These CHEAP Vintage Lenses Are All You Need.

In this video you'll see ALL of my cheap vintage lenses.
I'm embarrassed to have so many. Each of these outstanding vintage optics will make fantastic images and each one is cheap, and available in large numbers. These lenses are real bargains.
There are so many cheap lenses available - but which are the nice ones, and which should will lead you astray?
For my guide to the best, check out this video!
If you like the content on this channel, why not become a patron at www.patreon.com/Zenography?fa...
Thanks for watching!

[@fredr.]

30mm: 29:28 Meyer-Optic 30mm/f3.5 50mm: 03:17 Industar 50 05:47 Industar 61 07:24 Helios 44-2 (8 blades) 08:53 Helios 44-2 (13 blades) 10:51 Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 12:23 Olympus Zuiko f1.8 + Super-Takumar 55/f2 16:24 Miranda f2 17:19 Chinon f1.9 18:49 Minolta Auto-Rokkor 58mm/f1.4 30:55 Vivitar 50mm/f1.8 135mm: 20:43 Pentax 135mm/f3.5 22:48 Olympus Zuico Zoom: 24:49 Sigma Zoom Master 35-70mm/f2.8-4 25:58 Sigma Zoom Master 35-70mm/f3.5-4.5 26:31 Nikon 43-86mm/f3.5 27:32 Miranda 70-210mm/f4.5-5.6 CCTV 31:00 Fernsehlinse 25mm (???)

[@bradl2636]

Nice. Thanks for your fine service sir..!

[@israyosoy]

correction: Olympus Zuiko 135mm/f3.5

[@philhodgkinson1460]

Oh because FSU N61 are so good and tessar design...why is it necessary to find an original tessar is it just colours or what do you think??

[@hellopsp180]

Thank you so much

[@chrisdyson57]

Hi Nigel, yes I would love a video that compares cheap lenses ( which I shoot 90% of the time) to more expensive ones. Thanks to you and your channel I love vintage lenses and as you said recently it’s a very satisfying experience shooting a vintage lens and getting great photos from them! Keep up the great work, thanks,Chris

[@Samson1]

I love that you look like photography Einstein in the thumbnail! 'Photo Albert.' 😆

[@thormjolnir2017]

ONE OF THE BEST OF THE BEST CHANNELS LET ALONE PHOTOGRAPHY. GOT A GREAT CHARACTER AND VOICE FOR IT. MAKES IT STAND OUT AND THE QUALITY OF CONTENT DELIVERS EVERY TIME. TIMELESS FOR ALL AGES INTERESTED IN THIS. THANKS NIGE. ALL THE BEST

[@zenography7923]

Thanks a lot, really appreciated, glad you're enjoying the channel!

[@arcanics1971]

The first 15 minutes is like taking a tour around my own lens collection- and given that this is the channel that's guided my vintage lens adventure, that's no big surprise.

[@MidnightSky69]

I have pretty much the same experience :)

[@bagazheful]

Are you enjoying the experience so far?

[@davidhardy879]

" I had twelve things to say , and the only thing I can remember is the twelfth one which was I have twelve things to say ... Where does that leave us ? " LOL ! Boy , can I relate ! ❤

[@dunnymonster]

Love your dry sense of humour, your comment about Mrs Z starting the Cuban missile crisis over a table full of lenses had me laughing out loud 😆

[@borderlands6606]

I use 135mm f3.5 lenses for bird photography. With a small rangefinder style micro four thirds camera, it offers a 270mm field of view that fits in a tiny photo bag. Shooting in high contrast mono, noise adds to the atmosphere.

[@jeghedderhenrik]

i think its important to mention, that a lenshood makes a giant quality lift, these wonderfull gems got poor coating , and a lenshood add both sharpness, colours and contrast,, i gave up finding any for the industars in this video, i made my own from deodorant roll on bottom. making a hole that fits very tight on front of the lenses. i made them look more prof with black matte spray paint, and for the ugly duckling f 3.5 , i spraypainted the outside with crome colour

[@neilpiper9889]

I still have a Pentax super Takumar 55mm f1. 8 on a Spotmatic f with which 90 percent of my family photos were taken from 1978 to 1998. I had, and still have 5 children. That lens has wonderful colour rendition and beautiful stunning bokeh.

