Four Crazy Sharp Vintage Lenses - For Peanuts!

[@robinj.9329]

This is exactly what we would expect! In the 70's Japanese optics were some of the BEST IN THE WORLD! I was using some Minolta gear in the late 60's, and never had reason to complain!

[@barrycohen311]

I have that Minolta MD 50mm f/2. Superb lens. Plenty of character and since it can focus closely, delivers the blurry stuff. Yes, and sharpness too.

[@zenography7923]

This little Minolta surprised me with the quality of its images - really nice!

[@todd92371]

@@zenography7923 Hello... was wondering if you can still achieve quality bokeh with a standard APS-C sensor with a lens like this? I know it will become a 80mm lens.

[@devolution1310]

I am glad to see someone finally gave the Pentax 50 F1.7 its due. I have both the fabled 50 F1.4 and the 1.7 and I give the nod to the 1.7 in terms of sharpness. Very sharp indeed and so underrated. It is a great lens. One caveat, all that sharpness does not necessarily make it a good candidate for a portrait lens especially at F4 and above IMHO. Same optical formula as the 55mm F1.8 and F2 which both resolve great amounts of detail.

[@johnwest7228]

an enjoyable and informative way to spend a bit of time on the internet- I own 1 out of the 4- the Pentax 50mm 1.7- a very good lens indeed- always brightens my day to watch

[@zenography7923]

Many thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@davebellamy4867]

It's amazing how many of these wonderful lenses were just the "standard" lenses that came with SLR cameras in the 1970s and 1980s.

[@zenography7923]

It really is!

[@philhodgkinson1460]

Lovely video.... Love the OM pics under trees with the grasses....you could sell that pic love it.... Harking back to the Rickenon.... have heard it called the poor man's "Summicron"???

[@OldCameras]

I really love the Olympus Zuiko lenses. I have a few of them. My favourite is the 50mm f2 macro. That 50mm 1.8 is also stunning.

[@diforbes]

Decided to buy the Minolta 50mm f2 on your recommendation and initial tests shooting it wide open show it is indeed sharp. Another keeper!

[@zenography7923]

It's a great little lens - enjoy!

[@aerialfilm1]

In the old days I relied on just a handful of magazines to tell me about just a handful of lenses. This meant I only knew what I was told, and subsequently I adopted poorly informed opinions about anything not given high regards by the big publishers. As we know it was most often only the fast expensive stuff that was ever recommended. And the thought of economically adapting just about any lens and immediately seeing the results was unimaginable back then. Yes It’s taken me forty plus years to find out what those old geezers knew way back then, but I’ve never been happier to discover how wrong and naive I was. Thanks for helping make this fun again.

[@zenography7923]

I know exactly what you mean, older lenses and mirrorless cameras are incredible and immediate - a luxury we didn't have in the past. I'm constantly surprised by what these old lenses can do - many of them are quite humble and are not sought after, either by collectors or anyone else! Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@Thato]

The Minolta MD 50mm f2 is the sharpest vintage lens I've used, I use it with my A7II..I love it! I highly recommend it.

[@zenography7923]

I'm a big fan of Minolta lenses - the later ones are sharper, but all have fantastic colour!

[@anbar5675]

I have like you α7 ΙΙ + MD 50mm f2 lens. Also to me, is the sharpest vintage lens I've used.

[@nightcoder5k]

Nice video as always. I have too many nifty 50s in my collection. Now, I start getting more of the 135mm f/2.5 or f/2.8 and 200mm f/3.5. I like the compression and bokeh the 135mm gives.

[@zenography7923]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@as616]

This was an enjoyable video. I have the Olympus, Minolta, and Ricoh lenses. I will need to hunt down a Pentax. Thanks.

[@zenography7923]

Many thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@johnlochness]

I love my Minolta MD Rokkor 50mm f1.4. Lovely sharp lens and just £20 (although it did have some fungus so I had to take it apart and clean it).

[@jameswburke]

I have 2 of these. I'd say the Pentax 50mm 1.7 for lightness & sharpness & the Olympus 50/1.8 for character & colour. I use both on my Sony mirrorless bodies, all manual settings and using the Sony focus peaking. They hold their value too, so you can always flog them.

[@3flyte_3flyte]

The Minolta MD 50mm f2 was the kit lens on my Minolta XG-M from the 1980's. It was my first camera & lens.

[@nicosfilms]

I found the Minolta MD 50mm at a thrift store for $15. I love the build quality, insanely smooth and nice feeling - the only thing is that to adapt it to my dslr I had to purchase an adapter with a little glass piece since my flange distance is greater than the MD mount it came with. This greatly reduces its sharpness in my scenario however I've gotten some really unique and visually pleasing results with it. Also love the swirly bokeh!

