View Full Version : Elmar 50mm/2.8 Canon 50mm/1.4
I bought two 50mm lenses the past 14 days. The first lens is the old style Elmar 50mm/2.8. It has received a new front element and these are the first results. I am not doing any adjustments of any sort with any software. The Gold 100 film was scanned at Sam's Club.
For extra details, I have not reduced the file sizes. They are not huge, but large.
First, these are photos of my family. I may have used 5.6-8.0.
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/raidamin/Elmar/460483-R1-13-12.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/raidamin/Elmar/460483-R1-18-7.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/raidamin/Elmar/460483-R1-22-3.jpg
What do you think?
I also checked for flare. I used a hood [maybe I shouldnot have done so], and I pointed the lens at the sun glare.
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/raidamin/Elmar/460483-R1-04-21.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/raidamin/Elmar/460483-R1-03-22.jpg
I may have set the aperture at 11.0.
digitalintrigue
04-09-2008, 16:46
Raid, those look fantastic. Are you sure you used 5.6-8.0? The first two not even the fence is in focus.
Can I have my lens back? :)
back alley
04-09-2008, 16:47
pics are waaaay too big raid!
digitalintrigue
04-09-2008, 16:49
Maybe try a larger monitor? Heh. :)
did they scan it for you at sam's club?
because the job wasnt really well done, lots and lots of dust particles!
otherwise, sweet pictures!
Guys, take it easy.It's just a first test of this lens.
As for the aperture used, I could be mistaken since it was in the late afternoon hours and early evening, so maybe the aperture was at 4.0.
Since the front element is new, is there a chance that Leica sold the front element from the new Elmar?
Anyways, I also bought a Canon 50mm/1.4 from KEH during the same time. The lens was graded as Bargain, and it is a bargain. The condition of the lens is closer to mint.
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/raidamin/Canon%20One%20Point%20Four/460482-R1-07-7A.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/raidamin/Canon%20One%20Point%20Four/460482-R1-10-4A.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/raidamin/Canon%20One%20Point%20Four/460482-R1-02-12A.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/raidamin/Canon%20One%20Point%20Four/460482-R1-11-3A.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/raidamin/Canon%20One%20Point%20Four/460482-R1-00-14A.jpg
What's your opinion on this lens?
digitalintrigue
04-09-2008, 17:01
I'm not sure about the front element, Raid, but I can find out for you...
My feelings on these two lenses are positive. The lenses appear to be sharp and they have excellent flare control. I am a happy dude.
Raid, I'm really glad you like the lenses, and one thing these tests show is that the lenses' focusing mechanisms are within acceptable tolerances; in other words, they match your camera(s) well.
However, I would caution that, without being in complete control of the entire workflow, you really don't know how much sharpening was done by the developing/scanning service you used. In my experience, these places scan at low dpi, then compensate by applying heavy sharpening. Anyway, I'm sure you know all this, but you won't know the subtle qualities of these lenses until you have taken control of the scanning process.
Raid, I'm really glad you like the lenses, and one thing these tests show is that the lenses' focusing mechanisms are within acceptable tolerances; in other words, they match your camera(s) well.
However, I would caution that, without being in complete control of the entire workflow, you really don't know how much sharpening was done by the developing/scanning service you used. In my experience, these places scan at low dpi, then compensate by applying heavy sharpening. Anyway, I'm sure you know all this, but you won't know the subtle qualities of these lenses until you have taken control of the scanning process.
I have been using the same scanning services with all my lenses and for several years, so a comparison is possible. Your words of cautioning are in place.
like2fiddle
04-09-2008, 18:03
Wonderful pics Raid. Your images taken with the Canon 50/1.4 are good examples illustrating why I am selling my 50 Hexanon and keeping my Canon 50/1.4. Many people rave about the Hex, and rightly so, but I just prefer the character of the Canon 50/1.4
Raid, those look fantastic. Are you sure you used 5.6-8.0? The first two not even the fence is in focus.
Can I have my lens back? :)
Hi Robert,
No,you will not get the lens back!
As stated above, the may have been different.
pics are waaaay too big raid!
Joe,
These are test results, so maybe it is OK this time.
I will not post any additional images here in the thread.
did they scan it for you at sam's club?
because the job wasnt really well done, lots and lots of dust particles!
otherwise, sweet pictures!
My local Sam's Club usually does an excellent job in scanning. All lens test results were scanned there. Last evening, the young man working there may have been a new person at the Frontier machine. I will make sure next time to ask for the person in charge there.
