Stack Comparison with pics: Lomo 4 vs Lomo 3,7 vs Zeiss 3,2

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Soki
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Stack Comparison with pics: Lomo 4 vs Lomo 3,7 vs Zeiss 3,2

Post by Soki »

Hey guys,

I made a comparison of the following microscope lenses:

Lomo 4 0,12 160/0
Lomo 3,7 0,11
CZJ Semiplan 3,2 0,10 160/0

My equipment:

CZJ Monocular Microscope (1931)
Nikon D3400 (APS-C)
Mitutoyo Cold Light Source

The Setup was exactly the same for every lens. Order is always: Lomo 4 / Lomo 3,7 / CZJ 3,2


Let us start with the whole subject:
114 wespe 4zu1kl.jpg
115 wespe 3,7zu1kl.jpg
115 wespe 3,2zu1kl.jpg

now the center crops:
114 wespe 4zu1centercrop.jpg
115 wespe 3,7zu1centercrop.jpg
115 wespe 3,2zu1centercrop.jpg

last but not least the corner crops:
114 wespe 4zu1cornerupperleftcrop.jpg
115 wespe 3,7zu1cornerupperleftcrop.jpg
115 wespe 3,2zu1cornerupperleftcrop.jpg

My conclusion:

The Lomo 4 0,12 is overall the best one. The Lomo 3,7 0,11 has less resolution, contrast and sharpness. The CZJ 3,2 0,10 Semiplan has the best contrast and sharpness levels, but the quality-drop in the corner is easiliy visible.


kind regards from Germany,
Simon

Scarodactyl
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Re: Stack Comparison with pics: Lomo 4 vs Lomo 3,7 vs Zeiss 3,2

Post by Scarodactyl »

This is a very interesting set!
I notice the lighting is different with the lomo 4x vs the other two (fewer highlights). Is it because of lower working distance?

Soki
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Joined: Sun May 03, 2020 5:05 am

Re: Stack Comparison with pics: Lomo 4 vs Lomo 3,7 vs Zeiss 3,2

Post by Soki »

Hey,

the highlights must indeed be related by the working distance. otherwise it would be the coating. The CZJ has an inset lens, the Lomos have not.

ray_parkhurst
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Re: Stack Comparison with pics: Lomo 4 vs Lomo 3,7 vs Zeiss 3,2

Post by ray_parkhurst »

To my eyes the two objectives are about the same in the center, but the 3.7x is slightly better than the 4x in the corner. It's an amazing result given the strong performance of the 3.7x!

Lou Jost
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Re: Stack Comparison with pics: Lomo 4 vs Lomo 3,7 vs Zeiss 3,2

Post by Lou Jost »

I also think the 3.7 wins in the corner, but the 4 is really good.

Soki
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Re: Stack Comparison with pics: Lomo 4 vs Lomo 3,7 vs Zeiss 3,2

Post by Soki »

Seems that my conclusion may be wrong:)
Did you notice the fine hairs on the wings? These seem to be way better resolved with the Lomo 4 compared to the 3,7.

Lou Jost
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Re: Stack Comparison with pics: Lomo 4 vs Lomo 3,7 vs Zeiss 3,2

Post by Lou Jost »

I agree with you in the center. The 4x is significantly better there. What do you think about the corners?

Macro_Cosmos
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Re: Stack Comparison with pics: Lomo 4 vs Lomo 3,7 vs Zeiss 3,2

Post by Macro_Cosmos »

Hard to say here... to me...
The 4x seems a tad better in the centre, whereas the 3,7x yields better corners.

Pretty amazing, the 3,7x holds up incredibly well for such a tiny lens of such age. If it was still at $30 a pop, it's unbeatable in terms of value for money. Even at the inflated prices we see now, it's still really decent! :P

Soki
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Joined: Sun May 03, 2020 5:05 am

Re: Stack Comparison with pics: Lomo 4 vs Lomo 3,7 vs Zeiss 3,2

Post by Soki »

The Lomo 4 seems to be indeed better at the center. But the overall winner for me is now the Lomo 3,7.
I examined the high res pictures again and the Lomo 3,7 is definitely better in the corners. Especially on the end of the wings.
I paid 79.99$ for it and it is definitely worth the money. It seems that I got a good copy of this lens.
I will use the Lomo 4 for small round objects and the Lomo 3,7 for extensive objects.

Here is the postprogressed Version of the Stack with the Lomo 3,7:
EFB49E83-A655-4629-B594-56D06FEEE4D9.jpeg

ray_parkhurst
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Re: Stack Comparison with pics: Lomo 4 vs Lomo 3,7 vs Zeiss 3,2

Post by ray_parkhurst »

Soki wrote:
Mon Jul 13, 2020 12:36 am
The Lomo 4 seems to be indeed better at the center. But the overall winner for me is now the Lomo 3,7.
I examined the high res pictures again and the Lomo 3,7 is definitely better in the corners. Especially on the end of the wings.
I paid 79.99$ for it and it is definitely worth the money. It seems that I got a good copy of this lens.
I will use the Lomo 4 for small round objects and the Lomo 3,7 for extensive objects.

Here is the postprogressed Version of the Stack with the Lomo 3,7:
Can you comment or provide some data on field flatness of the 4x? We know the 3.7x is not flat and thus requires a deeper stack than would normally be necessary to bring the corners into focus. Did the 4x behave the same? I don't use the 3.7x much due to the flatness issue. Other ~4x objectives are available which are nearly as sharp and are flat-field. It may seem correctable simply by shooting deeper stacks, but for 3D rendering the field shape is convolved with the object shape, and any non-flatness will distort the 3D rendering.

Soki
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Re: Stack Comparison with pics: Lomo 4 vs Lomo 3,7 vs Zeiss 3,2

Post by Soki »

They both seem to behave the same. I used 114 pics for the 3,7 and the 4 (115 for the 3,2 Semiplan).

Lou Jost
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Re: Stack Comparison with pics: Lomo 4 vs Lomo 3,7 vs Zeiss 3,2

Post by Lou Jost »

Ray, what's your current favorite 4x lens or objective for full frame?

Scarodactyl
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Re: Stack Comparison with pics: Lomo 4 vs Lomo 3,7 vs Zeiss 3,2

Post by Scarodactyl »

I think you mentioned a differen e in woeking distance in the other thread--is that correct or am I misremembering?

Soki
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Re: Stack Comparison with pics: Lomo 4 vs Lomo 3,7 vs Zeiss 3,2

Post by Soki »

Yes, the working distance of the Lomo 4 is way shorter than that of the Lomo 3,7.

Scarodactyl
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Re: Stack Comparison with pics: Lomo 4 vs Lomo 3,7 vs Zeiss 3,2

Post by Scarodactyl »

That's too bad, though not necessarily a dealbreaker depending on the subject. How short are we talking, roughly?

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