55mm f1.8 - Which one do you have?

**Pepe Guitarra** · 02-05-2012, 08:59 PM

I own several 55/1.8 lenses: Fujinon, Fujinon EBC, SMC Takumar, Super Takumar. I also have several 50/1.4 and a great Helios 58/2. I wanted to check which one would be better, but have a hard time. They all look good. I have posted below several shots taken at f/1.8, f/4, and f/8 of the Fujinon, Fujinon EBC and the SMC Takumar. A a reference, I also have included some shots at f/1.4, f/4 and f/8 of the Chinon Tamioka (real thing) 55/1.4, and shots of the Helios 58/2 at f/2, f/4 and f/8. I set the ISO at 100 and used a tripod for this test. I did some minor adjustments in post-processing and copy the same adjustments to all the photos (Lightroom3 is great, isn't it?). Please look carefully and let me know how would you rate the three 55/1.8. For example, 1, 2 or 3. One being the best for you.

Last edited by Pepe Guitarra; 02-05-2012 at 10:27 PM.

joe.penn · 02-05-2012, 09:06 PM

Originally posted by Pepe Guitarra

I have posted below several shots taken at f/1.8, f/4, and f/8 of the Fujinon, Fujinon EBC and the SMC Takumar. A a reference, I also have included some shots at f/1.4, f/4 and f/8 of the Chinon Tamioka (real thing) 55/1.4, and shots of the Helios 58/2 at f/2, f/4 and f/8.

Um? I only see three photos|shots? By the above, there should be 9-12 shots or something like that

Bruce · 02-05-2012, 09:10 PM

Hi Pepe, prefer the 55 at f4, the f8 is nice and crisp, but just a bit cold for my taste.

**Pepe Guitarra** · 02-05-2012, 09:24 PM

Originally posted by joe.penn

Um? I only see three photos|shots? By the above, there should be 9-12 shots or something like that

Something strange happened. I loaded 15 and only 3 showed up. I will post again.

**Pepe Guitarra** · 02-05-2012, 09:24 PM

I own several 55/1.8 lenses: Fujinon, Fujinon EBC, SMC Takumar, Super Takumar. I also have several 50/1.4 and a great Helios 58/2. I wanted to check which one would be better, but have a hard time. They all look good. I have posted below several shots taken at f/1.8, f/4, and f/8 of the Fujinon, Fujinon EBC and the SMC Takumar. A a reference, I also have included some shots at f/1.4, f/4 and f/8 of the Chinon Tamioka (real thing) 55/1.4, and shots of the Helios 58/2 at f/2, f/4 and f/8. I set the ISO at 100 and used a tripod for this test. I did some minor adjustments in post-processing and copy the same adjustments to all the photos (Lightroom3 is great, isn't it?). Please look carefully and let me know how would you rate the three 55/1.8. For example, 1, 2 or 3. One being the best for you.
--------------------

**Pepe Guitarra** · 02-05-2012, 09:32 PM - **1 Like**

icywindow · 02-05-2012, 09:36 PM

I've only had the Tomioka 55/1.4 and the Super Tak 55/1.8, personally, and I've found that the color cast of my Tomioka lens (seems to be consistent with your photos as well) transmits blues a bit better than I like (makes seemingly cold tones to me). I prefer the Fujinon lens actually out of all the lens photos you posted, followed by the Helios. Thanks for the comparison.

saladin · 02-05-2012, 10:37 PM

I have the k55/1.8. i reckon it's an excellent lens, particularly stopped down to 2.8 and below. nail the focus and the detail rendition is fantastic.

RioRico · 02-06-2012, 02:21 AM

My fave 55s, all M42:

Sears (Tomioka) 55/1.4
Argus Cintar (Chinon) 55/1.7
Super-Takumar 55/1.8 and f/2
Mamiya-Sekor 55/1.8
Petri C.C. 55/1.8
Rikenon 55/1.8
Porst Color Reflex 55 mm f/ 2.8

Actually, those are ALL my 55s, and they're all great.

epqwerty · 02-06-2012, 03:42 AM

I only have a
Fujinon 55mm 1.8 and
Fujinon 55mm 2.2 and
Pentax M 50mm 1.4

I find I like the M50 1.4 for most ocassions but the Fujinon 1.8 as a backup and the 2.2 just isn't on par.

