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Archive through July 19 2002

G

Guest

Has anyone done any side by side tests of the N lenses with the manual lenses? Seems Popular Photography has just changed their testing system when they gave their results of the new N lenses. Wondered if anyone has done anything side by side. Particularly, I am interested in the newer N 24-85 against the manual 28-85.
 
G

Guest

Hi William,

I can't give you any real life results but comparing the MTF curves published by Zeiss, the manual focus 28-85 appears to be the better performer at pretty much all the focal lengths for which data is given. The N zoom however does get down to 24mm which to me is a big plus since I like 24mm better than 28mm.

Jason
 
dirk

dirk

CI-Founder
..it is funny, because I had the complete opposite experience.

I used to have the 28-85 MM zoom and have now the N24-85. If I look at the same pictures I made with both side by side, the new N 24-85 was in every respect better.

It has a better colour reproduction, better contrast and slightly better sharpness then the 28-85.

My 28-85 was checked by Zeiss a couple of weeks before, so this could not be the problem.

If you look at my review of the N1 you can read also my results in the comparison of the N24-85 with the 25/2.8 and 85/2.8 Zeiss and the Leica M 90/2.8 lens.

dirk
 
G

Guest

I compared the MTF charts for the MS 100/2.8 for the N-system with the MP 100/2.8. I can not see why they changed the lens configuration, maybe it is cheaper to manufacture. The performance may be equal. I have only used the MS 100/2.8 so I can not compare them from real life tests.

Opinions please.
 
dirk

dirk

CI-Founder
Are you talking about makro planar and makro sonnar for the N-system or makro planar for C/Y mount and MS for the N-mount?

For the N-system there was in the first year a 100/2.8 Makro Planar, which was replaced later by the Makro-Sonnar 100/2.8. As far as I know the reason for this replacement was the improvemnet of the AF with the Sonnar.

I do not know the exact optical differences between the Planar of the C/Y mount and the Sonnar of the N-system. You can look for this normally in the download section, where you can find all MTF-data. Unfortunately, I am updating this, so you can not see the files in the moment. Try this at the end of the week again...

dirk
 
G

Guest

The Makro Planar was never released for the N1. The Makro Sonnar is the current macro lens and it is the best N lens in the line up. Some images are here:

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Simon
 
G

Guest

I meant the comparison between N-mount Makro-Sonnar 100/2.8 and C/Y-mount Makro-Planar 100/2.8.

Anyone who has experience from both lenses?
 
G

Guest

Has anyone chosen the NX with the N 24-85 instead of the N1 with the N 24-85? How is the feel and balance? After living with this combo,are you very satisfied, or do you wish you had gone with the N1 with the N 24-85? Thanks for your insights.
 
G

Guest

I'm interested in your opinion about the N24-85.

Is it "worse" than the G primes? Should I expect any visbible differences? (Typically hand held without a tripod.)

Did you also compare the N24-85 to the MF zooms
28-85 f3.3-4 and
28-70 f3.5-4.5 (designed for Aria)?
 
G

Guest

Raymond,

Look into photographyreview.com > Reviews > Contax NX. One of the reviews was made by a guy who uses the 24-85 with the NX. He seemed quite happy with it.
 
G

Guest

Till:

I am not sure what to call "worse" in this case. It is a fact that construction of range finder lenses is physically easier than those for SLRs. This means that SLR lenses will always be somewhat compromised in their capabilities (resolution, flare resistance) compared to the former, apart from the fact that you talk about comparing prime versus zoom. What I understand from reading many reports is that you will see a difference between the 24-85 and the G primes. However, you are talking about small differences and it is up to you what you really want - G lenses and theoretical maximum capability or the versatility of SLR zooms with slightly less resolution/contrast etc. For me it was easy. The 24-85 is an outstanding lens and it is simply great for travel pics due to its handy zoom range and low distortion/good contrast. I don't earn a living making pictures which need to blown up to giant proportions, and so the decision versatility combined with excellent imaging characteristics was a no brainer.
You are more correct to compare to the MF zooms, although those don't go down to 24 mm - and that is a fantastically useful angle on trips. Besides, I personally would advice even thinking about MF systems - they represent doomed obsolete technology. Guess where my preferences lie....
 
G

Guest

Dear AM Michaela:

Thank you for that reference to the NX with 24-85. I had previously read it and that reviewer did indeed seem to be very enthusiastic. However, it would be great to hear even more opinions and insights about this combination on this site. It would be nice to have the N1, but if the NX will suffice in an amateur setting, why not go for it! Hopefully, some other opinions from experience will crop up here. Thanks again for your direction.
 
G

Guest

Someone wants a comparison between the AF24-85 and the G primes? My understanding is that in a very general way lenses for rangefinders are sharper than the same for an SLR. The lense is closer to the film plane. I suppose this provides for a better lens.
Second as far as primes are concerned those for the Contax G series are some of the best primes made.
I would think a comparison between the two equates to an apple and oranges relation.
 
G

Guest

Hi:

Does anyone used the N 100 2.8? What is your coment? I used a CZ manual forcus 100 2.8, with 8 lens element inside. Personnelly I think the len is great! The N 100 2.8 has 13 element! what the different?

Ben
 
G

Guest

I use the 100 f/2.8 MS N lens. It is one of the best lenses I have ever used. Classic Zeiss image quality, so sharp that the image quality almost looks like medium format on an 8x10 print, internal focusing so everyhting from infinity to 1:1 does not extend the lenght of the lens.

I thoroughly recommend this lens.

Some of my images are at
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. Click on the '100 Macro' link and then on the 'View images taken with this lens' link.

Simon
 
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