My best lens for monochrome photography!

zburatoru · 02-25-2019, 09:05 AM

Hello! I've did a little test to see which of my selected lenses gives the best tonality, contrast on monochrome. I don't know nothing about microcontrast but they say that in monochrome you can read it... Same shutter speed, almost same aperture, f4, but f4.5 on 18-55mm.
So, first - Smc Pentax fa 31mm limited, second- Smc Pentax da 15mm limited, third - Smc Pentax f 50mm f1.7, fourth - Smc Pentax da 18-55mm wr, Fifth - Tamron 17-50mm.
In my view, winner by K.O. it's unsurprinsigly da 15mm limited a beautiful designed lens.
Second place, surprise, surprise it's the kit lens, 18-55mm!!!
Third place, very similar to fourth it's my 31mm limited...
Fourth place it's my Tamron 17-50mm...
And for me, a big surprise, fifth my smc f 50mm f 1.7...
My thoughts are that all da limiteds will give the same performance... Another three shots from 15mm limited. Excellent! Thoughts?

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ZombieArmy · 02-25-2019, 09:17 AM - **1 Like**

No matter the lens I use, B&W in digital invariably makes me do a good amount of post to get results I want. I actually prefer a flatter lens because of that.

zburatoru · 02-25-2019, 09:24 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by ZombieArmy

No matter the lens I use, B&W in digital invariably makes me do a good amount of post to get results I want. I actually prefer a flatter lens because of that.

But which is the winner in your view? I think you're winner will be 40mm xs! I can bet on it!

jgnfld · 02-25-2019, 09:28 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by zburatoru

Hello! I've did a little test to see which of my selected lenses gives the best tonality, contrast on monochrome. I don't know nothing about microcontrast but they say that in monochrome you can read it... Same shutter speed, almost same aperture, f4, but f4.5 on 18-55mm.
So, first - Smc Pentax fa 31mm limited, second- Smc Pentax da 15mm limited, third - Smc Pentax f 50mm f1.7, fourth - Smc Pentax da 18-55mm wr, Fifth - Tamron 17-50mm.
In my view, winner by K.O. it's unsurprinsigly da 15mm limited a beautiful designed lens.
Second place, surprise, surprise it's the kit lens, 18-55mm!!!
Third place, very similar to fourth it's my 31mm limited...
Fourth place it's my Tamron 17-50mm...
And for me, a big surprise, fifth my smc f 50mm f 1.7...
My thoughts are that all da limiteds will give the same performance... Another three shots from 15mm limited. Excellent! Thoughts?

I don't do much B&W but I have found the manual 50mm f1.7 extremely sharp while it renders nicely myself when I do B&W.

zburatoru · 02-25-2019, 09:30 AM

Originally posted by jgnfld

I don't do much B&W but I have found the manual 50mm f1.7 extremely sharp while it renders nicely myself when I do B&W.

Interesting... My f 50mm f1.7 didn't quite delivered...

ZombieArmy · 02-25-2019, 09:35 AM - **3 Likes**

Originally posted by zburatoru

But which is the winner in your view? I think you're winner will be 40mm xs! I can bet on it!

I do rather like the 40mm xs for B&W

stevebrot · 02-25-2019, 10:06 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by ZombieArmy

No matter the lens I use, B&W in digital invariably makes me do a good amount of post to get results I want. I actually prefer a flatter lens because of that.

You make a good point here.

The issue with monochrome conversion is paucity of data. Even best case with RAW capture on most dSLRs, we are talking a 14 bits of data, meaning 16,000 (214) gray tones in the palette. That sounds like a lot until one starts working with an image in PP. A lower contrast original may provide an advantage, though I will confess to not having done any comparisons. In general, I try and start with a color original that has characteristics of what I want to display in the monochrome conversion.

Steve

Last edited by stevebrot; 02-25-2019 at 11:00 AM.

jgnfld · 02-25-2019, 10:15 AM

Originally posted by zburatoru

Interesting... My f 50mm f1.7 didn't quite delivered...

Well...I find my Sigma 17-50 f. 2.8 terrible for landscapes (though not closeups where it works well for me). Many others disagree so it's probably just me, it, and how it and I interact.

