Four Wide Angle Lenses YOU CAN'T AFFORD To Ignore - And One To Avoid!

[@fredr.]

00:00 Intro. Work your style and study Breaking Bad 02:28 Konica Hexanon AR 40mm f/1.8 (his favorite lens until the next video) 07:47 Canon FD 28mm f/2.8 (A great little lens. Cannot go wrong) 12:46 M4/3 Roll call: Carl Zeiss Jena Flektogon 20mm f/4 (Grab one if you can) 18:14 SMC Pentax-M 28mm f/2.8 (Buy it. You won’t regret it) 22:41 Miranda 24mm f/2.8 (It is what it is…) IMHO better buying the Miranda than the Vivitar 28mm f2.8

[@zenography7923]

Thanks Fred, much appreciated!

[@fredr.]

@@zenography7923 it's me who should thank you

[@Dimasshard]

got pentax 28mm f2.8 and flektogon 20mm f4. No regret at all

[@LCM94120]

Just got myself a Pentax 28mm at La Foire de Bièvres in gréât condition for 40€. Thanks for your reviews!

[@thebendu33]

​@@LCM94120j'ai cette lentille aussi, elle est super. Parcontre, je pense me débarasser de mes Pentax et ne garder que mes Minolta. J'ai beaucoup plus de lentilles et j'ai besoin d'argent pour m'acheter mon premier numérique. Si je peux abaisser le montant de la facture, ne serait-ce que de quelques centaines de dollars, j'en serais très heureux.

[@nevillewatkins4997]

I have the little Pentax 28mm. It's a great little lens and one of my favourites. It will probably work just as well in 40 years time as well.

[@bumi5178]

The SMC lenses are said to employ the same coating technology used by Zeiss in their T* coatings which they co-developed during their short collaboration period in the 70s, another product of which was the SMC Pentax 28mm f2, the identical twin of the "Hollywood" lens Distagon 28mm f2. As a funny side note, I find the SMC Pentax-M line to be quite good looking, so it made me chuckle hearing how much you insisted upon their unimpressive appearance.

[@zenography7923]

It's clearly in the eye of the beholder! The info on coating technology is interesting - I don't have much experience of western Zeiss lenses, but those coatings on the Pentax really are second to none.

[@movietribe2048]

I love your kind of speaking in English language, very slow, with a very distinctive prononciation, it's a pleasure for me hearing these information, because I'm a French men talking English, but not real bilingual thank's a lot

[@zenography7923]

Thanks, very kind!

[@kevinroberts1888]

I really like FD lenses, started with those back in the day and they're what turned me into a life long Canon fan. Been watching for the M42 version of that CZJ lens, really would like to get that one. Trying to get the M42 version so I won't have to ruin it with an element in the adapter on my full frame DSLR.

[@zenography7923]

The FD lenses are very hard to beat, for sure!

[@mudgie069]

I've got the Sigma Super Wide II 24mm f/2.8 macro and Minolta 28mm f2.8 MC lenses for my vintage wide angles. Great lenses both of them. Nice review as always.

[@CorvusNumber6]

Superb cat name!🤣 Great video, I completely agree with regard to the Konica and Pentax lenses. I collect both, they are superb. The 40mm Konica is especially useful for film-making when de-clicked. Thanks for uploading!

[@zenography7923]

Thanks for watching!

[@Narsuitus]

I am a big fan of wide-angle lenses. For my full-frame cameras, I have wide-angles that range in focal length from 14mm to 35mm. However, most of my wide-angles are modern or expensive or both. Three inexpensive vintage lenses I have used are: Vivitar 28mm f/2.8 lens with TX mount (58mm filter) (produced high quality images) Vivitar 28mm f/2.5 lens with M42 mount (67mm) Vivitar 28mm f/2.5 lens with TX mount (58mm) (produced the lowest quality images) Each cost less than $60. The one that produced high quality images produced images that were equal in quality to my higher priced Nikon, Zeiss, and Takumar 28mm lenses. The one that produced the lowest quality images produced images that were still usable. I primarily used these Vivitars in situations where there was a high likelihood that the lens might be lost, damaged, or stolen.

[@philhodgkinson1460]

One tip I have come accross is hold any particular lens up to a downlighter you may have in ceiling at home or the office to check lenses... simple and straightforward an alternative to using a torch even though many good led torches about nowadays...just saying thanks Nigel.

[@jmoss99]

Have you reviewed any 18mm or Medium Format lenses before?

[@johndwilliams]

Think you need to review some of those prices that you're quoting! Probably down to your videos. Have just bought a Carl Zeiss Biotar 58mm f2 with a dented filter ring for £50. Love it.

[@jimgraves4197]

My favourite wide angle lens is my Olymnpus Zuiko 28mm f/3.5 closely followed by my Tamron Adaptall 2 28mm f/2.5. I also have a Meyer-Optik Goerlitz 30mm f/3.5 Lydith in M42 mount that exudes quality and a Hoya HMC 28mm f/2.8, a dark horse among wide angle lenses that is really nice to use.

[@zenography7923]

The Zuiko 28 3.5 is very nice indeed - many rate it better than the 2.8!

[@davidmill7289]

Just received the Miranda 😆. First couple of snaps can see the softness wide open but colours are easily boosted in Lightroom via in-camera presets or masking so will give it a go. Will be using it occasionally as a 35mm on my a6500.

