Best Bokeh Lenses - 50mm - M42

[@jameswburke]

Bought my lovely old Pentax ME Super in 1981 for a photography degree course. It came with a 50mm f1.7 SMC PK lens. Got my degree with it and sold my degree show B&W pics to a magazine afterwards. It's a very sharp and small lens which I use on my Canon DSLR and Sony A7 bodies. You can still get ME Supers with these lenses on and adapters for PK to Canon or Sony etc. I also use the f4 50mm Takumar Macro (actually 1:2), a great lens. Maybe a bit slow at f4 but these days you can up the ISO to compensate.

[@michaelherskovitz4203]

I’ve shot with most of the lenses you reviewed and I’d concur that the pancolar is a wonderful lens. It’s the one that I usually grab when I’m looking to shoot out on the streets and want a unique look.

[@macben9071]

In Germany we call the Zeiss Tessar "Eagle eye". Please more of this Videos. There are so many good old lenses. Greetings from Germany 😊

[@Simonsutak]

Thank you for reminding me about the Eagle eye" name...I'd forgotten that. A very appropriate name. I hope to do more videos soon. They take time! Cheers, Simon

[@anbar5675]

Did not know that detail, but I agree. In my opinion, Tessar type lenses wrote history in photography because are splendid performers while using only 4 lens elements. I have not the original, but some Tessar type lenses; all are really sharp and with surprisingly good bokeh for f2,8-f3,5 and f4 optics.

[@ronvink4708]

Couldn't agree more on your winner! Amazing results on my Sony A7R3

[@casadepistola]

Thank you very much for sharing this comparative review. Putting both the Pancolar & Super Tak on my list. Cheers!

[@shedboy817]

Brilliant channel, very informative, with photographs that inspire, Thank You, Simon.

[@Simonsutak]

Many thanks!

[@Douglas-dt9ok]

I haven't used the Pancolar. You can't go wrong with the 8 element Tak though. My copy is pretty sharp across the whole frame, and the subtlety of color and bokeh is really unique. way outperforms any other vintage fast 50 i have tried. Cool video!

[@Simonsutak]

Thank you!

[@pamkelley4785]

This was excellent. Well done, interesting, great photos and lots of information. Thanks for making this!

[@Simonsutak]

Many thanks!

[@charlesshahar1081]

Great summary. Interesting conclusions. Thank you. You saved me from buying a lot of lenses and reaching probably the same conclusions.

[@fayz.hakimov]

I have the Pancolar 50 f2 from from Exakta VX1000, Super Takumar 50mm f1.4 radioactive and Helios 44-2 MMZ version, these are my top 3 vintage glasses of my collection. Also Fujinon 55 f1.8 has some beautiful bokeh and I'm glad that I kept it. Cheep Chinon 50mm f2.8 can give you swirly bokeh as well

[@Simonsutak]

I recently bought an Exakta mount Pancolar 50mm f2 (also on a VX1000...lovely camera) - and I'm very much enjoying it.

[@TheDonCucaracho]

Fast, to the point, well presented, well spoken You got a new subscriber

[@toddmphillips]

Interesting, compelling and well made review of the m42 50mm bokeh gems, Simon. Looking forward to more.

[@Simonsutak]

Many thanks!

[@robertwalter5603]

Hi, I really like this Video and you were the inspiration for a number of my vintage prime lens purchases. Haven't I just found it yet or haven't you done a video on the Helios 77-M4 50mm f/1.8? I have been sold the lens as a "Pancolar clone" but believe it's more a smaller Helios 44-2, and thus more similar to the Zeiss Jena Biotar. At least the swirly bokeh points in that direction. I would really be interested in your opinion on the 77-M4, as at least in my opinion, it outshines the 44-2. it's only disadvantage is its lack of infinity focus on a focal ŕeducer when using APS-C cameras.

[@Simonsutak]

Many thanks for your kind words. I'd like to try the Helios 77-M4; people keep suggesting I review one. The issue is that it's become quite expensive. As soon as one turns up at a reasonable price here in the UK, I'll buy it!!

