Lens colours and contrast at DVinfo.net

Wayne Avanson · September 10th, 2012, 07:32 AM

HI. Maybe you guys can help me with a little thing.

I'm testing settings on two 5D3s next to each other on a glidetrack shooting the same stuff at exactly the same settings and one is (ever so slightly) more contrasty and warmer than the other.

One is shooting with the 50mm 1.4 and the other with the 85mm 1.8

I'm guessing this is the reason but I figured that more experienced people than I might have a good explanation. The difference is absolutely minute so it's not a problem, I would just like to enhance my education on this matter of lenses.

Thanks in advance

Jon Fairhurst · September 11th, 2012, 04:41 PM

The coatings might be slightly different between those lenses. The 85 was introduced in 1992 and the 50 in 1993, so it's unlikely that there was a big change in the formula in that exact year. Then again, maybe your lenses have very different date codes. In that case the formula might have changed or there might be aging involved.

What was the aperture in those shots? If near wide open, the lenses will show variation due to the different glass. If stopped way down, the aperture opening can vary slightly even on the same lens from shot to shot as the aperture closes slightly differently each time. If around f/5.6 or f/8, you'll see the least variation due to glass (open) and aperture (closed). In this case, it would come mostly down to the coatings.

Wayne Avanson · September 14th, 2012, 03:34 PM

Thanks Jon Good thinking.

Both at 4.5

September 10th, 2012, 07:32 AM	#1
Wayne Avanson Major Player Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Lancashire UK Posts: 496	Lens colours and contrast HI. Maybe you guys can help me with a little thing. I'm testing settings on two 5D3s next to each other on a glidetrack shooting the same stuff at exactly the same settings and one is (ever so slightly) more contrasty and warmer than the other. One is shooting with the 50mm 1.4 and the other with the 85mm 1.8 I'm guessing this is the reason but I figured that more experienced people than I might have a good explanation. The difference is absolutely minute so it's not a problem, I would just like to enhance my education on this matter of lenses. Thanks in advance __________________ Avey theactionhouse.com

September 11th, 2012, 04:41 PM	#2
Jon Fairhurst Inner Circle Join Date: May 2006 Location: Camas, WA, USA Posts: 5,513	Re: Lens colours and contrast The coatings might be slightly different between those lenses. The 85 was introduced in 1992 and the 50 in 1993, so it's unlikely that there was a big change in the formula in that exact year. Then again, maybe your lenses have very different date codes. In that case the formula might have changed or there might be aging involved. What was the aperture in those shots? If near wide open, the lenses will show variation due to the different glass. If stopped way down, the aperture opening can vary slightly even on the same lens from shot to shot as the aperture closes slightly differently each time. If around f/5.6 or f/8, you'll see the least variation due to glass (open) and aperture (closed). In this case, it would come mostly down to the coatings. __________________ Jon Fairhurst

September 14th, 2012, 03:34 PM	#3
Wayne Avanson Major Player Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Lancashire UK Posts: 496	Re: Lens colours and contrast Thanks Jon Good thinking. Both at 4.5 __________________ Avey theactionhouse.com