[rparmar]

It's about tandoori chicken. It's about some fine glass. It's about comparing lenses across systems and manufacturers.

Robbie and Robin brought to the table a whole mess-o-lenses in order to answer some questions about which are the pretenders and which lenses have the full flavour we are looking for. As soon as we tabulate some results I'll tell you what we found!

But here's what we started with...

MC Pentax-FA 1:1.8 31mm AL Limited
SMC Pentax-FA 1:1.9 43mm Limited
SMC Pentax-FA 1:1.8 77mm Limited

SMC Pentax 50mm 1:1.2
SMC Pentax-A 50mm 1:1.2
Cosina 55mm 1:1.2 MC

Vivitar 24mm 1:2.0 MC Close Focus Wide Angle
Vivitar 28mm 1:2.0 MC Close Focus Wide Angle
Vivitar Series 1 28mm 1:1.9 Auto Wide Angle

Carl Zeiss Makro-Planar 50mm F2 T*
Leica Macro-Elmarit-R 60mm
Vivitar 90mm f/2.5 Macro
Vivitar Series 1 105mm Macro f/2.5
Cosina 100mm f/3.5 Macro
Vivitar 135mm f/2.8 Auto Telephoto Close Focusing

Olympus F. Zuiko Auto-S 38mm F1.8
Olympus G. Zuiko Auto-S 40mm F1.4

Panasonic Leica G 14mm F2.5 ASPH
Panasonic Lumix G Vario 20mm F1.7 ASPH
Olympus M. Zuiko 45mm 1:1.8 MSC

Read this blog post for further justification.

[rparmar]

Oh yeah, here are four of the contenders.

(We like our lenses well-used!)

[robbiec]

Like an A and a CZ for instance?

[rparmar]

I guess we should also list all the cameras we had in the room. I think 4x Pentax APS-C, 1x Pentax 645, 1x Olympus PEN F half-frame, 3x Olympus digital PEN.

Nothing compared to some I know, but enough to be working on.

[lytrytyr]

Like an A and a CZ for instance?

I hope you hooded the A to make a fair match with the CZ.

[robbiec]

I hope you hooded the A to make a fair match with the CZ.

Of course

[rparmar]

OK, the second article is done. It covers our lens choice, testing method, processing, and motivation.

I've started to upload test images, so they will be here tomorrow.

[SyncGuy]

OK, the second article is done. It covers our lens choice, testing method, processing, and motivation.

I've started to upload test images, so they will be here tomorrow.

Hey,

I dropped a comment on that page of comparisons.
Not too sure whether you've seen it, or perhaps it's due to my impatience, but putting the magnification ratio aside for the ZK50/2 MP and the A/K50/1.2, how would the ZK and the Pentax 50/1.2 stands up in comparison at "equivalent" aperture?
Maybe up to f/2.8?

E.g
Pentax vs ZK @ f/2
Pentax vs ZK @ f/2.8

Thanks!

[rparmar]

Thanks for being patient. It took us a while to process all the images, discuss the results, and write them up. They are now available on as Part Three of the article. There are links to full-sized images at f/2 from all lenses. Plus a 1:1 crop grid across apertures.

I am interested to see if people agree with our assessments.

[rparmar]

I dropped a comment on that page of comparisons.
Not too sure whether you've seen it, or perhaps it's due to my impatience, but putting the magnification ratio aside for the ZK50/2 MP and the A/K50/1.2, how would the ZK and the Pentax 50/1.2 stands up in comparison at "equivalent" aperture?

Hi SyncGuy, I haven't seen your comment come up on the blog?

As to your question... I think you are describing the very test we are doing. Unless I am misunderstanding something.

[SyncGuy]

Hi SyncGuy, I haven't seen your comment come up on the blog?

As to your question... I think you are describing the very test we are doing. Unless I am misunderstanding something.

Hmmm.... Luckily I cross posted here too or I would have waited in vain on your blog. :P

Well, did you post photos of different apertures? I only saw the individual photos of each lenses shot wide open..
Hmm... Could have overlooked it on my part. :P

Lemme take another look! Hee!

[rparmar]

We posted full-size shots from all the lenses only at f/2, it's true. But also at the top of Part Three is a grid of 1:1 crops for all the lenses at several apertures. That can be used to compare.

Since there is more interest I am uploading the f/4 full-size shots from all lenses. The best way to check all this out is to go directly to the Flickr set.

(I have limited bandwidth in a month and lots of other demands, hence the lack of a complete image dump. I suppose I should say that donations are accepted through the link on my blog. If you're gainfully employed and want to support the work, buy me a coffee!)

[rparmar]

OK, I'm uploading the f/1.2 shots as well, since there are only three of them.

[SyncGuy]

OK, I'm uploading the f/1.2 shots as well, since there are only three of them.

Ah.... I see them now better via the Flickr set..

Oh my... With untrained eyes, a lil hard to tell apart but the 50/2 MP sure has that edge in microcontrast over the A50/1.2.

What you say is true, the 43/1.9 is the closest to 50/2 MP characteristics...

Does that mean i have to get both if i want the best of both world?

[robbiec]

Nope, means you have to get all 3!