[@robertwalter5603]

@@Simonsutak Thanks for responding so quickly. Seems I was lucky to get a quite good copy for around 60 Euro. What amazes me is the, in my humble opinion, strong swirly bokeh, which beats the 44-2 and is only rivalled by the much more expensive Zeiss Biotar. I'd say you won't regret forking out a bit of money on the 77-M4. Its centre-sharpness is really great. I've only had mine for a few weeks now, but it's definitely a keeper. BTW, my next purchase, inspired by one of your videos, is the Auto Yashinon DS 50mm f/1.7 which, according to DHL,will arrive tomorrow. Again,thanks for being an inspiration and best of luck with your future videos...perhaps on the 77-M4... 😉

[@tgchism]

I was fortunate to obtain and Zeiss Ultron a couple years back in an auction set. After selling the items in the set I didn't want, I had the lens with two original rubber hoods and from cap for free! It's an amazing lens. At some point I would like to compare it to the Pancolar.

[@Stone1108]

Such a well made and informative video, thank you. I’ve been rounding up my old glass recently and old camera bodies. The only lens that I have which you mention is the Zeiss Jena Tessar 50 2.8, I do have a Codina tele zoom, the 35-70 3.5-4.5 too. These two lenses are paired with a Praktica Super TL and a Codina CT-4 respectively. I have some old fix lens bodies too, Rollie 35, German made Kodak and a Hallina with the 45 3.5, plus a m39 mount (from memory) Super Paxette with a Pontikar 45 2.8 oh and a Roechlein Kreuznach E 5.6 135. I don’t think there’s to much to write home about here but you’ve at least inspire me to dig them out and i’ll order the relevant adaptors, not sure which would be the best brand, and clean them up and take them for a spin! May even have a go at a couple of body refurbs and give Ilford a shout for some film. I used to develop my own so if I come across the old gear for that hey who knows!! Thanks again, now subscribed, it’ll be interesting to watch you existing and new videos, looking forward to it. Kind regards, 📸👏

[@stuartlauchlan7061]

Fascinating video and really great to hear your opinion on these lenses. I have the Oreston 50mm and have to say I really am impressed with it.

[@KNURKonesur]

Best bokeh standard M42 lens is the Zeiss Pancolar 55/1.4

[@michaelherskovitz4203]

It’s a great lens !

[@ryanstark2350]

I have a twelve blade older silver version of the Tessar. I don't know if I've just got some magical copy but I don't even know how sharp it is because I don't have a high enough res digital camera to out resolve it. It's got lovely bokeh as well.

[@Badutspringer]

it is absolutely criminal, that such an amazing video is uploaded in 480p. We'll still head over to Flickr if this were 1440... It hurts my brain, trying to focus on something that I'm told is sharp but has been smashed by first KZbin and then my operating system. Please

[@Simonsutak]

Ugh, sorry...this was one of my early videos. I'll see if I can re-do them and post in higher resolution.

[@basnoordermeer4249]

Lots of information, thanks. In the end it is a lot about personal taste, however the Oreston and Pentax f4 macro are on my list of favorites too. The Pentax f4 macro in later versions use the same optical formula (tessar 4/3) but with a regular 5 bladed aperture without the sawtooth shape. Anyway it is already sharp across the frame at f4 so no need to stop down so even in most daylight situations you'll profit from the perfect circular aperture. The Oreston can focus as close as 33 cm! which is exceptional. This is my cheapest pixie dust lens, very underrated. The smc takumar 50mm f1.4 and even the smc Pentax K 50mm f1.4 have the same optical formula as the super takumar 7 elements, including the radioactive element, just finished UV treatment for my K50/1.4. Very curious about your other videos, I like this a lot without any background music only try to use some setnoise :)

[@gitithadani]

I find it very hard topick clear winners as so many of these lenses have such beautiful rendering. I love the takumar - pancolar - meyeroptik/pentacon versions. My own experience of the yashica lenses is that I prefered the CY versions. The50/1.7 CY mount version has 8 blades and much better micro contrast than the m42 version In terms of macro 50mm I love the canon fl 50/3.5. (fd mount).

