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CB lenses, any good?

The 60 and the 80 mm are hardly less good than the CF/E/i versions.
I think it will be hard to find a 60 mm CFi that beats the CB version.

The rare 120 CB uses the same glass and optical formula as the 120 CF.
Performance is equally good of course.

The only weak performing CB is the 160 mm Tessar.
Partly due to a Tessar design instead of the superior Sonnar system.

I am the lucky owner of a rare 120 CB lens. I would not part with that lens for the CFi or even the CFE versions. :lol:
 
Never had anything to complain about with regards to my CB80.

Not that I use it very often, I am more into wide angle lenses. Or, alternatively, the CF250

Wilko
 
I've got a CB60.
And man! Is that a beauty to use, or what?

There is a lot of rumors/thougts that the CB-line is less preforming than the CF-line.
But apparently the users is happy with their CB-lenses.

For me I had the option to buy a CF or a CB.
I fell for the CB for it better feeling in the focusing helix and less usage (1997 vs early-1990).

What is important to look at when bying secondhand lenses is the age and usage, rather than model name.
And newer is "allmost" allways better.

When looking at my negatives from my C60 and CB60 I can't see any differece.
Maybe that the CB is giving better exposure, hence the slightly sticking shutter in my C-lens. (yes, due to usage and age)
But I do miss the interlinked time/shutter (so not allways new is better...)


-- Olof
 
polypal said:
I think it will be hard to find a 60 mm CFi that beats the CB version.
Click to expand...
??

You mean:
I think it will be hard to find a 60 mm CFi (the CFi beats the CB version).
or
I think it will be hard to find a 60 mm CFi better than the CB version.
 
I ordered a S/H 80mm Planar CB yesterday and it arrived today. Very nice, and the couple of quick shots I've taken using my Phase One H10 show it to be better than my 80mm Planar C T*.
 
To rule out misunderstandings both 60 mm lenses, the CFi and the CB, are equally good performers.
Both have the later barrel design which is in my opinion an improvement over the CF design.
 
According to Zeiss MTF data all 80 mm T* Planars should give the same IQ.

MTF data show marginally less IQ for the CB version.

The optical formula is different for the CB design which has six elements against seven for C/CF/CFE versions.

Good for you the CB is an improvement over the C lens with T*.
My guess is that lens could have developed a problem in the 30 years of its existence.
 
polypal said:
According to Zeiss MTF data all 80 mm T* Planars should give the same IQ.

MTF data show marginally less IQ for the CB version.

The optical formula is different for the CB design which has six elements against seven for C/CF/CFE versions.

Good for you the CB is an improvement over the C lens with T*.
My guess is that lens could have developed a problem in the 30 years of its existence.
Click to expand...

How about the color n resolution? CB is just non-distinguishable in contrast to the CF?

I m struggling to make a decision on CB or CF.....
 
No need to struggle.

A six element 80 mm CB comes so close the seven element C/CF/CFE/CFi versions it is difficult to see the difference unless you are doing test charts.

Do not worry about contrast or color rendering, the CB performs well in those departments.
 
polypal said:
No need to struggle.

A six element 80 mm CB comes so close the seven element C/CF/CFE/CFi versions it is difficult to see the difference unless you are doing test charts.

Do not worry about contrast or color rendering, the CB performs well in those departments.
Click to expand...

I have CB80 and there is no difference to be found in colour etc to my CF lenses.

I'm not in the department shooting test charts and measuring MTF curves by the way :)

Wilko
 
polypal said:
No need to struggle.

A six element 80 mm CB comes so close the seven element C/CF/CFE/CFi versions it is difficult to see the difference unless you are doing test charts.

Do not worry about contrast or color rendering, the CB performs well in those departments.
Click to expand...


i see.....

i saw the build quality of the CB a little more with the rubber than the CF series... is that come with the package why it is the "economic version"?
 
Chickenwing412 said:
i see.....

i saw the build quality of the CB a little more with the rubber than the CF series... is that come with the package why it is the "economic version"?
Click to expand...

The later models CF have the same 'rubber'. For your information: my CB80 has the best ergonomics of my lens collection. It is by no means 'cheaply built' or somesuch.

Wilko
 
CB lenses have basically the same lens barrel as the last generation lenses from Carl Zeiss for Hasselblad V series cameras.

CB/CFE/CFi lens barrels have the following improvements over the earlier CF versions.

1. Improved connector for PC flash.

2. Better anti reflection coating inside.

3. Newly designed helicoid.

In no way should these lenses be seen as cheap version of the older design.
 
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