The BEST £10 Vintage Lenses! ASTONISHING Vintage Optics - For Peanuts!

[@christopherlloyd8117]

Just before lockdown my local 2nd hand camera shop was getting rid of a whole load of stuff after a clear out. I picked up 2x Zuiko 50mm 1.8 and 1 each of Zuiko 200mm F4, Zuiko 135 mm F 3.5 and a Zuiko 28mm F3.5 all for £5 each! Felt like Christmas had come early!

[@zenography7923]

Wow, I can imagine! Wish I'd been there!

[@thegroove2000]

I never find anything but I will keep looking. I suppose its about timing.

[@thegroove2000]

It doesn't need to be an expensive hobby I totally agree. Just bloody addictive with all the quality vintage lenses and camera bodies.

[@zenography7923]

It really is!

[@petersnow389]

The Pentacon 135mm f2.8 Automatic lens reviewed here is a rebranded Meyer Optik 'Orestor'. It was also offered in a fully Manual Pre-Set version. The Pre Set version has many more aperture blades than the Automatic version, and will not display hexagons in the out of focus blur, which some photographers dislike.

[@zenography7923]

Hi Peter, hope all's well. I didn't realise this was a Meyer lens, although not entirely surprising to learn that it is. It's really quite nice!

[@petersnow389]

@@zenography7923 Hello Nigel, All is well thank you, and we hope you are well too. The manual lens actually has 15 blades, against the autos 6. I also forgot to mention that the 'Prakticar' 135mm, in 'PB' fitting is yet another offshoot of the original Meyer design, and these are also reasonably priced.

[@slr7075]

With the current film resurgence, mirrorless demand and rampantly increasing inflation, it's nice to know that certain vintage lenses are still affordable today.

[@zenography7923]

Indeed it is! Thanks for looking in.

[@SoSaMin0524]

Definitely enjoyed this episode…re my best great deal: I bought a Canon nFD 35-105MM F3.5 MF Lens with front and rear caps, Lens hood and hard leather lens case for $49.00 last September at a local camera shop. I think I got a great deal for this par focal lens. It’s in great condition, no oil on the blades, no haze, no fungus, lens coatings are in great shape as well as the lens body.

[@miruina]

Just ordered myself that Industar, it will be my first rangefinder lens. I have a few lil cheap lenses I got for 10$ or less that are always in my kit bag because I love them I think some people get so caught up in names and ignore performance. I have a cheap 2.8 135 that was sold as K-mart's store brand and is likely a sankor and I adore it, soft in how it falls off from focus, sharp as could be on focus, mild aberration when really pushed just really a nice lens. I payed 5$ for it because it had sat for sale for MONTHS and no one wanted it at 10$.

[@mytrigger5613]

I especially appreciate your classic use of adjectives to describe the range and values a lens has in creating images.

[@zenography7923]

Thanks, glad you appreciate my adjectival efforts!

[@thegadgetdude]

Love the channel, the whole reason I got into vintage lenses is getting incredible images for next to nothing. These are some great recommendations for people starting out (ok maybe I’ll have a look at these too…).

[@zenography7923]

Can you really resist them? Thanks for tuning in!

[@davidmill7289]

Your videos are addictive Nigel 😂! Just bought a mint Miranda 50mm f2 for £26. Also have a Pentacon Auto 50mm 1.8 & Canon NFD 50mm 1.8 on the way to add to my Pentax M 50mm f2 & Olympus 50mm f1.4. Need to stop buying 50 mills for now!

[@zenography7923]

Glad you're enjoying the videos, collecting vintage 50 mills can be addictive, as you seem to have discovered!

[@jameswburke]

I just got the Miranda 70-210 for a tenner. Nicely made lens which is for Olympus. Seems good optics and handy zoom range. I have an adapter to use it on my Sony bodies. You don't really lose money on the old lenses so give them a try.

[@robstammers7149]

Nigel, I agree with you I'm currently looking at buying a vintage lens, but I haven't a clue which will fit my Canon 200D, apart from the helios, as some adapters need a piece of glass in them for some lenses to work. Nigel we need a book on this subject and I think you're the man to write said book. Regards Rob.

