It's started...

[Hughmac]

Just though I'd say thanks to the two gentlemen who made me start buying vintage manual lenses for my Sony.
I know I've started at the cheap end of the scale, but can you please tell me when it will end?



It's Started... by Hugh Russell, on Flickr

Cheers

Hugh

 

[Apple fanboy]

Just though I'd say thanks to the two gentlemen who made me start buying vintage manual lenses for my Sony.
I know I've started at the cheap end of the scale, but can you please tell me when it will end?



It's Started... by Hugh Russell, on Flickr

Cheers

Hugh

Good god man, how many lenses do you own?
You need to go cold turkey and stay off eBay!

 

[Hughmac]

Good god man, how many lenses do you own?
You need to go cold turkey and stay off eBay!

Let me see now, everything Nikon has gone except the 18-135mm that I keep on the D70 IR.
So that leaves the Sony NEX - 16, 30 and 60mm f/2.8, 55-210 zoom, and now those two above.
If the Helios is as good as it should be I'll be selling the 60mm.

That'll leave me with 6 in total, same as you admit to having

Cheers

Hugh

 

[Apple fanboy]

Let me see now, everything Nikon has gone except the 18-135mm that I keep on the D70 IR.
So that leaves the Sony NEX - 16, 30 and 60mm f/2.8, 55-210 zoom, and now those two above.
If the Helios is as good as it should be I'll be selling the 60mm.

That'll leave me with 6 in total, same as you admit to having

Cheers

Hugh

Actually I have a 70-300 as well! I sold the 18-55 kit lens and 60mm macro.
Enjoy the new glass!

 

[MacRy]

I've been buying old glass for a few years now. First for my Fuji and now for my Sony. I'll let you know when it ends...... I'm not sure it does.

That Helios is supposed to be a good little performer. Looking forward to seeing some crazy swirly bokeh shots with it.

You should check out some Jupiter lenses as well. I thoroughly recommend the Jupiter 8 and Jupiter 11. Both sonnar clones and dirt cheap. As they're LTM mounts the minimum focus distance is pretty crazy so I'd also recommend a close focus adapter.

 

[kenoh]

I am sorry to hear of your condition.... you have my condolences.

Might I recommend:

Canon nFD 50mm f1.4
Canon nFD 50mm f3.5 Macro
Contax Yashica Tessar 45mm f2.8 - razor sharp
Carl Zeiss Jena S 135mm f3.5 - gorgeous
Carl Zeiss Jena 35mm f2.5 Flectogon - lovely
Canon nFD 28mm F2.8 - meh

Leitz Canada Summicron-R 50mm f2.0
Leitz Elmar-c 90mm f4 - flares a bit, bags of character

Voigtlander Nokton Classic 40mm f1.4 - cracking lens

All beautiful...

It ends here for me...

Leica Summilux-m 50mm f1.4 asph. - jaw dropping on Sony
Leica Summilix-m 35mm f1.4 asph. - as above
Leica Summarit-m 90mm f2.5 - as above

These three are more lens than i can drive so wasted on me. Seeing what MacRy puts out, that Nokton of his is a winner!

Also SMC Super Takumar 50mm supposed to be great

Jupiter-8 in MacRys hands, incredible as you have seen...

I need a lie down, I feel faint...
[doublepost=1455140127][/doublepost]

Good god man, how many lenses do you own?
You need to go cold turkey and stay off eBay!

Good advice... never gonna happen
[doublepost=1455140168][/doublepost]

Just though I'd say thanks to the two gentlemen who made me start buying vintage manual lenses for my Sony.
I know I've started at the cheap end of the scale, but can you please tell me when it will end?



It's Started... by Hugh Russell, on Flickr

Cheers

Hugh

MacRy, think he is saying it is your fault....

 

[Hughmac]

I've been buying old glass for a few years now. First for my Fuji and now for my Sony. I'll let you know when it ends...... I'm not sure it does.

That Helios is supposed to be a good little performer. Looking forward to seeing some crazy swirly bokeh shots with it.

You should check out some Jupiter lenses as well. I thoroughly recommend the Jupiter 8 and Jupiter 11. Both sonnar clones and dirt cheap. As they're LTM mounts the minimum focus distance is pretty crazy so I'd also recommend a close focus adapter.

Thank you, I'll try and stick to what I have for as long as possible
From what I can see the L39 LTM M39 adapter would focus OK as my NEX is APSC.

So, Industar-69 28mm? as I'm not sure of the Kenlock. I've only had it a day but the Sigma 30mm 2.8 beats it hands down in sharpness and colour rendition. Maybe I'll never beat it.

Cheers

Hugh
[doublepost=1455141896][/doublepost]

I am sorry to hear of your condition.... you have my condolences.

