F2 Is All You Need! Five F2 Vintage Lenses - For About £30!

[@karenbford]

Hey- Nigel- Really enjoyed your review with photos of these 5 lenses. Many times I have taken your recommendations and you have been spot on. Way back you did review several Konica lenses and I purchased 3. They have been some of my favorite vintage lenses and I use them often. The color is spectacular. Thanks again for your reviews. I learn a lot from you!

[@zenography7923]

Thanks Karen, glad you're enjoying the videos. The Konica lenses are quite something aren't they? I've just bought a Hexanon 50 1.4, so there's more Konica fun to come!

[@karenbford]

@@zenography7923 - Great! Looking forward to that review!

[@ShutterNChill]

Nigel, your videos are so therapeutic. "If you are not keen on the lower contrast look, then best avoid it." So wonderfully said.

[@borderlands6606]

Another lens worth seeking out is the Yashica ML 50mm f2. These were made when Kyocera also produced Contax cameras and lenses. The 50mm ML is small and very sharp. The company also produced a Yashica 55mm f2 DSB lens, which I don't have, and 50mm f1.9 DSB, which I do own. The cheaper DSB lenses are interesting in their own right, being single coated unlike the multi-coated ML range, and offering a classic, almost Barnack-style rendering.

[@zenography7923]

Thanks for the tips, I'll check them out!

[@jaymichaels5187]

The Yashica ML 50mm f2 lens had a nice 3D effect at f5.6 but was rather soft at f2 from my experience with it.

[@N0rdman]

I have tried the Yashica Yashinon-DS 50mm 1.9 M42 lens and that was a great lens, the rendering is great, especially out of focus, the colours are vivid but a bit cool (bluish) for my liking. I have the Yashinon 50mm 2 but I haven't had the time to put it through the paces yet.

[@borderlands6606]

@@N0rdmanYashica lenses render quite cool compared to most lenses, rather like Agfa film used to. Not a problem with a hybrid workflow or colour printing.

[@aomanchutube]

What I like about old lenses is when you see the surface and it is nice and scratch less. It just means that someone cared for it very much. Specially if there are a few scratches or body wear. That's evidence that someone used it for a while and protected it.

[@zenography7923]

I know exactly what you mean! Any lens in cared for condition is a beautiful thing for sure.

[@jaymichaels5187]

The 55mm Chinon and the Zuiko 50mm f1.8 are my favourites from the images that you shown made by these lenses, I love the colour and the sharpness and the bokeh.

[@zenography7923]

They're both lovely, thanks for the feedback!

[@mattstolzman]

I enjoy the 50 1.8 OM more than 1.4 version

[@aidanhowgate5437]

I got a 1974 Mir-1 37mm 2.8 for next to nothing at my local house clearance auction, all it needed was a tighten up of the screws and it's lovely and tight and the focus ring is like butter! So happy!

[@nathandavis5099]

Great selection of f2-ish standard lenses. I'll just throw out one other that's in my collection, the Auto Yashinon 5cm f2 from ~ 1959. It came attached to a Yashica Penta J. The camera's shutter was bad, but the lens is a gem. Tiny, but very heavy. As sharp or sharper than the Chinons you mentioned (I shoot both). Really nice blur that can swirl of you let it. It's become one of my favorite lenses to adapt. A note about adapting it. While it's m42, the rear casing bumps into the flange on an m42 adapter. You either need flangeless or adapt it first to another mount. I often use m42 > Minolta SR > digital.

[@PedigreeMonkey]

Just to mention. I love the way U re presenting. Your calm voice makes me want to watch on and on. And of course the content is fantasic.

[@zenography7923]

Wow, thank you!

[@janedagger]

I'm a newbie from hell so looking forward to my new experimentation with a film camera. oh, and I'm referring to the Hexanon 50mm 1.7 which is coming bundled with the Konica TC and got both for just $25 US. Just can't beat it. I've also got the 40mm Hex and the 135mm Hex... so, I think I'll have oodles of fun and hopefully amazement coming. Thank you for your vids, I'm poring thru them with abandon. :) pls take care. I blame you for finding this camera and those lenses... I've also got an adapter that finally arrived yesterday for the Canon D10. Played around with it a tad and found myself in the weeds but I"m getting images. Just gotta find the shutter speed controls in the menu and all will hopefully come together. Vee chall zee.

[@woozyjoe4703]

I love your videos man. Keep them coming

[@diannesorrell6801]

Thank you for another informative video. At present, I would probably choose the Olympus 35mm lens, because I like to go a little wide, but it can focus close enough (for me) to get some nice close-ups that include the setting of the subject. If I could keep two, it would be the Olympus 28mm 2.8, and the 85 mm 2.8. I know the 85 is not so sharp, but it's purpose is to make flattering portraits.

[@justlikeswimming5988]

Enjoyed your review! The chinon lenses are a lot of fun to use and have a ton of character. I'm a huge fan of the mamiya lenses, I've used 35mm and 645 lenses on digital cameras and have rarely been disappointed. If I may suggest, do yourself a favor and try out the vivitar series 1 90mm f2.5 macro (the so-called bokina lens). A truly incredible lens for portraits or macro, f2.5 is more than enough! Thanks for your great reviews, and thanks for inspiring me to using vintage manual focus lenses.

