Does this look like 'Glow' or 'Sonnar' to you?
- Thread starter Benji77
- Start date
artspraken
New Member
#2 and #3 look more like Sonnar.
#1 the subject a bit far away. IIRC, the Sonnar glow appears for closer subjects (eg portraits type shot) when shot wide open
#1 the subject a bit far away. IIRC, the Sonnar glow appears for closer subjects (eg portraits type shot) when shot wide open
artspraken
New Member
I think he referring to Zeiss 50 C Sonnar F 1.5
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pixelbrain
New Member
Without checking the EXIF (Don't cheat ah!), does this look like a Sonnar shot to you? Does it look like 'Glow' to you?
Feel free to load your 'Glow' or Sonnar shots here for comparison. Added poison for Sonnar lovers who have yet to attain enlightenment....
congrats on the new sonnar lens!! which variant did you get?
the distinctive signature of my post-war zeiss sonnar is the explosive bokeh & the very subtle 'glow' you mentioned.. I believe if it's the glow effect you're after, the pre-asph 35mm lux has more of it..
a couple of examples:
artspraken
New Member
Steve Huff review on 50 Sonnar 1.5 here
Just in case you wanna compare the 'glow' with the famous 35 lux pre-asph HERE
Just in case you wanna compare the 'glow' with the famous 35 lux pre-asph HERE
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gommy
Senior Member
If you like glow and Sonnar, then you must get a Nikkor50mmf1.4. Some specimen of this lens glows a lot at f1.4.
See this very old thread by Kross:
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/threads/378261-Show-us-your-GLOW-shots...?highlight=Glow
My Nikkor50f1.4 glows nicely but not as much as Kross's.
See this very old thread by Kross:
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/threads/378261-Show-us-your-GLOW-shots...?highlight=Glow
My Nikkor50f1.4 glows nicely but not as much as Kross's.
gommy
Senior Member
The LTM version depending on vintage is not too expensive. The black ring one (last production) is rarer and cost maybe a third more than regular all chrome. Here, I'm talking about the "Japan" version. In my own experience, the earlier "Tokyo" version doesn't glow as much as my black-ring "Japan" version.
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I don't mean to rock the boat, I wanted to challenge the view and perception that how we 'see' a lens 'drawing' sometimes can be influenced by our poisoned mind.
The three shots I did were all from the Nikon AIS 50mm 1.2 with a Nikon D3s. RAW converted to JPEGs. I shot them all wide open, and started to wonder, is this the 'glow' or Sonnar-likeness that I like?
Comments welcomed!
The three shots I did were all from the Nikon AIS 50mm 1.2 with a Nikon D3s. RAW converted to JPEGs. I shot them all wide open, and started to wonder, is this the 'glow' or Sonnar-likeness that I like?
Comments welcomed!
gommy
Senior Member
I knew something like that is coming. You are quite right in that sense. That's why when people ask me which is my favourite lens, I can't really answer cos they are nice in their own right and that's also the reason why, I ended up with so many lenses cos I like them all especially the 50mm.
It's also a very personal thing-some like the glow, some don't. Some like the 3D effect of the Sonnar but the lens in my experience the lens with consistently gives me a 3D effect is Alpa Kern Macro Switar 50f1.8.
cheers,
artspraken
New Member
yes i agree that the poisoned mind can mistake a Nikon AIS 50mm 1.2 for a CZ 50mm Sonnar 1.5.
On that score, actually some lens characteristics can be attained by pp.
On that score, actually some lens characteristics can be attained by pp.
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Apologies, for I never meant for it as an attack on your comment.
I find that a 'layman' like myself, and many other less-experienced shooter, will not be able to identify a photo shot by a Sonnar unless prompted by the owner.
With this I mean that only the shooter or the very well trained eye are able to say ''that's a Sonnar shot!''.
Personally, the Sonnar design and concept is very interesting for me. I like the vintage feel it gives, adding character to the shot. This is usually done when shot 'wide-open'.
Stopped down, my AIS 50/1.2 seems like any other ordinary 50's!
Gommy, I have no idea what lens is that <Alpa Kern Macro Switar 50f1.8>, it most probably will kill my budget too
Any more Sonnar shots to share?
hi Benji:
So far, the best description of what a sonnar lens is like is best described by Sean reid (reidreviews.com) that the sonnar (specifically zm 50 1.5) oof renders like a broad charcoal pencil vs a clinical appearance that is like the drawing of fine felt tip pen. I think the ais fit the description.
as for glow. I believe PP can achieve the effect by affecting highlights etc to a great extent by with great trouble. silver efex save quite a bit of time.
To be honest I have been going crazy about the sonnar lens... from opton, jupiter, ltm nikkor and of course the ZM... for the past few day and was going to click some but it now and check out buttons....
I love how the rending quite a bit. but just as good are the leica 50 2.5 and VC 50 1.1. I have a love hate relationship with them.
but for travel, the ZM 50 1.5 fits both if you avoid f 1.8-f4
So far, the best description of what a sonnar lens is like is best described by Sean reid (reidreviews.com) that the sonnar (specifically zm 50 1.5) oof renders like a broad charcoal pencil vs a clinical appearance that is like the drawing of fine felt tip pen. I think the ais fit the description.
as for glow. I believe PP can achieve the effect by affecting highlights etc to a great extent by with great trouble. silver efex save quite a bit of time.
To be honest I have been going crazy about the sonnar lens... from opton, jupiter, ltm nikkor and of course the ZM... for the past few day and was going to click some but it now and check out buttons....
I love how the rending quite a bit. but just as good are the leica 50 2.5 and VC 50 1.1. I have a love hate relationship with them.
but for travel, the ZM 50 1.5 fits both if you avoid f 1.8-f4
Ben,
Take a look at the Sonnar tests we did back in Nov.
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/threads/800613-Nov-20-2010-Sonnar-Lenses-Test...
Here's a Canon Sonnar.
Nikkor 85 f2.0 Sonnar
Nikkor 50 f1.4 Sonnar
Take a look at the Sonnar tests we did back in Nov.
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/threads/800613-Nov-20-2010-Sonnar-Lenses-Test...
Here's a Canon Sonnar.
Nikkor 85 f2.0 Sonnar
Nikkor 50 f1.4 Sonnar
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artspraken
New Member
no need to apologise i did not read that as an attack. on contrary, its a good motivation to shoot more, and buy/talk less.
In many ways, in photography u can buy sonnar, ektar, industar, summilux, summicron or noctilux (and whatever fancy lens), but if u remain a couch potato at home like me, its quite useless lor...
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Just wish to add on something that maybe relevant to this thread since it is about glow and wide open. Since I started to use RF and seeing alot of discussion and photos about shooting wide open, I become guilty of wanting to shoot wide open for no reason. :embrass: Take for eg, in the past I usually settle with 1/125 or 1/250 and stop down to f5.6 and beyond. Seems to me now, I shoot at f2 to f2.8 with 1/1000 shutter speed. I believe HCB or Winogrand didn't shoot wide open unless there is not enough light? Probably they want more DoF instead of the glow and character of the lens. Do correct me if I am wrong.
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