Might I recommend:

Canon nFD 50mm f1.4
Canon nFD 50mm f3.5 Macro
Contax Yashica Tessar 45mm f2.8 - razor sharp
Carl Zeiss Jena S 135mm f3.5 - gorgeous
Carl Zeiss Jena 35mm f2.5 Flectogon - lovely
Canon nFD 28mm F2.8 - meh

Leitz Canada Summicron-R 50mm f2.0
Leitz Elmar-c 90mm f4 - flares a bit, bags of character

Voigtlander Nokton Classic 40mm f1.4 - cracking lens

All beautiful...

It ends here for me...

Leica Summilux-m 50mm f1.4 asph. - jaw dropping on Sony
Leica Summilix-m 35mm f1.4 asph. - as above
Leica Summarit-m 90mm f2.5 - as above

These three are more lens than i can drive so wasted on me. Seeing what MacRy puts out, that Nokton of his is a winner!

Also SMC Super Takumar 50mm supposed to be great

Jupiter-8 in MacRys hands, incredible as you have seen...

I need a lie down, I feel faint...
[doublepost=1455140127][/doublepost]

Good advice... never gonna happen
[doublepost=1455140168][/doublepost]

MacRy, think he is saying it is your fault....

Kenoh, I think I'm saying it's both your faults so stop trying to tempt me further into debt...

...unless you are actually offering me these lenses

Cheers

Hugh

 

[kenoh]

Thank you, I'll try and stick to what I have for as long as possible
From what I can see the L39 LTM M39 adapter would focus OK as my NEX is APSC.

So, Industar-69 28mm? as I'm not sure of the Kenlock. I've only had it a day but the Sigma 30mm 2.8 beats it hands down in sharpness and colour rendition. Maybe I'll never beat it.

Cheers

Hugh
[doublepost=1455141896][/doublepost]

Kenoh, I think I'm saying it's both your faults so stop trying to tempt me further into debt...

...unless you are actually offering me these lenses

Cheers

Hugh

Lol what did I do? Lol ! You threw me there saying gentlemen... couldnt be me...

I cant afford to offer them I am afraid. I had to sell them to clear my vig with my glass dealer... ;-)

Seriously, there is some great value glass on this list and their draw is lovely. In honesty, for my photography, I got as nice shots out of the Canon nFDs as I do out of the Leicas. I am not good enough to use them fully, but now I have them, they wont leave me...

Also maybe pick up a version II voigt 15mm heliar. On the APSC sensor it will be contrasty and punchy without the issues on FF...its rotten on the M9 but workable on the Sony.

I am really looking forward to seeing what you pull off with these

 

[Hughmac]

£300 + for the 15mm Heliar? - the camera's not worth that, and neither would my life be if I got caught buying one.
I sold my Nikon stuff because of ever increasing lens upgrades, and to get out of the GAS syndrome. I'm happy to spend £20 - £30 here and there, but not more or I'll submerge again. I had quite a shock when I realised how much I'd spent

There's quite a difference in our incomes I would guess, and I'm always going to be at the cheaper end of this hobby, so if I can put out decent photos with the Helios I'll be a happy chappy.

Cheers

Hugh

 

[MacRy]

I thought that I was off the hook with the gentleman description too

I had an Industar 69 on my Fuji and really didn't care for it. It was really mushy in the corners and just didn't tickle my pickle at all. It was crazy small though.

With the LTM lenses you will still have an issue with close focus as they only focus to about 1M by default. A helicoid brings that down significantly.

The Jupiters are definitely in your price range so check them out.

 

[Hughmac]

I thought that I was off the hook with the gentleman description too

I had an Industar 69 on my Fuji and really didn't care for it. It was really mushy in the corners and just didn't tickle my pickle at all. It was crazy small though.

With the LTM lenses you will still have an issue with close focus as they only focus to about 1M by default. A helicoid brings that down significantly.

The Jupiters are definitely in your price range so check them out.

Yes, I've just been reading about Industars, and reckon maybe not such a good idea. I'll look out for a nice Jupiter

Cheers

Sorry I got so serious above...

Hugh

 

[kenoh]

Yes, I've just been reading about Industars, and reckon maybe not such a good idea. I'll look out for a nice Jupiter

Cheers

Sorry I got so serious above...

Hugh

??? Its banter mate... But i forget how much of a lucky wee b I am sometimes so apologies if it came across as being rude.

There are some nice Jupiter 8 lenses on the bay right now. Ranging from £26-55 price mark.

 

[Hughmac]

No, banter is great; it's just me that got maudlin about it all - no apologies needed.

Anyway, selling up and going to a smaller setup is probably the best thing I could have done - that Sony seems to suit me much better

Cheers

Hugh

 

[kenoh]

No, banter is great; it's just me that got maudlin about it all - no apologies needed.