[@steverajoo9950]

Thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge on vintage lenses. I've got a few myself. I am from the Caribbean and I always look forward to seeing your videos.

[@markcorby8475]

Absolutely love your images from the first Helios 44 that you share. Wouldn't have known that it was their copy of the Carl Zeiss Biotar unless you mentioned it, which you nicely did. Thanks Nigel!

[@sakeboersma]

Great episode!!! Thank you!! And yes… I was given an Zenit-E camera by an old lady I helped… and with a Helios 44-2 lens! Amazing quality. Solid and beautiful images!! And the Olympus Zuiko… marvelous!!

[@theoldunsshot1005]

A great subject for this video: Who doesn't like scoring cheap lenses? I was pleasantly surprised you had the Miranda 70-210mm as I just discovered I have one in my collection and it performs well on B&W film. Marvelous!

[@eddelarie8161]

I may be pulling my own finger here, but I would love it when you list these excellent choices in your video description. Looking forward to your next video.

[@gabesphoto]

Thank you for the drive through the memory lane of lenses....a real cool ride man...!!!

[@erichbrunner6157]

I would be very interested in a video where you compare an expensive "fancy" vintage lens with an inexpensive "not so fancy" lens. Erich Brunner

[@Sotangy247]

Great sound on this video. Studio quality - sounds mastered

[@camerarover7124]

Lenses for peanuts always makes an interesting Sunday afternoon chat. I hope you put your toys away before Mrs Z came home 😂

[@Romoro86]

As a user of Tamron Adaptall 17A model 35-70 f3.5 CF Macro, strongly recomend to try it out. Sharp, nice bokeh for a zoom, real macro!!!!, works fine with xt-30 focuse peaking, very compact and light even with adapter. There are some more Adaptall 2 zooms like 01B i sold recently, but all they inferior to 17A, except top one with f/2.8. Also there are adaptall fixes 24mm and 28mm f2.5 for about 25 to 30 pounds at ebay, but they compete with pergear 25mm 1.8 lens that is apsc only but really great one.

[@Dennis-ur9yu]

Thanks for another great video! "Cuban missile crisis" - very funny, that made me laugh. :D Also watch out for hidden geiger counters measuring the radioactivity of lenses. :)

[@SweetJasamine]

Great video as usual, nice pic of Zorky. Hope you managed to clear everything before your wife came home! Just a thought, maybe you could tell us what you look for when you're buying online - what rings alarm bells and what encourages you to press the Buy button.

[@streetlegal008]

Also worth looking out for - and a great accessory to have - is the vintage Vivitar x2 teleconvertor which has a PK mount - works especially well on a 50mm lens - turning your favourite lens into a fast 100mm.

[@dansemacabre5123]

Picked up a refurbed Praktika TL1000 recently, and was considering a Carl Zeiss lens for it - decided to grab a Tessar 2.8 after watching this video. Thanks for the advice given 😀

[@Viking88Power]

Love my Helios 44! Can't wait to add more to my collection.

[@LatentePhoto]

if you are a fan of bubbles bokeh i humbly suggest an underdog: the Fujinon 55mm F2.2 building quality is not a top tier, but out-of-focus is unreal.

[@philipjooste5688]

Many thanks for great episode! Love my Nikon 43-86mm f3.5 ai (3rd generation). Heinous distortion at both ends but quite ok between 50 - 60mm - also quite sharp at f3.5 even though less contrasty/dreamy but great for portraits at this f stop - Sharpness and contrast picks up considerably from f5.6 - 8. Another favourite of mine: Nikon 135 F2.8 AIS - superb for the price, as well as Vivitar 28mm f2.8 close focus (Nikon AI mount): quite sharp with high saturation/great colours - it shows some field curvature in the far corners on a digital 24mp full frame body but really comes into it's own on a film body (Nikon FE) with minimal curvature.

[@sclogse1]

Don't miss out on the Minolta Celtic 135mm 2.8, people. Crazy low ebay prices, and incredible quality and sharpness. Ebay sleeper. 15 to 40 dollars. I love it, and I own expensive Fuji primes. Just get the right lens from the right seller. On tripod, incredible.

