My Five Best 50mm Vintage Lenses

[@chrisnovakowski9827]

I very much enjoy watching your videos with a nice warm cup of coffee. It is such a great way to start the day. Thank you for all the work that you put into these informative & calming videos. You are definitely on my list of people that I would like to have a pint of stout (or a cup of coffee) with one day.

[@zenography7923]

Thanks, that would be nice - it would have to be tea though, not keen on coffee.

[@chrisnovakowski9827]

I enjoy a proper cup off tea.

[@albertopatinodouce7307]

An very good review. I also like the 50mm f/1.4 Zuiko very much. There is, however, a misconception. The minimum focus distance of a lens does not change when the lens is mounted on a crop sensor camera, any more than its focal length changes. You will still not be able to get an image in focus any closer than, say, 1 m (an example, assuming that that is the value for the lens in question). What happens is that when you are 1 m away from the subject and shooting with a 4/3 sensor, the fact that the sensor uses only the center of the image circle makes it look like you are closer to the subject than it would look like if you used the full image circle. It is just another way of saying that the focal length appears to double.

[@insanejughead]

This! I've had to explain the very same too damn often. The f-stop also does not change based on sensor size, either.

[@philhodgkinson1460]

One of those academic fopars I would agree..... As somebody once said a 50mm lens is always that.. no matter what you do with it...

[@nvrumi]

@@insanejughead Correct. I remember some years ago when crop sensors were becoming a thing. A very popular content creator said both the f-number and depth of field changes depending on sensor size. This struck me as wrong, so I spent some time with the thin lens equations from Wikipedia and demonstrated (for myself) that the f-number of a lens does not depend on media size. Furthermore, the depth of field depends on f-number, focal length, and distance to subject. It has nothing to do with media size. At the time, the bad information published made me crazy. I've mellowed since then. ;)

[@Prashant.Khapane]

This is a well made video with no fluff...really admire the way you have responded to some of the comments. Keep them coming.

[@zenography7923]

Many thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@wadelapan5756]

This channel has become one of my favorites, and I welcome all new videos. You inspired my purchase of a nice Olympus OM-1N kit, and I've dug out the Zorki-4 I found for $20 some years ago (not a common sight in an antiques store here in upstate New York). It came with an interesting lens: the Konishiroku Hexanon 50mm f1.9, which I've used a lot on micro 4/3, with great results.

[@zenography7923]

Many thanks, glad you're enjoying the channel! That lens does indeed sound interesting, hope you're having fun with it.

[@mistuhgee]

Your images are astonishingly beautiful!

[@zenography7923]

Thank you so much, I'm glad you enjoyed them!

[@projectgoatse]

This is unintentional ASMR. Love it.

[@agnespalcso3660]

If I can not sleep I just start a Zeno video

[@zenography7923]

:) Glad to help!

[@stevecurzon5979]

Thanks, enjoyed the review. Ordered a Jupiter 8 from Ebay to give a try to :-)

[@zenography7923]

Hope you enjoy it, it's a great little lens!

[@AndreiaLeitao]

I'm new to this, I'm very intrigued by the Juniper 8. Do you know what time of adapter I would need to use on a micro 4/3rd camera? Thanks!

[@sergeantcrow]

@@AndreiaLeitao You will find that on eBay.. Search (Lens mount) to (Camera mount) adapter.. "lowest price and postage"..

[@63MacGuy]

I love your videos! I was blown away when you picked the Olympus 50MM as your favorite. I’ve been buying a lot (20+) of film cameras over the past 2 years. Out of everything I’ve bought my favorite setup is my Olympus OM-1 or OM-4 and the 50MM f1.4. It may be my sharpest lens i own. Even sharper than my Nikon 50mm f1.4.

[@ulfjonsson2122]

Another superb video. Looking back, my most used lens is my Jupiter 3 from 1951, on second place comes my Industar 22. Very pleased with their rendering, third place takes all my Mft lenses. Occasionally my Jupiter 11 is used. Again: keep up your very inspiring work. Regards Ulf

[@zenography7923]

Many thanks Ulf, glad you enjoyed it!

[@mr_cramberry]

Great review! i agree the Olympus Zuiko f1.4 is absolutely wonderful!

[@zenography7923]

Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@timrpbrown]

I have 4 of the five listed and would agree with the ordering, though my number 1 would be the Summicron R f2. Great vid, thanks.

[@zenography7923]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@PeterCoulsonPhotographer]

Thank you

[@MichaelRusso]

The Industar 61 is quite nice. I got good results and it is certainly sharp enough for film.

[@zenography7923]

It was the lens I learned photography with on a Fed 4; my only lens for many years and it served me very well!

[@wayneandrews3128]

I've got my eye on the Trip 35 sitting there so proudly on your table. Lovely little piece of photography history

[@zenography7923]

Agreed, a very nice little camera! Thanks for watching.

[@philhodgkinson1460]

Love my trip 35....got it for £5 years ago....they go for any old price now.......

