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The Official Vintage Glass Thread

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S.C
Posts: 3068 - Karma: 2,285
Alright, figured that enough people have posted threads about vintage glass that we should just put our knowledge into one go to place.

Vintage lenses are great deals for spectacular glass if you are unaware

I just bought the pentax-m S-M-C takumar 50mm 1.4 I've read that this is better than the k mount version or the super takumar version. the SMC is the same as the S-M-C but with a rubber focus ring. the M42 mount version is radioactive though, and may have to have UV treatment to remove the yellowing.

Anyone know about the Zenitar 16mm 2.8? Kinda want!
Aug 11 2011 6:37PM
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EC-Skier
Posts: 3899 - Karma: 668
what would you recomend? SMC takumar 135 f/3.5, or Takumar 135 f/2.5
Sep 20 2011 2:41PM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
There's a difference between normal 'Takumar' and 'Super Takumar'.

Super Tak is good glass, SMC/S-M-C is really good.
Sep 20 2011 4:02PM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
The SMC Tak f/3.5 for sure.

The SMC Tak f/2.5 isn't a lot either, but I'd recommend just getting the f/3.5. If you like the focal length and the colors it produces, then go for the f/2.5 (upgrade).
Sep 20 2011 4:03PM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
Can anyone recommend me a nice 35mm?
Sep 26 2011 8:06AM
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123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
I have heard some good things about the nikon 35mm f2, as well as the MIR 24N. I know these two are both pretty popular, and I am still looking around for others
Sep 26 2011 9:01AM
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eheath
Posts: 61602 - Karma: 123,042
nikon 35mm f2 hands down.
Sep 26 2011 1:25PM
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1337
Posts: 31054 - Karma: 29,232
Nikon 35 f2 AI-s. Fucking sharp lens
Sep 26 2011 1:27PM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
Ok, seems like that's going to be a good lens.
I've also heard a lot of good things about the Mir 24n, anyone has experience with that thingy?

And lastly: what about the 35mm f/2 by Canon? Is that any good or should I got with the Nikkor?
Sep 26 2011 1:41PM
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1337
Posts: 31054 - Karma: 29,232
the canon is meh, stay with the nikon version!
Sep 26 2011 1:49PM
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Sklar
Posts: 8864 - Karma: 31,612
anyone know of any good wide angles?

id love something wider, but don't have a lot of money, guess i should get a job...
Sep 26 2011 11:51PM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
What do you call 'wider'?

28mm's can be had for really, really cheap. Anything
Sep 27 2011 5:18AM
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Sklar
Posts: 8864 - Karma: 31,612
Yea, sorry, I meant wider on a crop body. So wider than 28 would be nice
Sep 27 2011 9:04AM
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MattL.
Posts: 252 - Karma: 20
I have an old minolta auto rokkor 58mm f/1.4 prime that I got for free and its freaking amazing on my t2i
Sep 27 2011 9:50AM
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Laurent.
Posts: 10056 - Karma: 25,313
Not really glass, but it's vintage and awesome:

My: Polaroid SX-70 Land Camera.

Click for larger image


Click for larger image
Sep 29 2011 3:31PM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
Do they even make the film for these anymore?
Sep 29 2011 5:24PM
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MattL.
Posts: 252 - Karma: 20
yeah i bet they make film for it, i actually got like 4 or 5 vintage cameras from my granpas house
Sep 30 2011 6:08AM
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Tanner-D
Posts: 2061 - Karma: 4,116
Just ordered a pentax super takumar 50mm 1.4 :)
Oct 4 2011 9:50AM
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michelle
Posts: 6290 - Karma: 428
Yeah, check out The Impossible Project
Oct 4 2011 10:21AM
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WeSC*
Posts: 71 - Karma: 29
Can anyone recommend me a good vintage macro lens? 
Oct 4 2011 11:27AM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
Takumar 50mm macro f/4.

It's like 80 bucks, gives 1:1 and is really nice. I just got my macro rings in yesterday, I'm going to try them out soon.
Oct 4 2011 11:53AM
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dubtwo
Posts: 590 - Karma: 114
we cant let this thread die! I just got an olympus OM Zuiko 50mm f/1.8, and it is a great lens!!!!!! I got mine for $30 off ebay, and it is amazing for the price. The lens renders light beautifully. Contrast and tonality are subtle and lovely, while in-focus areas are sharp. Bokeh is great. To me, the images from this lens have a timeless classic look you don't see often anymore, especially at f/1.8
Oct 10 2011 8:20PM
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IanAvery-Leaf
Posts: 9931 - Karma: 9,399
um....no?
Oct 10 2011 8:37PM
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Tanner-D
Posts: 2061 - Karma: 4,116
Just got my pentax smc super tak 50mm f/1.4
Here it is wide open
Click for larger image]
It's a little soft but compared to my kit lens me gusta :)
Oct 12 2011 11:07AM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,404
strongly considering an fd 600/800mm L. Can get either for under $800 on ebay, and a few hours of work will let them focus to infinity. Do i have a real use for them? Hell no, but I'm sure I could find one, such as the bald eagle nest across a river at my cabin.
Oct 12 2011 2:01PM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
^that would be sick, as long as its fast and sharp.
Oct 12 2011 3:22PM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ontarian/sets/72157623884845990/

This guy designed an adapter ring to let you use 600/800mm FD's on EF bodies. The adapter ring is quite expensive though, but it works.
Oct 13 2011 6:58AM
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vandersteeze
Posts: 2650 - Karma: 1,511
Then lets put it on my crop body
Oct 13 2011 12:53PM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,404
read a very extensive article by him, which is where I got the idea

and kyle, only if we can stack a few 2x TC's for super ultra mega distance
Oct 13 2011 1:55PM
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vandersteeze
Posts: 2650 - Karma: 1,511
Its a deal. And then we can put a baby death on the end and then put it all on a glidecam
Oct 13 2011 2:50PM
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andstuff
Posts: 1118 - Karma: 61
Pro-status.
Oct 13 2011 3:49PM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,404
YES

and it's even Landis approved^

FP is going to have some epic shots this winter
Oct 13 2011 4:10PM
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vandersteeze
Posts: 2650 - Karma: 1,511
Seriously, Progressing progression
Oct 13 2011 4:14PM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
Expanding my prime quiver:
24mm and 100mm to be added soon hopefully :)
Then I'll have:
24mm, 28mm, 50mm, 85mm, 100mm, 135mm.