[@jimschmidt7303]

I have been blown away by the various vintage Pentax Lenses, the Pentax K10d (10mPix) and Pentax K-S1 (20mPix) I purchased in the last year. The colors and 3D pop from the jpg files are leaps and bounds better than the Nikon cameras and lenses I also have. The different M42 brands have been hit and miss for me. I would have stuck with the K10d if the dynamic range was better. The lenses have been good on the Panasonic M4/3 I picked up for $50. In my opinion, Pentax cameras with their lenses been outstanding. I find I rarely need to do more than crop pictures now. Thanks for sharing the information on all the various lenses you have reviewed and your photos.

[@zenography7923]

The majority of Pentax lenses I have used have been second to none - very nice glass indeed!

[@davidgatchalian885]

Thanks for this discussion on Pentax quality…I took your advice and settled on a Pentax setup for my return to film…including the 28mm ! Appreciate this along with your other videos !

[@mikechudzinski6629]

On your query, getting a suggestion for cleaning up the Flektogon 20mm, I would try 50,000 grit diamond paste. I have a Kinoptik 5.7mm that I buffed with the paste and Dremel buffing wheels. About an hour of buffing because 50,000 git diamond paste is extremely fine. The Kinoptik is single-coated and I felt it was preferable to take a longer period of time in buffing, rather than shorter period of time with a larger particle paste, possibly buffing off the lens coating. Favorite focal length.. I think I have gone from 20mm to 15mm. I find it very satisfying to find lenses that are truly ignored, unappreciated, forgotten, and of course vintage. The SMC Pentax 15mm F/3.5 is such a lens, not really a budget lens, but I found a decent copy for less than $700usd. Am really looking forward to receiving it and taking it out on the town...

[@zenography7923]

That Pentax sounds like a lot of fun! Thanks for the polishing suggestion - I think that's definitely worth a try, if it can be done without compromising the coating too much.

[@mikechudzinski6629]

@@zenography7923 50,000 grit is 0.0 - 0.5 microns

[@marcinos303]

One solution for a badly scratched lens is to use an organic acid, similar to those used to soften and polish car windows. You just have to be careful with the correct concentration, because if the lens is made of very soft fluorite glass, it can dissolve. In the case of the old "zebra" version of the Flektogon, you don't have to worry about coatings on the front element, because either there is only one, very thin, and most often there are no coatings at all. The old Jena Zeiss lenses, produced in the former East Germany, are always famous for the fact that "zebras" are a bit sharper, but those with "multicoating" coatings have better contrast and work against the light at the expense of a bit less sharpness. This does not apply to Soviet lenses, which, regardless of their version, are completely irrelevant against the light, and the MC versions are very rare and much more expensive anyway. In my opinion, it is not worth overpaying, since you can not see the difference.

[@jerryrichards8172]

I started back in 1977 with a Pentax K1000 loved it. It was all stolen in Florida 😢. In the 80s. After returning from the east coast Florida to west coast California i purchased my minolta X-700 with some minolta lense. Im enjoying my vintage minolta glass on a modern sony and would to get some old Pentax glass.

[@GonzoTheRosarian]

This is very helpful. My favorite wide angle of all time is the Nikkor 24 mm 2.8, images are magical with this lens.

[@nvrumi]

I'm right with you on the Hexanon 40/1.8 -- it's a great little lens and lovely on the A7S. I have an Olympus 40/2 in my inventory that needs to be shot on the A7S. Maybe later this week. I found a Vivitar 19/3.5 a few years ago in Nikon F mount and shot it on my D300. It makes some lovely images and I was quite surprised by it. This instance was made by Cosina and they did an excellent job. Now I think I need to find some more 40mm lenses and that is one of my favorite focal lengths. You are hard on my bank account, sir! ;)

[@robtweed1955]

The one downside I've found of using Canon FD lenses (which I otherwise agree are excellent): it's so easy to forget to turn the aperture dial on the adapter and end up shooting wide open when you think you've stopped down the lens!

[@ea4bl]

Fully agree. I fixed it by way of removíng the front plate and inserting an small piece of tape between the main body of the adapter and this plate. Now it works great. Quite hard to turn as it should.

[@zenography7923]

The slightly tricky adaptor is the only downside to these great optics!

[@WMedl]

I have a Canon FD adaper for MFT and Nikon Z and on none if them there is an adapter ring on its own, so no problem for me!

[@LCM94120]

Just got myself a Pentax 28mm at La Foire de Bièvres for 40€. Thanks fo your reviews and advices!

[@dudepersonvids]

As soon as you said "wide angle lenses" and "great example of cinematography," Breaking Bad immediately came to mind - and then you said it.

[@zenography7923]

A stunning looking show - don't know if it won any awards for cinematography, but it would have if I was giving them out!

[@purpleeinstein]

@Zenography I second your love and admiration of the Konica 40. One of my favorites as well!

[@zenography7923]

One of the finest lenses ever made, imho at least!

[@MichaelRusso]

The Konica 40mm is a sweet lens. My Pentax 24mm f/2.8 is my favorite at the moment. The Pentax 35mm f/2 is my runner up.

[@zenography7923]

Those two pentaxes sound lovely!

[@javiergarcia-rd5lj]

I just need to upgrade my 28mm lense and I will be good to begin this amazing adventure!

[@helgividar]

I bought my first vintage lens this week. It was Gemini 28mm 1:2.8 for my good old Minolta film camera. It is supposed to be an alternative to the 45mm kit lens. Since I’m shooting film, I can’t say yet how good it really is but it looks pleasing to my eyes and impressive through the viewfinder.

