Best Blur For Your Buck! Fourteen Affordable Blur Monster Lenses - Tested!

[@HellHappens]

I love that you actually understand that $200 is not super cheap. I hate how many film/photo channels will talk about an affordable $800 lens. I'm just getting into the hobby and dropping $150 is not an easy thing for me to consider lol

[@zenography7923]

Indeed - luckily there are lots of cheap, and very nice, vintage lenses available!

[@MAKEARTNOWCHANNEL]

love it. I want to make a film now with these. The BLUR witch project.

[@zenography7923]

Vintage lenses are outstanding tools for movie shooting - far more atmosphere than moderns!

[@sergeantcrow]

I want to start a rock band called BLUR... Oh wait !

[@Saanvel]

I'm an avid watcher of your videos and I love vintage lenses. You made me buy several of them :) However, more than anything else I love your voice and how you speak and describe the bokeh and images lenses produce! Much love from Pakistan!

[@zenography7923]

Many thanks, glad you're enjoying the videos!

[@jonlouis2582]

I agree. I can’t understand all the snarky comments about his speaking voice, I love it, and it’s much cheaper than therapy.

[@meanwhileinespoo1265]

He should be in mafia movies... give al pacino a run for his money

[@IdealDrapeMakersKealba]

Love the voice and cadence. As an Australian without an accute ear for dialect, to me he reminds me of David Attenborough. David Attenborough on the “origins of lenses” (Darwinian pun)

[@cdl0]

Zenography is the channel that delivers buttery-smooth outstanding blur all year round! ;-) The old lenses in the video are so beautiful. Every one is a little photographic treasure.

[@zenography7923]

Many thanks, glad you're enjoying it!

[@tuftufclub159]

Intresting video ! Very well explained ! Zenography is my today's discovery on KZbin ! Thanks alot for sharing all this information with us ! Stay in Good health, Greetings, Roger.

[@zenography7923]

Hi Roger, glad you enjoyed the video!

[@IdealDrapeMakersKealba]

Would have liked you to mention the relationship between the number of aperture blades and the shape/quality of the Bokeh (blur) But really enjoy listening to you gush over your worthy recommendations. .. injects my own passion with poetic lift - Thank you

[@aidanhowgate5437]

My favourite blur is focusing on something in a church with a stained glass window in the background, it's really satisfying.

[@aomanchutube]

Got inspired this past weekend and took my Pentax 35mm 3.5 to take photos of my kids. I usually use my Canon 24-105 kit lens or the smaller 40mm canon, but decided to try my luck at focusing. I got some really nice pictures. I hadn't really noticed the colors characteristic. I think I understand what people refer to. I'll be looking for other lenses to compare and see what I like.

[@Romoro86]

Hello! I have found your channel not long ago. Thank you for your vintage llens reviews! I see you tested many soviet lenses, but can't see one of my favorit ones, Jupiter 37 135 3.5. Not the fastest one but if you are lucky-razor sharp wide open and compact. I shot many things including sport on it with fullframe Nikon D600. Maybe you can try it out and compare with other 135 3.5, it has more blades than standart 6 on any 3.5, and you can get good/as new one here in RU for like 35 to 50 pounds, should be same in UK. Good luck!

[@HughJonesYate]

There seem to be a few 55mm lenses that behave similarly, I have a Fujinon 55mm f/1.8 which is lovely (I got it with the tab filed off already)

[@zenography7923]

I've never used that Fujinon, but I have heard it's rather nice!

[@williamkazak]

Thank you for this video and the listing of the lenses. Your admiration and lovely descriptions and picture examples are very nice.

[@zenography7923]

Many thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@emilyenoch212]

Your videos have kept his mind busy during a tough time with mental health and brought him through some tough days getting him back interested in his hobbies as well. Your videos are literally on repeat everyday 24 hours a day on the TV. If you ever do shoutouts, his name is Jon. Also we were curious what your first name was. Anyway thanks a bunch.