[@Skipsul]

There are 3 Minolta lenses in this same range: 50mm f/2 - it was short lived, but it's very sharp. Not well known, so a bit tough to find. Tends to go for a low price. 45mm f/2 - Practically a pancake, and tack sharp. Was often bundled with bodies, so is quite common. Very plasticky, and tends to go for cheap. 50mm f/1.7 - Sometimes these go for silly amounts, but they're so common that often they're practically given away with old bodies, or in allotments of other lenses (I've gotten 3 just tossed in with other gear). Wonderful lens.

[@GeorgeK356]

Ditto with the Minolta 50mm f1.7, I also have 3 examples, 2 MCs a 1 MD. 1 of the MC's go onto an SRT303 body, one onto an XG-M and the MD onto an X300. I also have a couple of adapters and a couple of other focal lengths and I shoot them all on my Fuji's. Minolta glass is some of the best there is, it rivals, in my opinion, the best Leica and Zeiss glass. Stunning.

[@zenography7923]

Agreed, they can be found very cheaply - don't pay inflated buy it now prices!

[@kirkp_nextguitar]

I have at least two Minolta 50mm f/1.7 lenses and a 45mm f/2, and I agree all are excellent. I find them to be more useful than my 50mm f/1.5 unless I need an extremely narrow DoF.

[@sebastianop.3052]

I found a month ago in a charity shop the Chinon 50mm, for just 5£, in really good condition and I loved it. Great lens, good looking and small even with the adapter, solid and heavy enough.

[@zenography7923]

Wow, a real bargain, enjoy!

[@sebastianop.3052]

@@zenography7923 yeah, I enjoyed a lot, I bought a 28mm as well for 24£ but I did fall in love as the 50.

[@ShutterNChill]

I have an Auto Beroflex 28mm F2.8 MC, and that one is also very suspiciously Pentax looking, like a Takumar lens... has beautiful colors and rendering. Maybe a Pentax lens with their own coating? I also noticed that it has a different color rendition than my Super Takumar 50mm. Got it for about $20. It also works extremely well for video (with mirrorless.) When I do videos with it for my RWA channel, I get comments on how good it looks.

[@tonybaker55]

Nice review Nigel. I have a Chinon f1.7 55mm, a Soligor f1.8 50mm, a Pentacon f1.8 50mm and of course a Takumar SMC f2 55mm. The Takumar SMC f1.4 50mm is kept for special occassions! I was surprised by the quality of the Soligor (made by Tokina) and it prompted me to get a few more Soligor lenses.

[@Noisette1011]

Great video 👏🏻 Noted the green hoarding in Southend-on-Sea? 😀

[@alexrogov7186]

Besides Zuiko 50/1.8 MIJ, I also have the 24/2.8 and those two are like twins, if you don't look too close. However, while disassembling the 50/1.8 for cleaning I've discovered that Olympus really had cut a few corners to keep the cost of this lens down. Besides the aperture ring being obviously made out of plastic, the rear lens group is held in place with a simple "twist and pull" plastic retainer. The focusing ring seems to be plastic, too. The front element is canted in place and cannot be easily removed. The lens still feels solid and well put together, though. The bokeh of the 50 takes more than just a few words to describe. It's very smooth at close focus distances (say, 80 cm or closer). At half-body portrait distance it is still smooth in the center of the frame but gets progressively busier, with a brighter rim, almost like "bubble bokeh", the farther away they are from the center. In extreme cases it almost feels like looking through pebbled glass. If you haven't seen the effect, you'll either love it or hate it. As to me, I'm not quite sure yet. It is less pronounced if you shoot with a crop sensor camera or stop down a bit (for obvious reasons).

[@studiosnch]

My "f2" lens for my Leica Barnack is the Chiyoko Super Rokkor 45mm f2,8. It's an unsung lens for the LTM system, with its unusual focal length (which is mathematically close to the real focal length that gives the same FoV to the human eye: 43mm) and "unheard" name (this is made by Minolta, before they named themselves as such; the "Rokkor" name is a giveaway for those in the know). It renders light and contrast great alongside medium vignetting, and the lens is absolutely phenomenal when shooting for B&W. Plus it looks amazing with my IIIf, so much that it feels at home with its similar build, material, and (in my case) time period. It's not that expensive either, but since it was initially sold only in Japan, you might need to find it from Japan-based sellers. But once you own this, I'm pretty sure that you won't trade it for anything else but a Leica lens.

[@fabriziocanale9768]

I totally agree with you. Konica Hexanon 50 f1.7 is a great lens. I bought some months ago and, ever since, it is often attached both on Sony A7IV and A6000. I got this lens to use with the A6000 modified full spectrum, vintage lenses perform well in IR photography but, I also use it for normal photography with the A7IV and its colors are indeed wonderful to me.

[@philhodgkinson1460]

I like you bought a chinon camera with a f1.7 50mm lens is very good camera also came with power winder all for £25 last year as I recall.. I know prices are never static on our favourite auction site.. Great video again Nigel cheers mate!

[@zenography7923]

Wow, you did pretty well there, well done!

[@moritzheintze7615]

Hi, some years ago I did a comparison of 50mm lenses f/2 (or f/1.8) with theír f/1.4 (f/1.5) counterparts. This included Zeiss and Nikon. The bottom line was: Stopped down to 2, 2.8 or 4 the f/1.4 lenses alway won hands-down if it comes to image quality. Not surprizing, usually they have an extra element which pays off not only fully open.