[@crs523crs]

Love your channel! I’m glad you showcased the Miranda (Cosina) 50mm f/2. I learned photography with that lens. My dad bought me a Miranda MS1 in 1986 or 1987 as my first “real” camera. I bought the lens for nostalgic reasons awhile back and I concur, it is a fantastic lens! Thank you.

[@peterdavies9166]

I bought a FED 3 camera with an Industar 61 lens on ebay back in 2002 when I was still shooting with film. I was living in Tokyo at the time and this camera/lens delivered some of my favorite shots, even compared to some of my more sophisticated SLR equipment. All my film cameras and lenses then went into storage when I first transitioned to digital (a Fujifilm S-100fs bridge camera). However, I then began adapting my old lenses, first to a Sony A3000 and more recently to a Fujifilm X-T series camera. True to form, my old Industar 61 is still delivering the goods, i.e. it continues to be one of my favorite lenses.

[@sszzrr1]

Do not forget to give them a sun bath once a few years to get rid of the yellow color.

[@borderlands6606]

The Industar 2.8 LD is the pick of the bunch. There's the usual Soviet quality variation, but a good LD is an excellent lens. They came in 53mm and 55mm production runs. Mine is permanently mounted to a Bessa L.

[@zenography7923]

A good Industar 61 is very hard to beat, no doubt about it! Thanks for tuning in.

[@amermeleitor]

I got an Albinar 135mm f2.8 Pentax mount plus a 2x teleconverter for $25. The lens is excellent.

[@joostverpoort]

I bought a Panagor PMC 200mm f/3.5 P/K mount....what a surprise this is. Very nice condition, Sharp and very good colors as well. I paid 15,- euro ... it's amazing! If you want I'll send for testing. It is like New!!

[@indridcold4210]

Best bargain I ever got was a mint condition Zuiko OM mount 21mm f3.5. I found it along with two Zuiko 50mm f1.8 and a 100mm f2.8 for $12 US at a thrift shop along with a non-working OM1 body

[@inkysteve]

A few weeks ago I acquired a Zenit 11 camera with a Helios 44M 4, a Helios 28mm 2.8 and a Helios 135mm 2.8 with a flash and a bag for £50 plus £5 postage.

[@waoamfg]

Check out the Industar 61 L/Z.. This one is the L/C version - for general purpose. The L/Z focuses up to 20-25 cm and is really nice for close up's. It's also got this interesting starry aperture - for some special effects blur :-)

[@zenography7923]

I think you mean the M42 mount version, right? I've been looking for one of those for a while - as soon as I find one for a good price I'll grab it!

[@mikeonthemarne]

An excellent lens, both for close-ups and general photography, very sharp and you easily forget it's f2,8, seems to work quite well in poor light but perhaps that's due to camera stabilisation too. No need for a hood since its semi-macro lens is deep down on the barrel.

[@zerohour5229]

My best value lens was a Vivitar 58mm 2.8 macro (that goes all the way to 1:1). It's a great performer, especially stopped down, and I got it for £15! The adapter to get it to work on my digital camera cost more than the lens itself. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

[@Gearjunkie35JasonBallou]

Good time to collect vintage lenses right now 😎. And. Adding that the the gotta find list. Love a good macro

[@bigtog8188]

Did you mean the Vivitar 55mm 2.8 that goes down to 1:1? If so, that's a really sharp lens and a hell of steal at that price.

[@frankbrooks5097]

Hey buddy. I picked up a Miranda 70- 210 for a. Tenner back in the mid to late eighties, in a Dundee second had shot. I used it on my first every Slr, a Zenit SP. I couldnt beleive how sharp it was. Gonna look for another.

[@Analogbrain]

I really enjoyed this episode, Nigel, thank you! Generally, my experience is that if I'm looking for a specific lens, I must be prepared to pay the market price. Searching wide, bargains on almost anything can be found. Kit-zooms, typically 35-70 mm f4, even from the major manufacturers, are not popular, and therefore cheap. Chinon lenses are often very cheap. I rarely find russian lenses, but that Industar on an original Leica must be something for the aficionados!

[@zenography7923]

Indeed, the Industar works very nicely on a Leica, or any LTM camera. Glad you enjoyed the episode Kalle, thanks for tuning in!

