Pentacon 50mm 1.8 - the most versatile vintage 50? - Lens test and review

[@Penka-ju4li]

These lens are my first. Bought it without researching too. They made me fall in love in vintage lens

[@MarcoAries]

It's quite a nice lens!

[@steveember8972]

Happy to have discovered your videos, Marco - especially having landed on this one. I've actually had one (the later multi-coated version) on order, from a European seller, since mid-December, and I'm looking forward to its arrival so I can begin trying it out on both APS-C and FF D-SLR's, as well as on film. I've subscribed to your channel and will look forward to seeing more of your work. And how lucky you are to have such a fetching model - Clearly she loves the camera, and vice-versa!

[@MarcoAries]

Thanks, Steve! I wish it arrives soon and in perfect conditions! I've shot it on film too, on my Practika MTL5, and really liked it; they used to be sold together, after all! And yes, Serena is a joyful person, not afraid to be a little silly in front of a camera! 😄

[@lxhk3595]

Good to meet some companions here on the comments who fell in love with this lens too. But it is not easy too shoot with indeed. Focus peaking not ideal of course, but also managing this load of character. But the results are so rewarding. I adore another lens of the brand in the same way, the Pentacon 30mm 3.5, earlier released as Meyer Görlitz Lydith. But its completely different, again characterfull.

[@MarcoAries]

Yeah, the weird thing with Pentacon lenses is different they are!

[@FilmSpook]

Thanks Marco, excellent lens and review!! I'm getting this. 😁 Best Wishes, Bro

[@MarcoAries]

Thanks for the support!

[@FilmSpook]

@@MarcoAries 👍 Very Welcome

[@campbells0ups]

i own the earlier Meyer Oreston. its one of if not my favorite 50mm. the images have so much character. the colors are cool and the bokeh is always smooth. its a great fit for my canon 5D - the images look great. also can confirm the ease of focusing-its very easy even through the viewfinder!

[@MarcoAries]

Eventually I'd like to try the Meyer and compare them directly

[@campbells0ups]

@@MarcoAries output is similair except color tint. one other small difference in image is the Pentacon may have a flatter field of view because of recalculated design (diagram). the Oreston has a warp-like field curvature sometimes. its lovely

[@DethronerX]

Interesting bokeh, good review, im just about to buy it and was looking up for a review and samples

[@MarcoAries]

Glad it was of help!

[@danielkewitz6335]

I have one of these lenses and use it with the all black 1958 Practika L (still working perfectly) it was originally shipped with. It definitely took some time and a few rolls of film to get used to, but the sharpness and it's particular look were really worth it. It's a lense with character, but that's also what makes it so rewarding.

[@MarcoAries]

I use it on my Practika as well, an MTL5

[@BriansPhotoShow]

Excellent review. This lens is definitely underrated.

[@MarcoAries]

It is indeed!

[@danienelphoto]

I love mine so much. Made a video about it, and then couldn't stop shooting with it!

[@MarcoAries]

It's one of my most used vintage lenses!

[@Mitcheb4]

I just ordered one, and it's great to hear your honest perspective on it. One thing that stuck out to me in your review was the idea of the hexagonal bokeh in nature areas. Your example photos look fantastic, and that's one of the features I'm looking forward to when I get my lens in the mail this week.

[@MarcoAries]

Thank you! I hope your copy arrives soon and in perfect conditions, let me know! The hexagonal boke is very subjective and it doesn't fit all subjects and situations, but it's nice to have an interesting and creative feature like that!

[@ajthealchemist]

Awesome video bro. Just picked up mine yesterday and I absolutely love it. Even its "cons" are pros for me.

[@MarcoAries]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@classic.cameras]

This was my first lens I ever adapted. Got it off of one of my dad's old cameras. Bought a EOS EF adapter and slapped it onto my 80D back in 2016. Wish I had got on to the vintage lens bandwagon back then, would have bought a Sony A7 III and had a set of Canon FD L lens back when they were cheap. Ah well....