Anyway, selling up and going to a smaller setup is probably the best thing I could have done - that Sony seems to suit me much better

Cheers

Hugh

Exactly what I did. Really liked the Canon DSLR but never took it anywhere because of bulk. Since going with smaller rig, much happier.

Glad you are enjoying your chanhe of strategy.

 

[Hughmac]

I've just ordered a Jupiter 8 for £23.50, and got my eye on an Optomax 135mm f/2.8 currently on a fiver (well reviewed by the few people that have one).

Slap me down if I ever mention any more !!

Don't you find that focus peaking is cheating?
I don't; I love the idea

Cheers

Hugh

 

[kenoh]

I've just ordered a Jupiter 8 for £23.50, and got my eye on an Optomax 135mm f/2.8 currently on a fiver (well reviewed by the few people that have one).

Slap me down if I ever mention any more !!

Don't you find that focus peaking is cheating?
I don't; I love the idea

Cheers

Hugh

Is power steering and ABS cheating on your car?

Interested to hear your views on the lenses.

 

[MacRy]

You'll love the J8. Its really light and small and crazy sharp by F5.6. which version did you get, the black or silver one?

Here's one at F5.6 I took recently.

It's kind of glowy and dreamy at F2 and has some classic bokeh.

Focus peaking is definitely not cheating. It would be really hard to nail critical focus without it.

 

[Hughmac]

You'll love the J8. Its really light and small and crazy sharp by F5.6. which version did you get, the black or silver one?

Here's one at F5.6 I took recently.

It's kind of glowy and dreamy at F2 and has some classic bokeh.

Focus peaking is definitely not cheating. It would be really hard to nail critical focus without it.

Silver, 1962

Cheers

Hugh

 

[MacRy]

If you're after a 135mm also consider the Jupiter 11 as they're really cheap and another sonar clone.

Mine made an excellent telephoto on my Fuji XE1...

[doublepost=1455223597][/doublepost]

Silver, 1962

Cheers

Hugh

Nice. Mine's the 1968 version.

 

[Hughmac]

Well, finally I've been able to play with the Jupiter, as the adapter has arrived.

The first thing I noticed was that I couldn't focus to infinity, then realised that I have to stop down to f8 before infinity became sharpish. At f2 I can get decent sharpness 30-40 ft away, and like you said at f4 it becomes really sharp at close to medium distance.

Then the focus ring seized up nearly solid and I had to take the lens apart and clean it with spirit. I'll have another play tomorrow when it has dried off properly.

But, after only a few hours I still think I prefer the Helios; time will tell.

Got an Industar 61 coming soon (8 quid) - one of the 2 small lenses (Industar & Jupiter) will be kept for general use, and the other will be put into my DIY tilt and shift project / experiment.

Lastly, my Optomax 135mm f/2.8 should turn up very soon...

Cheers

Hugh

 

[kenoh]

Well, finally I've been able to play with the Jupiter, as the adapter has arrived.

The first thing I noticed was that I couldn't focus to infinity, then realised that I have to stop down to f8 before infinity became sharpish. At f2 I can get decent sharpness 30-40 ft away, and like you said at f4 it becomes really sharp at close to medium distance.

Then the focus ring seized up nearly solid and I had to take the lens apart and clean it with spirit. I'll have another play tomorrow when it has dried off properly.

But, after only a few hours I still think I prefer the Helios; time will tell.

Got an Industar 61 coming soon (8 quid) - one of the 2 small lenses (Industar & Jupiter) will be kept for general use, and the other will be put into my DIY tilt and shift project / experiment.

Lastly, my Optomax 135mm f/2.8 should turn up very soon...

Cheers

Hugh

Love it!!! Maybe you need a wee shim in between the lens and adapter? To get infinity... Just a thought.

 

[Hughmac]

Love it!!! Maybe you need a wee shim in between the lens and adapter? To get infinity... Just a thought.

Yes, I think you're right... when I pulled the lens out of the focus ring there was only one shim inside - there should be two from all the photos I've seen. I tried to make one but failed, so I'm going to contact the seller and ask if he has one.

I tried to loosen the adapter to simulate a shim but it then wouldn't focus at all.

Cheers

Hugh

 

[MacRy]

That's the downside of Russian lenses - it can be a real crapshoot as to whether you get a good one or a duffer.

 

[Hughmac]

I may be OK, a little research has revealed that there is an adjustable shim (variable stand-off ring) next to the actual one, so I can move the lens in or out and maybe sort the focus out.

Tomorrow...

Cheers

Hugh

 

[kenoh]

That's the downside of Russian lenses - it can be a real crapshoot as to whether you get a good one or a duffer.

The crap shoot normally starts once strapped onto my camera!
[doublepost=1455624967][/doublepost]

I may be OK, a little research has revealed that there is an adjustable shim (variable stand-off ring) next to the actual one, so I can move the lens in or out and maybe sort the focus out.

Tomorrow...

Cheers

Hugh

Result!