[@jonlouis2582]

My favorite lens for a tenner is a lowly Minolta 55/1.9 found in a junk shop attached to a very clean but inoperative Srt. I’ve gotten some of my favorite pictures with that lens. I just got a Yashica lens that I’m excited about in a charity shop, but I haven’t used it much yet. The Yashica TL Electro camera it was attached to is a new one on me, in many years of buying and selling, I have never seen a single camera that combines so many faults.

[@zenography7923]

Buying lenses attached to faulty cameras is often a very good way to buy - many bargains are to be found this way! Thanks for looking in.

[@Gearjunkie35JasonBallou]

Thank you Sir..2 months ago I had just the 2 kit lenses with a Canon T3i. Rounding 30 now with 15 more on the way. Goodwill online is dangerous..Have you ever highlighted the Samyang- Korean made Auto Sears line? It is a Killer kit.! $10 - $30 for most with camera and goodies attached. The zooms go for $10 each all day. Same for Petri. My new favorite forgotten brand The Auto Sears MC 50 1.7 and 28mm 2.8 rivals Minolta and Vivitar equivalents for 1/4 the price. Great learner kit! The 135mm 2.8 and 80-200mm macro/close focus are very nice for pennies. Love your channel my friend. Learning more and more daily. Thank you for the wisdom...you are invaluable for the budding vintage collector. Nigel you are a resource to the photography community for sure. Thank you Sir.

[@nathandavis5099]

I haven't found a bad Sears m42. The 55mm 1.4, 55mm 1.7, and 50mm f2 are marvelous. My guess is that the Korean made line you're talking about is the same as my Korean Auto Chinon 135mm 2.8. Marvelous lens. The 50mm K-mount are pretty nice too. I've had bad experiences with the other K-mount Sears lenses.

[@zenography7923]

Thanks for the info, really glad you're enjoying the videos!

[@Gearjunkie35JasonBallou]

@@nathandavis5099 I find as with guitars...there are a finite number of hugh quality manufacturers.. it's. A matter of backtracking who made what and what it's 5xcost 'name brands' are. The Sears line is a forgotten jem. Keeps the prices low 😎. Tempterld to try the JacOenney and Montgomery Ward brands of 50s and 135's.for $10 each why not.

[@nathandavis5099]

@@Gearjunkie35JasonBallou I've found the other American retailers to be very hit and miss, mostly miss. You can add Focal (Kmart) to that list. Sometimes surprisingly good, sometimes really bad, even from seemingly identical lenses.

[@Gearjunkie35JasonBallou]

Thanks good to know. They are on goodwill site for $10 all day every day.

[@jeghedderhenrik]

Nigel. i would love, if you made a video showing and demonstrating and explaning, what you mean, when you talk about a lens having a spot of harshness in some aperture/ distance settings. i think i understand it a little, but i would be a lot of help to me, getting more out of you reviewing lenses.. btw, thanks for these videos

[@zenography7923]

That's an interesting suggestion - an analysis of bokeh - thanks!

[@bigtog8188]

I once bought a Pentax-M 50mm 1.4 at a thrift shop for $10. It even came with a free black Pentax ME Super camera body which I'm trying to refurb.

[@zenography7923]

Wow, that was a real bargain, a very nice lens indeed!

[@jameswburke]

@@zenography7923 And a lovely camera too - one that I used for my Photography Degree back in 1982-4. ;-)

[@blackbelt4488]

I recently picked up a Vivitar 105mm 2.8 lens for $15 and several excellent Nikon E Series lenses that take a bad rap from the poor reception they got when released in the early 1980’s. What was trashed in 1985 is a treasure in 2023. Maybe you could do an episode on Nikon E series. Thanks for a great channel.

[@CableWrestler]

I enjoyed every minute of this video Nigel. Industar 50-2 should be included. I recently got a Zenit 11, a Helios 44m4 and a Jupiter 37a, mint condition for £15! I don't think they knew the value; the Jupiter is about £80 now for one in a similar condition. I've had various lens for cheap over the years, all M42. Super Travinar 28mm f2.8 £20 Dollands 135mm f3.5 £10 A couple of Takumar lenses but they're outside of the price range discussed in this video.

[@zenography7923]

You've found some fantastic bargains there - well done!