I'm not sure about the front element, Raid, but I can find out for you...
It would be interesting to find out which type of element they used and whether the final impact changes the performance of this particular Elmar to be closer to the new version Elmar. Is the new Elmar more contrasty?
digitalintrigue
04-09-2008, 18:21
I have sent an email to Focal Point about the front element, I'll let you know what he says.
My guess, is that it is a replacement front element from an original Elmar, not Elmar-M.
Looks like you have a nice pair of 50s. Flare control looks excellent.
Luddite Frank
04-09-2008, 18:25
I really like the "look" from the Canon lens; I need to get a post-war Elmar too...
Thank you for posting the test results ! Which body were you shooting with ?
I have been pleased so far with the items I have purchased from KEH; they seem to be very conservative in their grading.
Luddite Frank
I have sent an email to Focal Point about the front element, I'll let you know what he says.
My guess, is that it is a replacement front element from an original Elmar, not Elmar-M.
Looks like you have a nice pair of 50s. Flare control looks excellent.
Thanks, Robert. I would like to know more about the front element.
I aimed at the glare to test both lenses for any unpleasant flaring, but both lenses [with hoods] seem to do quite well in this area.
Wonderful pics Raid. Your images taken with the Canon 50/1.4 are good examples illustrating why I am selling my 50 Hexanon and keeping my Canon 50/1.4. Many people rave about the Hex, and rightly so, but I just prefer the character of the Canon 50/1.4
Thanks.
I have the Canon 50/1.2and 50/1.8, and both are a pleasure to use. It was bound to happen that I get a canon 50/1.4, and I will get later on a Canon 50/1.5.
Lovely photos, Raid. That 50/1.4 looks like a winner!
xayraa33
04-09-2008, 19:17
the Canon 1.4 gets my vote.
it gives that 3D technicolor look to the pics.
Hi Raid,
I am glad you are enjoying the Canon, as I told you earlier, it is a great lens. Here two photos taken with it on my R-D1, there is very little sharpening applied to it.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3032/2399482971_29b55398d9_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3129/2400331860_f50abdcfd8_b.jpg
I hope you don't mind me posting photos in your thread.
Max
Hi Max,
Absolutely not! I said above that I will not post any additional images in this thread.
Thanks.
Lovely photos, Raid. That 50/1.4 looks like a winner!
Thank you, Steve. I now am OK with having sold my J-3. The Canon 50/1.4 looks very promising.
digitalintrigue
04-10-2008, 06:33
Raid, I heard back from John.
"The new front element is of original design. The front element from an Elmar-M would not work or fit with the older lens."
Raid, I heard back from John.
"The new front element is of original design. The front element from an Elmar-M would not work or fit with the older lens."
Robert,
Thanks. This means that the lens should perform like it was meant to perform as the first design Elmar 50/2.8.
Raid
-------------
I really like the "look" from the Canon lens; I need to get a post-war Elmar too...
Thank you for posting the test results ! Which body were you shooting with ?
I have been pleased so far with the items I have purchased from KEH; they seem to be very conservative in their grading.
Luddite Frank
Hi Luddite,
I used the Elmar on the M3 and the Canon on the M6. I am careful with collapsible lenses when having a meter in a camera.
The Canon is near mint by anyone's standards. KEH can be excellent.
digitalintrigue
04-10-2008, 19:49
I've never had a Canon LTM lens, maybe will have to try one soon.
I've never had a Canon LTM lens, maybe will have to try one soon.
Robert,
Canon does not have a bad 50mm RF lens.
The bargain lens is the 50mm/1.8. It is very sharp and just wonderful.
The 50/1.5 is the preferred Sonnar 50mm lens for many people here and it has a cult following.
The 50/1.4 is just awesome. What a great 1.4 lens.
The 50/.1.2 can be awesome at a low cost for such speed.
Brian Sweeney
04-11-2008, 01:22
They look great! That Elmar is a nice performer, and the Canon 50/1.4 has never let me down.
Think I'll be linking to test photo's from now on.
Raid,those ars great results,keep the lenses.........Robin
They look great! That Elmar is a nice performer, and the Canon 50/1.4 has never let me down.
Think I'll be linking to test photo's from now on.
Brian,
Thanks. I am happy with both lenses.
Robin,
I certainly will keep them. The Elmar is astonishingly sharp. I expected a softer profile. The Canon is a stunner.
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