[@robinj.9329]

Back when I was in school, and later, working as "Photographer's Assistant". Both my Boss and the teachers all said, to get everything you can out of your basic 50mm f/2 lens BEFORE spending your hard earned cash on any more glass! My 50mm f/1.7. or f/2 lens has been my best friend ever since!

[@zenography7923]

I think I'm still in that territory myself!

[@beckerse]

Excellent video! I always look forward to watching your videos.

[@zenography7923]

Thanks!

[@Analogbrain]

A really nice video again, Nigel, extra credit for your relaxed attitude regarding the f2 definition, and likewise Zorki the cat's appearance! Of course there are lots of other lenses in this category, but this is a nice selection. I have 1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 Mamiya Sekor lenses, and they're all nice. Mamiya is most famous for medium format, but their small format/full frame gear is great too, but hence often forgotten and therefore cheap. Olympus often isn't cheap, but I found the 50mm 1.8 with an OM-1 at a thrift shop for 40 euros last week, and I'm not complaining!

[@zenography7923]

Wow, that was a lucky find!

[@devolution1310]

I have the Chinon 55mm F1.7. Great glass, very sharp wide open and brilliant colors. I suspect my copy is a Tomioka design due to the rear element which is very similar to my Auto Sears 55mm F1.4.

[@zenography7923]

Ah, Tomioka - that explains it!

[@jaymichaels5187]

@@zenography7923 Tomioka also made many of the 1960s Yashica 50mm lenses.

[@nathandavis5099]

I agree. The rear element on my Chinon 55mm 1.4 is very distinctive. The Chinon 55s we're likely designed and manufactured by Tomioka, then sold to anyone who didn't want to make their own standard lens - Mamiya, Ricoh, Chinon, Sears, etc.

[@xetabs]

I have a Chinon 55 1.4, with the name Tomioka on the front ring, so no doubt was made by them. I have some old lenses, and I must admit that’s one of the special ones, it has something in the rendering that makes the subject pop up. One drawback though is that is heavy AF and sometimes I find myself just grabbing another one when I want to walk light.

[@neilmontgomery3470]

Agree the Chinon 55mm f1.7 is a lovely lens. Fantastic photo quality

[@HughJonesYate]

Suggestions for future videos - seeing how lenses perform for infrared photography, vintage lenses for macro photography, using vintage teleconverters with vintage lenses (for fun obviously!), seeing how well focal reducers work with various lenses compared to dumb adaptors, and finally, videos talking about some of the crazy price "dream" lenses, even if you don't have them or can't show them, such as the Zeiss Ultron, Chinon 50mm f/1.2, the Angenieux m42 lenses etc

[@zenography7923]

Many thanks for these, really appreciated and some great ideas too. Stay tuned!

[@JonoRob]

great fun channel always enjoy watching

[@Weirdanimator]

I'd love to see more vids focused on the old budget brands like Chinon, They don't get as much love as old Nikon lenses etc. The cameras themselves might not have been up to the standards of the day but from my experience with my dads old gear (that's all budget brands), the lenses are great.

[@borderlands6606]

Metal bodied Chinon bodies were well made, and had a metal shutter. Quality went downhill in most brands, even famous ones, when they embraced cheap production of entry level cameras.

[@zenography7923]

Agreed, the cheapies might have lacked the finish on an FE2 say, but they're nice machines in their own right, and their images are fantastic!

[@kernowforester811]

I have my museum collection of 35mm SLRs from Olympus OM2n, to Pentax Super A, to Nikon FG, to Praktica BX20, to autofocus Minoltas such as 7000, 7xi, 700si and Dynax 5. All cost me peanuts, with a wide collection of 28mm, 50mm and zoom lenses, that in general cost me £10 or £15 each off ebay. My Nikon D800 DSLR with a collection of old Nikon AF lenses is my mainstay.

[@Photovintageguy]

The konica 50mm 1.7 will give small numerous bubble bokeh when you get reflections off leaves or through leaves. Mostly in full sun.

[@zenography7923]

Nice!

[@N0rdman]

Great! You found some of my favourites; Konica lenses are sleepers often overlooked. Same with Chinon, they sourced some and made others themselves, not all are great but some really are very much so. I tried a few Mamiya and they consistently surprised, a shame that the adapters for the later bayonet mount versions are so expensive because they are really good. A Mamiya bayonet adapter on eBay runs up to $50 last I looked and they are rare.

[@zenography7923]

They are quite rare - mine was made on a lathe by a very kind viewer, so I was lucky!

[@MichaelRusso]

Love my Konica lenses! They are still really affordable!

[@zenography7923]

They are still bargains, it's true!

[@tailibaba]

Thank you for the video. It's helpful. I'm looking for a 85mm f2. It's much easier than 85mm f1.4 when carrying out. Do you have any suggestion? Thank you!

[@tipptoggy]

Inspiring video. Just a quick note on value. Since Brexit (I live in the EU zone). Import charges have put massive cost on thses lenses, as customs is added to both the value of the lens and the postage cost. If folksd are seraching for them online, buy from your own country to avoid extra charges.