[@richardpcrowe]

Two of my favorite 135mm lenses are the (Pentacon) Meyer-Optik Gorlitz 135mm Orestor f/2.8 in the 13 bladed aperture variety and the Sears Auto 135mm f/2.8 which I purchased for $11 U.S. Dollars from a Goodwill thrift store... Two of my favorite shorter lenses are the Meyer-Optik Gorlitz 50mm f/1.8 Oreston and the Sears Auto (Tomioka produced) 55mm f/1.4...

[@zenography7923]

You have some nice lenses there!

[@redsphoto6708]

Lovely video as always, thanks for making it! (slight criticism: maybe see if you can move the microphone closer I think this was a bit quiet) Two bokeh recs from me would be the Meyer Optic Orestor 135 2.8 (also kinda the same as the Pentacon 135 2.8) and it's sibling the Meyer Optic Orestor 100 2.8 (not the very expensive Trioplan). Both lenses are unfortunately pretty pricey and rare these days (but still not super bad, especially the 100 if you can find a good deal on it) and I love them so much. The 100 in particular is one of my favorite vintage lenses, I hope you can try it someday. Not even sure why I like it so much. As you said, anything 100 or 135 will produce lots of great bokeh. I love my Canon FD 100 2.8, someday I should compare it to the Olympus. I imagine both are great. In the 135 range, I can't not recommend the Canon FD 135 f/3.5 enough. Very affordable, extremely light and also just really high quality images.

[@zenography7923]

I've been looking for a nice Meyer Optik for some time - I may just find one someday!

[@GeorgeK356]

I saw your review of Olympus lenses and bought the 50mm f1.8 OM Zuiko - a fantastic little lens, and on my X-Series cameras really looks and performs like it was made for mirrorless. Thank you for a really interesting channel

[@zenography7923]

Many thanks, glad you're enjoying the channel!

[@diforbes]

Another fun and informative video! I have a few of the lenses you feature here. I covet the Jena 35mm f2.4.

[@zenography7923]

It's well worth getting your hands on one if you get the chance!

[@MANZANOADRIAN]

Jena 35mm

[@Just-a-bystander]

Great info and examples. I appreciate the mix of experience with examples. I have been focusing on Russian (Jupiter, Helios, Zenitar), German (Zeiss, Meyer-Optic, Voigtlander) and some Japanese (Tomioka and Takumar) lenses.. they seem readily available. I’ve been looking for other German makers.. found a Schneider Ediixa-Xenon, also saw a Steinhill Munchen I believe... it would be very interested to see a spot on some unusual lenses, perhaps not so easy to find. Those localized manufacturers that never saw mass distribution but are good or quirky in some photographic way. The other question.. I stick to M42, L39 mounts almost exclusively.. I am connecting to Nikon DSLR.. although that may shift to something else. I also added a Pentax K to Nikon just because my old history started with Pentax and now I can use my old lenses. But I stayed away from other mounts. It just seems like opening a can of worms with too many mount types. Olympus Zuiko never came in M42.. a shame. Or the early Canons for M39/L39. There must be gems in these old oddities. I would love to see a segment on odd Japanese ones as well.

[@Just-a-bystander]

And.. I wonder why the French seem completely out of the picture, when some of the earliest photography history started in France. Daguerre for instance. Or other odd corners of history.

[@rodolphenavarro4253]

Super vidéo , super sujet , des beaux objectifs ,pour tous les amoureux du vintage et tous les amoureux de la photo.Very very Nice réview TKS.

[@zenography7923]

Merci beaucoup mon ami, glad you enjoyed it!

[@jonlouis2582]

I always enjoy your videos a lot. I'm so glad you kicked it off with my favorite lens, the Jupiter 9 is the last lens I would give up. To me, the Soviet lenses are ridiculous screaming bargains. I shot Zuiko lenses for years,. My copies of the 50/1.4, and 100/2.8 were fine, but nothing to write home about.

[@zenography7923]

The J9 is one of the best value 85s available, in my opinion!

