!)

Set B:
a - 4
b - 1
c - 0 (!)
d - 10
e - 1
f - 17


Set 1:
a - CV 35 1.2 iii @ f1.4
b - 35 Lux ASPH Pre-FLE @ f1.4

Set 2:
a - CV 35 1.2iii @ f1.7
b - 35 Lux ASPH Pre-FLE @ f1.7
c - CV 35 1.7 @ f1.7
d - Pentax 31 Ltd @ f1.8
e - CV 35/2 @ f2
f - RX1 @ f2

These photos were taken on a stock A7s, hence the FC many of you noticed. While some lenses are affected more than others (like the Lux, CV 35 1.7 and CV 35/2) I've included some crops to see the central bokeh where FC isn't affecting.

I think you'll find the order of preference the same. It was for me. No PCX filters were used.

Sorry for the slight shift light on the hydrant, but the bokeh is more what I was after, and lighting was consistent for that.

- The new CV 35 1.2iii does pretty well, and I have been enjoying is as portrait 35mm. I may swap my CV for an SE but I have an m-mount film camera.
- WB and exposure has been adjusted, I see the much warmer 31 ltd and Leica colors.
- Despite it being at a half stop disadvantage, the RX1 is easily the smoothest.

I might round up some other lenses I am curious about, more of an SLR set, and do another round.












Edited on Jun 28, 2020 at 01:50 PM · View previous versions



Jun 28, 2020 at 10:01 AM
Steve Spencer
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p.2 #10 · 35mm blind test


nehemiahphoto wrote:
Ok guys. First, thanks for participating. Interestingly, there is a very strong bend towards 3 lenses--CV 35 1.2iii, Pentax 31 ltd and the RX1. This strongly correlates to my real world shooting preferences as well. Tallying the responses (as best I could tell, not everyone voted the same way):

Votes:
Set 1:
a: 19 votes
b: 0 votes (ouch!)

Set B:
a - 4
b - 1
c - 0 (!)
d - 10
e - 17

Set 1:
a - CV 35 1.2 iii @ f1.4
b - 35 Lux ASPH Pre-FLE @ f1.4

Set 2:
a - CV 35 1.2iii @ f1.7
b - 35 Lux ASPH Pre-FLE @ f1.7
c - CV 35
...Show more

Sorry to nitpick, but isn't the vote missing f (which had a bunch of votes probably the 17) and e had very few votes. What an interesting test. I am struck by how good the new CV 35 f/1.2 III does. I was ready to guess b in both shots was the Zeiss ZM 35 f/1.4. It is interesting it was the Leica. I did correctly guess that d was the Pentax limited. That holds up surprisingly well too, and no surprise that people liked the RX1. It is a big surprise, however, that nobody like the CV 35 f/1.7. I would have thought it would have done better. Thanks for a really interesting and fun test.



Jun 28, 2020 at 10:36 AM
nehemiahphoto
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p.2 #11 · 35mm blind test


Steve Spencer wrote:
Sorry to nitpick, but isn't the vote missing f (which had a bunch of votes probably the 17) and e had very few votes. What an interesting test. I am struck by how good the new CV 35 f/1.2 III does. I was ready to guess b in both shots was the Zeiss ZM 35 f/1.4. It is interesting it was the Leica. I did correctly guess that d was the Pentax limited. That holds up surprisingly well too, and no surprise that people liked the RX1. It is a big surprise, however, that nobody like the CV 35
...Show more

Nitpick away! We are on FM after all. You're correct, my pre-coffee brain screwed up. Thanks for the catch Steve. 17 is for the RX1. To me, the 31 ltd has aged remarkably well. And I agree--I thought the CV 35 1.7 would do better. But having the CV 35 1.2iii for a bit now, I do like it better than the Lux 35 pre-fle or ZM 35 1.4 or CV 35 1.7, and I often prefer Zeiss over CV. Glad you enjoyed and are appreciate of the exercise.



Jun 28, 2020 at 10:56 AM
rscheffler
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p.2 #12 · 35mm blind test


Steve Spencer wrote:
It is a big surprise, however, that nobody like the CV 35 f/1.7. I would have thought it would have done better. Thanks for a really interesting and fun test.


I like the CV35/1.7 and it is my primary 35 in regular use and will happily continue to do so. But I don't use it on a Sony camera...

Can we reshoot these on a Leica M?

The primary reason I didn't like some of the options was the very strong field curvature and resulting funkiness at the edges/corners. IMO centrally there is not a lot of bokeh difference between some of these. The CV35/1.2III does look nice. The transition is not bad at f/2 and the blur is a bit more Gaussian. I'd need to try it side by side with the 1.7 to determine across-frame stopped down performance at ~f/5.6 and whether the greater girth of the lens is a worthwhile tradeoff over the narrow but long design of the 1.7...