[@lufranco4958]

A nice, very on time video for me since I'm planning to sale my canon pancake 24mm f2.8 this winter and thinking about replacing it with a vintage 24mm. I'm a bit sourprise you didn't go wider than 28mm appart from that Carl Zeisse and that ugly Miranda; but I do stand on the exact same page with you sir when 40mm lens reffere to. I have an Eos M, APSC sensor and my usual lens, almost native lens is the 7artisans 25mm f1.8, which becomes a 40mm. My thought on this fantastic, captivating FoV is that, although we humans can almost see 180° horizontal, our point of interest lives around the same FoV that the 35mm - 40mm see as well, so we can tell storyes with this lens as much and closer we do when we see things in person. As for my favourite wide lens, I really like the 24mm, specially for street photography/videography, but your review on the TTartisans 17mm really made me think about getting one of those instead of a Canon 24mm FD. Again and always thank you very much for putting your interesting reviews every sunday morning (Mexico time), I await for your vides as a kid awaits for the morning cartoons bar :) Muchas gracias Zen

[@zenography7923]

Many thanks my friend, glad you're enjoying the videos!

[@matthewneleigh567]

I have both the Pentax and Canon FD 28mm lenses... they're both very good, and I definitely agree about the Pentax colors- put a polarizer on it and you can get some stunning skyscapes if there's interesting weather around. I haven't had the Canon for as long, so I haven't fully explored its potential yet, but I have found it to be quite contrasty. Between the two I'd pick the Pentax for astrophotography, as I think it's a bit sharper where point light sources are concerned (less coma smearing) but I've also gotten some very nice moonlit landscape shots with the Canon on the same outings.

[@zenography7923]

Both very nice lenses - and inexpensive too! Thanks for watching.

[@javiergarcia-rd5lj]

Thank you so, so very much sir, i went shopping on line and I got the best of the best for my needs because of your reviews. greetings from Mexico.

[@alexblaze8878]

My favorite is probably 28mm. Any wider and they just seem too pricey for the rare times I need a wider shot. The Nikon AI-S 28mm 2.8 is reasonably priced and works great. My second best-value choice would be the Super Takumar 24mm 3.5 Both are sharp, give good color rendition, have minimal distortion, and the Takumar can focus down to 9 inches giving nice bokeh at that distance! Great video Nigel!

[@zenography7923]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@foblivio]

Such a soothing video. I have that SMC-M 28mm from the early 80s. You are spot on about it.

[@zenography7923]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks!

[@WatchesAndPhotography]

Wow, that 20mm carl Zeiss less is beautiful, optically!

[@mauritsvw]

In the Pentax line one can also be on the lookout for the 28mm f3.5, which has even better build quality and reputation than the M lens featured here. The f3.5 is from the K-line of lenses, which preceded the more compact M-line.

Nice review as alsways Nigel. Even if this Miranda is not a good lens, other Auto Miranda focal lenses are gems. I have a Miranda Sensorex with the 50mm f/1.8 and it is a very good lens, as well as the 1.4 version. Same thing for the Miranda Sensorex, which is a very well made and good looking camera.

[@zenography7923]

Hmm, maybe I got a bad copy?

[@tintinmike]

I was just going to jump on about this. My first slr was a Miranda Sensorex (the camera just "fell into my hand", if you know what I mean). I still have two camera bodies and have about 4 or 5 Auto Miranda lenses and they always seemed to give good colours. Not the best but better than the one you showed, Nigel. Just a thought; could it be that this is one of the Dixon "Miranda" lenses which they sold after they bought the brand name?

@@tintinmike Yep, the quality dropped a lot after Dixon bought Miranda. During the 60s and 70s, Miranda cameras et lenses were quite astonishing, especially for the price. I've never used a 28mm, but the 50mm 1.8 and 1.4 are very good lenses.

[@TheManFrayBentos]

I have a Tamron Adaptall-2 24mm and a 28mm, both of which are fairly decent performers on APS-C and FF. Right now, I'm discovering how good (or bad) a pair of Vivitars are on FF Nikon, one is a 28/2.5 and the other is a 19/3.8, both in AI. I'd briefly tried both of them on a Pentax K10D some years ago and they were ok, but that wasn't FF, so I don't know how they'll do on FF. For those who don't know - Nikon F lenses will mount on Pentax K-series bodies, but 60degrees off and they won't lock, and obviously have to be manually stopped down. They work, but it's purely a desperation measure. The worst 28mm lens I have is an Eyemik - made by some budget lens maker back when everyone was clamouring for cheap wide-angles in the 70s. It's ok if all you want is a postcard-sized print, but even on a Canon 10D it was showing its ragged edges, so no good for anything nowadays, and it would easily out-rank that Miranda for Crappiest Lens of the Year.

[@PhiggysDOTcom]

I have a Pentax 40mm f2.8 which I use adapted to Z FX. Fuji X and to 4/3 bodies such a great versatile focal length any all formats. and recently I dropped on a bargain boxed CZJ 20mm f4 Flektogon with m42 thread I captured one of my favourite images of the year so far with itinerary my first outing with it. The canon FD28mm f2.8 was my very first wide angle lens I ever purchased amazing sharp for the price. One of my favourite lenses for FUJINON XF27mm f2.8 pancake which also gives you approximately 40mm ish Again another excellent video it’s always a enjoyable pleasure watching what you put out on the tube😊👍🏼 Please keep them coming !

[@zenography7923]

Many thanks, glad you're enjoying them!

