These tests have been extremely demanding.  As I said when describing the scene chosen, sometimes, the difference in image quality jumps out at the viewer.  Sometimes, the naked eye can’t see any difference in quality in 8 × 8 inch prints.  At these points, I examined details at the centre, edges and corners, using a loupe that gave 7× magnification.  This is equivalent to studying close-up a print 56" × 56" (4 feet 8 inches × 4 feet 8 inches, or 1 metre 42 centimetres × 1 metre 42 centimetres)!  When this degree of magnification is needed to reveal a difference, which is the case with some of the lenses tested, that difference is small indeed, and the lens that comes in second – or even third – place may still be extremely good.

As you would expect, the finish with the Schneiders is WAY BETTER than with the Arsenal lenses. The differences between Joseph Schneider and Carl Zeiss Jena are a lot less obvious, although minor differences in optical quality are sometimes discernible. The finish of the Carl Zeiss Jena lenses is in my experience every bit as good as the finish of the Schneider lenses. Sometimes, I can’t see any difference in optical quality, though occasionally a very sharp-eyed friend guesses correctly when given comparison shots to judge. Sometimes a Zeiss lens beats a Schneider; sometimes it is the other way round.

If you haven’t got an Exakta 66 – or you have one but don’t intend to get the TTL prism – there is little argument in favour of the Joseph Schneider lenses over Carl Zeiss Jena, other than that they match the camera’s finish cosmetically, and are generally a bit lighter, because of their smaller maximum apertures.

Judging by price, Arsenal generally wins, with Carl Zeiss Jena second and Schneider a poor third (the lenses are VERY expensive!). Judging by mechanical quality, Schneider and Zeiss easily share first place. Judging by optical quality, most of the prizes go to Schneider and Zeiss, although occasionally – as with the 65mm Mir – Arsenal produces a lens which is at least joint first, optically, if not mechanically. For 30mm, there is no competition in this mount, so it’s just as well that Arsenal’s Zodiak is superb. For shift and tilt lenses, there is apparently a Schneider lens that we would expect to be superb, and exorbitantly expensive, if we could find it. The Arsenal/Hartblei lenses are available, affordable and excellent, especially the 55mm lens.

Note: to find out information on the bellows lenses, go to the Exakta 66 bellows section here, the Schneider data section here and the report on the macro lenses here.

To read the disclaimer, click below.
Disclaimer

To go back to the beginning of the lens tests, click below and then choose the focal length that you want to read about.
Back to beginning of lens tests

Home

© TRA January 2002, November 2008