[@sergeantcrow]

Finding out that my little collection from eBay UK over a 2 year period on a budget was a good idea.. : ). I have chosen.. Takumar 55.. Zuiko 135 as I love 135 focal length... and a few more 135s.. Tessar 50... Sigma DL 70-300 . Tair 3 300... Vivitars (Kiron/Komine) 100-200 / 28.. etc,. Many I should not have as it's better to pay a bit more than I did and buy less as I have too many.. 60-70. I did look for reviews for all before bidding and just used the Pentax Review site.. relying on little green bars graphics and example shots.. Minolta, Tamron, Sun, Hopefully I can trim collection and selectively add in future..

[@zenography7923]

Those sound like some very nice lenses; enjoy!

[@sergeantcrow]

@@zenography7923 I will thanks.. Thank you for excellent videos and sharing with us...

[@vikmanphotography7984]

135 is a lovely portrait and landscape focal length. I wish I always had the space to use one for portraits and the time to focus precisely, wide open. (Minolta MC Rokkor-PF 135mm f/2.8 is my baby, when I have the time to focus manually)

[@jeghedderhenrik]

thanks, a wonderful theme for a video, i almost use this as an alternative meditation / mindfullness timeout... about the kamlan, have you tried it on a fullframe ?... it almost cover all of the frame, hardly for cutting in post processing

[@zenography7923]

I guess if you're shooting very high resolution you could shoot it on full frame and crop - but why bother? I think this one's best shot on aps-c. Very glad you're enjoying the videos!

[@jeghedderhenrik]

@@zenography7923 thsnks for your answer, as we speak i have bought a mint mamiya sekor cs 50 1.4 for 30 pund, from a person i trust about 100 km from my home.

[@jeghedderhenrik]

next stop to build a diy adapter from mamiya e to sony e mount , a bit scaring.. i got inspired from your video talking about your mamiya f2 version

[@Snahzberry666]

Fotasy 35mm f1.7 on a Sony a5100 is great! $25 bucks and 3 days shipping. I really enjoy the color, detail and bokeh.

[@zenography7923]

That's interesting, thanks for the info!

[@MartR80]

📸 I was watching an amazing video from *Retro Foto House* youtube channel this week. In the video is presented how to reverse the front element on the *Helios 44-2* lens for an amazing artistic look with even more swirl... I just had to share this with you all. The effects are so beautiful. 😍 Have you tried such a mod? I also heard that reversing the back element is an option... 🙏🏼 Blessings from Amsterdam 🇱🇺

[@zenography7923]

I know about the front element hack and have often used it - didn't know about the rear one though - thanks for the tip!

[@MartR80]

Zenography - The person who mentioned the reversing of the back element said he would upload some samples. When he does i will share the link.

[@jonlouis2582]

YESHUA HAMASHIACH - Roaring Lion of Judah I have purchased several lenses from him, he knows his stuff and is very pleasant to do business with.

[@amsterkiwi]

Watching this video makes me fear having more GAS in the very near future! Keen for a Jupiter-9 2/85mm now as well. Have just found one example in silver (L39 mount) with caps and seemingly great condition for just under GBP90. Tempting. Very tempting.

[@zenography7923]

It's a nice lens and I don't think you'll regret it if you buy. Good luck!

[@amsterkiwi]

Seller also has a Nikon 85mm f/2 AIS lens for the same money that he's selling. You'd still choose the Jupiter I'm guessing?

[@leslawrenson]

Miranda EC 50/1.4; Zuiko 50/1.4; Carl Zeiss Planar 50/1.7; Zuiko 35/2.8; Rollei 85/2.8; Zuiko 50/1.8; and (of course) the legendary Zuiko 55/1.2 - these are all lenses that I own and use a lot, and they each produce some fantastic bokeh, especially on a full frame camera (like the Sony A7, which I use). Some are a bit pricey, but most should be well within the budge of most enthusiasts.

[@zenography7923]

Agreed, and even quite exotic vintage lenses are almost always significantly cheaper than the equivalent modern!

[@cronope]

Merci pour ces agréables commentaires et votre Anglais compréhensible!

[@zenography7923]

Et merci a toi pour regardez le video (et pardonnez moi pour ma Francais)!

[@jmoss99]

I have a mint Minolta MC Rokkor-PG 58mm F1.2 Hawk Eye MC II. Does anyone know how much these sold for back in the day... back in the 1970s?