[@MarcoAries]

Yeah, FD L are stupid expensive these days!

[@TarrelScot]

I have one of these. It’s heading out with me tomorrow on a trip to London and Warsaw, along with its spiritual partner, the Praktica MTL5B.

[@MarcoAries]

I use it on the MTL5, I have about shooting that combo during a three days trip here in northern Italy ;) Have fun on your trip!

[@TarrelScot]

@@MarcoAries Thanks. Do you have any recommendations for a good 28mm in M42 mount?

[@MarcoAries]

Unfortunately no, I'm still looking for one myself... I had the Pentacon 29, but it doesn't match the look of the 50 and it is too soft on the edges

[@ohjajohh]

This is one of my favorite 50mm lenses!

[@MarcoAries]

Yeah, same here! 😉

[@BIMLounge]

Hey Marco, I have what seems to be a more modern version and it's my favorite lens. It never leaves my camera unless I have a good reason not to. I love the swirl on video. Thanks for your video

[@MarcoAries]

Yeah, I too find myself reaching for it without even thinking! Thanks for watching!

[@michaelroche3143]

always great to see these different videos. Very nice lens indeed

[@MarcoAries]

Thanks!

[@Ant-dx8yt]

I love your explanation of the lenses, and I love this lens, you take some good shots too.

[@MarcoAries]

Yup, it's a great lens! I'm testing it on film right now

[@Ant-dx8yt]

@@MarcoAries you won't be disappointed.

[@daniel635biturbo]

Stumbled in here when looking for Konica stuff, but I also have two Penatcons. (and a nice Konica 57mm f1,4) The Pentacons are older (As yours) and the Newer Multicoated version. I personally think biggest difference is that new version has rounded aperture blades. But also the coatings are better, better contrast in daylight conditions, and a little bit better center sharpness. And, Yes, Mark Holze does nice videos as well :) Stay safe, greetings from Sweden.

[@MarcoAries]

Konicas are nice and have a distinct look, I have the 40 1.8, 135 2.5 and 50 1.7. Yet I do prefer the Pentacon and I keep going back to it 😄 You say the newer version has rounded blades, so no hexagonal boke? Also, I visited a friend in Stockholm a few years back, nature and landscapes in Sweden are amazing!

[@hiake1]

Ottima recensione! Casualmente, dopo aver acquistato un Minolta md 50 e parlandone con mio padre è venuto fuori che anche lui possedeva ottiche vintage e quindi ho l’opportunità di provare il pentacon 50, il 28 e il 135! Sono curioso di provarli!

[@MarcoAries]

Il 135 non ho ancora avuto modo di provarlo, ma se ne parla molto bene! Divertiti!

[@gillyb44]

I love my Pentacon. Quite a challenge for macro flowers at F1.8. If you nail it ,its special. I recently bought a helios 44-2M i dont like it half as much. I think I will onsell. Thank you for sharing.

[@MarcoAries]

Yeah, macro wide open is though! Thank you for watching!

[@pirasannavijayakumar3814]

Hello, I was looking to buy one.Your video convince me to do so. Thank you ;)

[@MarcoAries]

Glad it was of help! Let me know when you get one and if you like it! ;)

[@lucasfilms1297]

Marco, what picture profile do you use? Love the rendering of your colors

[@MarcoAries]

Actually, it was all shot on the standard profile on a Sony a6500 and a a5100. The intro has a slight color grade and the three portraits in the samples were edited, but everything else is straight out of camera, even the talking head part ;)

[@justinjurij1164]

Thanks for your review and footage :) Guess now I have to get one...

[@MarcoAries]

Thank you for watching! And sorry for fueling the GAS 😁

[@justinjurij1164]

@@MarcoAries I'll end up in rehab... soon!, after I bought some more lenses. :D

[@ryanbeer5262]

Marco, I really enjoy your video portraits. Serena is amazing, a classic beauty! Seriously distracted by your collection of bases & guitars.