[@stevesvids]

A pleasant surprise to see you open with the Miranda 50mm f2. I bought one for about the same as you a couple of weeks back and I love it. Its not been off my Fuji XT3 since I got it. 😎 in particular I enjoy shooting it at f2. 📷😎📷🙂

[@zenography7923]

It's a really nice lens - a nice surprise! Thanks for looking in.

[@stevesvids]

@@zenography7923 I've 3 Mirandas now. All very cheap. All very enjoyable. 🙂👋

[@philhodgkinson1460]

Another point to bear in mind re the pentacon 135.mm is that the lens hood retracted is so close to the filter thread Heard it said with filters look out for wide rimmed ones they less likely to jam... but just in case your lens could spend the night in the fridge to unjam (metalurgists will understand this one) evening all..... 👍

[@philhodgkinson1460]

Very good video again Mr Nigel... one time I purchased a Yachica M/C 75-200 for £1.00...just spotted same lens but boxed on e-bay for £50.... It pays to shop around.....

[@philhodgkinson1460]

I've had an industar 61 identical to your one and stripped back off and lubed and re- greased with lithium grease feels as new now...mine came with my FED 2..and a very nice combo..erm...think its worth saying about the lens 10 diaphragm leaves plus of course the Tessar formulae...nice package I love mine always use with lens hood too.....

[@zenography7923]

It certainly does!

[@zenography7923]

Ah yes, the aperture blades - I ought to have mentioned them, thanks for the reminder!

[@philhodgkinson1460]

Enjoyed this episode... bought the first lens you mention with camera for £10 The lens Is fine not used it yet...the miranda camera was not working so went to the great camera graveyard in the sky after removing some parts.....

[@zenography7923]

That sounds like a good buy Phil - the little Miranda very much impressed me with its quality!

[@crazygeorgelincoln]

Got a well run in, scuffed controls and dented filter ring but perfect thorium glass behind the dented cap of a perfectly functional super takuma 55 1.8 with a mildly dented spotmatic stuck on the back and a zoom something chucked in for a tenna . Looks like the m42 of the zoom was used to lay paving slabs and the aperture was not working, cleaned and reset the blades but the preset pin arrangement is proving to continuly defyant after it's umpteenth reassemblage , I've also had a fujica slr and 50 lens for the same money, I think the required adapter cost similar. You could have a little talk about the macro function on some lenses ,clicking a ring into a different position then it all goes into raitos , what's it all about? what do the numbers actually mean.

[@zenography7923]

There are still plenty of bargains to be had George, as you've found. Thanks for the suggestion too!

[@DominikMarczuk]

These are some serious bargains. I regularly check the vintage lenses on sale on a local used stuff announcements service. An offer for the Pentacon 135 2.8, in pristine condition, appeared in my city just yesterday for an equivalent of £36. I'll await a better bargain, I think, considering how cheap you managed to get it. I've recently come across a lens that cost only £14 and it was an Accura Diamatic 28 mm f/3.5. Sadly, the owner was unable to properly assess the lens' condition. It turned out that the aperture blades were oiled up and very sticky and upon disassembling the lens, it also became evident that the rear lens group had got separated. I'll keep the lens as a collectible, but taking photos with it isn't going to work. For a total of £72, I also got a pack of six zooms. For an average of £12 each, I managed to get a Tokina RMC 35-70 mm f/3.5, a Tokina RMC 80-200 mm f/, a Kiron 70-210 f/4.5, a Panagor PMC 80-205 mm f/4.5, a Sun MC 85-210 mm f/3.8 and a Kenlock MC 85-210 mm f/4.5. I'll need to get replacement caps for them as most of them are missing, but other than that, they're im a decent shape. I'll probably keep three of them and sell the rest off.

[@beckerse]

Great video! I have an Industar 61, but haven't had a chance to shoot with it yet.

[@zenography7923]

You should give it a go - I think you'll be pleasantly surprised!

[@VanDanmark]

my best find was a Konica Autoreflex fitted with the Hexanon AR 57mm F1.2 for $20 at a thrift store. I've found a few Spotmatics with the Takumar 50mm f1.4 throughout the years as well, but none with the 8 element version unfortunately.