[@martinhidalgo7055]

great work, i wish you could film in 720p at least the images parts...

[@Simonsutak]

Thanks, I've learned a lot since posting these earlier videos!

[@emilkosuge9946]

Great video, what are your thoughts on the pentacon 50 1.8 ?

[@slowmanwalking34]

Very enlightening!. I'm looking forward to your other videos.

[@oceansidesounddesign8770]

Thanks Simon, loved the review. Subscribed.

[@FYN675]

Hi simon,, like all your videos and subscribed. If i ask what the best portrait vintage lens 50mm and or above 50mm what lenses would you pick??

[@Simonsutak]

Hi Mahesh, thank you so much. One of my favourite vintage portrait lenses is the Takumar 55/1.8, on full frame and especially crop cameras. I think the extra 5mm over the 50mm gives portraits an extra something. I've be happy with the Super or Super-Multi-Coated or SMC versions. The Takumar 55s are nice and sharp on the in-focus areas, with good colours for portraits, and they also deal with out of focus areas very well/sympathetically. Wide open they also produce quite dreamily beautiful images in the right light, but not too soft. Plus they are not too expensive to buy! The alternative, for unique, creative swirly effects behind the sitter, is a Helios 44-2, but you'd be limited in backgrounds where the lens really does swirl.

[@themanfromoregon6047]

I just picked up an Ultron for cheap still mounted on an Icarex. Honestly I've had three copies of the eight element takumar and I still prefer the early k 50 1.4 Smc.

[@delrcr05]

Great to have you doing videos like this on KZbin :) I just received a pancolor f2 ext mount that's locked up and I'm in the middle of trying to revive. Do you know how this model compares to the 1.8 m42?

[@MrArn0ldus]

This is great, just the kind of photography I love too. I am also looking for the perfect lens, so I will definitely try this one. What is your opinion about the Pentax SMC 50mm f 1.2 lens?

[@Simonsutak]

Hi, apologies for the later response. The SMC Pentax is highly regarded, as is the A version, and it'll produce lovely dreamy bokeh. I decided to buy a more expensive Tomioka 55mm f1.2, because having looked at many photos on-line, I preferred the rather eccentric f1.2 bokeh of the longer lens. I personally don't see the point in buying a f1.2 and then using it stopped down, but stopped down the SMC Pentax is really good too.

[@MrArn0ldus]

Tank you i wil take a look at tomioka.

[@MrArn0ldus]

Which version is best? I have seen several version of the tomioka 55mm f1.2. As e.g. the DS-M 55mm f1.2@@Simonsutak

[@wanderingwongs7464]

Cool video. Informative too. How would you know if the Pancolar you are buying is the 8 element one? Via the serial number? I'm looking at one which has a serial number beginning with 85. Thank you for the video.

[@Simonsutak]

Hi, it’s not 8 elements, it’s 8 aperture blades (versus 6). Don’t know about serial numbers for these lenses.

[@zerg_burger]

THE TAKUMAR IS THE BEST

[@paulsnaith9677]

Really enjoyed this review. Very informative and welll presented, thanks.

[@keithturton8303]

Great comparison and does absolutely nothing for my LBA. Thanks for sharing.

[@Simonsutak]

Many thanks!