Still haven't gotten a nice 35mm. I know you guys recommended the Nikkor f/2, but I haven't gotten around getting my hands on one yet. Somehow I feel a good 35mm is really hard to come by for cheap. I mean, you can get superb 28mm, 50mm and 135mms for like 30$, but a good 35mm runs you 100>$ easily, why is that :(

Looking at maybe getting the 35mm Olympus Zuiko, just to try it out, or maybe get it alongside the Nikkor to see which one I like better. I've read a lot of good things about the Nikkor, but also some bad reviews... Aaargh!

And a bump.
Nov 11 2011 3:03PM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
Comon guys, keep this thread a live! Am I the only vintage-glass junkie?

Bought the Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 135mm f/3.5 as a replacement for my SMC Tak 135mm f/3.5. I've heard great things about the CZJ and all the pics I saw with it are absolutely stunning. 135mm is one of my fav focal lengths. I still want a slightly faster 135mm actually. SMC Tak 135mm f/2.5 or Meyer-Orestegor Gorlitz 135mm f/2.8. I really should be spending my money on other things, but it's just too much fun buying vintage glass...
Nov 16 2011 6:16AM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
The best 28mm there is in my opinion:
Olympus Zuiko 28mm. Either the f/3.5 or f/2.8. The 2.8 is multicoated but also a bit more. Up to you if you want to dash out the extra cash.

As for 50mm's: get the SMC/Super-Takumar 50mm f/1.4 or Zeiss Pancolar 50mm f/1.8. Both really good.
Nov 16 2011 11:40AM
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goodiepocket
Posts: 950 - Karma: 641
anybody have experience/an opinion on Volna glass?
Nov 16 2011 12:43PM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
I don't really see a point in buying a 28mm when you have the Tamron at f/2.8 already. Sure the prime would have a slightly better IQ, but not enough to justify buying it (imo).

As for 50mm's, I already told you. See my above post.
You could also look into the Helios 44 (58, f/2) or SMC Takumar 50mm f/2 (not really familiar with this lens, but apparently it's good). Also check out the Olympus Zuiko 50mm f/1.8, pretty nice lens for the price (25-30$).

No experience with Volna glass, never even heard about it. It's probably some rebranded glass made by another company. Your best bet is to check out MFLenses.com and do a search there.
Nov 16 2011 7:30PM
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alexat955
Posts: 2732 - Karma: 112
im re-threadsing this. accidently deleted it
Nov 16 2011 7:54PM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
Yes, if you need it. More than a 28mm f/2.8 or f/3.5 anyway.
A 50mm f/1.8 stopped down to f/2.2 will give you a lot better results than your Tamron (given that you have a decent 50mm).
Maybe try looking at a 135mm prime. You got your wide to mids covered. Get a 85mm/100mm/135mm/200mm prime. Good 135mm primes can be had for really, really cheap.
Nov 17 2011 9:21AM
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EC-Skier
Posts: 3899 - Karma: 668
this i got my super takumar 135 3.5 for $40. I can honestly say i love this lens, bought a 10 dollar converter and was set. Maybe its the same with all vintage class, but i feel like this is a crazy sharp lens. If you can i recommend one
Nov 17 2011 10:17AM
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MACAQUE
Posts: 2811 - Karma: 696
Bumping this just because.
Dec 15 2011 1:27AM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
Got two new lenses in:

Pentacon 29mm f/2.8, pretty sick lens. Widely available. Some are mellons, some are good. I haven't checked mine yet, but the ex-owner send me a video he shot with it and it looks good! Bought it for 13€

Soligor (Komine) 200mm f/4.5, nothing on this on the interwebz and I just bought it for 4£, so I figured I might as well try it out. Also haven't checked this one yet.
Dec 15 2011 7:09AM
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MattL.
Posts: 252 - Karma: 20
can anyone reccomend me a vintage wide prime?
Dec 15 2011 3:27PM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,404
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tamron-SP-17mm-f3-5-/320811873648?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item4ab1e0b570#ht_909wt_1398
Dec 15 2011 3:49PM
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MattL.
Posts: 252 - Karma: 20
That looks awesome! but I was thinking something wider than that
Dec 15 2011 4:17PM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,404
good luck with that, buy a samyang 14mm then
Dec 15 2011 4:42PM
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MattL.
Posts: 252 - Karma: 20
ok, what about telephoto? (could be zoom or prime) I'd love a few recommendations for this
Dec 15 2011 4:57PM
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eheath
Posts: 61602 - Karma: 123,042
yeah ha, they didnt need much wider than 17 with film
Dec 15 2011 5:29PM
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[J_Gasper]
Posts: 2983 - Karma: 1,594
what camera is it for? look at a nikon nikkor 80-200. you can get them dirt cheap.
Dec 15 2011 5:40PM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
I was looking at this should i go with AI or non ai? Does it make a difference.
Jan 2 2012 9:21PM
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