[@charliejg]

I guess my best buy so far is a Canon FD 135mm f3.5 lens that I bought for $30 U.S. It's in like new condition and I've gotten some pretty nice images with it on my Fuji X-T3. Love your vintage lens videos. Would you say eBay is the best place to find/buy vintage lenses? I'm kind of new to this. Do you have a video that explains some tips about what to look for when considering a vintage lens?

[@sclogse1]

Seller feedback. And it depends on what you're looking for.

[@bokehintheussr5033]

I have to recommend Meyer Optik Domiplan 50mm 2.8. Amazing lens with lovely Bokeh (can swirl like Helios) which can be scored on ebay for under £20. In general the Meyer Optik M42 lenses are really nice for their price.

[@zenography7923]

I'll check it out, thanks for the tip!

[@borderlands6606]

The Miranda lens was made by Cosina. UK electrical chain Dixons acquired the Miranda name, selling rebranded Cosina K-mount cameras. Pretty much all Japanese 50mm f2 lenses were excellent optically by this time, and the Cosina/Miranda is no exception. The original Miranda company ceased production in the late 1970s. Classic Miranda cameras were well regarded and innovative but have an uncertain reputation for reliability.

[@zenography7923]

Thanks for the info - I didn't realise these were Cosina lenses.

[@stefanobiz8861]

Hi, my name is Stefano, above all, sorry for my terrible English :-) This episode about the vintage lenses is very interesting! I've got some vintage lenses too, from Canon and Olympus, that I'm testing on my Sony Alpha 7r III, but I'd like to find a very wide vintage lens, less than a 24/25. Can you please suggest me something not too much expensive? Thank you in advance! P.S.: your perfect and clean English is fantastic for people like me who don't practice your language very well!

[@ohjajohh]

I'm surprised to see how smooth your Pentacon 135 focus ring is. I've had 2 of those lenses, and the focus ring was incredibly stiff. I do like the lens tho

[@nonamninom9344]

Yes. I love it but the focus is stiff. I would like to buy other with smooth focus.

[@jayluber5971]

If you would please - indicate which format cameras the lenses would fill the sensor. For example I have a Fuji GFX and I would like to know if the lens will cover the sensor with adapter.

[@1kwords]

My best bargain yet was a pre-war design Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 2.8/50, the 40.5mm filter thread version with a red T on the beauty ring. It came with an Exa 1 camera, which sadly doesn't work. $35.

[@zenography7923]

That is quite a bargain, well done!

[@thegroove2000]

Brilliant channel dear chap.

[@zenography7923]

Many thanks - glad you're enjoying it!

[@aidanhowgate5437]

My best value lens was a Topcor RE AUTO 58mm 1.4... £50.

[@wcgdenmasterken3431]

​ @Zenography I've got one of the Miranda (Cosina) 50 2.0's, unfortunately my copy's aperture is frozen (it came in a lot box) but the optics are clean and it's quite sharp wide open so I use it that way.

[@44messier]

My list of lenses that have cost me £10 each. All in full working order Pentax SMC 45-125mm f4 Pentax SMC 50mm f2 Carl Zeiss Jena 70-210mm f4.5-5.6 Prinz Galaxy 300mm f5.6 Chinon 200mm f3.5 Never bought from FB market place or eBay. All from the local cash converters

[@zenography7923]

That sounds like a nice collection, enjoy!

[@sclogse1]

Could you remind us again of the free software you use to edit your work? Thanks.

[@jendriktimm5566]

My best deal was a Cosina 28mm f/2.8 for 8 Euros plus shipping. An Industar 61 I bought for less 10 Euros. But that was years ago. I believe the price for this lens has risen in the meantime.

[@zenography7923]

The prices asked by fixed price sellers on ebay have increased by a very large margin - but those are inflated prices that can often catch out the unwary! Auction prices are, I'm glad to say, usually very much less.

[@michaelmchenry353]

HI WATCHED A NUMBER OF YOUR VIDS AND YOU COME OUT WITH SOME REAL INTERESTING STUFF. If I want to shoot at 50mm does the vintage lens need to be around 35mm. Also, where are the better suppliers of the adapters from?