Jun 28, 2020 at 12:51 PM
nehemiahphoto
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p.2 #13 · 35mm blind test


rscheffler wrote:
I like the CV35/1.7 and it is my primary 35 in regular use and will happily continue to do so. But I don't use it on a Sony camera...

Can we reshoot these on a Leica M?

The primary reason I didn't like some of the options was the very strong field curvature and resulting funkiness at the edges/corners. IMO centrally there is not a lot of bokeh difference between some of these. The CV35/1.2III does look nice. The transition is not bad at f/2 and the blur is a bit more Gaussian. I'd need to try it side by side
...Show more

Sure-send me your M

I don't think you'll see much change though centrally for bokeh. I've been using the CV 35 1.7 for the last 3/4 years and I appreciate the sharpness, size and flare-resistance. I borrowed my ZM 35 1.4 and CV 35 1.7 to sebboh, and he said both are sharp across the frame WO, and he probably still has crops.

To me, the bokeh, color, rendering and overall images are preferable from the CV 35 1.2iii. The CV 35 1.7 has less SA, smaller size and better flare resistance and sharpness generally in my experience, so probably a better travel, versatile and landscaper lens. Though stopped down, there are both uber sharp.

As far as the CV 35 1.2iii, I think the flare resistance isn't as great as I have read other say or compared to other modern CV lenses. I can post multiple examples with ring flare below f2 (where I often shoot), and some large purple blobs in strongly backlight situations. I did a tripod test which confirmed my experience with the CV 35 1.7 vs CV 35 1.2iii.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/68886880@N07/albums/72157714786758477



Jun 28, 2020 at 01:14 PM
sebboh
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p.2 #14 · 35mm blind test


nehemiahphoto wrote:
I don't think you'll see much change though centrally for bokeh. I've been using the CV 35 1.7 for the last 3/4 years and I appreciate the sharpness, size and flare-resistance. I borrowed my ZM 35 1.4 and CV 35 1.7 to sebboh, and he said both are sharp across the frame WO, and he probably still has crops.


i do. i compared the lux FLE, zm 35/1.4, and cv 35/1.7 on my kolari UT and an m9. I didn't see any difference in performance between the m9 and UT at infinity or portrait distance bokeh.

here is the bokeh comparison at f/1.4, this is on the UT as focus was less consistent on the m9.
lux asph FLE:
http://live.staticflickr.com/3853/33463471656_8970680370_h.jpg

zm 35/1.4:
http://live.staticflickr.com/2819/32690298443_ec55ab461a_h.jpg

cv 35/1.7 (obviously at f/1.7):
http://live.staticflickr.com/772/32690298623_3eb539bb44_h.jpg

now at f/2.

lux asph FLE:
http://live.staticflickr.com/3892/32690298563_73e7b22e16_h.jpg

zm 35/1.4:
http://live.staticflickr.com/3669/33348257022_8add0e2e73_h.jpg

cv 35/1.7:
http://live.staticflickr.com/3913/33463471186_eb71312d41_h.jpg

here is the infinity comparison of all 3 plus the lux pre-asph on the UT.

here is the comparison of the summilux FLE on the m9 versus the UT.



Jun 28, 2020 at 01:33 PM
nehemiahphoto
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p.2 #15 · 35mm blind test


sebboh wrote:
i do. i compared the lux FLE, zm 35/1.4, and cv 35/1.7 on my kolari UT and an m9. I didn't see any difference in performance between the m9 and UT at infinity or portrait distance bokeh.

here is the bokeh comparison at f/1.4, this is on the UT as focus was less consistent on the m9.
lux asph FLE:
http://live.staticflickr.com/3853/33463471656_8970680370_h.jpg

zm 35/1.4:
http://live.staticflickr.com/2819/32690298443_ec55ab461a_h.jpg

cv 35/1.7 (obviously at f/1.7):
http://live.staticflickr.com/772/32690298623_3eb539bb44_h.jpg

now at f/2.

lux asph FLE:
http://live.staticflickr.com/3892/32690298563_73e7b22e16_h.jpg

zm 35/1.4:
http://live.staticflickr.com/3669/33348257022_8add0e2e73_h.jpg

cv 35/1.7:
http://live.staticflickr.com/3913/33463471186_eb71312d41_h.jpg

here is the infinity comparison of all 3 plus the lux pre-asph on the UT.

here is the comparison of the summilux FLE on the m9 versus the UT.


I know the bokeh on the 35 Lux ASPH FLE was rough (largely why I went for the Pre-FLE), but to my eyes, it looks harsher than the ZM 35 1.4 when both at 1.4. Interesting. Thanks for posting. Both are too harsh IMO.