[@MrSimonj1970]

I've seen videos of old lenses that need a mm or 2 filing from the adaptor to focus on infinity, if that's any help?

[@Magnetron692]

Hello Nigel, thank you! The choice on one of these lenses is not an easy one. In fact the Minolta was my first SLR lens back in 1983 and it did a very good job! Best wishes, Ralf

[@zenography7923]

Hi Ralf, glad you enjoyed the video!

[@ekkanofiqandriyana7325]

everytime you uploaded a new video about olympus om lenses i always want to drop a comment just to say thank you for making an excellent review of them because i really love the images you've taken with those om lenses even though i don't have one yet its really hard to get one in good condition in my country but iam not good in english so forgive me if you dont understand what iam talking haha..

[@zenography7923]

Don't worry, your English is fine! When you do eventually find a Zuiko I think you'll enjoy it!

[@scottfineshriber5051]

I have a great nostalgia for my Minolta XGM and the 50/2. Minolta made some truly great gear. I was able to buy a like-new 50/1.4 Rokkor PG, which is an absolute jewel. At 1.4 it is dreamy, rather than sharp and contrasty, but that can make for some very romantic-looking portraits on MFT.

[@purpleeinstein]

@Scott Fineshriber Ah, the good ole days! I have the 50/2 as well and like you, I'm very fond of it. I've heard that Minolta was one of only a handful of companies that manufactured their own glass hence the quality/character of their lenses. Even Leica was impressed so much that they contracted Minolta to produce certain lenses for them (Leica just re-branded them). In the early 80's (1982), I needed a 35mm camera for a college photography class I had signed up for. The 50/2 came bundled with the Minolta XG-1 body I bought from the Sears catalog. I have shot literally thousands of images with it. Still have both the lens and the XG-1 to this day, but now I primarily use the lens on a Sony Nex 7 (great combo). Yeah, this old gear has a way of bringing back good memories!

[@zenography7923]

The Minolta gear seems somewhat forgotten these days, but the quality of the lenses is really incredible!

[@scottfineshriber5051]

Zenography not to mention the fact that some chassis were shared with Leica DSLRs.

[@purpleeinstein]

@Zenography Thank you so much for all your efforts in extolling the virtues of these wonderful, fantastic vintage lenses. Most modern gear lacks the “aesthetic” appeal of the vintage stuff. Not to mention a lot of the older lenses took really good images. The older lenses just seem to have more character than the newer stuff. I’m particularly fond of Minolta since it was my first “serious” foray into a good camera (XG-1 body with MD 50mm f/2). I later acquired an XD-11, and a few other lenses ie MC Rokkor-PF 55mm f/1.7 and MD 35-70mm f3.5 Macro). I can’t help getting a bit nostalgic about the old days particularly 1970’s and 80’s. Remember Minolta’s tag line - “Only from the mind of Minolta”? Minolta really was an innovator in the photography world. There’s a pretty good article about how Minolta pioneered several key things we take for granted today like auto focus, PASM and sensor stabilization. The article goes on to describe how Minolta still lives on through Sony today. (How The Death Of Minolta Gave Rise To Sony Cameras at www.lightwalker.com). I still have all of my old Minolta gear and thanks to Sony, I’m able to shoot with it digitally via an adapter coupled to my Nex7. Even though I’m a Minolta fanboy, I also really do appreciate most anything vintage. Another favorite I really enjoy shooting is my old Olympus OM-1 (MD) paired with the G. Zuiko Auto S 50mm f/1.4 (see.# 672xxx).True story, my wife’s Aunt Kitty’s husband passed away and she asked me if I wanted his old camera gear. I said sure, not expecting much. As I thought, most of it was non-functional . EXCEPT for the OM-1 and the 50/1.4. Cleaned them up and started enjoying them immediately! Built like a tank and the images I get with the 50/1.4 are SWEET indeed! I could ramble on all evening - there’s just something about all of this old photo gear that’s just so satisfying. From holding it in your hands to looking at all of the photographic memories they helped me capture. My pictures me everything to me and so does the gear that I shot them with! Again, thanks for all you do. You really are an inspiration to all of us older photography “geezers”!

[@JayTsPhoto]

Seen the title, Said to myself the minolta 50mm f2 better be in this...... Wasn't disappointed

[@zenography7923]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Thato]

Same here 😀

[@MichaelRusso]

If you got the full Olympus 70's - 80's slr lens collection, you have a nice collection. I love lenses from this period. I have all the Pentax lenses, but would be happy if I had a Olympus collection as well.