[@arcanics1971]

I look periodically for the Industar 61, and it tends to go for about £40-60 on eBay. Unless you buy from Ukraine, where you can half that. If I ever see on for a tenner, I WILL be snapping it up. I must admit I haven't properly watched for it, just occasionally, so I may well have missed the bargains. I got a Tessar 50 2.8 for £10, and once got a cheap EF mount 35mm for £9, so they are so far my cheapest lenses. And both pretty good too.

[@zenography7923]

The best way to buy is with a camera - they're often mounted on the Fed 4 - and even better, buy a non working camera with a lens. Honestly though, the lenses themselves often come up very cheaply on auctions - don't give up!

[@arcanics1971]

@@zenography7923 I won't! Thanks.

[@sarmatiko]

Here in Ukraine it usually costs around 3-7$ for the lens and FED 4 (higher prices go only for something like FED 4 in mint condition in a box). 61 L\D version is even more common as newer FED-5B\C are sold for peanuts (FED with broken shutter and working lens = 3$) I agree that buying with camera is the best option, as there a good chances that lens is in better condition and never been opened (that's where most of internal dust and broken screws happen).

[@grahvis]

@@zenography7923 . I had to pay £20 for mine but it did come with a working Fed 4.

[@superj1977]

Scooped a 26m for £34 2 days ago on ebay. Needed service but it's great now.

[@jeghedderhenrik]

NIgel, i hope you soon will find a good soligor lens, they are very well build and good sharpness, i got a soligor 135 2.8, its very wellbuild, lots of lovely glass and a joy to handle and use

[@zenography7923]

I'll be looking at some Soligors soon, thanks for the suggestion!

[@terrynoon8467]

Hi, regarding cheap lenses I bought a Photax 35mm f3.5 for peanuts. It was supposed to be m42 fit but it will not fit either my Sony m42 converter or my Olympus m43 one. The screw thread seems about right but the lens has a central section which protubes by 5mm or so and fouls the inside rim of the converter. In your experience could this be caused by the need for a different converter and if so what. I have no idea what the lens was originally designed to fit to. Cheers, thanks for any advice you may have in anticipation.

[@telly64]

I purchased a "Beroflex 1:2.8 50mm" for 5 € on a flea market. Beroflex is a company, who sold East-German lenses in West-Germany. I suppose my lens is based on the Tessar Lense. It's rather sharp and has a nice bokeh. The lens is nice made. What do you expect more for 5 €?

[@zenography7923]

What indeed? It sounds like you got a bargain there!

[@kennyiklei]

I’m new in photography and just bought a Nikon z50. How do you know if the vintage lenses you found in flea market would fit your camera?

[@kainbre]

I have 7 old mirandas... I have 3d printed mount to nex adapter...

[@zenography7923]

A printed adaptor. - that's really interesting!

[@kainbre]

@@zenography7923 it is available online.. This way i bought cheaply lenses and all of them are at least build like takumars minus radioactivity ;)

[@davidw2454]

Hello Zen I’ve been watching you videos for some time now, and just bit the bullet and purchased a fed 2, I’m a little confused with lenses though. Will Leica lenses fit straight on or do I need an adaptor Kind regards Dave

[@philhodgkinson1460]

Got one of those Pentacon 135mm f2. 8 winging it's way to me very fine lens indeed in fact I will go so far as to say... It looks similar to a modern day Noctilux or its replica by Dr Ding.... Like that Central London shot with St Paul's In the distance.... very fine shot indeed Nigel.... Oh my one wasn't £10 but way below £20 so I am happy.... you see these at all prices its scary ha ha ha....

[@zenography7923]

I think you'll enjoy that pentacon!

[@philhodgkinson1460]

Yes received the Pentacon 135mm f2. 8 is identical to yours with chrome f nos. plate too... lovely lens very sharp and smooth.... Only been in garden with it not tried out Bokeh with it so far..it is sharp and contrasty though... Its a keeper... trust me....!!

[@Skipsul]

Have you ever shot anything by Petri? Their 50 f1.7 and 35mm f/2.8 are decent. The one problem is if you encounter their short-lived proprietary FT mount as adaptors for that are a bit spendy on ebay (being custom made). They are very plasticky, however, and the plastic aperture ring is often brittle and fails.

[@zenography7923]

I must confess I've yet to use Petri gear - something I hope to address soon!