[@iandonald8843]

What an interesting and informative video, packed full of useful information.

[@zenography7923]

Many thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@JGDpictures]

There is a later version of Industar-61 that is called «Индустар-61 л/д» and contains lanthanum glass elements. It’s also known to be a very sharp 50mm. But most important, the later version also exists in M42 Mount, that lens is called «Индустар-61 л/з» and can focus as near as 33 centimetres or roughly 1 feet, which makes it a great lens for close ups.

[@zenography7923]

Ah, I didn't know about the M42 version - now there's a lens I'd like to try!

[@TM-nd6zs]

I just bought a mint-like f/2 Summarit made in 1951 for my Leica T camera and its rendering quality is astonishing! I love it!

[@timsmith5339]

I am lucky enough to have a Helios 44-2 and agree with your comments. The two aperture rings you talk about are actually a preset system which some old lenses had. Set the clicked front adjuster to the aperture you wish to shoot at and then you can turn the back ring to fully open in order to frame and focus with the brightest image possible. When you are ready, close it down. It will only close to the f stop you have set. It can be confusing as the aperture marks seem to be back to front. I always have to look into it to see which way it is going but it can be a handy feature, especially for macro. Regards, Tim

[@zenography7923]

It can be a bit tricky, can't it? Easy enough once you get the hang of it, although I must admit, I shoot my Helios wide open most of the time! Thanks for the info.

[@НиколайПепенблим]

Thank you for your videos! I have a lot of vintage lenses, especially from USSR. If you didn't try Jupiter 3 you should to try it. It's fantastic, it sharper then Jupiter 8 and has amazing bokeh

[@Ava-wu4qp]

My favorite vintage 50 is definitely the Canon FDn 50mm f/1.4. The smoothest focus throw I've ever used, compact, a little plasticy but it doesn't feel particularly cheap. The sharpness is good but not the best (I have a Sigma 50 Art for that) but the bokeh is absolutely creamy and the transition to OOF area is the smoothest I've ever seen.

[@zenography7923]

I haven't used this lens, but it sounds lovely. Many thanks for watching!

[@prinskipperskipple]

Agree. I have the Helios, Industar, and Olympus--all fantastic lenses--but I think the Canon FD 50 1.4 tops my list.

[@JamesE707]

Enjoyed this video, and thanks for putting it together. I haven't got a OM Zuiko 50mm f1.4, just a set of accumulated OM 50mm f1.8 lenses. I did notice that my 'silver nose' 1977 f1.8 (was my father's) has a better construction than at least one later 'black nose' version. I haven't checked out the others. Also, to my surprise I had two Nikkor AI 50mm lenses - a f1.8, and the f1.4. I eventually sold the f1.4 as it was never really as sharp as the cheaper f1.8 version - all to my surprise and disappoint! Production variances? - probably. Best regards and thanks Mr Z!

[@zenography7923]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@gregorypease213]

Having discovered your channel fairly recently, I've been thoroughly enjoying the videos, as I share your appreciation for vintage glass, using quite a few different lenses on my M4/3 system. One thing you mention frequently is that minimum focus distance is halved on M4/3 bodies as compared with 35mm or FF bodies. Could you explain this? Minimum focusing distance is a property of the lens, and I cannot see how it would change because of sensor size, assuming the flange focal distance is correct for each body. Magnification at MFD is increased with the smaller sensor due to doubling of the effective focal length, but I simply cannot understand how the MFD could change because of the crop sensor. Am I missing something? As an aside, I added an Olympus Zuiko 50mm/1.4 to the arsenal based on your reviews of it, and it is absolutely stellar. The way it renders colour and background blur is absolutely wonderful, and agree that is has nothing to apologize for in terms of sharpness. An absolutely brilliant lens, and now one of my faves.

[@zenography7923]

You're right, the minimum focus distance of the lens doesn't change - it clearly can't - but the effective minimum focus distance does. Since the M43 sensor sees the central portion of the image, it's as though you're twice as close as you actually are - hence, shorter effective MFD! Hope that makes sense! That Zuiko 1.4 is delicious - glad you're enjoying it!

[@gregorypease213]

@@zenography7923 Great! Thanks for the clarification. I thought that's what you were saying, but wanted to be sure I wasn't missing something bizarre. And, yes. The Zuiko is truly lovely. One of my faves on the M43 body - enough so that I'm thinking I might add a 28mm or 24mm/2.0. Can we ever have enough lenses to play with?