[@jean-marcschwartz2525]

I've got a 28mm Vivitar 2.8 (close-up) at 23 cm, it's my favorite focal lens for street, and more, on a apsc system he's becoming a 42 mm, that it's just perfect too for street photography. Cheap lens on the market, but man what a lens 👌

[@zenography7923]

That sounds like a nice lens - and I'm always interested in dark horses!

[@432productions6]

Its soft wide open. Lots of ghosting. Cant use it without f4.

[@44messier]

My fav vintage WA lens is a sigma 19-35mm f3.5-4.2 . Put it on infinity and f8 @ 19mm for everything to be in focus and sharp to the edge. Great for wide field astronomy images. Got it for £39 from a camera shop due to it having a stiff pull / push zoom. But as I mostly use at 19mm that,s not an issue.

[@zenography7923]

That sounds like a very nice lens - enjoy!

[@Fotofan4life]

Thank you for another informative and enjoyable video. I appreciate your comments and presentation style. Your prefatory comments about one horrible lense had me wondering if that would be the Tamron 24 f2.5 Adaptall-2 (model 01B), which in my experience is sufficiently sharp and contrasty for pleasing image renderings with my Pentax DSLRs (K20D, K-m) but sensitive to lighting angle because of pronounced flare, despite the BBAR multi-coating. I second your accolades about the Pentax-M 28 f2.8, which I retailed in the mid-1980s and also own.

[@johnforbes1659]

You mentioned the different colours on the Pentax 28mm lens numerals - for distance and aperture. What you didn't know, or failed to mention, was that choosing those highlighted colours would give you an in-focus image when the subject was anywhere from infinity to quite close. Good old Pentax, always thinking of the photographer.

[@zenography7923]

I didn't realise that, thanks for the info.

[@kennyj604]

Just picked up a CZJ 20mm 2.8 M42 mount in lovely shape for $200 CAD. Tried it right away on my Panasonic GX7. Wow!. Tried it on my Pentax K70. And once again. Wow!

[@zenography7923]

Gosh, you got that for a very good price - a beautiful lens!

[@GeorgeK356]

Another great episode, Nigel, and one which interests me because getting the longer focal lengths for APS-C bodies is easy, and relatively cheap, finding good wide angle lenses is a lot harder. I tried a few lenses in the 24mm to 35mm range for my Fujis but wasn't too keen on the images they made. I currently have a 28mm f2.8 Vivitar in OM fitting that I'm happy with, and I have a Pergear 25mm f1.8 in native FX mount which I was pleasantly surprised with, seeing that it was less than £50 new. I have a Tefnon 28mm f2.8 in Minolta fitting which is poor, as is my Pentacon 30mm f3.5 M42, but I think that may just be my copy. I also have, from my Nikon days, a Sigma 10-20mm zoom which, when paired with an adapter gives me a 15mm to 30mm focal range. This lens makes some really great images and that leads me to a suggestion. Have you looked at third party manufacturers, the Vivitar, Tamron, Sigma etc as well as some of the more obscure manufacturers,. as a source of lenses to experiment with? I think it could be an interesting exercise to see how they compare. However, whatever you decide to do is fine with us, I think, as we all look forward to another episode. Cheers George

[@zenography7923]

It's funny you should say that - I've been thinking of looking at some third party lenses for a while - stay tuned!

[@mikesabi6048]

Thanks again for this video! I absolutely like my Vivitar 28 mm f/2.8

[@beckerse]

Another great video. I love the cameo by Zorki cat.

[@zenography7923]

Glad you enjoyed it. Zorki is a flighty fellow, but he does put in the occasional appearance!

[@johnjon1823]

Zorki says the word you were looking for for the 20mm is rectilinear. But you knew that.

[@Digital_Photog1995]

I must agree with your assessment it the Konica Hexanon AR 40mm f1.8! It’s a great walk around lens thats attached to my Canon EOS M3. Much to like an nothing to dislike about it.

[@zenography7923]

One of my absolute favourites!

[@robtweed1955]

While not quite up the 40mm f1.8 standard, the Konica Hexanon 28mm f3.5 is a very good option, and easily obtainable at e low cost. I really like the results it gives. Another I'd recommend is the Nikkor 28mm f3.5 which is usually overlooked in favour of the now very sought after and therefore expensive f2.8 AIS model. If you can find a bargain Nikkor 24mm f2.8, again I'd recommend it, and the fairly tricky-to-find Nikkor 20mm f4 is another I'd recommend, though they tend to be a bit more pricy.

[@zenography7923]

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

[@y2ktube]

Video @ 10:16 "there is a little bit of plastic used" - a "little bit" ? This is a massive understatement ! - I'm a camera /lens service technician, and I refuse to service that 'series' of all-polycarbonate Canon lenses. They use WAY TOO MUCH plastic & glue ! - In fact, if a tech doesn't have replacement parts, good luck extracting fog/haze inside the sealed lens groups and for any components possibly marred by even a careful tear-down...

[@zenography7923]

I didn't realise they were put together that way - not really serviceable then? By the way, as a lens technician, do you know of anyone who can re-coat a lens element?

[@y2ktube]

@@zenography7923 - "anyone who can re-coat a lens"? - I no longer have a source in the U S A. There's an Ebay 'seller' from Russia who offers the service; I've never used him to see the quality of his work. - But, in my experience, polishing & recoating is in effect a grounding-down of not only the old coating, but the glass itself! - Before & after testing has shown me that rarely will a lens perform back up to factory specifications after this 'violent' process has been completed. i.e. An expensive Leica lens will definitely lose its 'world class' resolution.