[@neilpiper9889]

Pentax M42 55mm 1.8 is my favourite. I have been using this wonderful lens since the 1970s on a Pentax Spotmatic. Second place would go to my black Jupiter 8 on my Zorki 4K. A recent acquisition. Excellent in every way. Thanks for the video

[@zenography7923]

Thanks Neil, glad you enjoyed it!

[@sebastianligueno8772]

I have minolta MD 45mm f.2. I suppose this lens it's very similar to your 50mm. But the interesting thing is that with a shorter focal length of the lens, it is a perfect pair for Olympus and Panasonic cameras, becoming an excellent portrait lens. Greetings from Chile

[@alemholas]

If for some reason you don't use it anymore, I would like to inherit it! (also from chile c:)

[@sebastianligueno]

@@alemholas jajajaj. Lo compré por ebay, venía con una cámara Minolta SRT201. Después, compré un 50mm 1.4, montura MD y encuentro que es mejor que el anterior ya a partir de apertura F2 (sin ser malo el otro, para nada,). Lo malo es que venía con hongo la lente, así que lo ocupo con extremo cuidado a mi criterio, hasta que lo pueda limpiar. El 50mm eEn este caso, queda a 100mm ¿cuál es tu cámara?. He visto algunas ofertas en estos meses por marketplace y yapo de ese lente, o del 50 mm f1.7

[@alemholas]

@@sebastianligueno jaja! Gracias por la ayuda c: Tengo una Fuji Xpro1 de ebay. Y el adaptador de Minolta a Fx (Con un Vivitar 1 70-210 f3.5), así que por eso estaba en busqueda de lentes SR. Tambien he estado revisando Marketplace y yapo por lo mismo, pero viendo lo que salen en eBay como que se me van las ganas de comprar acá u.u Seguire echando ojo en el mercado local! Ojala puedas limpiar el lente c: Saludos!

[@sebastianligueno]

@@alemholas aún no lo he hecho la limpieza y depende de cuan instalado esté el hongo. Mi experiencia con lentes análogos en eBay no es muy buena: la mitad de los objetivos, aunque digan que no vienen con hongos, finalmente igual vienen con algún pequeño hongo y la devolución siempre es parcial. Por lo mismo, estoy optando por mirar lentes que pueda ver al momento de recibirla. He visto varios de los minoltas md MC, pero a menos que sea un 85mm o bajo 1.4, no pagaría más de 80 mil pesos por ellos. Son objetivos que quizás no tengan ese pelo de lente premium pero le dan su carácter a la imagen y me encanta ese perfil más "frío" que le dan a la imagen, pensando que los lentes en general tienden más a los colores cálidos

[@alemholas]

@@sebastianligueno Creo que seguire la misma guia de precios al revisar c: Gracias!

[@jonlouis2582]

Last year I got lucky at local auctions and thrift shops, etc, and gathered up and tested quite a few vintage lenses. The ones that surprised me the most were the Rokkor’s. I found even the disreputable versions to be shockingly, eye-bleeding sharp, with fantastic colors. They do suffer from a lot of mechanical issues, but are easily repaired. (Except the later versions which are glued together.)

[@zenography7923]

Those Rokkors do make incredible images!

[@mathiasanders3946]

Very helpful review..thanks! My favorite Lens is the Auto-Chinon 50mm f1.7 i still use it for MFT, APS-C and 35mm and it is sharp even wide open. I picked it up on a flea market years ago..and i never regret . What can go wrong for 15‎€?? Best regards

[@zenography7923]

You certainly got a bargain there!

[@wreford07]

@Mathias - fantastic little lens! I too have the Auto Chinon (PK mount) - lovely. But my favourite pentax manual is the SMC Pentax 50mm f1.4 - super sharp even wide open.

[@wngimageanddesign9546]

I have all four....and many more. Hard not to collect them at the low prices of the early 2010s. Now the prices have risen unfortunately. The Minolta MD 50mm f/2 is a sleeper. For the low price, it's the highest performer of the set. Youngest of the bunch, and has the best coatings. Most modern look to the photos. The Pentax-M SMC 50mm f/1.7 is small and well made, but some samples suffer from haze of the balsam used to glue two elements. So buyers should check first before purchase. The Olympus OM Zuiko 50mm f/1.8 came in three versions. The multicoated versions came in two varieties....the MC and the "Made in Japan" 3rd and last version. The 3rd version has the best rendering, BUT it's not able to be disassembled for cleaning of the front optics. If it has fungus, you can't open it to get to it. The MC version is fully threaded and disassembles completely. The Ricoh XR Rikenon 50mm f/2 came in several versions, initial all-metal body, a plastic bodied version and later 'P' models that were smaller and plastic. All are sharp. But the 50mm f/1.7 version is even sharper! It's one of the sharpest 50mm vintage primes I own. Rivaling the brands known for their sharpness....Konica AR Hexanon f/1.7, Pentax Takumar 55mm f/1.8, Minolta MD Rokkor f/1.7 and Canon FL 50mm f/1.8.