[@markharris5771]

I’m doing an analogue 365 project, using a Canon 1000nf, a plastic fantastic 50mm f1.8 and TMax 400. The only artificial light is my on camera flash. I love the Jupiter 8 50mm lens and only have a 50mm for my Zorki 4K, and the 58mm Helios 44-2 for my Zenit E. Whenever I’m shooting with any Zuiko lens I have a totally different mindset. There’s just something different, and this is never more so than with the 50mm and 135mm. These lenses truly are very special and I think they are still very relevant today. I keep saying Ill get a digital Olympus with a converter to use my old glass on a new camera. As I have three of the five lenses you listed it’s very difficult to argue with your choices. However I think the Bronica Zenzanon PE 50mm f2.8 is stunning wide angle lens, and the Canon 50mm f1.8 has been a workhorse lens for many years. A brilliant video, thank you

[@zenography7923]

Many thanks, glad you enjoyed the video. Your project sounds very interesting, would be good to see the results. I don't know the Bronica but would like to try one; tha Canon on the other hand is great!

[@osliverpool]

I don't get the thing about the minimum focus distance (MFD) changing on a crop sensor. Surely the MFD depends solely on the lens and the distance to the sensor, doesn't it? I've just tried my Zuiko 50/1.8 on the original film OM1, on my Canon 5D2 (FF), on my Canon 100D (1.6x crop) and on my Lumix GX80 (2x crop), and the closest I can focus is the same with all of them. I sense that there's something I'm not understanding.

[@darksquirel]

Crop factor doesn't change closest focusing distance it only changes the frame size in a macro shot which looks like a closer focus plane

[@osliverpool]

@@darksquirel Oh, I get what you mean - you get an angle of view that makes it seem like a closer distance. Thanks. As an aside, you mention macro - I have a Zuiko 50/3.5 macro that works great on my m4/3.

[@darksquirel]

@@osliverpool cool, and 100mm is a great focal length for macro so the crop factor works in your favor

[@howardmaryon-davis666]

osliverpool You are correct, the min focus distance is not changed at all by mounting a full frame lens on an apsc sensor camera.

[@cyberla]

Olympus 50mm 1.4 is nice but not very sharp as you mentioned. Wonder if the Contax Carl Leica Planar 50mm f/1.7 is comparable? Thanks for the video!

[@tiagomatos4531]

I have 2 helios lens, 44-2 and 44m-4 because i use a zenit 12xp. and until now i never knew about the 2 aperture rings on the 44-2.

[@JGDpictures]

Tiago Matos the front aperture ring is intended to preset the maximum aperture. You set the aperture, for example f8, then turn the second ring to open the aperture, then you focus and turn the second ring until it stops. It will stop exactly at f8, and thus, you don’t have to visually control the aperture.

[@tiagomatos4531]

@@JGDpictures its such a useful feature i use it always now xD

[@sakeboersma]

Something completely different… I see you have the Herzog/Kinski DVD box!! Fantastic!!

[@zenography7923]

My favourite is Fitzcarraldo.

[@zedacruja681]

Nice job,can you talk about the 44M 7. i have 1

[@zenography7923]

It would be interesting to compare the 44m7 to the earlier Helios - I don't have one just now but one may come my way someday!

[@vdefilippo]

Really nice overview, thanks.

[@zenography7923]

Many thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@thegreatvanziniphotos5976]

A good watch as usual. So much so I just took my iiic out for a walk & finished up my last bit of film.

[@zenography7923]

Glad you enjoyed it, hope you're enjoying that Leica!

[@westdk6705]

I love this channel 😍 Professor of the World

[@zenography7923]

Many thanks, glad you're enjoying it!

[@Lexington101]

"Zenography'" is the study of the planet Jupiter.

[@zenography7923]

It sure is - but only literally... Thanks for watching.

[@samsen3965]

So that's what it is?! And I always thought it's " *Xenography* "!!! 😵🤔😁

[@AminTheMystic]

Or Zeus!

[@crgrbrts]

Thank you for another informative (and relaxing) presentation. Having recently retired from a decades-long career as a photojournalist (including several years in London) with necessary use of digital gear, I am now returning to my film roots with three old friends: my Leica IIIf, Leica M2 and -- best SLR ever -- Olympus OM-1n (or, as you intimate, what the Leicaflex should have been). The thread mount Leica sports a pristine Summitar with exotic bokeh. The M Leica is married to an equally minty 50mm collapsible Summicron. And from the Olympus body hangs a very nice if pedestrian f1.8 50mm Zuiko that resided in a drawer for many years only to see occasional use as a loupe. I am curious, however, if -- other than speed -- replacement of this lens with an f1.4 example would be worthwhile. Is the image quality of the two comparable? Thanks again for not only this enjoyable video, but your entire series.

[@crgrbrts]

Aha! I just found the answer to my previous question in your heretofore undiscovered Zuiko 50mm f1.4 vs. 1.8 video. Accordingly, I have just ordered a 1.4 from an eBayer seller and anxiously await its arrival!

[@zenography7923]

Many thanks, glad you're enjoying the videos. And as you've discovered (in spite of my tardiness in replying) the 1.4 is, in my view, definitely superior to the 1.8!

[@zenography7923]

@@crgrbrts Hope you're enjoying that 1.4!

