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Comparison of Several 50mm Prime Lenses: Asahi Super-Takumar 55mm f1.8 M42, Helios 44M-6 58mm f2.0 MC M42, Industar-61 L / S 50mm f2.8 M42.

Lenses:

Super-Takumar 55 mm f/ 1.8   (view specifications)

Industar-61 L/Z (MC) 50 mm f/ 2.8   (view specifications)

Helios 44M-6 58mm f/2 MC   (view specifications)

Every photography equipment manufacturer had to have its own 50mm prime lens for Full Frame film cameras, with different design, glass quality etc.. So many millions of such lenses are distributed over all around the world. Since I have several of such lenses, and a number of test pictures, I decided to share this information.

Lenses which will be discussed:

Asahi Super-Takumar 55mm f1.8 M42 №2564838

Helios 44M-6 58mm f2.0 MC  M42 №92139526

Industar-61 L/Z 50mm f2.8 M42 №733748

 

General impression of the actual lenses:

Despite the fact that all these lenses are not new, all came to me in perfect or near to perfect condition.

Asahi Super-Takumar (made in ~1970) would be a leader of mechanical quality, very smooth focusing and aperture rings rotating.

Industar-61 L/Z (made in Y1973) I received in original sale box along with support paper.

From the standpoint of convenience usage - there is no equal to Industar-61 L/Z. Very comfortable large focusing ring, never be missed. Another very important thing of the Industar-61 L/Z - built-in lens hood - a great help from the sun and a protection from bad weather. Rain and snow do not contaminate the front lens.

There is nothing special to say about Helios 44M-6.  It is youngest lens (made in Y1992) in this comparison

 

Two words about the plan of comparison: since I am using these lenses with the Olympus E-PL1 which has crop factor of x2 all lenses should be considered as portrait lens. Therefore, a comparison shooting was made at about 1.5 m distance from the object, with a wide open or almost wide open aperture. Macro in this review has not been tested.

The parameters for comparison: color, sharpness at 100% crop, bokeh and the absolute light transmission. Light transmission was indicated by the shutter speed detected by camera (aperture priority) at the certain aperture stop.

Test conditions: no direct sunlight, ISO100, white balance fixed (the sun), Olympus E-PL1, a tripod 1.5 m to the object (ball Mikasa) and approximately 2m to the background. Photos were not corrected.

Asahi Super-Takumar
55mm f1.8
Helios 44M-6
58mm f2.0 MC
Industar-61 L/Z
50mm f2.8
f1.8
-
-
f2.0
f2.0
-
f2.8
f2.8
f2.8

Photos:

Asahi Super-Takumar 55mm f1.8

Asahi Super-Takumar 55mm f2.0

Asahi Super-Takumar 55mm f2.8

Helios 44M-6 58mm  f2.0

Helios 44M-6 58mm  f2.8

Industar-61 L/Z 50mm f2.8

100% crop:

Asahi Super-Takumar 55mm f1.8- 100% crop

Asahi Super-Takumar 55mm f2.0- 100% crop

Asahi Super-Takumar 55mm f2.8- 100% crop

Helios 44M-6 58mm  f2.0 - 100% crop

Helios 44M-6 58mm  f2.8 - 100% crop

Industar-61 L/Z 50mm f2.8 - 100% crop

Light transmission:

Aperture / Shutter speed
Asahi Super-Takumar
55mm f1.8
Helios 44M-6 
58mm f2.0 MC
Industar-61 L/Z
50mm f2.8
f1.8
1/640
-
-
f2.0
1/640
1/640
-
f2.8
1/500
1/320
1/320
f5.6
1/160
1/80
1/100
f8.0
1/100
1/50
1/50
f16
1/30
1/13
1/10

Conclusions:

Color reproduction: In my opinion, Helios 44M-6 and Industar-61 L/Z give a little warmer image while all lenses give very good color. It is very hard to find any difference between them.

Sharpness at 100% crop: all lenses are fully working on the wide open apertures.  No soft effect usually presents at those apertures was observed. Asahi Super-Takumar gives the clearest picture at f2.8 aperture. Helios was pleasantly surprised – thanks to Helios 44M-6 model which naturally have good MTF.

Bokeh: no doubt in terms of artistry Helios 44M-6 is a winner - the famous torsion bokeh is there and "twists". But ... bokeh presents only on the wide open f2.0 aperture. Closing aperture to f2.8 completely kills the whole artistry. Asahi Super-Takumar shows a very pleasant blur the background, one of the most classic that I’ve been seen. Industar-61 L/Z - well, his lens is good for the “star” bokeh at f5.6 aperture, close-up and macro photography.

Light transmission: Takumar has show very good result! At the same aperture the shutter speed almost twice (!) faster than for Industar-61 L/Z and Helios 44M-6. It is highly recommended for indoor and low light condition shooting.

Here you can find some artist pictures of the spoken lenses:

Industar-61 L/Z 50mm f2.8

Asahi Super-Takumar 55mm f1.8

Helios 44M-6 58mm f2.0 MC

Author: YuriS 23.03.2012 18:57:00
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