[@TheSilvio12]

my pentacon 50mm f1.8 did cost me 13€ with a fuji adaper but since i use an A7II i sold the adapter for 8€ so i only paid 5€ for one of my favorite lenses

[@zenography7923]

Now that was quite a bargain!

[@karenbford]

Great video--lovely lenses! Thanks!

[@zenography7923]

Thanks Karen, glad you enjoyed it!

[@jeghedderhenrik]

my absolute best, and extremely outstanding lens buyings are from death estate, when the family and widow, not being photography interested, sell out of cameras, lenses and tools... i got 2 times extremely lucky,,, a minolta pf 200 f 4.5 and another time helios 44-7, both i perfect condition and i guess hardly ever used... the minolta even got the ,,passed,, mark on it, from lens control, but this is over a period of 10 + years

[@zenography7923]

It's good that those lenses and cameras went to someone who'll appreciate them!

[@rpgbb]

I can’t think of a better way to increase the prices of vintages lens up 😉🤑

[@zenography7923]

I'm sure they'll increase with or without my help - much like everything else these days!

[@ManCalledMif]

amazing value those lenses. thanks for the helpful video

[@zenography7923]

Many thanks, glad it was useful!

[@markriches3180]

Hi I need your help I've been offered a Miranda 35mm lens . It's a Miranda bayonet mount . Apparently not the screw mount. What mount is it and can I get a mount too fit a Sony a7.. great videos I watch most of them ..

[@zenography7923]

I'd guess it's most likely a k mount, a very common mount especially among third party manufacturers. A k mount to sony e mount adaptor should - most likely - see you right.

[@dropsosense1506]

Your A7 could potentially hold a world record for the largest cumulative number of lenses attached to it during its lifetime.

[@zenography7923]

I think it might!

[@wonderboy1532]

Miranda is soligor brand. Keep up the good work.

[@zenography7923]

Thanks, glad you're enjoying the videos!

[@armandolopez8726]

Man , you gotta do a review on the Nikon 80-200 ai 4.5 lens. It’s insanely good.

[@zenography7923]

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

[@armandolopez8726]

@@zenography7923 sure thing! Looking forward to that review. I bought mine for 25 bucks in mint condition on eBay months ago. Prices have increased since then but can still find it relatively cheap!

[@moritzheintze7615]

Dear vintage lens fan, please consider this: Most vintage lens owners will dump their lenses rather than putting them up for auction if the bring only around 10$ or 10€ or thereabouts. Actually, I do think about dumping my zooms. Or, should I do a cool video how they explode?

[@Ben-kw8rc]

I'm kind of wondering if the Miranda lens is just a rebranded Rikenon 50mm F2. The construction is incredibly similar, as is the image quality, and both of them are K mount, which makes me mighty suspicious.

[@zenography7923]

I'm told it's made by Cosina, although it does seem similar to the Ricoh lens!

[@mattallen9546]

In the USA, it is hard to find that miranda in f2. Lots of f1.9 and f1.8 Has anyone tried those?

[@zenography7923]

It's most likely the same lens I would think?

[@Jennifer_Prentice]

Hi I am a new sub to your channel and I am a rather new photographer and I have been messing around with vintage lenses at first due to the low cost but then found I really enjoy the interesting character they all have. I was struggling to find a 35mm lens in 42 thread that had a decent f value for some nice background blur.. I finally just broke down and spent 100 dollars on one of those really cheap Yongnuo f2 lens for my Canon digital camera. I found I really enjoy the 35mm focal range on my crop sensor camera but that really cheap plastic lens half the time misses focus and is just really cheap lol. Would you happen to have any ideas for a nice vintage 35mm lens for a decent price with a F value of around 2 or lower and that is made of metal and has very good color and sharpness :). I love my vintage 50s and 55s but I do not have much room where I shoot inside and the 35mm I find is just right .. Thanks for any suggestions :).

[@zenography7923]

Hi Jennifer, thanks for the sub. One of the nicest 35mm lenses ever made is the Carl Zeiss Jena 35mm f2.4 Flektogon. Not quite f2 but near enough I think, especially considering its close focus distance of 20cm, which will get you some very cool close shots, plus plenty of blur, if that's what you're after. Colour is fantastic from this lens and its sharp wide open too. Not the cheapest vintage lens at about £150 in the UK, but certainly one of the nicest. The Olympus Zuiko 35 f2.8 is really nice too, although it doesn't go as close, but might be a bit too slow for you? Hope that helps!