[@ndrws.5619]

try the Zenitar-M 1.9/50. It is very sharp

[@savage1r]

You are missing out on the Mamiyas. the 50 f2 and 55 f1.8 (ESPECIALLY THIS ONE) are incredible.

[@zenography7923]

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

[@apostolosmitsios2180]

@@zenography7923 I own both of them. FANTASTIC lenses!

[@TheGanntak]

Just discovered your channel its brilliant just what i was looking for!

[@zenography7923]

Thanks, glad you're enjoying it!

[@ryanstark2350]

The early thorium laced Zeiss Pancolar is very sharp. It’s usually yellowed though due to the thorium but for black and white it’s excellent.

[@zenography7923]

The CZJ Pancolar is incredible, one of the nicest 50mm lenses. Later versions aren't radioactive either!

[@ryanstark2350]

@@zenography7923 I would quite like a later non radioactive one. It would be better for colour. I quite often buy old lenses which I think are going to become harder to find. I bought a few of the thorium Pancolars and now they are sought after more simply because they are rarer. i have a few lenses that are now hard to find. The Pancolar is unusually sharp. Softness can be a problem with older lenses especially wide open. However, sharpness is not the only factor. As they try to fix lenses to eliminate so called problems, they also eliminate what can make them great. The older lenses have way less elements so what reaches the sensor is in fact purer even if it has various distortions. This gives the images more 3D quality. The shading or what people call micro contrast is better in primes and old lenses. I have some more modern Canon lenses left over from when I used a Canon camera and I find them quite boring even although one of them is a sharp lens. The images lack depth.

[@philhodgkinson1460]

That Rikenon lens can be found in M42 mount if you search diligently.......

[@misteragb7558]

Would love a video of lenses with the highest resolving power

[@matthewneleigh567]

Interesting... a Pentax Super Program I bought a while ago came with the "A" version of that 50mm f/1.7, but I haven't tested it yet. Should do that sometime soon.

[@zenography7923]

If it's anything like the M version, it'll be a nice one...

[@pers4855]

Great video as always sir. I would love to see a vintage lens 85mm comparison 👍

[@zenography7923]

I compared the Nikon 85mm f2 with the Jupiter 9 85mm f2 and the Helios 40 85mm f1.5 a few episodes ago, the title is '85 is The New 50'

[@Magnetron692]

Hi Zenography, thanks, back in the 1980s my first lens was the Minolta you presented here. I had it on the Minolta XG-M. Another lens to consider is the Fujinon 1.6/50mm. I bought one recently, rebranded as Porst. Not tested yet, but I‘m curious on how it will hold up against the others. Really well made video about these nifty fifties! Best wishes and have a nice day, Ralf

[@Magnetron692]

One more thing. Sadly other Fujica lenses with the AX mount are pretty rare. But, as a hint, there are rebranded lenses with the Porst label and the same mount around, which are in fact Fujica lenses.

[@zenography7923]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it! That 1.6/50 sounds interesting, I haven't used many Fujica lenses but will keep a look out for them!

[@oscarmoreno7774]

I have the Minolta MD 50mm F1.8. Very nice and creamy

[@BlondieSuperdog]

Say very appreciated your pointing out that some of these prolific lenses are excellent and inexpensive; speaking of which - could you try out a pin hole lens on some of these mirrorless cameras? I'm curous to see the results.

[@zenography7923]

Check out my videos page - there's a pinhole video there somewhere!

[@RestorationAustralia]

Great video nice photographs, well done.

[@zenography7923]

Many thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@BobvsBob]

heh... that picture at 2:40 though...

[@wadelapan5756]

At the 1:05 mark, you say that the Minolta is a K-mount, but of course, you meant SR-mount. No biggie: this is another fine video. On a different subject, I rewatched your earlier videos, deciding which Russian lens to buy next. I bought two cosmetically different Industar-61s for a great price, but it turns out, the seller in Minsk couldn't ship due to the quarantine, so sent me a refund. So Zenography viewers may want to hold off on buying from that vicinity for awhile.

[@zenography7923]

You're right - I've tried to add a note to the video to explain the error, but there doesn't seem to be a way to do it. You were unlucky with those Industars, but there are plenty more out there!

[@philhodgkinson1460]

How come that Minolta lens is K mount pls?

[@djchips]

The Minolta is a personal favorite of mine, it somehow has both the Minolta look as well as good contrast. It's super sharp on crop too, a killer bargain and one lens that I will never sell because of it's unique render.

