(Warning Lrg) Lens Shootout: Contax Zeiss Planar 50mm f/1.4 T* vs. Pentax SMC Takumar 55mm f/1.8

[IronMaskDuval]

Okay. I get it. I fudged and was too lazy to reshoot. I forgot to account for the Pentax's extra 5mm, so the bokeh is different. Anyway, I just got my grubby hands on these two awesome lenses and decided to do a shootout today to compare the two. I'm no lens geek, so this isn't a "pro" test by any means. It's not even amateur.

Both lenses are extremely sharp once I got away from shooting them wide open. I shot these really quickly, so the sun was practically the same from start to end. I had to bump the ISO on the Pentax a bit from f/8 to f/11, as the wind picked up, and I didn't want to drop the shutter speed and in turn gain motion blur.

The bottom line is that I am only going to keep one. I bought the Zeiss with a brand new rubber hood and E mount for $210. That's a steal. I bought the Pentax with hood and E mount for $84. Meh. I probably could have done better if I kept going to different antique shops.

Here's my opinion. I really like the hell out of both of them. They both have something special and unique against the other. Damn. But, the Zeiss is my clear winner for contrast and color.

Without further ado, here are the shots. Zeiss first. Pentax second.

Wide open. Zeiss at 1.4, 1/16000, ISO 50. Pentax at 1.8, 1/640, ISO 50.

Zeiss at 2, 1/1000, ISO 50. Pentax at 2, 1/500, ISO 50.

Zeiss at 2.8, 1/500, ISO 50. Pentax at 2.88, 1/320, ISO 50.

Zeiss at 5.6, 1/100, ISO 50. Pentax at 5.6, 1/100, ISO 50.

Zeiss at 8, 1/50, ISO 50. Pentax at 8, 1/125, ISO 160.

 

[IronMaskDuval]

Zeiss at 11, 1/25, ISO 50. Pentax at 11, 1/125, ISO 400.

 

[IronMaskDuval]

Actually, now that I get to see all of these side by side (up and down), the Zeiss pummels the Takumar, IMO.

 

[cherylynne1]

Fascinating comparison, I wouldn't have expected such a difference. Wide open, it almost looks like the second one has a diffuser over it. Have fun with whichever you choose!