[@marcinos303]

The 20mm F4 Flectogon you're talking about is one of the best 20mm lenses ever made in the history of photography. Its very expensive 20mm F2.8 version is already a work of art. However, let me warn potential buyers of Flektogon - before you buy it, be sure to test the lens on your camera !!! The 20mm flectogon is a very wide lens, but not fisheye yet. However, the way it is depicted by its optics makes it not very good at APS-C and smaller matrices. It is generally believed that the Flektogon "soaps" on the crop. Among the cheap equivalents of Flektogon, it is worth mentioning its Soviet copy of MIR 20M, also known as Arsat - Ukrainian factory "Arsenal" in Kiev. I think Flektogon 35mm F2.4 will be a better choice for small matrices - probably the best 35mm in the old world, also its counterpart MIR 24 (35mm F2) is excellent. I also recommend the Takumar 24mm F2.8. In Poland, where I live, in the old days you could buy cameras and lenses only from behind the "iron curtain" - Soviet or East German. The cheapest was the Helios 58mm, in any version and everyone was used to it. Another alternative was the 50mm Tessars or their Soviet counterparts - Industars. Personally, I always missed a slightly wider angle. At the beginning, the only lens that could be obtained was the famous MIR 1B (W) with a focal length of 37mm. The lens even won the Grand Prix in Brussels in its class. Currently, many users of mirrorless cameras are delighted with this MIR model and pay a lot of money for it. In fact, it is a terrible lens, low resolution, soft and "soapy". It only does not distort the image - for which he received the aforementioned award. I wouldn't give MIR 1B more than £ 10-20, it's not worth more. But at a much lower price, you can buy a Pentacon (Lydith) 30mm F3.5 lens with a smooth preselection aperture - this is a real gem, a tiny pretty lens with beautiful bokeh that reflects colors beautifully and does well against light. Its slightly bigger brother, from the same Meyer Optik company - the Pentacon 29mm F2.8 is just as good.

[@zenography7923]

Thanks for the tips - I'll check them out!

[@yveslaurier950]

I used to have a Konica AutoReflex T3 with a 57mm 1.4 and a 135mm 2.5 plus a 28 mm lens. The 57 and 135 lenses where stunning lenses. The 28 was very good. I miss those lenses.

[@zenography7923]

The Konicas are unsung gems among vintage lenses, no doubt about it!

[@marcp.1752]

You should really buy the all-new TTArtisan 23mm F1.4 APS-C Lens, for your Fujifilm X-Mount X-E Series. Review from Richard Wong yesterday on YT here was really good, only extreme Corners aren't that cool before F5.6-8, but for just 99 bucks, it's exactly what i've hoped for since this summer, preordered earlier this week.

[@douggoodhill]

I agree about the 40mm focal length - but as you say it is a personal preference as to how we see. I prefer a 35mm as it is a little more versital, but I took many great pictures with a 27mm (27*1.5 =40) pancake lens on a Fiji (x-e3) body. I'm sure you would also love this combination. Wow - Miranda - that is a blast from the past - their 60s SLRs had some uniqe characteristics.

[@zenography7923]

I do like a bit of 40mm action, for sure!

[@lanceevans1689]

The reason the Canon FDs tend to be less costly is probably simply supply/demand. There were so many FD lenses made, Canon was so popular, that there are more of them than other brands. And while I like the Canon line, I found the 28mm to be less than stellar. And I'm not a fan of the images you showed from it. So it's not just my copy. The 24mm FD is much the same. The 50/1.4 however is on another level, and is one of the best lenses I ever owned. And I picked it up for $50.

[@ridealongwithrandy]

Good stuff! I rekon I am at the extremes. I love the 28's and then extreme long lenses for wildlife. Maybe trow in a couple of fish-eyes for fun :) Really enjoy your channel!

[@zenography7923]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@LeendertCordemans]

Nice review. Questions, do you have a review about the jupiter 12 35mm lens? Greetz.

[@cheebawobanu]

I have several different copies of the Pentax 28's. Love them. Considering a 24 or 20.

[@zenography7923]

I hear the 20 is quite something!

[@abbycasanova1380]

hexanon 40mm is underated but very good performer. i have one. my favorite wide angle lens is nikkor 28mm and cheap vivitar 28mm.

[@grahvis]

I recently acquired a Pentax M 20MM f4. Due to bad health I've not had opportunity to try it out yet but I should do in the nest few days. Didn't think I was really a wide angle user until I had a few days holiday using a Pentax K70 with the 16-85mm zoom and realised how many images I'd taken at the 16mm end.

[@damiendehorn6350]

Hope you get better and enjoy that Pentax 20mm.

[@zenography7923]

Get well soon my friend, and then enjoy that Pentax!

[@RudiW1510]

You'd surely be all over the Meyer Optik Görlitz/Pentacon 29mm F2.8. Fantastic lens. Phenomenal for landscapes and street photography. Yet my street photography heart belongs to the KMZ HELIOS 44-2 (zebra edition). It never seizes to amaze me. Far from a perfect lens in specs. But it has that certain something about it that just resonates with me. As soon as I put it on my Zenit 12XP or one of my Canons, it just takes me to a magical world.

[@zenography7923]

A good 44-2 is hard to beat, for sure!

[@Analogbrain]

Great review again! You asked about favourite wides, you've allready covered my favourite 40 (Konica) and 28 (Canon, I prefer it to the Pentax, I find it slightly nicer.) Other favourite wides are the Canon FD 15mm f 2.8 fish-eye, and the Nikkor 35mm 2.0. 24's are often expensive, and hard to find, probably because they are perfect for crop sensor cameras. Minolta have some nice wides too, I've found them to be often the cheapest of the big five, for no particular reason.