[@MarcoAries]

Thanks! Too bad my instruments are collecting dust, I always tell myself I should pick them up more often! 😅

[@stefpix]

I have one, actually the Meyer Optik Oreston , I like it, cool bluish colors. But I also got a Zeus Jena Pancolar. The lens looks almost the same. Minimum focus distance is 0.35 vs 0.33 but Pancolar is sharper wide open, and at f:8 has much sharper corners. I am thinking of maybe selling it. Yes focusing is very good.

[@MarcoAries]

Nice! So the Meyer has cooler colors, good to know!

[@stefpix]

@@MarcoAries yes, the Pancolar is sharper and has more contrast wide open, less aberration. Oreston is cheaper, but with the Pancolar I don't see much point in using the Oreston. Maybe the Oreston is good for hazier dreamier?

[@MatsAcane]

I believe Pancolar is a radioactive lens...

[@kainbre]

Hello Marco, i have both lenses, m.o.g original and multicoated version, they are almost the same.

[@MarcoAries]

Yeah, they're pretty close, right? I'll keep an eye out for any Meyer, 'cause I'm kind of curious 😉

[@tonybaker55]

I have just made an offer on one, so hoping to own one soon!

[@MarcoAries]

And I hope it comes fast and in perfect conditions! :)

[@tonybaker55]

@@MarcoAries it did, is and I am really pleased with it.

[@MarcoAries]

Glad to hear that! Have fun with it!

[@amineamokrane4210]

Which camera did you use to take the sample images, plz ?

[@MarcoAries]

I used a Sony a6500 with a simple adapter, you can find the links in the description 😉

[@amineamokrane4210]

@@MarcoAries thanks a lot, and good luck ^^

[@pascualsurfer1764]

Ciao Marco ! I still have a 50mm f3.5 industar who is great, a carl zeiss jena 50mm f2.8 who is nice too, why not trying this pentacon ??? My wife loves Italy and Italian people but she's a little angry against you 😉... Ciao Marco e a presto, grazie per i tui videos !!!

[@MarcoAries]

😂 Hopefully she'll be a little less angry after she sees the nice pictures of her you took with the Pentacon!

[@dukeofdoom2]

Check out Filippo Chiesa review of the modern version of these (meyer) lenses. I think they can look great. I really like how they render skin tones.

[@MarcoAries]

I'm not sure I understand what you mean: Meyer was acquired by Pentacon, therefore the Pentacons are the more recent version. Or are you talking about something else? Also, I didn't see any videos about Meyer or Pentacon on the channel you mentioned.

[@dukeofdoom2]

@@MarcoAries Meyer was resurrected as a company. They have a website and sell modern version of these lenses. Look for a video called. "Did you sake "Cooke Look" by Filippo. I can't link because I think post will get deleted if I do by youtube.

[@dukeofdoom2]

@@MarcoAries Meyer was resurrected as a company and sells a modern version of these lenses. Look for a video called the cooke look by Filippo

[@dukeofdoom2]

@@MarcoAries Did you say "Cooke Look"? (Meyer Optik Görlitz II) is the title of the video

[@MarcoAries]

@@dukeofdoom2 Oh yeah, I forgot about that. I did check out their website some time ago, but the prices are quite high

[@e.esiyok]

Hii. Its a radioactive lens ?

[@MarcoAries]

No, it's not

[@e.esiyok]

@@MarcoAries thank u

[@tridentroy]

I have 28mm 2.8

[@MarcoAries]

28 or 29? I had the 29, but it wasn't as good

[@tridentroy]

@@MarcoAries 28 & it's good I also have 29 it's really 😞. first I buy 29 after I get 28

[@MarcoAries]

I'll have to try the 28 as well!

[@italianwalkervlogs2792]

Good sharing My friend Awesome 😎