[@FlyByFrancis]

I just bought one for my G85 on Ebay for $20. I hope it comes soon and that it comes damage free. :)

[@zenography7923]

A very nice little lens, for sure!

[@cpt.blainesmotie6068]

I find it funny that all these vintage lens videos always include a Pentax in them. I remember back in the 70's and 80's how we were told that they were nothing but junk. I used the 50/1.7 to photograph the planet Uranus, after zooming in on it in PP, I realize that I captured some photons coming off it's moon Titania at mag. 13.9. Go figure.

[@StevenBrener]

Does this Ricoh have the Ricoh pin on it that causes it to get stuck on the Pentax and becomes extremely difficult to remove?

[@estevao69]

It´s hard to decide which is the most sharp, because it depends too of the focus precision, isnt it? When we use these focus peaking, its almost impossible to take the same photo with 2 or more lenses. IMHO

[@gashead2]

Hi, love the videos. Can you mount an Olympus Zuiko 135mm on a Nikon DSLR? If you have any thoughts I would be grateful, perhaps another video topic?

[@zenography7923]

Can't be done I'm afraid, Nikon cameras won't accept zuiko lenses - or any others that I know of, due to short flange distance.

[@gashead2]

@@zenography7923 ok thanks for letting me know 👍

[@Rohambili]

i have a kg peanuts, where to send for those lens?

[@gregorypease213]

Another wonderful and fun video. I started my photographic journey with Minolta kit, and always loved the look of the Rokkor lenses. At some point, for some long forgotten reason, I switched to Nikon, and now to M43 Olympus gear, but I still have a great fondness for the older Minoltas. How would you compare the Zuiko 50mm/1.8 to the f/1.4 version? I know the latter is also one of your top picks. I have an excellent example of it, and love the images it produces. There's just a bit of veiling wide open, with some corner softness, but at f/2, it's a very solid performer. I can't help but wonder, though, how it would compare with the f/1.8.

[@zenography7923]

I haven't used too many Minolta lenses, but those I have used have been very nice indeed! Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@gregorypease213]

@@zenography7923 Any thoughts on the differences/similarities between the Zuiko 50mm/1.4 and the f/1.8?

[@zenography7923]

There's a video comparing them on this channel from a year or so ago - briefly, the 1.4 is slightly softer wide open (as we might expect) but has nicer bokeh - the 1.8 can get a little harsh occasionally.

[@gregorypease213]

@@zenography7923 Thank you for both your summary, and for directing me to the video. I just watched. Excellent synopsis. I have and very much enjoy the images I get from the f/1.4 version. I won't bother hunting down one of the f/1.8s.

[@edit_by_tony]

I use a SONY A6000 and my lens collection consists of the following; Minolta Rokkor PG 50mm f1.4, Minolta Rokkor MD 50mm f1.7, Minolta Rokkor MC W 28mm f2.8, Minolta Rokkor MD 24mm f2.8, Minolta Rokkor MD Tele 100mm f2.5 All are manual focus & all were bought brand new. I still have the Minolta SLR's that the lenses natively fit, Minolta XE1 & Minolta XD7

[@zenography7923]

You've got some very nice glass there - I hope to review more Minolta lenses in the future. Thanks for watching!

[@Shanesshiit]

The Pentax and Ricoh in this video were some of my first thrift store finds probably a decade ago, when i started picking them up. I generally use what i would consider better lenses now but whenever i try these out for fun, i am still surprised..

[@zenography7923]

I know what you mean, I was surprised by how good they are!

[@Kuhsaenngg_Joha]

I own the zuiko 50mm and i love that lens

[@zenography7923]

It's a great little piece of glass for sure!

[@Zetaphotography]

Thanks for the video. will all these lens be that dirty. Does that show up in images?

[@zenography7923]

A small amount of dust is inevitable in any vintage lens, but unless it's really bad (which it usually isn't) it won't affect image quality.

[@irvinelee3432]

Hey Sir, are you a sound artist

[@BelckED]

And Minolta MD ROKKOR f1.2?

[@zenography7923]

That's a lens I'd love to shoot - not sure I'd get one for peanuts though!

[@wreford07]

Great video. As a pentax shooter, I love the pk mount lenses. I've got a SMC M 50mm f1.4 - have you tried this one? Really lovely and reasonably sharp even at f1.4.

[@zenography7923]

I haven't tried that one, but it's on my list!

[@DisturbedVette]

I actually really like the low contrast washed out look when a light source is in frame. Any lenses that do this really well?

[@zenography7923]

Helios 44 and 44-2, Industar 61, Jupiter 9, Fed 10, many of the early silver nose Zuiko lenses, Helios 40, Jupiter 8, any of these will do the trick! But the best lenses for this look are uncoated lenses, generally speaking anything before around 1940.