[@zenography7923]

Thanks for the suggestions!

[@71supa]

I think 24mm is a prime lens that doesn't get enough credit. In my haphazard collection of 12 or so lenses, the zuiko 24mm f2.8 MC is easily my favorite because on a 35mm OM film camera it takes beautiful street/architectural shots in bright light, and it's easy to compose candid indoor family shots in tight spaces with low light. It's equally versatile and beautiful on a Micro 4:3 as a 48mm equivalent, and if I ever get an APS-C camera I'm sure I will love it as a 35mm equivalent. It's also extremely compact and easy to travel with: the 24mm, one zoom lens, one film body, and one Micro 4:3 body. Best of both worlds with a minimal footprint.

[@zenography7923]

A very nice lens - and it sounds like you've got the ideal solution there!

[@Mannikri]

Canon FD 20mm f2.8 is very nice lens. Surprised me to no end. One of my favourites.

[@zenography7923]

I've heard it's nice - never used it myself though!

[@ashsphotolounge]

I think you might have a duff copy of the 24mm f2.8 Miranda macro Nigel. Quality control at this end of the market being what it is (or was) that's no real surprise. I've been using one on my Sony A7 in preference to my 28mm f3.5 Zuico for several years and find my example to be pretty much on a par with the Olympus but able to focus considerably closer. The colour transmission is lovely, and stopped down to around f4 or f5.6 it's a nice little lens. It cost me £15 ...

[@zenography7923]

That's interesting, it sounds like I have a bad copy. Maybe not entirely surprising, as you say!

[@jmoss99]

Question: I am looking into reasons for the following. I have been testing my Canon nFD 24mm f2.8 and my Olympus OM-System H.Zuiko Auto-W 24mm f2.8 lenses. I noticed something strange. The Olympus H.Zuiko 24mm f2.8 has a much wider field of view (maybe 2X) than the Canon nFD 24mm lens. I have noticed that the front lens on the Olympus is much more rounded than the Canon. Also, these are both on adapters for my Sony A7Rii. Other than this, I am at a loss for an explanation. Any ideas? Wouldn't all 24mm lenses have the same Field of View?

[@jmoss99]

Here is an update. I compared the Takumar 24mm f3.5 with the first two and found that the Takumar and the Olympus were the same Field of View. The Canon was about half the Field of View of the other two. Weird. Asahi Super Multi Coated Takumar 24mm f3.5 Olympus OM-System H.Zuiko Auto-W 24mm f2.8 Canon nFD 24mm f2.8

[@jmoss99]

You know, I really like your videos and you really opened my eyes to the OM-System G.Zuiko Auto-S 55mm f1.4 lens and all G-Zuiko lenses. I bought it as well as the f1.2 and really like them. It was not that expensive. I am looking for another f1.2 so that I will then have 3 f1.2 lenses. I started out with the Canon FL 55mm f1.2 lens. However, I must point out, that you say pretty much the same thing for most of your lenses you review. To make things worse, when you often talk about the colors the lenses produce... most the time the photos look like they came from the same camera and lens. Maybe I am conditioned to expect serious differences like in your Super Takumar 50mm f1.4 vs the Olympus OM-System Zuiko MC Auto-S 50mm f1.4 review. Now, there the difference in color was massive. Just a little feedback from the west coast of California.

[@zenography7923]

I guess much of the difference between lenses is rather subtle, but it's there. Try shooting, say, a Jupiter 8 50 f2 and a Zuiko 50 1.8 side by side and the differences will be pretty clear. Glad you're enjoying the Zuiko system!

[@BobLee333]

Hi there you got yourself a new subscriber , and i absolutely the channel, do you shoot raw or Jpeg to benefit from the colour of the lens?

[@Goat.Herder]

I picked up a Mitsuki (Tokina) RMC 24mm f2.8, it can be very, very soft wide open but it's fun for £20. It looks similar to the Miranda but I think the Miranda was actually a Cosina rebrand.

[@zenography7923]

Fun is the key word here - some old lenses aren't great in the technical sense, but can be great fun to shoot! Enjoy!

[@steveworthington930]

Please do a V,log on adapter,s required for vintage to M4/3. Recently bought the Pany 20mm F1.7, coupled with Olympus EM1, great result,s, obv manual focus on vintage, no time for that, ex fixed landscape/portrait.

[@TheCruisinCrew]

I wonder if the front element of the Miranda can be reversed to make it even worse and "interesting"... ;)

[@FikretinDunyasi]

20 and 24 f1.4 Sigma or Sony lenses on a aps-c camera or a 35mm f1.4 on a full frame camera.Wow that's magic

[@dominicmeakin]

Very interesting episode, I do quite like the M series pentax lenses when on something like the MX, but the earlier K series lenses are better looking. I recently got a SMC K 20mm f4 which is a nice companion to my SMC K 55mm f1.8 and KX which does make nice images.

[@chefnimmo8192]

I’d love to see a comparison of the nikkor-O 35 f2 and the flektagon 35 2.4 they are similar in price now on the secondhand market with the Nikkor-O being slightly cheaper.

[@zenography7923]

Thanks for the tip!