[@Jennifer_Prentice]

@@zenography7923 Thanks :)

[@ice9phil]

$5 Mamiya/Sekor 55mm f1.8

[@zenography7923]

Wow, that was a bargain!

[@borderlands6606]

35mm Mamiya Sekor lenses, like Rollei, Petri and some others, are good optics that came with fairly awful camera bodies. One of the less explored corners of lens appreciation, is 39mm SLR mount. These are often confused with 39mm rangefinder lenses, which have a completely different flange difference, and are sold cheaply as a result.

[@garypritchard3446]

Thanks for the reviews/advice. Going on Ebay ! LOL

[@zenography7923]

Lol indeed! Good luck!

[@terrynoon8467]

Ni and thanks for the great videos on vintage lenses. Although I shoot olympus 4/3 you have inspired me to explore vintage lenses on a full frame and in that regard I have purchased a Sony a7 (1). However, when I fit my CSj lens through an adapter I find that the camera will not allow the magnify function and instead returns a message that a lens is not fitted. Peaking though works fine but I need both to focus properly. Any thoughts?

[@jeghedderhenrik]

when i check a lens for purple and green fringing, i shoot a photo of dark branches on a tree againt a very light sky

[@zenography7923]

Me too - the best way to see it!

[@ryanbeer5262]

Telesar 135 3.5 in t mount for $7.50. the adapter cost me more than the lens.

[@zenography7923]

Now that's a bargain, for sure!

[@ballkeeper6662]

how about m42 to eos ef

[@zenography7923]

Easily done, with a very cheap adaptor.

[@schnuuuu]

Be careful, Boys and Girls. Miranda-NEX-Adapter tend to be expensive.

[@zenography7923]

The f2 Miranda lens here has a PK mount, while the zoom lens has an Olympus OM mount. Both adaptors can be found very cheaply on ebay!

[@schnuuuu]

@@zenography7923 Yeah, I better will look for one of those. A few minutes ago I was about to make a pricy mistake.

[@sbcwinn]

Have you had any success with CCTV lenses?? They are available super cheap, and may be a good place to start.

[@philhodgkinson1460]

Best buy a Vivitar 70-205 mm zoom lens for unbelievable £1.0 GBP Incredible... nobody else wanted it......!!!

[@GeorgeK356]

Ten pounds for a lens?? A giveaway. There are no better bargains in these high inflation days. A ten pound lens this week will still be worth ten pounds in a years time, whereas ten pounds cash will have devalued. There is no better investment, un my book, than something which you can use for a few years then sell on at little to no loss of value. There are so many cheap lens manufacturers to choose from, too. Optomax, Hanimex, Kiron, the mighty Chinons, Cosina, Photax, lots and lots, and all are great value. A question for you, Nigel. You talk about old lenses vignetting, is that also true when used on crop sensors? Does the large image circle coverage not ignore the corners/edges and just sample a small centre image circle? Maybe a question for the upcoming Q&A episode? Off to browse Ebay now, looking for a bargain. Regards George

[@zenography7923]

An interesting question to use in an upcoming episode - thanks George, appreciated!

[@sbcwinn]

Your Miranda lens was made by Soligor.

[@bradl2636]

Ten quid? In 1977..?

[@itsskin]

Again, there is no "effective minimum focus distance". It will focus at the same minimum distance on all cameras. Crop does not affect this. Stop misinforming people :D

[@zenography7923]

I think you're missing the word 'effective'. I assure you it's a real effect - magnification due to smaller sensor.

[@itsskin]

@@zenography7923 What magnification has to do with minimum focus distance? Change cameras and measure the distance.

[@zenography7923]

@Ilya Terentyev Magnification means the image appears larger, of course, so that if shooting a lens with a mfd of 1 metre on micro four thirds, the image will appear twice as big. So at 1 metre, the image will appear twice as big as it would on full frame, making the image seem closer. So that gives a closer (effective) minimum focus distance. The distance doesn't change, but the image seems closer.

[@itsskin]

@@zenography7923 Magnification has nothing to do with focusing distance.