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Archive 2021 · 35mm blind test p.2

nehemiahphoto
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · 35mm blind test p.2

Which do you all prefer for each set? All 35mm lenses. Blind test is the best test

All photos taken on tripod, base ISO, manually focused, matching WB, and all image settings idenitcal

(one small exception, will tell later).

Note: In each set, the number is randomized--i.e. lens "1" is not lens "1" across series.

Note: You can go to my flickr page to see bigger files for closer inspection.

Series 1:

Bokeh at 0.6 meters:

Original:

Crops:

Edited on Jan 31, 2021 at 08:43 PM · View previous versions

Jan 31, 2021 at 05:47 PM

nehemiahphoto
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · 35mm blind test p.2

Bokeh/background at 1.2 meters

1

Jan 31, 2021 at 05:49 PM

nehemiahphoto
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · 35mm blind test p.2

Flare:

1

Jan 31, 2021 at 05:52 PM

nehemiahphoto
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · 35mm blind test p.2

Bokeh and transition at f2 at 10-12 feet: Red highlight is crop, blue rectangle within the red highlight is the focal point.

Sample

Crops

Jan 31, 2021 at 05:54 PM

nehemiahphoto
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · 35mm blind test p.2

F8 with tree (focal point) 12 feet away

1

Jan 31, 2021 at 05:55 PM

j4nu
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · 35mm blind test p.2

This is fun

.

Series 1 and 2 : lens #5 (followed by #1).
I'll edit the rest of the answers once I'm decided.

Jan 31, 2021 at 06:07 PM

brafman
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · 35mm blind test p.2

I generally prefer 1 and 5. In the final f8 test, they are all fairly close, but I think 1 did less well on that one.

Jan 31, 2021 at 06:50 PM

Steve Spencer
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · 35mm blind test p.2

Here are my picks:

Scene #1 - I like 1 and 5; and I don't like 2
Scene #2 - I like 5 and I don't like 2
Scene #3 - I like 5 and I don't like 1, 2, 3, or 4
Scene #4 - I like 1 and 5 and I don't like 3 or 4 (for different reason 3 has field curvature that bothers me and 4 has the busiest mid zone)
Scene #5 - I like 5 and I don't like 4 (CA still evident in the corner at f/8)

Here are my guesses for the lenses
1 - Pentax 31 f/1.8 limited
2 - CV 35 f/1.4
3 - Sigma 35 f/2 I-series
4 - Sony 35 f/1.8
5 - CV 35 f/1.2 III

From my scores above it looks like I really like 5 and I basically like 1, but don't think too much of the others.

Jan 31, 2021 at 07:31 PM

RustyBug
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · 35mm blind test p.2

Jan 31, 2021 at 07:41 PM

Teo Rey
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · 35mm blind test p.2

RustyBug wrote:
Ditto for 5 & 1

Same, but 5 is far in the lead.

I think transition zone tests would have been better if the crops had been something like grass. For the most part they all looked pretty similar to me in that test.

Jan 31, 2021 at 08:11 PM

nehemiahphoto
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · 35mm blind test p.2

Teo Rey wrote:
Same, but 5 is far in the lead.

I think transition zone tests would have been better if the crops had been something like grass. For the most part they all looked pretty similar to me in that test.

Speak of the devil

Sample

Crops

Edited on Jan 31, 2021 at 08:42 PM · View previous versions

Jan 31, 2021 at 08:37 PM

nehemiahphoto
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · 35mm blind test p.2

Steve Spencer wrote:
Here are my picks:

Scene #1 - I like 1 and 5; and I don't like 2
Scene #2 - I like 5 and I don't like 2
Scene #3 - I like 5 and I don't like 1, 2, 3, or 4
Scene #4 - I like 1 and 5 and I don't like 3 or 4 (for different reason 3 has field curvature that bothers me and 4 has the busiest mid zone)
Scene #5 - I like 5 and I don't like 4 (CA still evident in the corner at f/8)

Here are my guesses for the lenses
1 - Pentax 31 f/1.8...Show more →

Those are good guesses, but there's a couple lenses you're missing. Also, I just added the last part, which is probably the most tell. Lastly, good job picking different numbers for each set--they are varied, i.e. lens "1" is not lens "1" across series. I'll put that in my first post, I had meant to and spaced.