Jun 28, 2020 at 01:43 PM
zhangyue
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p.2 #16 · 35mm blind test


nehemiahphoto wrote:
Ok guys. First, thanks for participating. Interestingly, there is a very strong bend towards 3 lenses--CV 35 1.2iii, Pentax 31 ltd and the RX1. This strongly correlates to my real world shooting preferences as well. Tallying the responses (as best I could tell, not everyone voted the same way):

Votes:
Set 1:
a: 19 votes
b: 0 votes (ouch!)

Set B:
a - 4
b - 1
c - 0 (!)
d - 10
e - 1
f - 17

Set 1:
a - CV 35 1.2 iii @ f1.4
b - 35 Lux ASPH Pre-FLE @ f1.4

Set 2:
a - CV 35 1.2iii @ f1.7
b - 35 Lux ASPH Pre-FLE @ f1.7
c -
...Show more

Thanks for the comparison. Haha, got two out of three lens correct.

zhangyue wrote:
Under this particular shooting condition for bokeh smoothness rating:

1a(L)
2f(R), a(L), d(P)


2f is the easiest lens to figure out. I shoot it almost 4 years. No way I will miss that. Pentax is the one I thought about buying for GFX after do lots of researches on it but late find it will not offer enough coverage and focus the nikon way.

I totally miss the lens #1 and though it was 35mm Summilux. I am surprised it behave like this under this condition. It doesnt look that good.

However, two comments, first, it was used on Sony, I think it will modify the bokeh behavior like I saw before. So was a VC35mm f1.7, some rangefinder glasses just more sensitive to others.

2nd, This is one set of result under one distance and one light condition. and we are only talk about Bokeh smoothness per say. and in this shooting case, Bokeh smoothness is the only important factor.

RX1 did a great job here. I do like it for the reason it just doesn't draw attention to itself, no bokeh business, much less corner funkyness so you can concentrate on images itself which is the most important feature I like about 35mm. (means mostly small aperture shooting or long distance wide aperture shooting, not for bokeh effect) Ultimately, for a rangefinder 35mm glass, I rated ergo as equally important as bokeh rendering. For that reason combine with rendering I rule out the 35mm f1.7VC, ZM35f1.4 and potentially 35mm f1.2VC. (it did surprisingly good here but not enough for me TBH)

One 35mm lens I like a lot is Nikon 35mm f1.8S, it is the closest one remind me of RX1. I am pretty sure it will behave better than most of glasses here under same condition. I sold my Z7 but decide keep it and 85S for future use.

If they are all the same price, I will choose 35lux FLE with no brain, I like the fact of it has focus tab, small and high speed for low light shooting, for me that will be more important than anything else. Let face it, if we just pick bokeh or rendering, sigma 35mm f1.2 L will be in my bag already.

To like a lens or not can be tricky for me. I am slightly surprised to see the 35mm pre-FLE results here but other than that, I am not seeing any unexpected results and know that it will for sure not changing how I choose my lens. The only way is using it long enough to find out.

Thanks again for the comparison.



Jun 28, 2020 at 02:25 PM
nehemiahphoto
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p.2 #17 · 35mm blind test


zhangyue wrote:
Thanks for the comparison. Haha, got two out of three lens correct.

2f is the easiest lens to figure out. I shoot it almost 4 years. No way I will miss that. Pentax is the one I thought about buying for GFX after do lots of researches on it but late find it will not offer enough coverage and focus the nikon way.

I totally miss the lens #1 and though it was 35mm Summilux. I am surprised it behave like this under this condition. It doesnt look that good.

However, two comments, first, it was used on Sony, I think it
...Show more

What info did you find the pentax 31 w/ the GFX? Can you link? I ask because I used it with lovely results on a 50r--no hard vignetting, but I also didn't shoot crops on a tripod, so maybe the corners never sharpen? I do dislike the Nikon way the focus rings goes as well.

After being super excited about the ASPH Lux Leica 35's, I am not a fan anymore. I don't care too much about the technical rendering--though I like to be aware. The images don't do it for me. They don't have the brilliance and magic as some of the older mandler lenses, while the new ones feel fine but lots of sharp high micro-contrast well corrected modern optics available now. Even if they were all priced the same, I still wouldn't select them. I think the bokeh is pretty consistently poor on the modern 35 lux'es, but people have their preferences which I support. I think in a blind test, it will loose again and again. I haven't done much research on the Nikon Z 35--I'll give it a look. I haven't followed the Z system much, but the 85 1.8 images did seem quite nice.

I would give the CV 35 1.2iii a try--ergonomically, it's the best of the M 35's I have shot. I am not too fond of the CV 35 f2 or CV 35 1.7, while the ZM 35 1.4 was large and I found a bit tricky to focus. The new CV 35 is great ergonomically--wonderful focus throw, not too big or too small, aperture rings has nice placement, MF ring is broad and tactile, minimal extension, nice MFD. I don't prefer focusing tabs, and my hands are slightly large, so that might be a difference for us.

