[@crgrbrts]

@@zenography7923 I am, indeed! It certainly does outperform the 1.8 -- and looks sexier, too! :-)

[@alanread6596]

Excellent video I have used all of those lenses years ago and like you found them to be very good. I have a fed 4 which was excellent and used Kodachrome 64 but haven't used the camera since Kodachrome stopped. I also have a fed 1 which has a copy of the Leica 50cm lens.

[@zenography7923]

Ah, Kodachrome! Will its like ever be seen again? Still, I've found Cinestill 50 kind of comes close...

[@osliverpool]

Ah, I had a Summitar, an Industar 61, and several Jupiter 8s, back when I was shooting film rangefinders. But I sold them all when I mostly gave up on film, not having any idea that one day mirrorless digital cameras would come along and make them all usable again! I also had a Zuiko 50/1.4 but sold that too! Still, at least I did keep my OM1 and its 50/1.8 lens, and that one's happily giving me great results on my Lumix GX80. (And my eyes are peeled for eBay bargains).

[@zenography7923]

I know what you mean; for me, mirrorless cameras give the best of both worlds - the convenience and immediacy of digital, with the nicer, and less clinical look of film lenses. Although the prices of old lenses have gone up over the last few years there are still bargains to be had, often sold with non working, spares/repair bodies. Good luck in your search!

[@Archontasil]

the industar and pentacon 50mm 1.8 is my favourite 50mm.. i love my helios 44-4 for the swirly bokeh i had the jupiter but it was too soft and the contrast is just too low for me

[@zenography7923]

It's true, the Jupiter is a bit soft, and I suppose you either like the low contrast look or you don't... It does perform a lot better with a hood though.

[@grootbatavia]

The biotar is more contrasty than a Jupiter would be. I have a Helios 44 too, picked it up on the cheap to play around with but don't particularly like it. The swirl is interesting for artistic rendering, but not something I am so keen on that I ever use the Helios over the biotar. The latter is more compact too. The bokeh on the biotars with high aperture blade numbers is quite nice too. If you know what you're looking for prices are reasonable.

[@philhodgkinson1460]

Very interesting..... Ken Rockwell would say the Summarit is a nice lens even compared to a Jupiter 8 but the glass is soft and prone to scratches.... The difficulties with ZUIKO lenses is they are difficult to adapt to film SLRs eg M42 for example..... Having said that I love the Russian lenses i26m or the 61 etc.... Very good video Nigel thanks.....

[@zenography7923]

Thanks Phil, glad you enjoyed it!

[@dlyon9673]

Thank you for a very interesting and informative video. Re the Helios 44, I see on ebay listings for a 44, a 44-2 (with 13 blades), and even a 44-3 (with 16 blades), do you have any thoughts re how those compare? I would like to try one. Also I see you might do a refresh, which would be great. Of course, there are so many lenses to consider, e.g., the Nikkor SC 50mm (or 5cm) f1.4 LTM, or the Nikkor 50mm f2 f-mount, at so many price points its hard to cover them all. It is great to see how well the very affordable Russian lenses stack up.

[@zenography7923]

In my experience the best of the Helios lenses by far are those made by KMZ, with the best of all being the 13 blade silver bodied version, with purple coatings to the glass. My version easily beats the CZJ Biotar of which it is a copy!

[@dlyon9673]

@@zenography7923 Thanks!

[@zedacruja681]

have carl zeiss Biotar jena 2 25mm and the 40mm,jupiter 12 2.8 35mm,nomo T43 4 40mm

[@zenography7923]

Both very nice lenses - enjoy!

[@3flyte_3flyte]

I'm blown away by the 5cm Summitar collapsible. Since it's no longer being made (?) perhaps it can be remanufactured under license to Voigtlander. Just a suggestion to the company. And finally to you, dear friend, have you gotten hold of a Yashica ML 50mm 1:1.4 ? I find it even more spectacular than the 50mm f1.4 Zuiko.

[@jonathancajepe1731]

Thank you for your video. It’s very informative and helpful. Especially for those who are just jumping onto vintage lenses. I’m from Australia and it seems the Leica Summitar are becoming increasing popular these days. They are going for $500AU-$1000AU, even over that! Could you recommend an international seller of vintage lenses to buy from that won’t break the bank? Again I loved your video and will definitely be subscribing. Jonny from Australia.

[@zenography7923]

I don't know of a specific seller to recommend, perhaps a search on ebay outside Australia might yield results? Prices are lower in Europe but postage costs might negate any gain? Glad you enjoyed the video, thanks for watching!

[@victorsomeone807]

Thanks for the review. I would like to make two points. First, it would be interesting to know what other 50mm lenses you have tried and rate below these ones. Second, the statement that the minimum focusing distance changes with the size of the sensor makes no sense to me. Same lens, same flange distance to the image plane, same minimum focusing distance. You do get a larger final image because it's cropped by a smaller sensor, but that's it, I think.

[@zenography7923]

Yes, that's it, the sensor looks through a smaller portion of the lens, so the image appears magnified, and the minimum focus distance is effectively (but not actually) reduced. Thanks for watching!