[@top-voice1674]

Hi, i've got the Minolta 50 mm f1.7, and i find the images washed, even with my Fuji. I find your Minolta f2 producing better contrast, sharpness and vivid colors. Do you confirm?

[@zenography7923]

Not sure I'm afraid, I've never used the Minolta 1.7. It shouldn't be washed out though - sounds like your lens might need cleaning - hold it up to a strong light source and look through it, and you'll see any dust or fungus within.

[@oscarmoreno7774]

the 50mm f1.7 is blury wide open but improves significantly at 2.0 onward. That lens has a flairy, creamy look.

[@NineS5]

my perfectly clean MD II does have glow and a dreamy look at f1.7, however the lens quickly cleans up at f2.8. from f4 onwards it gets razor sharp, with very nice sunstars. It honestly rivals my modern Nikkor 40mm f2

[@ndrws.5619]

try the Zenitar-M 1.9/50. It is very sharp

[@shenghan9385]

years ago i had a Richo Rikenon 50mm f2 with its original slr body. i Tried the lens on my k20, later k5, never seemed to work too well at all. images always turned out blurred... maybe its just me.

[@smkunder1]

I have the Olympus 50 mm Auto S. I can only get the aperture to work if I hold the two chrome buttons in. Is that correct operation?

[@zenography7923]

Yes, that's correct. If you mount the lens on an OM body and close the aperture to f16, then fire the shutter, you'll see the aperture close down as the shutter fires. Or, if you're using the lens on a digital body with an adaptor, the aperture should close and open as you turn the ring. Hope that helps!

[@lorraine6185]

What are you using to mount to a Sony camera?

[@zenography7923]

I only ever use cheap, so called 'dumb' adaptors with no electronics - a simple metal tube with a sony e-mount at one end, and the correct vintage mount at the other, eg 'Canon fd to e-mount'. Hope that helps!

[@ashersmarvelmcocexamplesof450]

At 1:06 You say the Minolta 50mm f2 is a *K Mount lens*. Shouldn't that be *MD mount*, or did Minolta make K mount lenses at that time?

[@zenography7923]

Sorry, you're quite right - my mistake! I've been trying to find a way to add a title to the video explaining the error but there doesn't seem to be a way to do this. It is, as you correctly point out, a Minolta MD mount.

[@mfreeman313]

@@zenography7923 You could pin a reply to the top. I've seen that often.

[@bendelandesful]

You should also test the Auto-Chinon 50mm 1.7. Fantastic lens, better than the 1.9

[@zenography7923]

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

[@trevorsneath4665]

Thanks for this review.A question please? Do you know the difference between the Ricoh L/P/S 50mm f2 lenses?

[@zenography7923]

I can't much info on this question I'm afraid, sorry I can't be of more help!

[@trevorsneath4665]

@@zenography7923 Cheers anyway. It is a bit esoteric I guess. But I'll try chase it down.

[@per6605]

The P version has support for Program mode and Shutter priority automatic. The most common Ricoh cameras at the time, i e. the XR7 and the KR-10, only has Aperture priority automatic, and the KR-5 is fully manual and mechanical. As only the XR-P, the XR-20sp and the XR-X (??) use the automatic aperture setting, the P-version is kind of uncommon

[@p4ul.f708]

Hey, thanks for this really helpful calm video :D What do you think about the Minolta 50 1.7 ? IS it as good as the f2 variant ?

[@zenography7923]

It's at least as good in my experience, and possibly a little better!

[@p4ul.f708]

Alright, I got myself this lens one week ago for just 35€ (adapter inclusive !) and have to say its phenomenal ! Its sharpness at f1.7 is good, round bokeh, however at f2.8 its already very sharp with hexagonal bokeh, which I very much like. At f8 it achieves exzellent sharpness all across the picture. So yeah I think this deal was a steal, impressive lens !

[@yafetgeberezgi7394]

send us a trusted link to buy this lenses

[@dubaigeek1988]

Nice love it

[@zenography7923]

Many thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@leopoldlajeunesse5666]

Always very interesting review. How do you compare them to fd 50mm f 1.4? I'm also looking for some informations about T value (glass transmission versus aperture), do you know websites where I can find these infos for vintage lenses? Thank you

[@zenography7923]

I think this website might be useful to you: www.dxomark.com/Lenses/

[@Sombersoulsplays610]

Do they sell these in ebay? Prices I looked at are £50 higher 😅

[@zenography7923]

My advice when it comes to ebay is never to pay (usually inflated) buy it now prices. Many sellers have got it into their heads that all old photo gear is now 'worth something' - but stick to auctions and things will find their actual worth.

