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Archive through July 19 2002

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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.
 
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
 
..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
 
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.
 
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
 
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:

Makro Sonnar pictures

Simon
 
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?
 
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.
 
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)?
 
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.
 
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