[@janivauhkonen]

I looked at this yesterday and then today I found exactly that camera at a flea market with a 40mm AR lens attached to it, thanks for the recommendation. otherwise I wouldn't have been able to look and buy it

[@zenography7923]

That little 40mm Hexanon is an unsung gem - absolutely one of the nicest vintage lenses available. Enjoy!

[@janivauhkonen]

​@@zenography7923this is a great lens, i use it together with fujifilm xt5 camera and the results are really good

[@arcanics1971]

As an expert in feline linguistics I believe Zorki was saying "Mrroeurwrr." This translates roughly as "I am willing to trade some affection for tuna fish and you're getting a good deal," or in some areas is closer to "Gimme some chicken and I may let you live." Of course with cat language if you fail to react correctly then the cat is within its rights to claim that it never said any such thing.

[@zenography7923]

Cat language is indeed deeply mysterious - quantum mechanics is no doubt simple by comparison!

[@northstar1950]

I think my favorite wide is no more than 35mm, which some consider as a standard anyway. I find converging verticals a bit annoying and I to have a Takumar 28 SMC lens but the earlier screw thread one which doesn't look as slim as your later one, unless it's an optical illusion. I have four screw Takumars three of which were bought new in the 70s and they are as good now as they were when new although the 35mm ones iris can be a tad sticky at times.

[@zenography7923]

Many photographers insist that the m42 pentax lenses were the best lenses ever made - my experience of them suggests that they might well be right!

[@Analogbrain]

I have the Konica, the Pentax and the Canon, great lenses all three. However, I also have the FD 70-210 f4, and I saw your review on zooms yesterday, where you praise this lens, and rightly so, I think, so I'm a bit surprised that you say the opposite here. A mix-up perhaps? Otherwise inspiring and insightful video!

[@zenography7923]

Gosh, it's a while since I tested the Canon 70-210 - it seems I've made a mistake - apologies!

[@mikepickwick8271]

I always enjoy your videos. I subscribed after this one. I'm very interested in getting a forty millimeter lens and the one (Konica) you described sounds great. I shoot Minolta and Sony A-mount. Can this lens be converted?

[@zenography7923]

I think so - there's an adaptor on sale here: fotodioxpro.com/products/ar-sna-p

[@klaustomasini]

My favorite is the Olympus OM-System Zuiko MC Auto-W 1:2 24mm

[@zenography7923]

Sounds like a nice lens - would love to shoot one!

[@davidbraun6568]

I can beat that for a bad lens, I bought an Auto Makinon f2.8 24mm in Minolta fit. Looks a nice lens but nothing in focus at all.

[@zenography7923]

That does indeed sound pretty bad!

[@WMedl]

Very informative video, thank you. I did not find the Miranda as bad, maybe it is your frustrated stepfathers wish to push the adopted son to the stars.... Concerning the Giudeca (?) image there is some motion blur in it and the somewhat blury background gibes the image some specific painterly character...

[@jjbou8823]

Hi and question. You mention the SMC version of the 28mm. Would you know if the Super Multi Coated f3.5 version comes close in performance? Thank you.

[@sclogse1]

Sometimes I think our aging newscasters could use a Miranda, as modern lenses are really too sharp for their work. It's really like the science of older cinema. It's the expression and what's in the eyes that means something. Even the news is telling a story. What do you want on the viewer's mind? That rear molar? Of course back then it was a combo of filters, light and film grain, which unified the image. I've been really pleased with the Fuji X 23mm 2.0 as a wide. It's edge to edge sharpness is first class. Something else to remember with ultra wides is besides having a lot of depth of field, their imagery is cropped on all the old television shows and the distortion with it. All good for those Twilight Zones, Chrysler Theater and Hallmark productions.

[@zenography7923]

Interesting point about modern lenses being too sharp - I remember that with the advent of 4k cinema production, quite a few actresses were concerned that it would reveal more imperfections than they wished - not sure how they solved it, except with more make up maybe?

[@ecamormex]

Beautiful photos! So relaxing.

[@zenography7923]

Many thanks, glad you enjoyed them!

[@jmoss99]

Are there adapters for Carl Zeiss Jena Flektogon 20mm f/4 to a Canon SLR M42 mount?

[@erick9762]

Very interesting. Thanks! Can you recommend a model of lens hood for the Konica? Thank you.

[@zenography7923]

I don't use them too often to be honest, I guess anything with a 55mm thread should do the job!

[@lisbethsjostrand5397]

- Your videos are excellent! - Thank You!!! ❤

[@zenography7923]

Thanks, glad you're enjoying them!

[@henrysiegertsz8204]

I love my Vivitar 24mm f2.8. It has tons of contrasty vivid colour. It cost me around £25 on ebay.

[@zenography7923]

That sounds like a fantastic buy!

[@shekatagani]

I really love my telephotos, But when I shoot wide I go with a 28-70/2.8 zoom, I also have a 14/2.8 and a 8 - 15 mm fisheye zoom, All Nikon glass, I use them on my Full frame D700 or D3s Cameras, Sweet!

[@zenography7923]

Now those sound like interesting lenses - enjoy!

[@shekatagani]

@@zenography7923 They are, and they are AF or AFS lenses.

[@johnjon1823]

I think Zorki was trying to say that the honking big 20mm wide lens you were showing when on an M43 body would likely result in more lens than camera in the situation. Probably he/she was saying that, plus you don't have to be carful how you wind with an m43. I could not make out the rest of the conversation since my experience in translating cat is limited and mostly involves the English language translation into cat regarding hair balls.

[@zenography7923]

I love cat language, it's very subtle and almost not there, but it definitely is!