[@ruiigreja147]

Hi Nigel, I watch many of your videos and I was really impressed with the lens selection you indicated in this video. I am an amateur photographer and I come from Canon to Fujifilm which has seduced me for a long time. So I have three Fuji cameras: T10, T1 and H1...amazing cameras that I love. I don't miss the Canon 5DMark III which was the camera I had before these fujifilms. If I may, I would like to ask you a question about a vintage camera and lens that I own and which is the COLECCIÓN FILM CAMERA KONICA FS-1 35mm WITH KONICA HEXANON AR 40mm F/1.8 LENS KIT. Question: What adapter do I need to buy to use this lens on my Fujifilm cameras? Can you give me any suggestions where I can buy vintage lenses like the ones you mentioned in this video? Thank you, Nigel and a hug from Portugal.

[@caw25sha]

23:16 I used to have a brace of Mamiya 645 cameras (the original all metal model) with 80mm 2.8 lenses. Absolutely lovely cameras. I knew they dipped their toe in the 35mm SLR market but didn't make much impact so it's interesting to see one of their lenses.

[@zenography7923]

There are quite a few of their 35mm lenses out there, even though they made comparatively few!

[@busqda]

Nice vid, thanks. I enjoy the Colors of my Fujinon 55mm 1.8

[@zenography7923]

That's a nice lens - enjoy!

[@jeghedderhenrik]

hey Nigel. my argument for using f 1.4 lenses are, that stopped down to f 2, they are sharper than a lens with max aperture on f 2. i think this is because a 1.4 lens got a bigger lens for examble Ø 55 diameter compared to for examble Ø 49, stopped down to f 2, yoy only uses the centerpart of the lens surface, which always is sharper than the edge.. On new lenses however this teori is in trouble, because for examble my sony zeiss sonnar 55 1.8 only is a Ø 49 lens , and already wide open itssharper than most lenses. let me hear what you think of my thoughts about this

[@zenography7923]

Well, that's an interesting line of thinking. I suspect you're right, but it would be interesting to test the theory!

[@brysimm404]

My testing with numerous vintage lenses has shown this to be true. I never actually shoot a vintage f/1.4 wide open due to lack of sharpness - but stopped down, they typically test sharper head to head with their slower brethren.

[@mattstolzman]

Those golden JMDC stickers, I peeled off one from my OM2ñ to find out discoloration underneath. I don't peel them off anymore from my Japanese made gear :p

[@Wh33lsofFortune]

My favorite 50mm f2 is the Nikkor auto H. It has been referred to as the "Japanese summicron" and rightly so. Its rendering is definitely distinct and beautiful. I converted one to "AI" to use on my Nikon D700. Talk about a match made in heaven..

[@caw25sha]

I've been thinking of picking up one or two vintage Nikkors but unfortunately the FTZ adapter is ridiculously expensive. I've actually got a sadly lensless Nikon F but I have to admit, shamefacedly, that I find film too much hassle these days.

[@richardbest3575]

@@caw25sha isn’t the ftz adaptor for auto focus lenses?

[@caw25sha]

@@richardbest3575 my understanding was that it is for any F mount lens with a very few exceptions, maybe one of two fisheyes. Before buying one I'd check it out throughly.

[@zenography7923]

Thanks for the tip, I'll look out for one!

[@WMedl]

@@caw25sha I use a very inexpensive simple F to Z adapter on my nikon Z 5 (especially bought second hand for my vintage lenses): NEWYi A-N-Z adapter completely manual without any electronic contacts.

[@billvinson7859]

These vintage lens are great. I have a good selection for my different camera brands. I have the adapters and use them for Astrophotography where Manuel focus has to be used. A great deal when you look at the price of new lenses. These old lenses are so fast also which helps in Astrophotography.

[@anthonyde4314]

I enjoyed this video. Just a bit of a suggestion. You could have said it is a review of lenses f/2 and under. Just an idea. Good video, and keep up the good work.

[@zenography7923]

Thanks for the suggestion - it might have been clearer!

[@Martin_Siegel]

Vivitar was not a producer but a dealer. Chinon made a lot of cameras for re-branders as well. E.g. Foto Post in Germany. The Memotron was the first M42 camera that offered aperture priority automatics.

[@zenography7923]

Thanks for the info Martin, appreciated.

[@Martin_Siegel]

@@zenography7923 You're welcome. It's Foto Porst BWT, sorry for the typo

[@HaraldEngels]

Vivitar was also an experienced lens designer and not only a dealer. They were the first company which was using software for calculating their lens designs.

[@johnherzel718]

I have Mamiya Sekor SX 50mm f2.0 . It was hard to find the correct adapter but I finally got one. It is a fantastic lens and the colors are beautiful. Definitely a favorite of mine. It was $15. USD. The adapter was $20. And f2.0 is really all I ever need with it📸 Thanks Nigel!

[@damiendehorn6350]

What adapter did you get?

[@johnherzel718]

@@damiendehorn6350 it was a generic one on eBay. Unfortunately I can't seem to find the listing anymore. I've had the lens for about 2-3 years now, I was using a generic M42 screw mount adapter (and pre setting the aperture, and focusing the lens in the mount loosely) until I got the dedicated one for the SX last year. It came from Taiwan, not China. K&F had some listed as well but we're expensive. They didn't come up this time

[@damiendehorn6350]

@@johnherzel718 Thanks. Just bought a set of SX glass, now need a adapter.