[@philhodgkinson1460]

Absoloutely stunning episode hope Mrs Z dosent come back to soon erm erm.... You are such an expert and you right lots of lovely lenses out there...... I think you are my proffessor and I am your undergrad hey hey hey... People who make these lovely lenses must be so in love with photography... the way we all are... Oh PS before I forget that taste test thingy... Its a Brill idea... just bring it on... Thanks again Mr Nigel.... Phil....

[@tomjanowski8584]

I've got the Industar 50 3.5. I love it. I shoot wide open and it is still very sharp. What I love about the Industar is that it instantly removes the "sterile feeling of modern lenses. I also have the Helios 44-2. I''m currently shooting it with both the front and rear elements reversed. Shooting a scene slightly out of focus, but with everything still recognizable, gives the appearance of a watercolor.

[@GeordieMac]

Hello, Nigel. Thank you for your excellent videos - they’re impressive works of art like the lenses they discuss. In order to fully understand the images in your videos i have two questions, please: 1. What is the editing involved? I’m guessing it’s mostly direct out of camera with minor adjustments - Exposure? White Balance? Levels (black and white points)? 2. Black and White - you sometimes discuss how a lens makes great B&W images - what is your process for converting or capturing black and white? There’s so much variance here and different ways to convert. I’d really like to know more about exactly what my eyes are seeing in your black and whites.

[@philhodgkinson1460]

I have that Minolta lens attached to Minolta camera lovely f1. 4...colours nice.... bought a few years ago from friend so know it's provenance... for about £35 he started to panic when digital first kicked in....tried to panic me too but I resisted... 😊 Nice vid again Nigel thanks

[@aui101]

Today I‘ve made a „big comparison“ of all my „2.0 and faster“ cheap nifty fifties. I‘ve found 20 peaces on my shelf. Rules: aperture 2, 160 ISO, 1/100s 60cm Distance to the focuspoint. Camera: Nikon Z6. Only one criterion: sharpness! No surprise: Minolta Rokkor 1.4, Canon 1.8, Nikkor 1.4, 1.8, 2.0 have made the race. Bigest surprise: Pentax Takumar 1.8, Y/C Planar 1.7 and Olympus Zuiko 1.8 failed against the Helios 44M-4 and the Miranda 1.4 and 1.8. May be my copies are in worse condition but I can‘t find any signes of durt or dust. Big surprise: My old babies, Jupiter 8, Exakta Pancolar 2.0 and Edixa Isco 1.9 did it very well. There are differences of sharpness in the edges and a bit less brillante colors, but they all are very good lenses. I‘m very happy with the results. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and pictures.

[@amermeleitor]

Yesterday I got a Canon AE1 with a Canon FD 50mm 1.4 lens for 35usd I will get and FD to Sony adapter ASAP to try it!!

[@anianoenrique2115]

I love the way you look in the thumbnail! 😂

[@joelee24]

I got the Minolta Rokkor 58mm f1.2 with the XM back in the day, and I took the very first sharp photo with it, due to the heavy weight and the solid build of the set shutter shock greatly reduced. The Rokkor is a very sharp lens but quite low contrast, I even got bubble in glasses in my copy, which is not uncommon and I found on the CZJ lenses too.

[@antonicanicolae3342]

Great video, as usual! What lens is the last one, the C-mount lens? It might be interesting to try it on a Nikon J1... Thank you!

[@mwfolsom]

As a fellow old lens lover could you please list the lenses in the notes?

[@sclogse1]

That would be cheating...

[@jeghedderhenrik]

Nigel, i find the konica lenses is superior to even helios and takumar in colours, coating and equal in sharpness, but another level of loveliness in blur.. and on mirrorless cameras konica looks smaller and and more natural, because the adapters are slimmer than for examble m42

[@miruina]

I managed to snag a CZJ 135mm F4 Sonnar which according to serial numbers was from 1941, the shape and body is that of the jupiter 11 and it's m39 SLR mount (not the range finder m39) and it is now almost permanently affixed to my camera I've taken it off only a handful of times when I needed something wider. It's an oddball the more I learn about it but I absolutely cannot complain at the $20 spent on it.