[@laurencegoldman4639]

Thanks. How do these perform on full frame and APSC DSLR’s (Canon 5D’s e.g.)?

[@zenography7923]

All these shots were taken on a full frame camera (Sony A7 Mk1). On smaller sensor cameras, while they'll work well, they'll lose some characteristics that are apparent on full frame, because the sensor is 'looking' through a more central part of the lens. So, there will be less vignetting on a non FF cameras, less prominent bokeh characteristics, etc. Effective (but not actual) focal length will also increase.

[@wnose]

FYI, be careful about picking up a Helios 44. I had 1 version where the internal housing moved backwards as I focussed, so that hit the adapter.

[@flowershaman]

You have to try the Carl Zeiss 50mm f1.8 Ultron.

[@zenography7923]

I'd certainly like to!

[@richardweddle3408]

In shopping for vintage film lenses such as these I find every listing has "tiny dusts" or "haze." Should one buy a lens with dust or haze? doesn't it impact the image? Moreover, what are the red flags in vintage lens shopping?

[@zenography7923]

A little dust is inevitable over the years, and one or two flecks won't harm your images at all, but steer clear of a very dusty lens - unless you're handy with a lens spanner, that is! Similarly, don't buy a lens with haze or fungus, unless it's very cheap and you're sure you can get it cleaned properly. One or two minor scratches won't affect your images, but lots of small scratches (sometimes called 'cleaning marks') will severely degrade it.

[@simonfolkman7052]

With regards to sharpness: How would you say Helios 44 compares to Industar 61? I have both, and performed an amateur test where I found that Industar 61 was sharper at all apertures. What are your thoughts about this? Best regards, Simon

[@zenography7923]

Simon, your results don't surprise me, the Industar 61 has long been known as a sharp lens, it's a Tessar design, which is inherently sharp. The Helios can be pretty sharp too though, and the resolution was increased as the years passed and updated models were released (44-M, 44-2, 44-3 etc). Having said that, the sharpest one I've used is an early, 13 blade aluminium finish example, which is an extremely good lens.

[@chrissetian]

Nice video, I have the zuiko 50mm f/1.8, how is it compared you that f/1.4?

[@zenography7923]

Well the 1.4 can make a bit more blur of course, but it's not as sharp wide open as the 1.8 is. Realistically, the 1.8 does very nearly all that the 1.4 can do - but of course it's not quite as good in low light.

[@chrissetian]

Thank you. I’m thinking of adapting it to my Fujifilm xt30

[@philhodgkinson1460]

Can you really convert an olympus lens to rangefinder L39 as I think you said Nigel?

[@zenography7923]

Hi Phil, sorry if I wasn't as clear as I should have been - it's not possible to convert an om zuiko slr lens to a rangefinder.

[@philhodgkinson1460]

I thought it couldn't be done after looking through reams of adapters thank you anyway.. I don't have any olympus glass anyway...but did note there is an adaptor for OM to EOS EF bodies.... Liked that short OM zoom you reviewed recently thanks for all you do for us guys and gals much appreciated....

[@matthiasbarenfanger331]

Thank you for the Video. Good choice of Lenses. My Top 3 vintage 50mm lenses are the Olympus Zuiko f1.4, the Leica R Summicron f2.0, and the Konica Hexanon AR f1.4 57mm . mit freundlichem Gruß aus dem Schaumburger Land Matthias

[@zenography7923]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@redone2612]

Another greatly useful video :) just wondered what adapters you use on the Sony as i have an a7ii as well, I use a minolta Rocker 58mm f1.4 a lot on mine but would love to use my Olympus and jupiter and industar lenses as well. Thanks

[@zenography7923]

Hi there, glad you enjoyed the video. I only ever use so called 'dumb' adaptors - essentially a metal tube of the right dimensions, with the appropriate mounts at each end. With these you can shoot in manual mode, and shutter or aperture priority. I almost always use aperture priority, and adjust the exposure compensation as appropriate. Most adaptors of this type can be had for around ten pounds or so.

[@redone2612]

@@zenography7923 perfect thank you, keep up the great videos.

[@zenography7923]

@@redone2612 Many thanks, hope you're enjoying the Fed 2!

[@redone2612]

@@zenography7923 I am indeed I have a couple of rolls to develop hopefully get them sorted next week :) Thanks

[@NirnBootMod]

That Leica Summitar looks amazing... over my budget at the moment, though unfortunately. Thanks for the video!

[@arthurmermelshtein1767]

Very cool video and pics. I have only the helios 44-2 from your list and really like it. P.S any thoughts about the minolta md f1.4 and the canon fd f1.4?

[@zenography7923]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it! I haven't used either of the lenses you mention I'm afraid, but anything with f1.4 max from the major manufacturers should be pretty nice. Maybe someday...