Jan 31, 2021 at 08:39 PM

abadger
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · 35mm blind test p.2

I'm not a lens tester, and only semi-pro but it's fun to rate it regardless! All in order of preference...

Scene #1: Rating mostly on bokeh
-Good (5,1)
-Acceptable (3,4)
-Not great (2)

Scene #2:
-Good (5) seems to be the best, (1) also good but shows some vignetting
-Acceptable: (3), (4) is borderline not great
-Not great: (2) bokeh is quite busy

Scene #3:
-Good (4,5) 4 because I dislike ghosting and 5 if your are rating on lack of lens flare
-Acceptable (1,3) the lens flare here is too distracting
-Not great (2)

Scene #4:
-Good (4)
-Acceptable (5) but fringing is a problem, (3) but bokeh is quite busy. Both of these are borderline not great.
-Not great (2 is just a bit muddier than others to me, 1 has CA and bokeh is worse than some others)
*3 has the busiest bokeh
*1 and 5 have fringing problems but are also pleasingly contrasty in parts where others are muddy

Scene #5:
All of these handle the scene relatively well. I very slightly prefer something from each over the other and am very indecisive.
(5) I really have nothing bad to say about, maybe the colors are not quite as punchy but also don't see any major flaws. Maybe this one could be the best after post processing.
(4), while suffering from the worst CA has the nicest clarity to me in this forest scene while still giving good color.
#1 and 3 I slightly prefer the colors. # 2 and 4 have a slightly purplish feel to them in the shadows.

Scene #6: (You threw in a sixth lens?)
-Good: (3) is the best for bokeh transition etc. (6) is almost as good and I prefer the color output
-Acceptable: (1), (2)
-Not great: (4) has the worst grass bokeh at this distance, (5) I don't like the bokeh either - smudgy, color looks unnatural with purple branches

I like these tests, thank you for doing them and I look forward to hearing about the results! Especially if I am completely thrown off by my expectations.

Jan 31, 2021 at 10:03 PM

Steve Spencer
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · 35mm blind test p.2

nehemiahphoto wrote:
Those are good guesses, but there's a couple lenses you're missing. Also, I just added the last part, which is probably the most tell. Lastly, good job picking different numbers for each set--they are varied, i.e. lens "1" is not lens "1" across series. I'll put that in my first post, I had meant to and spaced.

Now I realize you made it a lot harder with randomizing for each set. So here are my preferences again:

Scene #1 - I like 1 and 5; and I don't like 2
Scene #2 - I like 5 and I don't like 2
Scene #3 - I like 5 and I don't like 1, 2, 3, or 4
Scene #4 - I like 5 and I don't like 3 or 4 (for different reason 3 has field curvature that bothers me and 4 has the busiest mid zone)
Scene #5 - I like 5 and I don't like 4 (CA still evident in the corner at f/8)
Scene #6 - I like 3 and I don't like 2 and 4

Now for guess of which lens is which. Some scenes are easier than others.