[@petersnow389]

In the 1970's the Pentacon Club regularly published lens comparison tests, and these appeared in the club magazine. They compared the four 50mm lenses in the range, with comparison tests between the Pancolar and Pentacon (Oreston), Tessar and Pancolar, and also the Domiplan. A selection of shots taken with the lenses were shown, comparing centre, and edge definition, at different apertures, and these tests were always popular with club members. So similar tests on the channel would be a good idea. I remember also seeing tests published on the Lydith, 80mm Pancolar, Flektogons, Sonnars etc. In fact, almost all of the optics then available in the CZJ, and Pentacon (Meyer Optik) ranges. Tests were also carried out on older lenses, and much was printed about the Meyer Optik 100mm 'Trioplan', pre dating todays demand, and eye watering prices for this lens. The Meyer Optik 50mm f3.5 'Primotar' is reviewed very favourably too, and lenses from this manufacturer, have always been my personal favourite.

[@reptilespantoso]

hey! I missed your videos! hope you are well.

[@crazygeorgelincoln]

Yes to a Pepsi challenge video. But do zoom in a bit as I'm watching on a phone. Got given a lens for gratis , a smc Pentax fa 3.5 4.7 28 to 80 screw pin type autofocus and electric zoom. I found an adapter is available to make it function on Sony , nearly 300 quid it is. Might rig up some sort of external power so I can operate the zoom while using a basic pk adapter.

[@worldadventuretravel]

The original Helios KMZ lens is now selling for $320 on eBay and the crap one from their third factory (the ones with the serial number starting with 8) are going for $175. So that's what happens when the secret to a great vintage lens which used to be cheap gets out on the internet.

[@anothervisionofthings]

Just discovered your channel today and subscribed, really interesting content ! Which 28mm - 30mm range would you recommend please ? looking to get them paired with my 5d Mark II

[@zenography7923]

Any lens from one of the major manufacturers would fit the bill, however I think the Olympus Zuiko 28mm f2.8 is particularly nice!

[@philhodgkinson1460]

I have just recieved an f2 cosinon 50mm lens exactly same as the 50mm Miranda.....focus very smooth but f stop ring... Yikes very stiff.... I have started to lube it Very clean lens maybe in cardboard box for years!

[@leonasj9633]

i have takumar 50/1.4 [8-element[, macro takumar 4/50,super macro takumar 4/50,takumar smc 55/1.8,zenitar 50/2 M2s, zenitar 1.7/50, helios 44m-7, takumar 135/2.5 [6-element], industar 50/3.5 for use on my GFX50R

[@anthonyballinger7144]

Absolutely fantastic listening to you talking about beautiful images... and really what you're doing is showing what a nonsense modern mega expensive glass is in reality

[@shawnbrynelson5333]

If I could suggest a great walk about zoom lens, look into the Minolta md 35-70mm, get the f3.5 Macro if you can afford it. I adapted it onto my Sony A7Riii and it is unbelievably sharp. Might just be my copy, but its razor sharp from edge to edge right from F3.5. Superb lens, and a great focal range for a general purpose lens.

[@emperorofrats]

yes , that´s the reason why Leitz bought the lenses from minolta , made their own "housing" and sold it as a Vario-Elmar 35-70.I use the macro-and the normal version , for me the normal version is more practical to use

[@the_last_rangefinder_society]

I think the issue with some of these low cost mass produced gems is their original manufacturing tolerance criteria. You may occasionally find a gem but generally speaking and in my experience you find more type performance consistency in the higher cost lenses. That being said they may be consistently mediocre! There's a lot to be said for taking some test shots if the seller will humour you (but if then lenses are less than 30£ - about the cost of a pint in London - you may as well take a punt). I also think (and there's no optical reason I can think of off hand why this may be the case) that these lenses perform differently on digital.sensors and film. Some of this may be down to the indexing of the film plane but some of it could be down to the imperfections in the glass (and the way the frequencies of the light are interpreted in the silver halide of the film versus the way digital sensors handle same). Either way this is a thought provoking vid and your time and effort are as always hugely appreciated!!!! I think analysis is difficult on film due to the multiple indeterminacies introduced in scanning (I scan my 35mm film with a Sony a7r3 using a Nikon 105mm f4 macro and who knows what artefacts they introduce!!!! But it's much easier to scan film this way than using a flat bed scanner imho. I think it would be interesting to see this type of comparison........