[@johnherzel718]

@@damiendehorn6350 the glass will not disappoint. Good luck with the adapter

[@zenography7923]

No problem, glad it was helpful!

[@Abutado]

I would love to hear some discussion about vintage vivitar. Mine is a Komine made version and I don't know anything about it.

[@zenography7923]

Stay tuned - more vivitars coming soon!

[@d.r.martin6301]

There are so many great old 50mm lenses and I sometimes use my Nikkor Series E on my M43 Olympus. I just wish, though, that it could remain 50mm, instead of becoming a 100mm. Even on my old Nikon DSLR it becomes 75mm. The crop factor limits its usefulness for me.

[@zenography7923]

There are some very cheap full frame cameras for sale just now that would solve this problem for you!

[@d.r.martin6301]

@@zenography7923 Thanks for the tip, but even a few hundred for a old full frame isn't in the budget right now.

[@redsphoto6708]

Another great video!! The Konica 50 1.7 is a really solid performer. I have a copy but I haven't had much chance to use it. Do love those Konica lenses however. A very solid 1.8 lens that is very modern actually would be something like the Nikon 50mm f/1.8D. Cute, has autofocus and just works really well and even brand new doesn't cost a huge amount. My favorite f/2 esque lens is my Shneider Kreuznack Retina-Xenon 50mm f/1.9 in DKL mount (more affordable than the other mounts). Well in the normal range regardless. I want to say my favorite f/2 lenses are the very overpriced non 50mm ones like the Canon 100 f/2, the Pancolar 80 1.8 or the Konica 28mm f/1.8 haha

[@zenography7923]

You can't go wrong with f2! Thanks for looking in.

[@andrewbaxter9395]

That Olympus is next on my list but just picked up a Pentax M 28 f2.8 off ebay for £12 - yes £12! Had early signs of fungus on the rear element but a 30 min strip and clean with isopropanol and its like new. Yet to try Zeiss lenses but in the meantime Pentax and Olympus are so compact and have a special tactile feel to the focus and aperture rings that I love.

[@zenography7923]

That was a lucky find, and well done with the repair!

[@fractalofgod6324]

Very helpful video... I'm new to photography and I'm exploring. I'd like to get the konica lens for my Canon M50 but I'm not sure which adapter I would need, any advice folks?

[@martinda7446]

A wonderful channel. The finest things.

[@zenography7923]

Thanks so much!

[@ryanbeer5262]

Lol, f2ish! Nice video. Scored a Nikkor 50 f2 non-ai silver nose for $40 shipped to the door about a year ago. Might have to find the Mamiya, love my c33, never played with any of their 35mm gear.

[@zenography7923]

That Nikon was a bargain, well done!

[@jeghedderhenrik]

about the konica look,, i got the konicas and minolta mc pf 50 1.7, and the colours are so identical, i have a hard time saying which is konica or minolta from a picture,, but the konica background blur is in another league. the konica advantace is a slimmer adapter on a mirrorless camera, but the biggest reason konica isnt popular is due to the glue between lens element are not waterproof, but almost sucks moisture in between elements... so many konica lenses are infected with fungus very badly.

[@zenography7923]

I've found Konica colours to be that bit livelier than those from other lenses, but I haven't directly compared Konica to Minolta colours. Certainly the blur is wondrous though!

[@davidpresnell1734]

I seldom go below F 5.6! Good advice

[@zenography7923]

Thanks!

[@cdavey061]

i picked up the 55mm f/1.4 chinon Tomioka that i believe are very rare...

[@THX..1138]

I think it's fine to refer to vintage 1.7 and 1.8 as f2 cuz most of them are kinda soft till you stop them down to f2 anyhow....Really pretty much every vintage lens I've seen needs to be stopped down at least one stop. IMO all these old manual lenses were never intended to be used wide open. Rather wide open was just to give you maximum brightness to see through the viewfinder.

[@caw25sha]

19:33 were some Olympus lenses of the period made outside Japan then? I would be very surprised as it has only been in the past 20 years or so that the major Japanese manufacturers have started production overseas.

[@blotafton]

The earlier ones are also made in Japan, it's just a new optical design and face lift.

[@zenography7923]

All were made in Japan, though the later ones had it inscribed on the faceplate.

[@ulfjonsson2122]

Superb video / Ulf

[@patriziodalessandro1693]

Hello! Just a few clarifications here and there... The difference between f/1.8 and f/2 is one third of a stop (not 0.2 stops...). All the lenses of silver nose Olympus OM lenses were single coated. You should not assume that all black body lenses are multicoated. if the MC (or NMC) marking appears, this guarantees that all lenses are multicoated, therefore with reduced flaring and improved contrast. I thought that all old OM lenses were produced in Japan...are you maybe referring to the "passed" sticker glued to the lens' body? This can easily be detached. Anyway all OM lenses should be marked with a 4 digit code (in the back or under the rubber focusing ring) where the first two identify the production facility where the lens was produced, followed by year and month when the lens was produced.

[@zenography7923]

Many thanks for the clarifications, much appreciated! I'm aware that all the Zuikos were made in Japan, but the later ones, labelled as 'Made In Japan' are often said to be the nicest. Thanks for looking in!

[@FookFish]

What do you think of Yashica ML lenses? Ive heard there zeiss glass but just without the T* coatings

[@zenography7923]

As I understand it, yes, they're the same lens designs but with Yashica coatings. I've only used one - the 50 1.4; that lens has great colour but is surprisingly soft wide open - more so than many vontage 1.4s. I may have got a bad copy though!