Scene #1 - I find it hard to pick out lenses for this one so I won't guess them all:
I think 5 is the CV 35 f/1.2 III; I think 2 might be the Sony 35 f/1.8
Scene #2 - I find this the hards scene to pick out the different lenses I won't make any guesses here
Scene #3 - I found this the easiest one because of the obvious differences in aperture blades
1 has a nine bladed aperture and strong flare it seems wide open too as I don't see polygons in the flare. So, a 35 f/2 lens with 9 aperture blades that does handle flare all that well; 2 has a ten bladed aperture and strong veiling flare in the middle of the image. I am guessing this is the CV 35 f/1.4; 3 Like 1 in this series this seems to be a 9 bladed aperture lens with a lot of flare and probably and f/2 aperture; 4 Like 1 and 3 this looks like a lens with a 9 bladed aperture, but this one is stopped down. Still pretty poor flare control. I am guessing this is the Sony 35 f/1.8; 5 This is a 10 aperture bladed lens and I like the flare control here. I am guessing it is the CV 35 f/1.2 III.
Scene #4 - I found these hard to judge because of the size. I definitely like 5 and if I were guessing I would say it is the RX1. Looking again I am not sure I like 1 as the mid zone looks more busy than I initially thought. I think 1 might be the Sony 35 f/1.8. I think 2 may be the Pentax 31 f/1.8 Limited. I am not sure what 3 is but I don't like the field curvature, and I am not sure I dislike 4 as much as I said on my initial evaluation.
Scene #5 - I still think 4 is likely the Sony 35 f/1.8, but I am not sure what any of the others are.
Scene #6 - I do think this scene gives a lot more hints that #4. I think 1 is the CV 35 f/1.4 both because of the center sharpness and the somewhat busy transition. I am stumped by 2, but I know I don't like it much with a bit busy mid zone and background. I think 3 is the RX1 it is lovely. I think 4 is probably the 35 f/1.8. I don't like it much at all. I think 5 is probably the Sigma 35 f/2 I. Finally I would guess 6 is the CV 35 f/1.2 III.

Jan 31, 2021 at 10:22 PM

nehemiahphoto
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · 35mm blind test p.2

abadger wrote:
I'm not a lens tester, and only semi-pro but it's fun to rate it regardless! All in order of preference...

Scene #1: Rating mostly on bokeh
-Good (5,1)
-Acceptable (3,4)
-Not great (2)

Scene #2:
-Good (5) seems to be the best, (1) also good but shows some vignetting
-Acceptable: (3), (4) is borderline not great
-Not great: (2) bokeh is quite busy

Scene #3:
-Good (4,5) 4 because I dislike ghosting and 5 if your are rating on lack of lens flare
-Acceptable (1,3) the lens flare here is too distracting
-Not great (2)

Scene #4:
-Good (4)
-Acceptable (5) but fringing is a problem, (3) but bokeh is quite busy. Both...Show more →

You're welcome, I am glad you appreciate them and engaged meaningfully

I am no pro either. And yes, just popped in a 6th lens on the last test.

Jan 31, 2021 at 10:22 PM

Steve Spencer
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · 35mm blind test p.2

abadger wrote:
I'm not a lens tester, and only semi-pro but it's fun to rate it regardless! All in order of preference...

Scene #1: Rating mostly on bokeh
-Good (5,1)
-Acceptable (3,4)
-Not great (2)

Scene #2:
-Good (5) seems to be the best, (1) also good but shows some vignetting
-Acceptable: (3), (4) is borderline not great
-Not great: (2) bokeh is quite busy

Scene #3:
-Good (4,5) 4 because I dislike ghosting and 5 if your are rating on lack of lens flare
-Acceptable (1,3) the lens flare here is too distracting
-Not great (2)

Scene #4:
-Good (4)
-Acceptable (5) but fringing is a problem, (3) but bokeh is quite busy. Both...Show more →

Wow I was doing mine as you were and we see them very similarly.

Jan 31, 2021 at 10:24 PM

nehemiahphoto
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · 35mm blind test p.2

Steve Spencer wrote:
Now I realize you made it a lot harder with randomizing for each set. So here are my preferences again:

Scene #1 - I like 1 and 5; and I don't like 2
Scene #2 - I like 5 and I don't like 2
Scene #3 - I like 5 and I don't like 1, 2, 3, or 4
Scene #4 - I like 5 and I don't like 3 or 4 (for different reason 3 has field curvature that bothers me and 4 has the busiest mid zone)
Scene #5 - I like 5 and I don't like 4 (CA still evident in the corner at f/8)
Scene #6 - I like 3 and I don't like 2 and 4

Now for guess of which lens is which. Some scenes are easier than others.