[@denistonti]

Hello and thank you very much for this nice video! I know that the pancolar, first version, is radioactive....but are you sure that the Zenitar-m 1,7 50mm is also radioactive? I bought one a couple of days ago. I never heard that the Zenitar is also radioactive.... but I am not sure 🤔 Greetings from Germany, Berlin, Denis

[@Simonsutak]

Hi Denis, Good question! I had a correspondence recently on Flickr about this specific topic and lens. Someone posted this comment on one of my photos of radio-active lenses...and my response is after his comment. Hope this helps..... "I don't think Zenitar qualifies. There is a lot of lenses with Lanthanium glass and to my knowledge this glass is not considered to be radioactive in conventional sense." And I replied: "Many thanks for your comment. Yes, the Zenitar is in my photo because it has "Lanthanum glass" as listed in a list of radio-active lenses here: www.camerapedia.fandom.com/wiki/Radioactive_lenses You may be right about this glass not being technically considered to be radio-active, and even if it is, it's barely measurable: "Naturally occurring lanthanum (57 La) is composed of one stable (139 La) and one radioactive (138 La) isotope, with the stable isotope, 139 La, being the most abundant (99.91% natural abundance)."

[@denistonti]

@@Simonsutak Thank you very much for the quick response. Very interesting. However, I don't care if it is radioactive or not, I bought one. My english is not so good, but I subscribed your channel. I love videos like this ☺️ Greetings from Berlin, Denis

[@mjl1958]

Radioactive glass emits alpha particles (a pair of protons and a pair of neutrons). They do not have much energy and can be stopped by a sheet of paper (it cannot penetrate skin). A radioactive eyepiece held millimetres from your eye could cause problems, but not the glass in a taking lens.

[@D1N02]

I may have to do a Pancolar, Takumar, Zenitar comparison my self do decide.

[@Simonsutak]

I'd be very interested in your conclusions.

[@dandanu2526]

Are there major differences between Yashica Yashinon 50 mm 1.7 DS and 50 mm 1.7 DS,-M ,DX versions?

[@menschmeier3799]

I use the Porst Color Reflex 50mm 1.7 and i Love the bokeh. And its much sharper and gots not so much CAs then my Canon FD 50mm 1.8

[@samsen3965]

You really did a great job. Sad that this work is not adequately appreciated by the Photo-community...

[@Simonsutak]

Thank you! Wider exposure to the Photo-community is not always a blessing, judging by the bickering that goes on, in some forums. But I'm glad you and some others are kind enough to view and comment.

[@samsen3965]

@@Simonsutak 🙏🌸

[@LJ45Chimera]

Have you tried any of these with a 2x teleconverter? Just wondered how that effects the bokeh?

[@chrisj0]

Question: The Yashinon ds 50mm f1.7 seems kinda hard to find. I picked up a Yashinon-ds 50mm f1.9 that I've been enjoying. Are those lenses similar (enough) or should I keep an eye out for the f1.7? Also: was recently very disappointed by a Nikkor 50mm f1.4, I found in a bag, soft and flat wide open. :(

[@Simonsutak]

I don't know the difference I'm afraid and would be guessing if I made a comment. I have read the the DS f1.7 may be a better option than the DS f1.4, as the f1.7 is sharper wide open...something you've found with that Nikkor f1.4...

[@chrisj0]

@@Simonsutak Thanks for the reply. My Yashinon-ds is a f1.9 (seems odd for them to make a f1.7 and a f1.9). I actually won 2 auctions and have a pair of the lenses. I'll send you one if you'd like to make a comparison video.

[@lloyd356]

The best 50mm lense is Kern Macro Switar M42 I think, but very rare.

[@belfeuhr]

what's your thoughts on the voigtlander color ultron 50mm f1.8?

[@Simonsutak]

I don't own that lens, but I do own the Carl Zeiss Ultron 50mm f1.8 and the Rollei Planar 50mm f1.8 (very similar to the Color Ultron). They are excellent lenses stopped down, great colours and sharpness for old lenses. Wide open, however, I'm not so keen on the rendering of the bokeh/blur.

[@belfeuhr]

that's great. thank you very much. i found one in the flea market, was curious since it bore the voigtlander name on it i but didn't know whether it was worth a repair or not, now i know it certainly is.

[@fernandagunsanchannel]

is there any big difference between ausjena and carl zeis jena? it's the same zebra version of pancolar. but the writing is difference. Is there any particular image quality difference?