**aslyfox** · 02-25-2019, 10:19 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by ZombieArmy

I do rather like the 40mm xs for B&W

. . .

well it is, without a doubt, " the best lens in its class "

**TER-OR** · 02-25-2019, 10:30 AM

Interesting experiment, and one which does test modern sensors, since you're eliminating channels. I know my DA21 and DA40 do provide great contrast, and everyone seems to like informal portraits done with them. (of course i usually desaturate the reds a bit so people don't look so flushed indoors) I'll have to see how those images look in B&W sometime.

zburatoru · 02-25-2019, 10:45 AM

Originally posted by TER-OR

Interesting experiment, and one which does test modern sensors, since you're eliminating channels. I know my DA21 and DA40 do provide great contrast, and everyone seems to like informal portraits done with them. (of course i usually desaturate the reds a bit so people don't look so flushed indoors) I'll have to see how those images look in B&W sometime.

Well, pancake design and few elements contribute to more contrast and colors, better monochrome, too...
But what's with the 18-55mm?

Navmaxlp · 02-25-2019, 10:49 AM

Originally posted by zburatoru

But which is the winner in your view? I think you're winner will be 40mm xs! I can bet on it!

I see what you did there. Well played....well played

stevebrot · 02-25-2019, 10:58 AM

Originally posted by zburatoru

My best lens for monochrome photography!

I have gotten good results with a wide range of lenses both for monochrome conversion of digital capture and when shooting B&W film. To be honest, I am not sure that lens makes that big of a difference, unless the glass has a definite color cast. I have been doing monochrome photography since the late 1960s and have found that light, subject, and technique of "seeing" are the important parts, followed by technical expertise and medium for the capture and subsequent processing to the final image. Of course the same list applies equally to color work.

Good lenses are good lenses and even those with mediocre reputation may be better than one thinks.

For a sampling...

Fotostevia on Flickr | Monochrome

Steve

(...thinking that a before/after thread for monochrome conversions might be fun...)

zburatoru · 02-25-2019, 11:08 AM

Originally posted by stevebrot

I have gotten good results with a wide range of lenses both for monochrome conversion of digital capture and when shooting B&W film. To be honest, I am not sure that lens makes that big of a difference, unless the glass has a definite color cast. I have been doing monochrome photography since the late 1960s and have found that light, subject, and technique of "seeing" are the important parts, followed by technical expertise and medium for the capture and subsequent processing to the final image. Of course the same list applies equally to color work.

Good lenses are good lenses and even those with mediocre reputation may be better than one thinks.

For a sampling...

Fotostevia on Flickr | Monochrome

Steve

(...thinking that a before/after thread for monochrome conversions might be fun...)

Very good stuff here! Great monochrome work!

tbelf · 02-25-2019, 12:02 PM

Originally posted by zburatoru

Another three shots from 15mm limited. Excellent! Thoughts?

I love that middle DA 15 shot of the blinds!

02-25-2019, 10:58 AM	#13
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by zburatoru My best lens for monochrome photography! I have gotten good results with a wide range of lenses both for monochrome conversion of digital capture and when shooting B&W film. To be honest, I am not sure that lens makes that big of a difference, unless the glass has a definite color cast. I have been doing monochrome photography since the late 1960s and have found that light, subject, and technique of "seeing" are the important parts, followed by technical expertise and medium for the capture and subsequent processing to the final image. Of course the same list applies equally to color work. Good lenses are good lenses and even those with mediocre reputation may be better than one thinks. For a sampling... Fotostevia on Flickr \| Monochrome Steve (...thinking that a before/after thread for monochrome conversions might be fun...)

02-25-2019, 11:08 AM	#14
zburatoru Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Sfantu Gheorghe, Romania Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 266 Original Poster	Originally posted by stevebrot I have gotten good results with a wide range of lenses both for monochrome conversion of digital capture and when shooting B&W film. To be honest, I am not sure that lens makes that big of a difference, unless the glass has a definite color cast. I have been doing monochrome photography since the late 1960s and have found that light, subject, and technique of "seeing" are the important parts, followed by technical expertise and medium for the capture and subsequent processing to the final image. Of course the same list applies equally to color work. Good lenses are good lenses and even those with mediocre reputation may be better than one thinks. For a sampling... Fotostevia on Flickr \| Monochrome Steve (...thinking that a before/after thread for monochrome conversions might be fun...) Very good stuff here! Great monochrome work!

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02-25-2019, 09:17 AM - 1 Like	#2
ZombieArmy Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 3,210	No matter the lens I use, B&W in digital invariably makes me do a good amount of post to get results I want. I actually prefer a flatter lens because of that.

02-25-2019, 09:24 AM - 1 Like	#3
zburatoru Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Sfantu Gheorghe, Romania Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 266 Original Poster	Originally posted by ZombieArmy No matter the lens I use, B&W in digital invariably makes me do a good amount of post to get results I want. I actually prefer a flatter lens because of that. But which is the winner in your view? I think you're winner will be 40mm xs! I can bet on it!