[@dimpap1370]

Great video,well done!

[@zenography7923]

Many thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@CeritaBengkel]

Thanks for another awesome video Nigel ! That Pentax 55mm is very nice indeed. When you were showing it... I enjoyed seeing the green dot move around on your sofa. Not sure if it's coming from the Pentax or your Minolta lens :) What camera did you record this video on Nigel? Your A7? Have an awesome week ahead!

[@zenography7923]

Yes, it was shot on the sony a7, and I think the green reflection you're seeing is either the shooting lens flaring (it's an old Minolta Rokkor from the early '60s, or possibly (but less likely) reflections off the sensor itself - one of the a7's weak points, that does show itself from time to time. Ah well, nothing's perfect I suppose!

[@CeritaBengkel]

@@zenography7923 Ha ha! Just as you love the swirly stuff for your photo backgrounds Nigel, quite a number of video editors like adding "light leaks" and "lens flares" for creative purposes in videos. Looks like you have stumbled on a way to do it "on demand, before post" :) Speaking of sensor reflections Nigel, when I use the 50mm f1.4 Zuiko lens on my Lumix micro four thirds, I simply can't use it wide open. I suspect that there may be too much light reflecting off the sensor or it's surrounding areas. It needs to be stopped down to around f2.8 for an image to form nicely on the sensor. I did some research and I think what someone did to overcome this was to fashion some sort of blanking disc that sits behind the rear lens element with a suitably sized hole in it. I look forward to being able to get an affordable full frame camera with excellent autofocus one day. And then get an adaptor for it for my OM lenses :)

[@patriziodalessandro1693]

Hello! Interesting content as usual: I always spend some good time watching and listening to your channel. If you'll allow some additions... Jupiter 9 lenses were produced in three factories: not only KMZ, but also in LZOS and in Arsenal factories. Those produced in Ukraine were stricktly with the mount for Contax-copy Kiev cameras - don't get tricked into paying more for them. Both the first and the second version of the Kamlan 50mm f/1.1 should have 11 blades. The Kamlan 55mm f/1.2 instead has 12 (let's say that for the extra blade you pay a 4x price...). You have mixed a little bit different types of "blur" that you want to achieve and prices: Helios 40 is not so cheap as the other lenses. As two other readers already pointed out, if you are looking for round bubbles you should select a lens with more blades (who likes hexagons?). In this category certainly fall the 135mm f/3.5 from Carl Zeiss Jena (bought 2 for something between 35 and 40€ each in very good conditions) or Pentacon. Same story for Meyer Optik 135mm f/2.8 (bought for less than 50€ in good conditions) or the 15 blades Primotar (125€ - sigh - there is one on auction on eBay now 11,50€ Exacta mount). I was not lucky also with the Orestor 100mm f/2.8 (over 100€ in nice conditions - you cannot win them all...). There are many Russian lens with 13+ blades that you can still buy for a decent price (apparently crazy Europeans sellers want to get rich very fast) and from Japan or Germany, as said above. Maybe these lenses with a lof of diaphragm blades could be the theme for your next video?

[@zenography7923]

Thanks for your detailed comment - and an interesting suggestion!

[@justinmcq78]

Thank you for your amazing content!!

[@zenography7923]

Many thanks, very glad you're enjoying it!

[@DryadMachine]

Have you tried the Tamron Adaptall 135mm 2.5? Well worth a punt as they're cheap, fast, compact and have a relatively close minimum focus distance. Not the sharpest lens wide open but the bokeh is some of the smoothest I've seen.

[@zenography7923]

I'll look out for one - thanks for the tip!

[@benpowell3277]

Which vintage soviet lenses would you advise for max blur using a D750, I also plan to use my D5300. I really enjoy your videos.

[@zenography7923]

Maximum blur? Try a Helios 40 - one of the blurriest lenses in the world! You could also try the Jupiter 9 - less blurry but still nice. If you're shooting Nikon do your research carefully - many lenses won't mount on a Nikon due to the flange distance and will not focus to infinity.