[@shawnbrynelson5333]

You should look into getting a Pentax Q for that CCTV lens.

[@thegroove2000]

Asahi Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 135mm f/3.5 is a fav out of my vintage lenses.. I can get consistent results with it and the way it renders images is pleasing. Sharp from 3.5 all the way up to my eyes. It just feels right to me and easy to focus as well.

[@thegroove2000]

Asahi SMC Takumar 135mm f/3.5 Pros Inexpensive Very good sharpness Very low CA Very low distortion Ultra smooth handling Light and compact

[@thegroove2000]

Its a steal. Everyone should have one.

[@thegroove2000]

It pairs well with the Pentax K200 body with the catch in focus feature for manual lenses.

[@thegroove2000]

Thats my combo with the m42 adapter. Just waiting for the Nikon 300s next week but that's for autofocus capabilities and of course the image quality. The pentax for vintage lenses.

[@paulkelly4530]

Hello. I have just bought an Agfa Billy. The aperture lever is right angled and I cannot figure how to set it properly. Is the upright the marker or is it the flat edge which is a few mm to the right? Thanks. Paul

[@jeghedderhenrik]

if one need a telelens, i xan recommend the minolta pf 200 f 4.5, slim design, sharp and lovely warm rich colours

[@dogtazz8]

Mr Zenography, where does one purchase the adapters to fit the Zuiko 35mm lenses to my Panasonic G80. Many thanks for a reply.

[@CraigDavies.]

Industar v Lieca and Carl Zeiss Pancolar v Pentacon 50mm 1.8 there must be loads of shootouts you could do.

[@zenography7923]

Thanks for the suggestions!

[@philhodgkinson1460]

The Lydith well I have a pentacon version is exactly same 5 elements 5 groups 10 or 12 (can't remember) diaphragm leaves.... tre excellent M42 in this case camera and lens £11....

[@volkanbadem6489]

Sometimes mount of the lens determines the price of the lens. Kiev mount lenses are cheaper than l39 of the same lenses. There are various cheap K mount lenses.

[@Looppehh]

17:30 Love this moment :)))

[@f1remandg]

I have wanted to ask many times, but keep forgetting, you know the feeling. However, do you use these on digital bodies or are you developing your photos on film cameras, I know you use both, but just wondered if you develop or send/take them for developing. Perhaps either way you could do a video on that, costs, choices etc, I think people who are used to your style and trust your info, would really enjoy, it’s a little different and expands or, excuse the pun, develops the mind in progressing to other parts of photography, printing etc. DG

[@klauspetermann2373]

I want the professor from the thumbnail!

[@mjohnston8313]

This chal is great.

[@dewmanic]

is there a kmz halios that zooms somehow ?

[@hamish5214]

I once bought a Carl Zeiss Jena pancolar 50mm f1.8 for 30€ and sold it for 130€!

[@leulshewangizaw9722]

I have a Fuji XE2. Is there a different adapter for each vintage lense I buy? Thanks for sharing!

[@andrewbaxter9395]

Yes, Fuji like Sony are very well catered for with aftermarket adapters.

[@zenography7923]

There's a different adaptor for each type of vintage lens mount, so to use Nikon lenses you need a Nikon F to Fuji X adaptor, to use M42 lenses you'll need an M42 to Fuji X adaptor and so on. Hope that helps!

[@sclogse1]

Mostly you"ll find you'll need an M42 adapter. If a lens was mounted on an Exacta, then you get an Exacta to Fuji X. adapter. Fotodiox has great adapters on eBay for around 11 dollars. They should come with little Alan wrenches. Yes, they mount on Fuji when you get a Fuji adapter, but on the lens end, the screw mount, when the lens is on tight, can be loosened with these alan wrenches so you can rotate the lens more to bring all the numbers topside. I highly recommend getting an adapter for each vintage lens, and keeping that adapter on that lens. If you ever mount a lens on an adapter and it tightens up in focus or aperature, you need to get another manufacturer adapter. Never this problem with fotodiox.