[@messylaura]

great video, i have a question, which M42 mount 50mm or under would have the best corner to corner to corner sharpness, reason i ask is i now have an M42 to eos-m tilt shift adapter for my M50 and it works great only ever looked at the center render of the M42 lenses as i mostly do flower and portraits with them

[@zenography7923]

One lens immediately springs to mind - it might be the sharpest vintage 50 ever produced - the Carl Zeiss Jena 50mm 1.8 Pancolar. It's a truly astonishing lens and very sharp indeed even wide open. It's expensive though at around £150; cheaper options giving almost as good performance would be the Olympus OM Zuiko 50mm f1.8 and the OM Zuiko 35 f3.5. The Olympus OM Zuiko 50 f3.5 macro is astonishingly sharp, as is the Pentax f4 50mm macro but they're a bit pricier. Oh, and the Pentax 50mm f1.7 is good (and cheap) too.

[@faustoart]

Hi Nigel! I think that I have one or two of that lenses in my colection! Anyway, I want to say that, regarding vintage lenses, 1.4 are not really so good in my opinion, actually f2 is the hotspot, they are much, much sharper, and the difference in background blur is not so high. They are easier to work with, smaller... I feel like 1.4 lenses are extremely good nowadays, but back in the 60s and 70s... Well, they were not so good.

[@zenography7923]

Agreed, modern f1.4 lenses are sharp from wide open, but there's a very good argument that says with vintage lenses, an f2 lens might well be the sweet spot.

[@mrpoulton7253]

Hi. Love your channel. Have you ever seen a Carl Zeiss Jena, 100-500mm f/5.6-8 Macro Zoom Lens. Info on this lens is limited to zero with no sample images available.

[@zenography7923]

I don't know this lens, but it sounds like a late CZJ lens, which were often produced by third party manufacturers in Japan. I suspect this lens might be one of these.

[@SweetJasamine]

Just a thought, when you mentioned 'pancake lens' are there vintage pancake lenses?

[@zenography7923]

There certainly are - the Prakticar 50mm f2.4 and the Pentax 40mm 2.8 are two that spring to mind. Of course if you're shooting digitally the adaptor will add size.

[@blotafton]

The silver nose Zuiko 50mm 1.8 has a 6/5 design and the made in japan has 6/4. Both are nice bit I prefer the newer one too.

[@zenography7923]

I think the newer versions are a little bit nicer too!

[@jaymichaels5187]

@@zenography7923 I still prefer the silver nose ones for B&W film photography.

[@jeghedderhenrik]

i think you and i got quite a similar collection, often i to have the lenses in your videos, funny ... about the olympus om... the 1.8 is a very safe buy.. one of my favorites because i good in all ways,,, in sharpness , colours, build, and bokeh bubbles are beautiful, quite airy and fragile with a thin elegante bokeh ring in the edges.. i can only recommend the olympus zuiko om lenses.

[@zenography7923]

I love the Zuikos, and the 50 1.8 is one of my absolute favourites!

[@john.m.peterson]

Some nice lenses Nigel! I have bought quite a few the last couple of years (partly your fault ;-) I have two or three that aren’t functioning well. My Helios’ 44-2 aperturering is put on backwards and one of my Ricoh’s lenses aperturering jams. Do you thing it’s do-able to fix that myself? I have opened a couple of lenses just to clean the front and or back lens, but never fumbled with the aperture. Greets John

[@zenography7923]

It's possible, but apertures are notoriously complex and difficult to fix. There's no reason you couldn't do it if you're patient and methodical - but you'll have to be VERY patient and methodical! Good luck!

[@john.m.peterson]

@@zenography7923 thanks Nigel!

[@kennyj604]

Pentax SMC A 50mm f2 are wonderfully cheap and if one is a Pentax DSLR user and when lens' aperture ring is set to 'A' one can change aperture setting via camera body. And aperture settings show up in Metadata.

[@zenography7923]

I didn't know that, thanks for the info!

[@neilpiper9889]

I have a K mount Rikenon 50mm f2 lens. Gets high marks on Pentax forums. I especially love the bokeh and the cheap price

[@zenography7923]

That one is a fantastic lens - enjoy!

[@absurdfool]

any of the lens you talked about, can i put it on a m43 camera? thkU

[@zenography7923]

Yes, all of them, and pretty much any vintage lens ever made too!

[@jeghedderhenrik]

i know the konica 50 1.7 is considered the sharpest version, but i got both the 1.7 and the newer version, the 1.8 with better coating,, that is a killer.and i prefer it to even takumar and helios, better sharpness, richer fuller colours and the blur is butter smooth

[@zenography7923]

Thanks for the tip, I'll look out for one!

[@johnpeterson3299]

I take issue with the headline "F2 is all you need!" Well at least from the perspective of 1975. I was 18 then and took the advice of all the experts and saved myself $30 by picking a Canon FD 50mm f1.8 SC. That was a bad decision for the following reasons--1)The Canon FD 50mm f1.4 SSC was multi-coated while the 1.8 wasn't and had lots of flare 2)The 1.4 close focus was 18 inches rather than 24 inches 3)Better build quality of the 1.4 4)More diaphragm blades for the 1.4 5)Brighter focus screen with the 1.4 in Canon cameras of the time 6)Shooting Tri-x pushed to ISO 1000 the 2/3 stop was a big deal and 7) The image quality was far better. In most camera systems, the 1.8/2.0 is the peasant lens. Nikon seems to be a bit different as the 1.8/2.0 is sharper in many years.

