[pinholecam]

I prefer the rendering of #2.

I find the bokeh of #1 busier.

I agree that #1 looks like being taken with a modern lens and #2 like being taken with an older design.

However, the images are really hard to compare because #1 has the focus much deeper in the frame. The bokeh is heavily influenced by the focusing distance so before anything conclusive can be said, there should be two images taken from exactly the same position, with identical framing, and the same focus.

Thanks for your inputs.
Yes, indeed, the focusing distance will influence the dof and even oof rendering.

Thats why I will have a few more samples to compare.
As I've mentioned in the start of the thread, its not a scientific test.
I never intended it as such.
My take is that we often take a lens out and thats the lens we have at hand.
It makes us compose/frame with its focal length.
So thats what I more curious about.
Sort of a 'If I have lens #1, went out for the day and took some photos, how would it have been if in an alternate reality, I actually brought lens #2 out instead'
Better/Worse/No big deal

[pinholecam]

Ok... now sample set No.2


#3



#4

[stevebrot]

Prepared to be totally wrong, I'll say the first is a "contemporary 50mm" with a typical design and an f/1.4-1.8 max aperture, stopped down. The second is something weird like an Industar-50 wide open at f/3.5.

Or a Helios 44?

Steve

[stevebrot]

I peeked...

Nice comparison

[aurele]

Except that one of the lens is little longer (50 vs 55mm ?), on the screen of my mobile phone i just can't see any other difference XD

[valy]

First seems sharper, second seems having lower contrast (different coating, no hood, different aperture) but a fluffy bookeh. It depends what you want: sharp/bookeh. I would choose #1, I already have f1.2 for bookeh.

[Driline]

I choose #1 on both sample sets. Much nicer Bokeh and a bit more sharp. Gee I hope I win

[Class A]

Maybe you should tell people that these images were taken on a full-frame camera.

Based on the bokeh, I initially thought that one of the lenses could be a 55/1.2. But now I know that this is not the case.

[HoBykoYan]

I would say the 2nd lens has slight longer FL and busier bokeh, i would say 58mm? (most probably the helios)...
3x the price? i would choose the cheap lens and get another one

[pinholecam]

Maybe you should tell people that these images were taken on a full-frame camera.

Based on the bokeh, I initially thought that one of the lenses could be a 55/1.2. But now I know that this is not the case.

Yes, I took it with a Pentax K1 FF
I just wanted to compare the lenses, not the format of the camera.
Sorry if that causes any confusion

[pinholecam]

Thanks again to everyone.

Results so far :

Set 1
-------
#1 - 4 counts
#2 - 2 counts
Either - 2 counts

Set 2
-------
#3 - 2 counts
#4 - 1 counts
Either - 0 counts

For Set2, I think its the bit longer FL of the lens for #4 that makes the lone leaf only partly in focus compared to the sample #3.
Interesting to me then that shallower DOF does not always mean better shot if the DOF is not enough to envelope the subject. (almost a religion here in a FF argument)
I do like the shallower DOF and rendering of #4 though.
Too bad I did not step back when shooting #4 to get back the same DOF. (something to note)
For me, same as Set1, I like a bit of both, 50/50 in fact. (just can't make up my mind, which is a reason why I posted this blind test too)

[SyncGuy]

Thanks again to everyone.

Results so far :

Set 1
-------
#1 - 4 counts
#2 - 2 counts
Either - 2 counts

Set 2
-------
#3 - 2 counts
#4 - 1 counts
Either - 0 counts

For Set2, I think its the bit longer FL of the lens for #4 that makes the lone leaf only partly in focus compared to the sample #3.
Interesting to me then that shallower DOF does not always mean better shot if the DOF is not enough to envelope the subject. (almost a religion here in a FF argument)
I do like the shallower DOF and rendering of #4 though.
Too bad I did not step back when shooting #4 to get back the same DOF. (something to note)
For me, same as Set1, I like a bit of both, 50/50 in fact. (just can't make up my mind, which is a reason why I posted this blind test too)

"Interesting to me then that shallower DOF does not always mean better shot if the DOF is not enough to envelope the subject. (almost a religion here in a FF argument)"

Not really a "religion" for me when it comes to wanting a FF. It's the flexibility with the given option that i can use it.
Simply put, it's akin to saying, who needs larger than f/2 when nowadays high ISOs are great.

[pinholecam]

Sample set No.3
I really should get some shots that are head & shoulders and half body, but I can't get a subject who will be willing to stand still while I change lenses.
Maybe if I can find a statue or bust somewhere......


#5



#6

[Class A]

Sample set No.3

I'm preferring #6.

Having said that, I'm not sure whether you are using "fair" f-ratios.
Say one of the lenses is a 50/1.8 and the other is a 55mm. Then you should be shooting the 50mm at f/1.8 and the 55mm at f/2. This is to make sure that both images are created with the same (or as close as possible) aperture diameter.

[fb_penpho]

Not much in it, but number 5 as it has just a slightly better colour.