[@Simonsutak]

Hi, a friend of mine has both (zebra) versions and I don't think he's noticed a difference between the two optically. He just prefers the name plate on the front to include Zeiss! The big difference, of course, is between the 6 bladed and 8 bladed versions, with the 8 blade versions being radioactive.

[@thurthevintagelens]

sorry wrong post. wanted to know how you like the Zenitar stopped down?

[@Simonsutak]

Apologies for the slow response. My Zenitar is OK. My copy is not as special as others claim their lenses are. My Helios 44M-7 copy is noticeably better stopped down.

[@creaversum]

What about the Rikenon 55mm f1.4?

[@Simonsutak]

Yes, a very good choice.

[@vegadneeraj]

Can I use my M 42 mount adapter on pentacon 200 f 4 Excata mount lens ?

[@e.esiyok]

What is radioactieve versions ? is they not healthy lenses?

[@nwmi23]

Is the level of radiation in the Super Multi Coated Takumar 50mm f1.4 really something to be concerned about? I recently purchased this lens for my Spotmatic and I have found conflicting opinions surrounding this topic.

[@angumotzfeldt3093]

Very informative but I wish you would upload in better quality. It's difficult to see the photos.

[@Simonsutak]

I've just posted a higher definition of the video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y6u2qpaZlJaYp5Y Please let me know if the HD version is significantly better quality...or not! Your feedback would be very helpful. Thanks.

[@Mike_to_the_k]

Minolta 58mm 1.4 is a great one

[@thurthevintagelens]

Have you every tried the Zenitar ME1 50mm f1.7? your thoughts

[@spotsill]

I have a question if you shot black and white with a discolored yellow tinted lens will it act like a slight yellow filter?

[@Simonsutak]

Yes, "slight" is the right word - it's not nearly as strong as a yellow filter. But it does seem to help add a little contrast/texture to black and white images.

[@spotsill]

@@Simonsutak okay thanks; I primarily shoot black and white and was interested in buying one of them.

[@gitmoholliday5764]

"radioactive" through "tritium" right ?

[@crazygeorgelincoln]

Is there much between helios 50 1.7 and the zenitar 50 1.7 , surprised it's radioactive (is it a lot of a little) I'm not aware of much Russian radioactive glass.

[@Simonsutak]

Your right! I was relying on the internet for this information, but when I finally bought a Geiger-Muller counter (after posting the video) and tested the Zenitar, I found it wasn't radioactive. Or radioactive enough to register a reading. BTW, the Helios is 58 f2, and it's not as sharp overall as the Zenitar but it has more interesting/swirly bokeh.

[@Rice_Boi.]

What about canon and nikon lens?

[@Simonsutak]

Yes, good point, but this is a video about M42 mount lenses.

[@almaaurum9703]

Which lens is able to create the bokeh on the photo at 2:05? Thanks

[@Simonsutak]

It's the Pentax SMC ("K") 135mm f2.5.

[@ProbeRoket]

480p? what is this 1982?

[@Simonsutak]

It’s old lenses, it’s Retro, man. No, seriously, I didn’t get the settings right and we’re not allowed to replace the video on KZbin.

[@ProbeRoket]

@@Simonsutak I guess it doesn’t look bad in my phone.

[@Simonsutak]

A Higher Definition version of this video has been posted here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y6u2qpaZlJaYp5Y

[@rodels.3745]

This review has just doubled the price of super takumar 50 1.4 and the carl zeiss jena pancolar 50 1.8.

[@TorpedoJohnes]

Nice video, thanks) Zenitar - isn't greatest bokeh 50mm lens, you should try helios 77m-4 or 77k-4(for pentax k mount) It's insane, the real bast USSR lens Hallo from Russia 🤝

[@marcusdekker]

You just sound like Philip Bloom....

[@martinhidalgo7055]

I find your flickr, nevermind...

[@FLORAMORAITINI]

Very annoying to stop for such a log time for advs

[@markraw6726]

This no good to help unwanted GAS lol