Cooke vs Heliar vs Zeiss

[ScottPhotoCo]

As I have received requests to repost images and I don't have access to the original post I'll add them here.

With all of the lens comparison threads happening I thought I'd share a recent test I did using three lenses on my Graflex RB SLR (handheld).

I was comparing three lenses all at f4.5:
1. Cooke 10.5" Series II Portrait Lens (no soft focus used for this test)
2. Voigtländer 240mm Heliar
3. Carl Zeiss Tessar IIa 210mm

This is a completely unscientific experiment for my own personal reference to see how each lens worked using the Graflex SLR handheld for portraits.

Other pertinent info:
Film: Ilford FP4+
Processing: XTOL 1:1. 10:30 at 68 degrees
Scanning: Epson v750pro with all settings identical for consistency. No sharpening applied.
No post processing.


Set 1: Cooke 10.5" Series II Portrait Lens (no soft focus)

10.5Cooke_f4.5_IlfordFP4+_2 by Tim Scott, on Flickr

10.5Cooke_f4.5_IlfordFP4+_1 by Tim Scott, on Flickr

Set 2: Voigtländer 240mm Heliar

240Heliar_f4.5_IlfordFP4+_2 by Tim Scott, on Flickr

240Heliar_f4.5_IlfordFP4+_1 by Tim Scott, on Flickr

Set 3: Carl Zeiss Tessar IIa 210mm

See below as there is a 4 image max per thread.


General observations

The Cooke and the Heliar seemed to render very similarly. If I am not mistaken they are a similar lens design so this makes sense.
The Zeiss Tessar is uncoated and didn't handle the bright background as well as the Heliar and the Cooke. I believe that all are uncoated so this seems odd.
The focal length of the Cooke (10.5") is perfect for closer portraits.

I love doing 4x5 handheld portraits so any of these lenses will work. HOWEVER, the Cooke will not fit in the camera when closed. Both the Zeiss and the Voigtländer will.

I KNOW THAT THIS IS NOT A PERFECT SCIENTIFIC TEST but I share it anyway in hope that it is helpful for some of you.


Tim
www.ScottPhoto.co

[ScottPhotoCo]

Image with the Zeiss Tessar. Obviously missed focus.

210ZeissTessar_f4.5_IlfordFP4+_1 by Tim Scott, on Flickr

[ScottPhotoCo]

Additional thoughts as gleaned from this experiment...

To me, I actually like each of the lenses tested for different reasons.

The Cooke and the Heliar both have a similar signature/look. The Cooke has a soft focus option that I haven't experimented with yet and is a longer focal length for tighter shots. The Heliar is a slightly shorter focal length and smaller/lighter. And added bonus to the Heliar is that is will fit in the camera (4x5 Graflex D SLR) when it is closed. The Cooke will not.

The Zeiss is a Tessar design and beautifully sharp. When that is what I am after it is the lens I will reach for.

[Peter De Smidt]

Thank you, Tim!

[Robert Oliver]

What you should have done... is presented them across a table in print form with friends! either over a pint of beer or cup o' coffee

Ha!

I get pretty frustrated on these boards when I ask a question and then get a lecture how I did it wrong... which is why I check out for awhile, forget how frustrating the board can be and then come back for another dose !

[ScottPhotoCo]

What you should have done... is presented them across a table in print form with friends! either over a pint of beer or cup o' coffee

Ha!

I get pretty frustrated on these boards when I ask a question and then get a lecture how I did it wrong... which is why I check out for awhile, forget how frustrating the board can be and then come back for another dose !

Damn, Robert. You are so high maintenance.

[ScottPhotoCo]

Thank you, Tim!

No problem Peter. Hope it's helpful.

[Colin D]

Additional thoughts as gleaned from this experiment...

To me, I actually like each of the lenses tested for different reasons.

The Cooke and the Heliar both have a similar signature/look. The Cooke has a soft focus option that I haven't experimented with yet and is a longer focal length for tighter shots. The Heliar is a slightly shorter focal length and smaller/lighter. And added bonus to the Heliar is that is will fit in the camera (4x5 Graflex D SLR) when it is closed. The Cooke will not.

The Zeiss is a Tessar design and beautifully sharp. When that is what I am after it is the lens I will reach for.

Many thanks for posting those photos Tim, you're right, they each have a different signature, which is neither good or bad, each to their own. My Cooke is actually the series VI f5.6 variety, it probably has a different look to the series II as well, once I get back into doing some photos I'll find out and post them.

Cheers

Colin

[Ari]

I agree the Cooke and Heliar do look similar, I'm kind of surprised. Every Cooke shot I've seen, here & elsewhere, has a wonderful, vivid quality all its own.
And I always saw others getting great results with Heliars.
But every time I bought a Heliar, it turned out such flat, mushy, contrast-less photos; I eventually gave up on them.
Yes, I do wonder if it was operator error.

[Ari]

I agree the Cooke and Heliar do look similar, I'm kind of surprised. Every Cooke shot I've seen, here & elsewhere, has a wonderful, vivid quality all its own.
And I always saw others getting great results with Heliars.
But every time I bought a Heliar, it turned out such flat, mushy, contrast-less photos; I eventually gave up on them.
Yes, I do wonder if it was operator error.

Thanks for posting these, Tim.