Classico · 02-06-2012, 04:13 AM

All look good but I think the Fujinon55 1.8 looks the best. Question about the Chinon Tamioka the pics almost all look around the same F stop for that lens was it a miss label?

**Pepe Guitarra** · 02-06-2012, 06:20 AM

Originally posted by Classico

All look good but I think the Fujinon55 1.8 looks the best. Question about the Chinon Tamioka the pics almost all look around the same F stop for that lens was it a miss label?

Thanks. You are correct, I shot all three photos at f1.4, wide open. Sorry, this is one of those senior moments that I cannot fix. My Chinon Tamioka has the Tamioka label in the front ring, and is really really good. At f4 and f8, it should be really sharper. I just checked the data, all three are wide open. Sorry.
=====================
Update, I double check and I indeed turned the aperture ring to 1.4, 4 and 8 and shot. However, the aperture of the Chinon Tamioka remained wide open. The reason, the toggle button was in AUTO. As you know the Tamioks lenses are the opposite, that is, the button is moved towards MAN to select manual, as opposite to others, where the MAN shows when you move the button towards AUTO. I can not repeat the experiment withthe same set up, but will post separate photos of the Chinon Tomioka. I will also post same comparinson with the Chinon Tomioka and the Auto Sears, which I believe is really a true Tomioka.

JohnBee · 02-06-2012, 07:15 AM

Excellent work!
I have now added a Fujinon 55/1.8 to my list

lightsleuth · 02-06-2012, 07:55 AM

I have one of the 55mm 1.8 Fujinon EBCs on a Fujica ST-801----I get some of my best film photos from this combo.

The EBCs are often pretty $$$ compared to other M42 lenses.

Steve.

**Pepe Guitarra** · 02-06-2012, 08:56 PM

02-05-2012, 08:59 PM	#1
Pepe Guitarra Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,223	55mm f1.8 - Which one do you have? I own several 55/1.8 lenses: Fujinon, Fujinon EBC, SMC Takumar, Super Takumar. I also have several 50/1.4 and a great Helios 58/2. I wanted to check which one would be better, but have a hard time. They all look good. I have posted below several shots taken at f/1.8, f/4, and f/8 of the Fujinon, Fujinon EBC and the SMC Takumar. A a reference, I also have included some shots at f/1.4, f/4 and f/8 of the Chinon Tamioka (real thing) 55/1.4, and shots of the Helios 58/2 at f/2, f/4 and f/8. I set the ISO at 100 and used a tripod for this test. I did some minor adjustments in post-processing and copy the same adjustments to all the photos (Lightroom3 is great, isn't it?). Please look carefully and let me know how would you rate the three 55/1.8. For example, 1, 2 or 3. One being the best for you. Last edited by Pepe Guitarra; 02-05-2012 at 10:27 PM.

02-05-2012, 09:24 PM	#5
Pepe Guitarra Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,223 Original Poster	Here are more I own several 55/1.8 lenses: Fujinon, Fujinon EBC, SMC Takumar, Super Takumar. I also have several 50/1.4 and a great Helios 58/2. I wanted to check which one would be better, but have a hard time. They all look good. I have posted below several shots taken at f/1.8, f/4, and f/8 of the Fujinon, Fujinon EBC and the SMC Takumar. A a reference, I also have included some shots at f/1.4, f/4 and f/8 of the Chinon Tamioka (real thing) 55/1.4, and shots of the Helios 58/2 at f/2, f/4 and f/8. I set the ISO at 100 and used a tripod for this test. I did some minor adjustments in post-processing and copy the same adjustments to all the photos (Lightroom3 is great, isn't it?). Please look carefully and let me know how would you rate the three 55/1.8. For example, 1, 2 or 3. One being the best for you. --------------------