Scene #1 - I find it hard to pick out lenses for this one so I won't guess them all:
I think 5 is the CV 35 f/1.2 III; I think 2 might be the Sony 35 f/1.8
Scene #2 - I find this the hards scene to pick out the different lenses I won't make any guesses here
Scene #3 - I found this the easiest one because of the obvious differences in aperture blades
1 has a nine bladed aperture and strong flare it seems wide open too as I don't see polygons in the flare. So, a 35 f/2 lens with 9 aperture blades that does handle flare all that well; 2 has a ten bladed aperture and strong veiling flare in the middle of the image. I am guessing this is the CV 35 f/1.4; 3 Like 1 in this series this seems to be a 9 bladed aperture lens with a lot of flare and probably and f/2 aperture; 4 Like 1 and 3 this looks like a lens with a 9 bladed aperture, but this one is stopped down. Still pretty poor flare control. I am guessing this is the Sony 35 f/1.8; 5 This is a 10 aperture bladed lens and I like the flare control here. I am guessing it is the CV 35 f/1.2 III.
Scene #4 - I found these hard to judge because of the size. I definitely like 5 and if I were guessing I would say it is the RX1. Looking again I am not sure I like 1 as the mid zone looks more busy than I initially thought. I think 1 might be the Sony 35 f/1.8. I think 2 may be the Pentax 31 f/1.8 Limited. I am not sure what 3 is but I don't like the field curvature, and I am not sure I dislike 4 as much as I said on my initial evaluation.
Scene #5 - I still think 4 is likely the Sony 35 f/1.8, but I am not sure what any of the others are.
Scene #6 - I do think this scene gives a lot more hints that #4. I think 1 is the CV 35 f/1.4 both because of the center sharpness and the somewhat busy transition. I am stumped by 2, but I know I don't like it much with a bit busy mid zone and background. I think 3 is the RX1 it is lovely. I think 4 is probably the 35 f/1.8. I don't like it much at all. I think 5 is probably the Sigma 35 f/2 I. Finally I would guess 6 is the CV 35 f/1.2 III.

...Show more →

Sorry some of the scenes weren't clearly illustrative--on my flickr they are posted larger than FM alllows if that helps. I can post entire photos for the 0.6 bokeh scene 1 as that gives more info if you'd like. I can also tell which lenses were used, or wait. Up to you

Edited on Jan 31, 2021 at 10:29 PM · View previous versions

Jan 31, 2021 at 10:27 PM

brafman
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · 35mm blind test p.2

In the new 6 lens crop, I like 6 the most.

Jan 31, 2021 at 10:27 PM

abadger
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · 35mm blind test p.2

Steve Spencer wrote:
Wow I was doing mine as you were and we see them very similarly.

Glad it was somewhat consistent...your knowledge on this subject undoubtedly far exceeds mine but there is a base gut feel of differences that I think can be seen here. I also just sold my FE 35 f/1.8, so I can recognize its flaws in many of these examples (I think?). Unfortunately. I still liked it quite a bit in the right scenarios and for its mix of features in a small form factor. It was my most used lens because of this, but I am looking forward to an upgrade.

Jan 31, 2021 at 11:15 PM

abadger
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · 35mm blind test p.2

nehemiahphoto wrote:
Sorry some of the scenes weren't clearly illustrative--on my flickr they are posted larger than FM alllows if that helps. I can post entire photos for the 0.6 bokeh scene 1 as that gives more info if you'd like. I can also tell which lenses were used, or wait. Up to you

Eh, give it at least 24 hours from posting to give more chances for people to guess.

Jan 31, 2021 at 11:18 PM

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