[@jeghedderhenrik]

the helios 44-2 is very hard to find to 30 pounds anymore, because they got quite popular some years ago,, maybe with some luck and be willing to take a chance buying a copy looking bad, but with clean glasses, it might be possible to find one for 300 pound, it would absolutely be a winner amoung f 2 lenses

[@zenography7923]

I'm not sure you're right about that, at least in the uk - completed listings on ebay show several 44s and 44-2s (KMZ made) having recently sold for between £20-£40. I'm not sure many of these would sell at £300!

[@branbroken]

@@zenography7923 even the 'cine' moded ones dont seem to sell any higher than £150-180, 300 just seems to be excessive and probably dont sell at that price.

[@jendriktimm5566]

I guess in that range you could include the Pentax-M 50mm f/1.7. I got one though I didn‘t use it yet. But I assume it is as good as the Pentax-M 28mm f/2.8 which is my favorite vintage lens.

[@damiendehorn6350]

Its better, the M 50mm 1.7 was one of their best lenses.

[@zenography7923]

The 50 1.7 is a fantastic lens, really outstanding.

[@0action847]

The faster or wide Konica lenses are really sort after and getting quite expensive.

[@zenography7923]

Perhaps the word is spreading at last!

[@reptilespantoso]

The Auto-Reflex Chinon 55mm looks a LOT like my Auto-Reflecta. Which is equally nice. The flat backside, and the finish point towards Tomioka make.

[@zenography7923]

Someone else mentioned Tomioka - I think that could be it!

[@justnoted2995]

Nigel, thanks, please let us know where you buy your bargain lenses, especially that OM 50mm 1.8

[@zenography7923]

Most of them come from ebay, but only after waiting to find them at the right price - patience is required! The (mint) Zuiko 1.8 came with a mint OM2s and a mint 50 3.5 Zuiko macro, for which I paid £100 for all three on an ebay auction about a year ago. I was very surprised to win, but apparently no one else wanted them! Patience wins every time.

[@justnoted2995]

@@zenography7923 thank you Nigel, yes, patience will be rewarded 👍👍

[@jonlouis2582]

I couldn’t agree more. I tend to avoid f/1.4 lenses for various reasons. Especially in this day and age f/1.8 or f/2 is more than good enough.

[@zenography7923]

Absolutely - shooting on digital f1.4 isn't really needed, unless you want its blur making abilities.

[@caw25sha]

A question for next week: are the old Minolta Dynax/Alpha/Maxxum lenses compatible with the current Sony Alpha? If so have you used any?

[@ruhnet]

They are A mount. The Sony Alpha cameras are E mount. There is an adapter that will allow them to work, even with autofocus.

[@caw25sha]

@@ruhnet Thank you. Keeping the Alpha name (which apparently was only used in Japan) is a bit misleading then!

[@ruhnet]

@@caw25sha Well, actually I should clarify---there are some Sony models (the DSLR cameras) such as the A99 which use the A mount. So those would of course be directly compatible. It's just the mirrorless cams that use the E mount.

[@zenography7923]

Thanks Chris!

[@StrangelyIronic]

I never understand that the same person that rants about F1.8 being slow will turn around and say they never go below F5.6/F8 while out and about. I shoot mainly MFT and for vintage I usually pick up a trio of Minolta: MD 2.8/24, 1.8/35, and either a 2/50, MC 1.7/55, or MC 1.4/58mm to give a bit more range. That's a 48, 70, and 100/110/116mm equivalent set that are all plenty fast enough for me (I sit around f4-5.6 most of the time unless I really need more or less light) for a fairly good price and great quality the Rokkors bring. It's worth pointing out that for the "real sharpness" most people claim they want you're going to be stopping down to around f5.6 anyway. If you find you're sitting in those ranges like me, there's no real need to spend the extra money on the 1.4's or so that are niche use cases at best when fully open anyway. (I realize I listed a 1.4 lens as my standard manual kit, but that 1.4 is REALLY niche for maybe portraits to soften skin, f4-5.6 on is the sharp range).

[@zenography7923]

Around f5.6 will give maximum sharpness for sure, but it's fun to open up a bit and play around with blur sometimes! Thanks for looking in.

[@williambolton5679]

Nigel, you forgot the 50mm Pentacon f1.8 in your comparisons.

[@zenography7923]

I did, sorry!

[@JangoAC]

I am using a Helios 44-2 with a speedbooster on a mirrorless crop sensor camera and it feels like a hack! I don't even want to use modern lenses anymore.