[@Sombersoulsplays610]

@@zenography7923 aww. Thanks for the tip!! Yes, I totally agree that people are picking up on the vintage lenses and I am being patient at biddings 😅 New subbie here! ♥️

[@oneeye7581]

Nice video!

[@zenography7923]

Thanks for the visit

[@NevardArt]

brilliant.

[@zenography7923]

Thank you!

[@art_by_adrian2913]

I have the minolta 50 f2 I haven't used it on my apsc because I've been using my sigma 30 1.4 but I think I'll try it out now I got it in a package deal so it was basically free

[@zenography7923]

I think you'll like it!

[@art_by_adrian2913]

@@zenography7923 I used it today doing a shoot for my cousins family and I can't believe how flawless it was and even in the dark I'm amazed

[@luisd7632]

I’m new to photography. The toughest thing is knowing how to tell whether a vintage lens works with my canon 90D. Any tips?

[@zenography7923]

I don't have a lot of experience with Canon bodies, but as far as I'm aware, most vintage lenses should mount. You'll need the correct adaptor for each type of lens you use, eg Nikon to Canon EF, Pentax K to Canon EF, etc. Hope that helps!

[@luisd7632]

@@zenography7923 Thank you good sir! You are a treasure. I appreciate your time! I have just been asking the lens sellers on ebay if it would fit my camera. Apparently (and sadly) the Jupiter 8 and, I think, the Industar lenses don't work with my camera. Super bummed. Thank you again! Keep making amazing videos. You could narrate your experience with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and we'd be enthralled.

[@caldera878]

Zen, you need to review the Canon LTM lenses. Very pleasing performance and tiny size!

[@zenography7923]

I'd love to - if only I had some!

[@gmpixel9336]

Silky smooth… now that sounds like an angry photographer that I know 😂

[@keithgrey3916]

How would I use this with a Sony A7?

[@vikmanphotography7984]

Amazon sells countless "dumb" adapters for vintage lens mounts for $10-$40. Or you could 3d-print one

[@zenography7923]

As above!

[@nicokremers7150]

@keith grey . Look for an Olympus OM to Sony NEX adapter. I have two. A novoflex and a metabones, for all my old Olympus Zuiko OM lenses. And I have a lot 😃 You can use the A7 in M mode or in A mode. With or without auto ISO.

[@AnimeHairSyndrome]

I'm gonna have to get one of those Minolta lenses for my X700 that I still don't have a prime 50mm for P.S. I'm a student working on a paper about the role of equipment in photography and the bonds formed between a photographer and their equipment and would like to interview you for it if that's okay. I don't really know how to contact you besides a comment.

[@zenography7923]

That's fine, you can contact me at [e-mail]

[@Leptospirosi]

I don't like zuikoMC Auto-S 50mm f1.8: colours are saturated but the out of focus areas look like an impressionist picture with harsh strokes thrown around. Bokeh is very nervous for an old lens, barely better then some modern cheap zoom. Compared with Canon FD 50mm 1.4, Nikkor-H 50mm Auto 2.0 and AF Nikkor 50mm 1.4 is by far the worse, except if you like colours to be over the top (aka not realistic). I never tried the Zuiko 50mm 1.4 but I hope it is a more controlled lens.

[@zenography7923]

The 1.4 is, in my experience, a rather better behaved lens than the 1.8, at least as far as background blur goes. It's not quite as sharp wide open but that doesn't bother me too much, and it renders colours just as nicely. Worth trying if you get the chance!

[@EduardodeOliveira]

Does anyone recommend an adapter for om zuiko lens to sony A6 series emount?

[@zenography7923]

I always use cheap so-called 'dumb' adaptors, with no electronics - the one you need is OM to e-mount.

[@EduardodeOliveira]

@@zenography7923 thanks for the tip. I'll look up. I'm getting a OM10 with zuiko arriving soon and I want to test it in my A6000! Great videos!

[@scrptwic]

I have the Pentax 55mm1.8 M lens you can't go wrong with the Pentax M series lenses . You need to be careful putting a Ricoh lens on a Pentax camera as they have a Ricoh pin which get stuck on Pentax digital cameras.

[@zenography7923]

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

[@Poludioskroz]

Hope that you will do review of the ricoh auto rikenon 55mm f1.4.

[@zenography7923]

Would love to - when I find one!

[@Poludioskroz]

@@zenography7923 I made some video with this lens, just example of focus.

[@8827180]

very mysterious voice like reading a horror book

[@zenography7923]

Oh gosh, hope you weren't too scared!