[@xaviercampoverde9234]

@@zenography7923 I have the Zuiko 50mm f1.2 and the canon fd n 50 mm f1.4, and the canon is slightly sharper compared to the same aperture, f2, f5.6 ... in the center they are very similar, in nitides, not so much in color, but on the edges the canon fd is appreciably sharper

[@eduardolima3936]

Thank you for your videos, they are great, I ha aJupiter 8 50mm but it does not focus in the infinite, no even closer to infinite, I use in fujifil X-T20 and X-T2 - Is it normal?

[@zenography7923]

No, the camera should focus just fine. It may be your lens that's at fault, or you may have a bad adaptor. The only way to know for sure is to swap them with others and see what happens.

[@ainzooalgown7589]

my favorite is Takumar 50 1.4, its a bit radioactive but it produces images you cant get with non radioactive lens,

[@zenography7923]

I wasn't sure about the Tak at first, but on further acquaintance I can only agree - it's pretty wonderful!

[@parthsavyasachi9348]

@@zenography7923 I have lots of takumars including the 50mm f1.4 but I find 55mm f1.8 producing more interesting images. takumar 50mm is very good but the images from 55mm are just lovely. I was surprised by it.

[@Narsuitus]

There are two 50mm f/1.4 Takumar lenses. One is an 8-element version and the other is a 7-element version. Both are very good but the 8-element is my personal favorite 50mm lens

[@Noealz]

oh this is the first time i see a video with you in it

[@zenography7923]

I hope you liked it!

[@ekphotography]

I have someone offering me a Zuiko 24mm f 2 and cannot find much information about this lens anywhere. Any thoughts. I want to use it on a BMPCC4K. Thanks. Not cheap by the way. At 250.00

[@zenography7923]

I've never used this lens, but I've heard great things about it - it should give great results on the BMPCC, on which, as I'm sure you're aware, it will become an effective 48mm lens. I'd go for it!

[@aaronnovakgaming751]

Isn't the Jupiter a ziess copy as well as the helios?

[@VariTimo]

Aaron Novak Don’t know about the Helios but the Jupiter’s are Sonnar design. Same goes for the modern 7Aritasns lenses, all Zeiss Sonnar Design.

[@aaronnovakgaming751]

@@VariTimo yah that's what I thought. I'm not sure about the Helios either but that's what OP said in the video. I actually have a 44-2 coming in the mail today. Super excited.

[@tjbwhitehea1]

Love your videos

[@zenography7923]

Many thanks, glad you're enjoying them!

[@tekoppentekoppen761]

Can I use the leica l39 lenses on my FED2.

[@zenography7923]

You can indeed!

[@RandomLifeProductions]

Can you adapt the Olympus lens to Cannon Ef Mount.

[@jonlouis2582]

Yes! I just learned this from a Flickr poster.

[@zenography7923]

I would imagine that's possible, but I couldn't say for certain, sorry I can't be more helpful. Thanks for watching.

[@cjewe1z]

Is the Industar 61 2.8 50mm or 52mm?

[@zenography7923]

It's actually 52mm, but those extra 2mm don't make much difference!

[@cjewe1z]

@@zenography7923, I know. It's more for search purposes. I noticed that a lot of your photos were taken in London. Can you recommend the best camera repairer? I need to repair a lens in which the aperture blades do not open and close as they should.

[@chinchinchinchinchin]

'ave a cup of tea and stick this on. quality

[@zenography7923]

Many thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@LeendertCordemans]

Dear, I'm looking for UV photography lenses. There is me told that Russian lenses can use for this kind of photography, because the have no coatings which is very important. I have hear the name for example Helios 44 zebra, which I have. Question, do you know of you experians which lenses has no coatings and can be used for this? I hope yoy can help me. I likes Russian lenses very much. and use them for normal photography.

[@zenography7923]

Most of the Russian lenses since about the mid 50s are coated. The only uncoated one I know of is the early Fed 10 from the 1930s - although they were coated from the late 40s onwards. Good luck, and thanks for watching!

[@LeendertCordemans]

@@zenography7923 thank you for your information. By the way. I like all your tutorials and informations about Russian camera's. I buy myself a Zorki 1 and a Fed 1. And a Zorki 4 75th anniversary edition. Lovely and works all very well.

[@andrewhendrick3347]

It's been almost 1.5 years... does this list still hold as your top 5 50mm? Are there any new candidates?

[@zenography7923]

There are many, and this list is definitely due for a refresh!

[@Otokichi786]

Speaking of vintage glass, the 50mm f/1.8 Canon can be found on Leica Screw Mount Canon cameras of the 1950's onward. It's a great "not-exactly-top-speed" lens for the budget film photographer. Let the Hipsters chase "Bokehlicious" lenses, this one is for "the working press" of the time.

[@zenography7923]

That sounds like a nice lens!

[@Otokichi786]

I bought a Canon P outfit complete with case and clip-on Selenium cell meter from Shutterbug Ads, and found the combination was a good substitute for a Leica M3 + Summicron 50mm f/2 lens. (Leica M3 body or with lens prices weren't at the Unobtainium levels of today, but I did choose a Nikon FM instead.) Also, I got a "speed" lens for Ye Olde Leica IIIa, as well.