[@hamish5214]

The Auto Chinon 50mm f2 is also a great lens! It's pretty rare

[@zenography7923]

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

[@GeorgeK356]

I sometimes wonder, Nigel, if these lenses were so good on film, back in the day. I reckon that the new generation of mirrorless cameras and sensors, particularly the Fuji X-Trans and the Sony full frame have brought out qualities that have previously been hidden in these lenses, hence the fact that even the second tier, and sometimes even the real el cheapo end, can surprise us with their image making abilities. I have taken up shooting film again with my collection, 3 of which you showcased here, to see if I can see the qualities that are apparent via digital measures. I have obtained some Kodak Vision3 movie film in bulk, 500T and 250D and I'm keen to see if there's any difference from BITD (Back In The Day) and now. I'm now wishing that sellers wouldn't remove the lenses off film camera bodies to sell seperately (and easily) as I would buy some of the more obscure bodies with lenses to try out. However, I can shoot at least one example of most of the SLR makers output from the 50's onwards, straight out of my collection. Good to see some shots from the Mamiya Sekkor SX, I'm so pleased that I was able to modify an adapter so you didn't have to butcher that beautiful piece of glass. If you ever need any little machining jobs doing just give me a shout, my workshop stands idle a lot of the time, just waiting for a project. Is there a special address for the questions or are you just going to field them from the comments on this vid? Regards and great video again - I don't know how you keep turning out high quality stuff, man. Every week it's just great to sit with a tea, or coffee, or a whisky, and watch the latest episode. Sorry this is so long winded Regards George

[@zenography7923]

Thanks George, those adaptors were very nicely made and fit the SX lenses perfectly. When I find some more I'm going to try them, as I now have adaptors for Sony and Fujifilm, thanks to you! Glad you're still enjoying the videos too!

[@nigelcliff7390]

Surprised you review 50mm f2 lenses without mentioning the Rikenon 50mm f2 known as the poor mans Summicron,I have one and it's a stunning lens

[@zenography7923]

I've used that lens - it's fantastic, no doubt about it!

[@philhodgkinson1460]

Talking of vintage lens... have you ever tried 135mm f3.5. with 10 diaphragm lens..... Spose Bokeh might be interesting Nigel....

[@zenography7923]

It might indeed! Thanks for looking in Phil.

[@simonhodges6084]

Or just shoot a f1.4 lens at f2. You then also get the blade influenced bokeh which you don't get a wide open on a f2 lens.

You're right, but the point of Nigel is that f/2 lenses are much cheaper.

[@simonhodges6084]

@ True. But don't forget an f1.4 is one stop faster when you need it and depending upon distances between subjects and backgrounds will give you better bokeh in certain circumstances. Given the price difference in vintage lenses as opposed to new then I think an f1.4 is worth the extra £30 or so.

[@zenography7923]

I guess that's another approach, but the lens itself would cost quite a bit more.

[@steven1811]

You know a camera enthusiast when he names his pet after a camera.

[@zenography7923]

:)

[@marcp.1752]

Minolta MD 50mm F2 is way sharp, but that is comon knowledge for the past ~3 decades, at least. ;-) It's sharper than the 45mm F2, albeit not smaller. It was it's official successor, literally.

[@zenography7923]

I found it to be really nice - a lovely little lens. I'm sure there's loads of nice minolta glass I haven't discovered yet though!

[@zaharib]

Are you perhaps a Star Wars fan too Nigel? It looks like your seated on a Stormtrooper’s helmet…😎

[@zenography7923]

Ah yes, the big chair. My Mrs says this show should be called 'Little Man, Big Chair'! She's incorrigibly cheeky I'm afraid.

[@subrotomitra]

Very erudite and pleasant presentation...

[@zenography7923]

Thank you kindly!

[@kk582sos9]

Sir your cat are too cute!

[@zenography7923]

Isn't he just!

[@lolkthnxbai]

For me it's f1.8, can't really tell much of a difference between it and 1.4 and at half the price.

[@brysimm404]

My Hexanon 40mm has cool leaning colors and isn’t sharp - on my Buyer’s Remorse list. Ugh.

[@hansch-n1h]

Agree, F2 is perfect! How many lenses do you have? :)

[@crazygeorgelincoln]

F2 yes hahaha. "Don't buy the sx" looks at eBay recent purchase list oh look mamiyasekor sx f1.4 ! Handy I like making custom adapters , thanks for the heads up! Hello Zorki!

[@zenography7923]

I should have added - unless you can make really good custom adaptors like George's!

[@vvipoo]

I have a question for true connoisseurs of vintage lenses. How they behave at 45 megapixels. Will the soft lens get sharper, stay the same, or get worse?

[@jaymichaels5187]

The lens imperfections will be clearly seen, this is neither good or bad, as it depends on your subject and expectations and preferences. EG: An old soft lens at full aperture might be the right lens for flattering portraiture at 45 MP.

[@damiendehorn6350]

"Thick omelette", 🤣😂 love it.

[@zenography7923]

Thanks!

[@ldstirling]

Speaking of tiny 50mm f/2 lenses, what about the Jupiter 8? This lens is tiny and punches way above its ultra cheap price point. Also, where was the Minolta MD 50mm f/2 on your list? This lens is very small, very sharp, and sells for 20 GBP, or less. Then there is the Minolta MD 50mm f/1.7. At least as good as the f/2 version, and sells for 25-30 GBP.

[@sclogse1]

Of course, when you think Super 8 sound projectors, Chinon was right there with the goods. Funny, I watch these at home usually sporting some vintage Sony Pro headphones. When the sound of your cat came on, I was sure it was a door in my house! Very spooky at 11 at night! If I were to ask for more on these reviews, I'd ask for how well each lens deals with flare.

[@zenography7923]

Apologies, I ought to have mentioned flare - I'll be sure to consider it next time.