02-06-2012, 06:20 AM	#12
Pepe Guitarra Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,223 Original Poster	Originally posted by Classico All look good but I think the Fujinon55 1.8 looks the best. Question about the Chinon Tamioka the pics almost all look around the same F stop for that lens was it a miss label? Thanks. You are correct, I shot all three photos at f1.4, wide open. Sorry, this is one of those senior moments that I cannot fix. My Chinon Tamioka has the Tamioka label in the front ring, and is really really good. At f4 and f8, it should be really sharper. I just checked the data, all three are wide open. Sorry. ===================== Update, I double check and I indeed turned the aperture ring to 1.4, 4 and 8 and shot. However, the aperture of the Chinon Tamioka remained wide open. The reason, the toggle button was in AUTO. As you know the Tamioks lenses are the opposite, that is, the button is moved towards MAN to select manual, as opposite to others, where the MAN shows when you move the button towards AUTO. I can not repeat the experiment withthe same set up, but will post separate photos of the Chinon Tomioka. I will also post same comparinson with the Chinon Tomioka and the Auto Sears, which I believe is really a true Tomioka. Last edited by Pepe Guitarra; 02-06-2012 at 09:33 AM. Reason: Explaining the point

02-06-2012, 08:56 PM	#15
Pepe Guitarra Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,223 Original Poster	Here are some pics taken with the Chinon Tomioka 55/1.4

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02-05-2012, 09:06 PM	#2
joe.penn Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Maryland (Right Outside Washington DC) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,902	Originally posted by Pepe Guitarra I have posted below several shots taken at f/1.8, f/4, and f/8 of the Fujinon, Fujinon EBC and the SMC Takumar. A a reference, I also have included some shots at f/1.4, f/4 and f/8 of the Chinon Tamioka (real thing) 55/1.4, and shots of the Helios 58/2 at f/2, f/4 and f/8. Um? I only see three photos\|shots? By the above, there should be 9-12 shots or something like that

02-05-2012, 09:10 PM	#3
Bruce Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Sydney Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 448	Hi Pepe, prefer the 55 at f4, the f8 is nice and crisp, but just a bit cold for my taste.

02-05-2012, 09:24 PM	#4
Pepe Guitarra Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,223 Original Poster	Originally posted by joe.penn Um? I only see three photos\|shots? By the above, there should be 9-12 shots or something like that Something strange happened. I loaded 15 and only 3 showed up. I will post again.

02-05-2012, 09:32 PM - 1 Like	#6
Pepe Guitarra Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,223 Original Poster

02-05-2012, 09:36 PM	#7
icywindow Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 303	I've only had the Tomioka 55/1.4 and the Super Tak 55/1.8, personally, and I've found that the color cast of my Tomioka lens (seems to be consistent with your photos as well) transmits blues a bit better than I like (makes seemingly cold tones to me). I prefer the Fujinon lens actually out of all the lens photos you posted, followed by the Helios. Thanks for the comparison.

02-05-2012, 10:37 PM	#8
saladin Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: outer eastern melbourne, australia Posts: 427	I have the k55/1.8. i reckon it's an excellent lens, particularly stopped down to 2.8 and below. nail the focus and the detail rendition is fantastic.

02-06-2012, 02:21 AM	#9
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	My fave 55s, all M42: Sears (Tomioka) 55/1.4 Argus Cintar (Chinon) 55/1.7 Super-Takumar 55/1.8 and f/2 Mamiya-Sekor 55/1.8 Petri C.C. 55/1.8 Rikenon 55/1.8 Porst Color Reflex 55 mm f/ 2.8 Actually, those are ALL my 55s, and they're all great.

02-06-2012, 03:42 AM	#10
epqwerty Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Ontario Posts: 550	I only have a Fujinon 55mm 1.8 and Fujinon 55mm 2.2 and Pentax M 50mm 1.4 I find I like the M50 1.4 for most ocassions but the Fujinon 1.8 as a backup and the 2.2 just isn't on par.

02-06-2012, 04:13 AM	#11
Classico Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Grand Haven, MI Posts: 119	All look good but I think the Fujinon55 1.8 looks the best. Question about the Chinon Tamioka the pics almost all look around the same F stop for that lens was it a miss label?

02-06-2012, 07:15 AM	#13
JohnBee Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Newrfoundland Photos: Albums Posts: 4,667	Excellent work! I have now added a Fujinon 55/1.8 to my list

02-06-2012, 07:55 AM	#14
lightsleuth Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 33	I have one of the 55mm 1.8 Fujinon EBCs on a Fujica ST-801----I get some of my best film photos from this combo. The EBCs are often pretty $$$ compared to other M42 lenses. Steve.