[@Norbury040780]

Subscribed. Where are you based? Yorkshire?

[@zenography7923]

Thanks for subscribing! I'm based in London; perhaps my Manchester accent made you think of Yorkshire? Would love to be based in Yorkshire though, lived in Leeds many years ago and loved it.

[@Norbury040780]

@@zenography7923 Awesome, I'm up north, keep up the great work bro ✌️🙏👍

[@Lexington101]

No Chinon's or Takumar's in the top 5?

[@zenography7923]

If I'd had access to any at the time of making the video they would have been there - confirmed by subsequent experience!

[@Lexington101]

@@zenography7923 scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/69813004_10157856331882755_4878267178131914752_o.jpg?_nc_cat=100&_nc_oc=AQlXDcDaIcRfUXIfzcJ72BJwePXnEMubswVmhS74ma_l9nz6Zk-xwpMVFZEHuUv9cvY&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&oh=0aafa916869a6ef9479886c1f6e9bd47&oe=5E39F6DE

[@zenography7923]

@@Lexington101 That's quite a collection you have there!

[@philhodgkinson1460]

I have a Chinon 50mm 1.7 it's a very fine lens... so sharp...

[@LeendertCordemans]

The letter "P" is in Russian the letter "R" which stands for радиоактивный, radioaktivnyy, translate radioactive. Isn't?

[@MarioFsx]

you think Russians would put a sign for radioactivity in their own product?

[@LeendertCordemans]

@@MarioFsx That's my question. I don't know. I know that by the Industar L/D or L/Z lens, the "L" letter stands for Lanthanum which is not a radioactive material. They say. That's allso the question. Do you know more info? Or stands the red letter P for revolution?

[@zenography7923]

Hi Leendert, as I understand it, the red letter P denotes that the lens is coated (though I forget the Russian word it refers to).

[@sidekickbob7227]

@@MarioFsx late reply, but yeah, why not? Radioactivity was exciting and modern in those days. The Nazi Germany equipped their soldiers with radioactive toothpaste during the war.... If it it correct or not, do I not know, but it's plausible.

[@daweivision]

u should have Contax Zeiss 50/1.4 YC & 50f1.7 1.4 & leica r 50mm

[@zenography7923]

Those lenses sound wonderful, I've heard great things about them all and would love to use and review at least one of them. Ah well, maybe someday...

[@calebkelelr5942]

If you were a lens you'd be the star of your own video

[@zenography7923]

Many thanks!

[@alainhuard5965]

Je les connais tous sauf le Leica, et en concurrence au Zuiko 50 1.4 j'aurais bien mis l'équivalent de chez Nikon, que j'ai trouvé plus vif, crunchy, et meilleur à pleine ouverture. Mais le Zuiko a pour lui un petit quelque chose qui rappelle le Minolta 50 1.8 dans les couleurs tendres. Je ne comprends pas très bien l'anglais, donc pardonnez moi si j'ai raté une info, et pour mon commentaire en français :-)

[@zenography7923]

J'ai un peu de Francais, c'est un langue tres belle. Je n'ai pas le Nikons, sauf un 50mm series E - il fait les images tres bien. Je voudrais avoir un Nikon 1.4! Mais, le Zuiko 1.4 est magnifique, et tres petit! Merci pour voir les videos.

[@alainhuard5965]

@@zenography7923 Cool, merci ! J'ai acheté mon Nikon un tout petit prix, il était dans un état lamentable mais le bloc de lentilles était intact. J'ai donc récupéré ce bloc optique que j'ai fixé sur un petit soufflet (B.P.M. Universal que j'ai raccourci). En fait celui que j'utilise le plus régulièrement est mon Zuiko 40mm 1.4 d'Olympus Pen argentique, encore plus petit, tout aussi excellent, court tirage et parfait pour mon Sony A5000. J'ai aussi un Pen FT 25mm f4, moins bon mais tellement plaisant et minuscule ! J'ai ainsi, dans un tout petit sac Omnica en cuir, mon A5000 ,5 objectifs (oui oui !), un système Cokin A, un mini trépied, etc… Le plaisir à utiliser son matériel compte beaucoup dans l'inspiration du photographe !

[@zenography7923]

@@alainhuard5965 Vous etes un ingenieur Alain, tres bon! Je suis d'accord - le materiel aides le photographie. Et je m'excuse - ma Francais n'est pas tres bien! Merci pour regarder.