Jun 28, 2020 at 04:55 PM
AdaptedLenses
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p.2 #18 · 35mm blind test


I agree about the Nikon 35S, it’s rendering isnt as smooth, but always reminded me of the RX1. Of course it’s a lot bigger. I think it just a rotten rep because it isn’t as sharp as the 50, and then the 85 came out and put all of them to shame. Not only sharpness but the rendering of the Z glass is pretty nice. The 50 bokeh for instance isn’t giving up a ton on the bokeh front to the legendary 58, but that’s another topic. Kinda makes me want a Z6 again.

zhangyue wrote:
Thanks for the comparison. Haha, got two out of three lens correct.

2f is the easiest lens to figure out. I shoot it almost 4 years. No way I will miss that. Pentax is the one I thought about buying for GFX after do lots of researches on it but late find it will not offer enough coverage and focus the nikon way.

I totally miss the lens #1 and though it was 35mm Summilux. I am surprised it behave like this under this condition. It doesnt look that good.

However, two comments, first, it was used on Sony, I think it
...Show more



Jun 28, 2020 at 07:42 PM
zhangyue
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p.2 #19 · 35mm blind test


The little girl portrait is really wonderful. This 35mm f1.2 might be the best M option right now for bokeh. I can certainly understand your love of it.

I don’t remember exact how were the research details, there were multiple sources and reasons made me give it up and coverage was one of them only. I actually didn’t know it covers 50R I seems remember I judged Pentax’s vignette performance on FF. I remembered it was about 3 stop. A way I used mostly for pick potential FF glasses on GFX. Not very scientific but works most of time for me. (Hence I know sigma 135 will offer slightly better coverage than Zeiss.) After some research, I give up the idea of adapting wide angle lens FF on GFX, not much need for wide angle bokeh and if not for shallow DOF, it seems there is always a better option in FF land that I can’t say the same for 50/85/135. Then if not for GFX, and I am not shooting Pentax natively, It is hard to justify. I Have to say I liked its bokeh general speaking and it is better than many 35mm out there but not significantly.

Sorry that I wasn’t very clear about ergo. For Leica or rangefinder, The ergo I mentioned was not just size. I wasn’t too fond of 40mm f1.2 which is smaller than this 35mm,( of course I also prefer 50lux ASPH to it on bokeh. )

All my Leica glasses now I have equal or wider than 50mm offer focus tab and almost all of them offer the same 90 degree focusing from infinity to MFD, the same focus ring consistency. I use my index finger only for focusing which becomes a habit for M. For small aperture and on most subject distance, I rely on finger position and memory than focus often.

Don’t know if that makes sense for most MILC shooters anymore but i hope it might be helpful for some or get some echo from rangefinder crowds.

As for Nikon Z 35, it is good, the best 35mm I ever used(minus RX1) but I don’t think it is good enough to the point that anyone will just go Z for it there is no system make me want to go just for one or two lenses anymore. For me, I still have Nikon system and glasses, that is why I keep them.

nehemiahphoto wrote:
What info did you find the pentax 31 w/ the GFX? Can you link? I ask because I used it with lovely results on a 50r--no hard vignetting, but I also didn't shoot crops on a tripod, so maybe the corners never sharpen? I do dislike the Nikon way the focus rings goes as well.

After being super excited about the ASPH Lux Leica 35's, I am not a fan anymore. I don't care too much about the technical rendering--though I like to be aware. The images don't do it for me. They don't have the brilliance and magic as some
...Show more



Jun 28, 2020 at 08:00 PM
zhangyue
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p.2 #20 · 35mm blind test



50mm f1.8s actually has smoother bokeh than most classic lenses. It offers very similar performance of Leica 50APO m though at almost 3X volume. Its bokeh was even slightly smoother than 55zony in AB test, quite impressive given I really loved Zony.

You can’t hold the same standard for 35mm and 85mm relative speaking, all three are wonderful.

35mm is underrated heavily IMHO. I don’t think many realize that. I kept 35 and 85. And 50 has one of best reputation, go figure

AdaptedLenses wrote:
I agree about the Nikon 35S, it’s rendering isnt as smooth, but always reminded me of the RX1. Of course it’s a lot bigger. I think it just a rotten rep because it isn’t as sharp as the 50, and then the 85 came out and put all of them to shame. Not only sharpness but the rendering of the Z glass is pretty nice. The 50 bokeh for instance isn’t giving up a ton on the bokeh front to the legendary 58, but that’s another topic. Kinda makes me want a Z6 again.





Jun 28, 2020 at 08:24 PM
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