[@jmoss99]

Have you played around with Anamorphic lenses yet?

[@ЕгорАлексеевич-ъ5ю]

I do wonder why you call your cat Zorki!) Is it because of their excellent eyesight (in Russian 'zorki' means 'sharp-eyed or eagle-eyed') or have you named the cat after the line of Sovien cameras? It sounds so sweet and I'm really curious about it) By the way, as for my preferences in photography, I persanally prefer Soviet lenses (Helios 44-2 or Jupiter 37A or even that giant Tair-3). I haven't tried any wide angle lenses so far but, probably, one day... Thanks a lot for your videos! They are really inspiring! And, by the way, I do enjoy you authentic London pronunciation (or is it even RP?) In any case, you are awesome!)

[@zenography7923]

Zorki was named by my son as a joke because of my liking for the cameras, and the name stuck! Glad you're enjoying the videos.

[@xiaodu87]

I've got a question: How well is the Pentax SMC M compared to its predecessor, the 28mm Super Multicoated Takumar 50mm 28mm f3.5? I've got the latter and am a big fan of the Takumar lenses. I just don't know how much the Pentax lenses improved over time. Thanks as always for the nice video. It's a pleasure to watch!

[@xiaodu87]

PS. My favorite "wide angle" focal length is 35mm (52mm on APSC). I use it quite frequently when downtown. My 28mm Takumar comes into play if that's not wide enough. I've got no experience on full frame so far. Will have to wait till my recently acquired Spotmatic II is bavk from servicing ...

[@zenography7923]

I've never used the 28 3.5 tak, although I do like the takumars very much - I too particularly like the 55mm f1.8 - I actually prefer it to the 1.4! Glad you're enjoying the videos.

[@xiaodu87]

@@zenography7923 I've got a copy of the S-M-C Tak 55mm f1.8 as a bundle with a Spotmatic II. Tried it out on vacation and loved it although I'd never say anything against the 50mm 1.4.

[@skazhenyj]

Weren't all these lenses already reviewed on the channel (some more than once)? About re-coating, I imagine that would be more expensive than the lens itself, but I may be wrong. It'd be interesting seeing modern coatings on older wide-angle lenses.

[@zenography7923]

Me too, I'm trying to find somewhere to get it done at reasonable cost - stay tuned!

[@Martin_Siegel]

40(-ish) mm was quite a popular rangefinder focal length which was wiped off the market by the rise of SLR cameras which used 50mm as standard lenses. So the your prime lens set up was usually 35-50-135. 40mm had no real advantage. And lenses were expensive and people saved months and months to buy one and one really went for something that made a visible difference like a 200 or one of the upcoming zooms or a 28 - which was a visible difference on 35mm film compared to a 35. So depending on your shooting style you got yourself one additional lens for that. And remember you had to carry them all day long in a shoulder bag with to narrow a strap.

[@zenography7923]

That sounds like the good old days alright! During the 70s and much of the 80s I had one camera - a Fed 4, (which I was very happy with and still have) and one lens - the Industar 61. I remember drooling over brand new Zenit SLRs and would have felt quite at the cutting edge if I'd had one, never mind a 35 and a 135 as well! I guess we don't know how lucky we are!

[@Martin_Siegel]

@@zenography7923 The first camera I bought new was a Zenit 12XP (which I still have) in 1989 or so. I was considering the FotoSnaiper set then and I coud have afforded it but I was rather fresh married and had a little daughter so decided against it. The 12 XP with the Helios 44M-4 recorded some happy family memories.

[@DanHeywood92]

Hi, I’m just getting in to film photography, what I didn’t realise is how expensive it is to get film developed these days. Do you have any tips for cost effective ways of getting film developed. (UK based). Great video once again 😁

[@zenography7923]

Developing costs have risen as demand has slowed - my solution is to shoot almost all black and white, and develop myself then scan the negs - I've had pretty good results using this system. There are colour home development kits too, but they're more complex and need much more careful control of temperature.

[@aidanhowgate5437]

You need A 37mm MIR 1 in your life, it's wide angle heaven, I just use that and my 58mm 1.4 topcor. They are all I need.

[@zenography7923]

I had a mir 1 years ago - wish I'd kept it!

[@ridealongwithrandy]

I really do not need to watch your channel, and I mean that in a good way. I have G.A.S. and collect old vintage cameras and lenses, and use them all the time too, my house is like a camera museum. I think I was a crow in my before life because if it has a huge front element, I get it, and I don't even shoot wide open , go figure. Just love the look of that big ol front element, and the engineering that went into producing that glass :)

[@zenography7923]

I know what you mean, for me much of the pleasure in this old kit is the direct, mechanical feel and the authentic nature of the experience. Careful with that GAS though - there's no telling where it might lead!

[@StanleyVB_20]

Another great video, thanks. How could I go about adapting the Konica lens to a Panasonic L-mount please? I only found adapters for the Leica M mount.

[@zenography7923]

A quick ebay search for Konica Ar to L-Mount reveals two adaptors, both in the USA, but certainly available!

[@StanleyVB_20]

Thanks, found those but they will not mail to Malta. Managed to find something on Allegro though :)

[@damiendehorn6350]

Just found a surprising decent 28mm, the Alpa/Chinon Multicoated 28mm f2.8 M42 tapered barrel for just £10.

[@zenography7923]

Now that was a pretty good find - well done!

[@scrptwic]

I bought my Rokinon 20mm 1.8 for $ 150.00 used it's a good low light lens

[@zenography7923]

That sounds like a very nice lens!