02-25-2019, 09:28 AM - 1 Like	#4
jgnfld Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,789	Originally posted by zburatoru Hello! I've did a little test to see which of my selected lenses gives the best tonality, contrast on monochrome. I don't know nothing about microcontrast but they say that in monochrome you can read it... Same shutter speed, almost same aperture, f4, but f4.5 on 18-55mm. So, first - Smc Pentax fa 31mm limited, second- Smc Pentax da 15mm limited, third - Smc Pentax f 50mm f1.7, fourth - Smc Pentax da 18-55mm wr, Fifth - Tamron 17-50mm. In my view, winner by K.O. it's unsurprinsigly da 15mm limited a beautiful designed lens. Second place, surprise, surprise it's the kit lens, 18-55mm!!! Third place, very similar to fourth it's my 31mm limited... Fourth place it's my Tamron 17-50mm... And for me, a big surprise, fifth my smc f 50mm f 1.7... My thoughts are that all da limiteds will give the same performance... Another three shots from 15mm limited. Excellent! Thoughts? I don't do much B&W but I have found the manual 50mm f1.7 extremely sharp while it renders nicely myself when I do B&W.

02-25-2019, 09:30 AM	#5
zburatoru Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Sfantu Gheorghe, Romania Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 266 Original Poster	Originally posted by jgnfld I don't do much B&W but I have found the manual 50mm f1.7 extremely sharp while it renders nicely myself when I do B&W. Interesting... My f 50mm f1.7 didn't quite delivered...

02-25-2019, 09:35 AM - 3 Likes	#6
ZombieArmy Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 3,210	Originally posted by zburatoru But which is the winner in your view? I think you're winner will be 40mm xs! I can bet on it! I do rather like the 40mm xs for B&W

02-25-2019, 10:06 AM - 1 Like	#7
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by ZombieArmy No matter the lens I use, B&W in digital invariably makes me do a good amount of post to get results I want. I actually prefer a flatter lens because of that. You make a good point here. The issue with monochrome conversion is paucity of data. Even best case with RAW capture on most dSLRs, we are talking a 14 bits of data, meaning 16,000 (214) gray tones in the palette. That sounds like a lot until one starts working with an image in PP. A lower contrast original may provide an advantage, though I will confess to not having done any comparisons. In general, I try and start with a color original that has characteristics of what I want to display in the monochrome conversion. Steve Last edited by stevebrot; 02-25-2019 at 11:00 AM.

02-25-2019, 10:15 AM	#8
jgnfld Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,789	Originally posted by zburatoru Interesting... My f 50mm f1.7 didn't quite delivered... Well...I find my Sigma 17-50 f. 2.8 terrible for landscapes (though not closeups where it works well for me). Many others disagree so it's probably just me, it, and how it and I interact.

02-25-2019, 10:19 AM - 1 Like	#9
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,581	Originally posted by ZombieArmy I do rather like the 40mm xs for B&W . . . well it is, without a doubt, " the best lens in its class "

02-25-2019, 10:30 AM	#10
TER-OR Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dundee, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,699	Interesting experiment, and one which does test modern sensors, since you're eliminating channels. I know my DA21 and DA40 do provide great contrast, and everyone seems to like informal portraits done with them. (of course i usually desaturate the reds a bit so people don't look so flushed indoors) I'll have to see how those images look in B&W sometime.

02-25-2019, 10:45 AM	#11
zburatoru Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Sfantu Gheorghe, Romania Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 266 Original Poster	Originally posted by TER-OR Interesting experiment, and one which does test modern sensors, since you're eliminating channels. I know my DA21 and DA40 do provide great contrast, and everyone seems to like informal portraits done with them. (of course i usually desaturate the reds a bit so people don't look so flushed indoors) I'll have to see how those images look in B&W sometime. Well, pancake design and few elements contribute to more contrast and colors, better monochrome, too... But what's with the 18-55mm?

02-25-2019, 10:49 AM	#12
Navmaxlp Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Pennsylvania Photos: Albums Posts: 167	Originally posted by zburatoru But which is the winner in your view? I think you're winner will be 40mm xs! I can bet on it! I see what you did there. Well played....well played

02-25-2019, 12:02 PM	#15
tbelf Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Cambridge Posts: 93	Originally posted by zburatoru Another three shots from 15mm limited. Excellent! Thoughts? I love that middle DA 15 shot of the blinds!