[@nathandavis5099]

I use the next generation Ricoh lens, Rikenon P 50mm f2. Same optics, updated mount to allow for shutter priority and program auto exposure modes. I agree with your assessment, with the caveat that sometimes I think it's a little too modern feeling. On my MFT digital, it's almost indistinguishable from the Lumix 42.5mm 1.7. When I reach for a vintage 50mm, I tend to want something with more defined character: Helios 44-2 maybe, or Chinon 55 1.4. Even the very sharp Chinon 50mm 1.9 (kicking myself for selling that one). The Ricoh might give me too much: too much contrast, too much sharpness, too much saturation. If I want that look, I'll generally grab a new auto focus lens.

[@Tbonyandsteak]

Ricoh XR Rikenon 50 f2 is a sharp lense, sharper than Pentax M 50 f1.7 have both

[@zenography7923]

I've tried it - it's very sharp indeed!

[@ghosttownsentinel5288]

Zen master..........by constantly comparing price of lenses and cameras with peanuts, you're risking the price of peanuts to shoot through the roof! The gear will follow!

[@Daidaho]

I've liked the video, but there is some factually incorrect info. Both MD-III 50/2 and Zuiko 50/1.8 are decently sharp indeed, but contrary to widespread belief, they are not sharper than 50/1.4s from their own lineups. They are better corrected though. Minolta MD-III is as plasticky as it gets inside. The whole optical block is sealed in the thing and this lens is just one step behind Oly, which uses half-plastic helioid. As for the bokeh, our impressions somewhat differ. I've put my thoughts in album descriptions for respective lenses. www.flickr.com/photos/curry-hexagon/albums/72157679866844698 www.flickr.com/photos/curry-hexagon/albums/72157710213821747

[@zenography7923]

Gosh, there are some really nice shots in those albums, some of the portraits are lovely! Those little lenses may have flaws but they certainly come up with the goods!

[@Daidaho]

@@zenography7923 Thank you! I totally agree with you here: these are fun to use and fully capable of delivering great pictures.

[@eagleeyephoto8715]

This video is really good ,you keep ebay prices down by not including the really sharp lenses.

[@artfashionvideo]

Sorry, but why everybody are so happy about old lenses? Try to honestly compare it with any modern HD Lens by Panasonic, Oly or Sony and you wouldn't say about vintage lens sharpness at all. I know this very well. i'm made a comparison by myself, it was an old Zeisses. And so? Simple kit Panasonic 14-46 was a MUCH MORE sharper, and modern Leica destroys vintage lenses by the atoms. I think vintage lenses is VERY overrated. They have one real advantage: they are very cheap. Ok, and some "warm tube" picture with bizarre bokeh. But sharpness? Oh, no! Wherever you want, but not sharpness.

[@zenography7923]

Well, sharpness is a relative term of course, but in the context of inexpensive consumer lenses from the 1970s, I still think these are pretty sharp!

[@ron5935]

Your standards are low. I have owned many of these from new , multiple copies, and am not impressed.

[@zenography7923]

Well, they may not be the fanciest lenses in the world, but the images they make seem pretty nice to me!

[@todd92371]

The images he produced in this video looked stunning to me. Maybe your standards are too high?

[@JayAllan]

Name any 50mm lenses in this price range that are better. Go ahead.

[@Walkercolt1]

The Minolta MD Rokkor-X 50mm f1.4 is MUCH, MUCH sharper, higher contrast, and has NO edge fall-off even wide open. The Rokkor-X series lenses are made with rare-Earth glass, falsely referred to by a self-proclaimed u-toob "expert" as "radioactive" glass. It isn't. I have an adapter to use MD lenses manually on Alpha mount cameras (although I have 5 M mount Minolta's). An amazing lens, but extremely hard to find in excellent condition is the Vivitar Series 1 f3.5 70-210 Varifocal lens. It IS NOT a ZOOM lens. It DOES NOT stay in focus as you change focal length, but the design of the lens (element for element) is used on Voyager 1 and 2. If you find one that a professional hasn't literally worn-out in the last half-Century, purchase a body for it or an adapter for your mount. The lens I carry around on my M mount Minoltas is another Vivtar Series One, the f2.8 35-85mm Varifocal an even harder lens to find as 99% of the people who own them, won't sell them for anything. The absolute BEST 35mm format fixed lens EVER made is the Leitz f2 50mm Apo-Summicron for Leica "M" mount. It performs at 94% of the theoretical optical limits. If you see a color transparency projected to 80 x120 inches(yes, 8 FEET tall and 10 FEET wide) and after seeing other lenses images, a slide from the Leitz lens hits the screen, you will know it. If you walk up to one foot from the screen, you'll know it. Bring LOTS and LOTS of money for this lens. The last used one I saw for sale was priced at $18,000 and it was gone in 72 hours.

[@zenography7923]

Gosh, i'll have to save up a bit for that one!