[@sclogse1]

I picked up a Hasselblad 120mm macro with a well made fotodiox adapter than has a tripod mount on it for my Fuji X. Although back issues have kept me from really testing it out, in my home I see I lost the macro, and it's closest focus is maybe around three feet. My tripod isn't good enough to test with it, but soon enough, all this will be taken care of. What I'm looking forward to see because of the cropping, is excellent edge to edge sharpness.

[@zenography7923]

It should be pretty sharp, but I can't understand why you lost the macro! Unless maybe the adaptor is preventing the full range of focus?

[@milesofsmilesphoto]

Hi, I'm looking to buy a vintage 200mm lens to use with my Fuji X-T1 and X-E3 mirrorless bodies. Can you please tell me in your honest opinion, which lens is sharper and which lens has better bokeh, between the Minolta Tele Rokkor 200mm f3.5 and the Takumar 200mm f3.5? Primarily, I will use this (on a tripod) wide open, for static portraits of people and pets, out on location.

[@zenography7923]

I'm afraid I haven't used either of these lenses - anyone else know them?

[@jonjon1217]

Thank you very much for posting this video. Wonderful information! Btw, as a side hustle you should consider reading for audio books $$$$$ ✌

[@zenography7923]

Many thanks, glad you enjoyed it! And yes, I'd very much like to read some audiobooks!

[@jonjon1217]

@@zenography7923 😆 I meant to say, you should be a "reader" for audio books. Meaning, your voice would lend itself perfectly for narrating a story 😆

[@zenography7923]

@@jonjon1217 Yes, I'd like to do that - just need to find someone to hire me!

[@jurgenstrom4668]

just great Video verry god explanation

[@SchusterRainer]

Did you try the 7Artisans 35mm f0.95? not vintag but a monster indeed!

[@zenography7923]

I haven't used that one - would very much like to though!

[@m62band72]

I am really enjoying your channel. One that that puzzles me - you don't seem to ever include a Nikon lens. Are they so poor?

[@CarlosJimenezGuerra]

Excellent video! I was looking for a cheap macro, any recommendations? I was thinking something like 1:2 or 1:1.

[@zenography7923]

The Pentax f4 50mm macro is nice - early versions are 1:1, later versions are 2:1 - cost varies quite a bit; I was lucky and bought mine for £30, but a more usual asking price is around £100.

[@CarlosJimenezGuerra]

@@zenography7923 thanks I will search it!! Again thank you for the comment and this awesome content!

[@randyvanwinkle1246]

I saw on another channel that the the Helios 44-2 would not produce swirly bokeh on a crop sensor. Do you find that to be true?

[@zenography7923]

Yes, because it was designed for full frame, a smaller sensor will 'look through' a more central part of the lens, so the effects from the outer area will be lost - the smaller the sensor the more true this is - unless you use a focal reducer.

[@randyvanwinkle1246]

Zenography ok, makes sense to me. Thanks for taking time to reply and confirming.

[@alanpods______8260]

I love this channel, but which lenses for someone like myself who only shoots street scenes with 35 or 50mm fl at f8 of f5.6? Or is this not the right channel for me? 😂

[@monjue4459]

1.25 speed = Perfect. Great video too!

[@zenography7923]

Many thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@BIMLounge]

You're missing the point of ZENography. Tutorials on KZbin are more like fast food while this unique presentation style is like sublime slow food.

[@monjue4459]

@@BIMLounge I love Zenography either way.

[@georgehuman7253]

Pentax vs Olympus, in terms of glass, which one do you prefer and why?

[@zenography7923]

Both have some fantastic lenses, but on balance it would have to be Olympus I think - I slightly prefer the colours and the look of the lenses themselves!

[@friedhelf]

Ab und an findet man ein Juwel - dieser Kanal scheint so etwas zu sein. Vielen Dank!

[@zenography7923]

Vielen Dank! Ich hoffe, dass der Edelstein weiterhin glitzert!

[@la8920]

Hi! A question. What camera do you use for testing lenses? Is it a full frame one?

[@zenography7923]

Yes, full frame sony a7 mark 1.

