I have 6 50mm lenses, 2 Takumar 55/1.8, and my newest, a Helios 44M.
I shot a non-scientific comparison of all 9 lenses wide-open and the results are not at all what I expected. Most surprising was the performance of the F50, which has been super sharp for me in the past. I didn't use the LV magnification when focusing, so maybe user error? Some are quite sharp: Helios and the Pentax M 1.4 and 2.0, for example, are pretty good.
All shot using k-30, tripod mounted, SR off, focus peaking, open at the widest aperture. These were shot RAW and converted in Lightroom with no PP except for crop/size. High ISO (800) because I forgot to change it.
Samples below, and you can view the contrast and bokeh in the full images
HERE | | |
Pentax M 50mm/1.4 | Pentax M 50mm/1.7 | Pentax F 50mm/1.7 |
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Chinon 50mm/1.9 | Pentax M 50mm/2.0 | Helios 44M 58mm/2.0 |
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Super-Takumar 50mm/1.4 | Auto Takumar 55mm/1.8 | Super-Takumar 55mm/1.8 |
I was going to ditch the Pentax 50/2, but now I'm no so sure! Also, seems like the Auto Tak performed better than the Super Tak. Thoughts?
Last edited by StevePrime; 07-18-2013 at 02:39 PM.
Reason: added link to full images