[@jendriktimm5566]

My copy of the Sigma Zoom Master 35-70mm cost me 1 Euro plus shipping. You cannot get any cheaper. 😊

[@sclogse1]

The Pentax looks a litle yellow. Thorium? I had my missle crisis last week. I'd say I need a shrink, but I'd prefer an expander....

[@zenography7923]

I know what you mean!

[@tomislavmiletic_]

Is GBP still so strong? 🤣 Anyway, some 5-6 yrs ago I bought my OM 135mm f3,5 for about 25 €, but these days that lens can punch even above 100 €. How times can change in a blink of an eye...

[@iansimpson9351]

Another great video. I notice not many of your lens have a UV filters on them, is that a conscious decision on your part. What's your thoughts on UV or skylight filters, a topic for a future video maybe ?

[@skazhenyj]

Those filters are absolutely useless on digital cameras (not really useful on film either I think). If you mean only for lens protection, I'd rather use a lens hood (which is useful in general). Extra glass may degrade image quality a bit, and also introduce extra flaring and ghosting, so there is some pain and no gain really (unlike with ND and polarizing filters for example, which do open some new possibilities).

[@samham3901]

A question please ⁉️ which adapter should I buy to use such old vintage lenses from different brands with my Olympus om-de-m10 mark ii this is something always get me confused 😕 Thank you 💖

[@zenography7923]

Each type of vintage lens needs a different adaptor to mount to your micro four thirds camera, so to use an old M42 mount lens you'd need an M42 to micro four thirds adaptor, to use a K-mount lens you'd need a K-mount to micro four thirds adaptor, and so on. Hope that helps!

[@samham3901]

@@zenography7923 yes it helps 😊thank you.

[@cubistone]

The images from those old lenses are to my taste what filet mignon steaks are to my dogs.

[@zenography7923]

Indeed!

[@philhodgkinson1460]

Look after them reminds me of triggers broom ( Only fools) ha ha ☹️

[@patriziodalessandro1693]

Hello. The US audience might agree with your statement, but I live in Europe, therefore I consider Japan as "east" - not "west" (Asahi Optical Co. - btw, you are holding a "Takumar" not a "Pentax" lens, even if the front cap says so - obviously, not original: at least ASAHI PENTAX, please). By the way (we already discussed this) most Olympus OM lenses were produced in Japan (Tatsuno, Sasaki, Aizu, Shirakawa, Ina Japanese factories and I consider Vietnam as "east" as well - the date code printed on the lens identifies the factory). Since you explained about Helios-44 (silver version M39) number of blades, it is worth mentioning that 50/2,8 CZJ Tessars can be found with different number of blades as well (5-8-10-12) and you should be able to notice some diffence in their bokeh...

[@zenography7923]

Thanks for the info, I didn't know that.

[@marksieving7925]

It's a political distinction from the time when these lenses were made. "West" = "First World" = countries aligned with the United States, including Japan. "East" = "Second World" = countries aligned with the Soviet Union. The classification came from a French political scientist.

[@TheDavveponken]

Are you ever concerned about radioactive lenses? Do you check yours? The Takumar in particular are said to often be radioactive to a hazardous level. Be sure to take care of yourself and have them checked with a geiger instrument.

[@zenography7923]

Some of the Taks are radioactive, including as I understand it the 55mm. These lenses are best handled with a couple of precautions - never hold them close to your body, especially the sensitive bits, and never, never hold them to your eye and look through them! Oh, and I wouldn't dismantle them either! Used carefully I don't think there's too much to worry about.

[@user-bs6rv4kc8x]

KMZ Zenitar-m 1,7/50 ?

[@zenography7923]

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

[@soulsm1th]

@@zenography7923 It's absolutely brilliant! Probably the best soviet 50mm.

[@leonasj9633]

@@soulsm1th i have helios 44m-7, zenitar 1.7/50 and zenitar-M2s 50/2 , Zenitar M2s is as sharpas zenitar 1.7/50,but lightest 150gr only and always on my medium format camera GFX50R when no need AF

[@freeman10000]

Pentax M42 Takumar lenses are the best value for money lenses ever! Nuff said.

[@jeghedderhenrik]

the ugly industar got 6 blades