[@la8920]

@@zenography7923 Thanks! I just bought a micro 4/3 one, so I'm going through your videos looking for reviews hahaa

[@PaulKretz]

If you pronounce "Yena", then go with "Tsaiss" too 😁 Ein gutes video! Danke schoen! 😉 P.S. Don't forget cheaper than Zeiss - Pentacon lenses, consider outstanding 135mm and 100mm bokeh monsters (both f/2.8) and classic 50mm f/1.8!

[@BIMLounge]

Haha, didn't think about that. Now I'll have the hard Z sound in my head every time I hear CZ! Agreed, the Pentacon 50/1.8 is one of my favorites.

[@maxgrau9083]

Which to use for wide ?

[@zenography7923]

Hi Max, check out this week's video and you will find your answer!

[@georgehuman7253]

oh god i can't find 85mm-ish fast lens under 100$ :D any ideas?

[@zenography7923]

The Jupiter 9 can often be found for around £100...probably a little more in dollars.

[@QuietOC]

Cropping (i.e., smaller sensors) actually increases the amount of blur relative to the overall image if the final image is displayed at the same size.

[@vikmanphotography7984]

I think you're mistaken. Taken at the same distance and focused on the same points, the two shots will have identical amounts of blur. If you adjust your position to compensate for changes in FOV but focus on a subject in the same position, the full frame will have more blur. A lens doesn't care what sensor is behind it. The physics works the same. A smaller sensor just won't be able to capture the full diagonal of the image circle that the lens produces.

[@zenography7923]

I think Vikman Photography is correct here...

[@1davidpeter]

Don’t apologise for Jena, as in Jenny - we don’t have to pronounce words with a German accent. One of the main CZ sales reps from 50s to 90s was quite happy to say Jena , not yeana 😀

[@zenography7923]

Thanks - I usually anglicise the pronunciation, although I think some of my German friends would rather I didn't!

[@1davidpeter]

@@zenography7923 When in Germany, do as the Germans, when speaking English, pronounce in English ;-)

[@johnirby493]

Rokkor 58mm 1.2 is not too bad.

[@zenography7923]

I'd love to try one!

[@MANZANOADRIAN]

What's the least appreciated

[@zenography7923]

Probably the Industar 61 - a great little lens that's worth so little it's almost free!

[@MB-or8js]

Great video! Just a suggestion for the future to divide such topic in two videos - one for SLR lenses, and the other for rangefinder lenses instead of putting them all together in one by title (even here the focus was on SLR lenses). Not sure if many viewers are actually interested to see all the different lens classes all at once. Most go for either vintage SLR or rangefinder versions, but rarely for both from my experience.

[@zenography7923]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@andreasrochow5170]

Blur - do you mean bokeh or narrow depth of field or whatelse ever?

[@zenography7923]

I meant background blur. Thanks for tuning in!

[@jjcale2288]

I got the shot and now everything is blurred, for free 😨

[@zenography7923]

:)

[@Robthevampire666]

The Karl Marx walking tour the irony

[@zenography7923]

Indeed!

[@funnyguise]

I get the sense that he's not allowed to make these videos - he doesn't want his wife to hear what he's up to. Maybe the neighbours?

[@zenography7923]

:)

[@shawnj8765]

He's keeping a secret, so that not everyone is going to buy those lenses and then they become no longer affordable.

[@tonyjedioftheforest1364]

Your descriptions are like poetry. Canon FD lenses when adapted to Canon EF need an adapter with an inbuilt lens element so perhaps that is why they are not popular.

[@godzillasuzuki2374]

Not of ff

[@tonyjedioftheforest1364]

@@godzillasuzuki2374 are you sure. I thought the lens was there for infinity focus.

[@jackdmore]

Ohh every lens makes great blur... equally... fly by your seat review

[@zenography7923]

Every lens makes great blur - well, perhaps, but some are greater than others!

[@calumhunter815]

Unconventional contribution, with the accent on the soft image. Back in the 1970's I had a set of bellows for Contax. Drilled out a body cap and glued in a magnifying glass, no aperture control, but hey. Cost? One body cap.

[@calumhunter815]

Use limited to simple, bright subjects. And, as we then called it, 'glamour'.

[@zenography7923]

That sounds like a really cool lens!