[@alainhuard5965]

@@zenography7923 thank you very much ! It's up to me to make the effort to answer you in English, with the help of google translate. Engineer not at all, perhaps ingenious, handyman anyway! :-) I started buying the cheapest possible lenses, they needed a cleaning, I learned to disassemble them to clean them, then I sold them to buy new ones, that's how I bought my own equipment! And so many objectives have passed in my hands (I hope that the translation of French expressions is understandable!). I developed my knowledge of the Schneider Kreuznach optics that I like so much, got to know the path of the engineer Roeschlein who created the Xenar, and who also worked at Meyer Optics to create the Primoplan, etc ... My finest financial deal was the Makovsky Katoptaron 500mm f8, this incredible item that only includes mirrors (unlike donuts). Mine had a blocked diaphragm problem, I bought it 70 €. He also had a kind of potentiometer over his plate, which made me say that it was not original. The seller did not tell me anything. After research, this button was the same as that present on the posterior model, a 800 mm, which allowed a correction of astigmatism. Indeed, the Katoptaron 500 had a big lack of astigmatism, which explains its commercial flop. Mine was a prototype, the only one in the world with this correction! I sold it € 510 :-) He was doing sublime photos, but was totally impractical, he had to tilt it down to aim straight, then make the correction depending on the distance. I still managed the feat of photographing a sphinx "Gaze" (Hemaris fuciformis) in full flight! And these Buddleia in the background! The most beautiful bokeh in the world !!! I have never published my photos, you have to take my word for it ;-) Or I send it by mail :-)

[@zenography7923]

@@alainhuard5965 J'adorerais voir ces images alain! vous pouvez m'envoyer un email à [e-mail] Google Translate n'est-il pas fantastique?

[@outtathyme5679]

My (limited) experience with vintage lenses is they all produce a pretty similar look

[@zenography7923]

Some are fairly similar it's true, but many have a very distinct identity - the Helios 44 for example... Thanks for watching.

[@grootbatavia]

This made me laugh. Very informative, but the bloke looks and sounds like the godfather... Not meant as an insult, just amusing to watch.

[@zenography7923]

Glad I've raised a chuckle! Thanks for watching.

[@grootbatavia]

@@zenography7923 No worries. Have you used the various versions of the Zeiss 50mm biotar? Certainly worth considering, particularly for black and white work.

[@zenography7923]

@@grootbatavia Would love to try the Biotar but don't have one - the closest I've come is the Helios 44, apparently it's a copy of the '30s Biotar? Maybe one will come my way someday...

[@zenography7923]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Phantommxr]

Please no offence(if you don't love the movie...I do!!) but you remind me of Shaun's Step dad in Shaun of the dead.

[@zenography7923]

I do like that film very much, and Shaun's stepdad is played by Bill Nighy - one of my favourite actors! The comparison is very welcome!

[@Phantommxr]

Zenography very glad to hear this.. I do love the peaceful manner in which you speak about my favorite subject.. Subscribed and looking forward to more videos.. maybe do one on your opinion on 135mm vintage lenses..thanks for your time and effort

[@zenography7923]

@@Phantommxr That sounds like a plan!

[@shehatesmigi4029]

I feel like i'm in school again

[@zenography7923]

Please be sure to hand your homework in on time!

[@neilpiper9889]

I thought the Industar 61 was 52mm. I have the black Jupiter 8 which is wonderful. I have it on my Zorki 4K. The background bokeh behind the red chrysanthemums on the Summitar looks horrible to me. It's purely subjective I know. The Olympus 50mm 1.4 was the only lens worth buying back in the day. The 1.8 was mediocre imo.

[@zenography7923]

Agreed, the 1.4 kicks the 1.8 right in the pants! It can produce nice results if you shoot around the rough spots, but somehow doesn't quite have the same character...

[@bendelandesful]

Try the Topcon 58mm f1. 4 and you won't use anything else.

[@zenography7923]

Thanks for the tip - if I see one at the right price I'll pick it up!

[@bendelandesful]

@@zenography7923Not on the cheap side. But my what a sharpness and superb creamy bokeh, it melts everything beyond the depth of field, better than anything I've tested (more than 30 vintage lenses). No swirly bokeh here. 3D effect and contrasty. So good its design has been copy-pasted into the Voigtländer Nokton 58mm f1.4.

[@randallstewart175]

Not sure what standards of comparison are at work here. I think his selection has more to do with lenses he has personally owned rather than objective standards of sharpness, contrast, etc., given lenses not included in this list. (Omission of the Leica Summicron 59mm 2.0and the Pentax 50mm 1.4 pretty much seal the lack of credibility here.)

[@zenography7923]

Hallo Randall, these are lenses that I've used, enjoyed, and can recommend, so of course there's a certain amount of subjectivity here. What one considers best is influenced by a number of factors, and scientific measurements of sharpness and contrast are not necessarily the most important. For me, the overall feel of an image is of more importance, as is, naturally, the selection of lenses I have access to. Many thanks for watching, and for your comment.

[@philhodgkinson1460]

I think the pentax 1.4 is a monster lens...Nigel obviously prefers the 1.8.... Got a number off 1.4s here including a Minolta 1.4 50mm ( might be made by Pentax)

[@farid1406]

Yuh know nothin' John Snow

[@zenography7923]

I only know three things, but I've forgotten two of them...