Member of the Month

KilaTsunami
October, 2024

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

The Official Vintage Glass Thread

profile picture
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
463 54
profile picture
chacharlie
Posts: 228 - Karma: 20
Non AI lenses will not mount on modern nikon cameras that have a focusing motor (film or digital)
Jan 2 2012 10:39PM
1 0
profile picture
[J_Gasper]
Posts: 2983 - Karma: 1,594
the only problem with this lens is that its push pull focus. pain in the ass for me.
Jan 2 2012 10:44PM
1 0
profile picture
bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
Know of any good telephoto lenses that are not push pull?
Jan 2 2012 11:45PM
1 0
profile picture
[J_Gasper]
Posts: 2983 - Karma: 1,594
no good vintage ones that i know of.
Jan 3 2012 12:07AM
1 0
profile picture
[J_Gasper]
Posts: 2983 - Karma: 1,594
no good vintage ones that i know of.
Jan 3 2012 12:07AM
1 0
profile picture
[J_Gasper]
Posts: 2983 - Karma: 1,594
no good vintage ones that i know of.
Jan 3 2012 12:07AM
1 0
profile picture
chacharlie
Posts: 228 - Karma: 20
its not push-pull focus, its push-pull zoom. The lens focuses the same way as any other lens...
Jan 3 2012 12:29AM
1 0
profile picture
bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
Can someone recommend a good prime in that range then? I got a pentax smc 135 on the way.
Jan 3 2012 12:48AM
1 0
profile picture
chacharlie
Posts: 228 - Karma: 20
Which end of the range? I assume either 80 or 200, because you have something in the middle. Nikon 85 f2 ai, nikon 180 f2.8 ai, nikon 200 f4 ai macro. There are lots and lots of others, just depends on how much you want to spend.
Jan 3 2012 12:54AM
1 0
profile picture
bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
Ya i have a 28, 50 and now 135.
Jan 3 2012 1:11AM
1 0
profile picture
@ScubaSteve
Posts: 378 - Karma: 822
I've been reading about the old Pentax 50mm f/1.4 and keep hearing different things.
I know this was already sold, but is this the best type?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SMC-Pentax-M-50-mm-f-1-4-PK-mount-/300644216457?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item45ffcaae89

SMC Pentax - M 50 mm f 1.4 in "PK mount" I think I read that the pk mount is better than the k mount.. why so?
I am going to be using it on a 60d/7d/t2i
Jan 3 2012 10:12PM
1 0
profile picture
123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
The Pentax K mount, sometimes referred to as the "PK mount", is a lens mount standard for mounting interchangeable photographic lenses to 35 mm single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras. It was created by Pentax in 1975,[1] and has been used by all Pentax 35 mm and digital SLRs since. A number of other manufacturers have also produced many K-mount lenses and K-mount cameras.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentax_K_mount

hopefully that clears things up. I believe this lens is also available in m42 tho, which is a threaded mount
Jan 3 2012 10:25PM
1 0
profile picture
@ScubaSteve
Posts: 378 - Karma: 822
wait...
im still a bit confused. so pk and k are the same?
and m42 is different.
there all just mounts....
so the quality of the lens is all the same? i just have to get the right mount for eos..?
Jan 3 2012 10:38PM
1 0
profile picture
123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
pk=k it is a bayonet mount, you will need the lens and a pentax k to canon ef mount
m42 is a threaded mount, i believe the m42 version is a little bit less widely available, and slighlty more expensieve, but rice fluctuate and this was a few months ago. To use the m42 version, you will need an m42 to canon ef mount adapter. I haven't heard of one mount being superior to the other. I would say to go for the pentax k mount, as it should be easier to find other focal lengths to match your 50mm in this mount, however, if you have an interest in old soviet glass (helios 44-2, tair 11a, jupiter 9 etc.), you may want to go for the m42 version. Either way, the adapters are usually less than $30, even for a quality one
Jan 4 2012 10:52AM
1 0
profile picture
@ScubaSteve
Posts: 378 - Karma: 822
aight.
 thanks for clearing it up!
+k
Jan 4 2012 12:11PM
1 0
profile picture
Rob.
Posts: 189 - Karma: 16
Bumping this because I found some macro tubes.

S-M-C 200mm f/4:
Click for larger image

SMC 50mm f/1.4:
Click for larger image
Jan 8 2012 3:19PM
1 0
profile picture
blatt
Posts: 5584 - Karma: 3,097
Looking into pentax vintage glass; should I go with an m42 screwmount or an m-mount? Also is it normal for the elements to look yellowish when looking at it from the front?
Jan 8 2012 7:48PM
1 0
profile picture
zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
Attention all you M4/3's users:

I have a Lieca M 90mm F2.8 that is mint had a UV filter on it since day 1. Its off my grandpa's old M7 that he sold a few years back, but this one didn't sell. He's trying again now. Remember, you can mount M lenses on your m4/3's and still maintain infinity focus. Hit me up with a pm if your interested.
Jan 8 2012 7:51PM
1 0
profile picture
C-O-L-E
Posts: 138 - Karma: 22
I might be interested on the leica lens, i have a M3 on the way now stoked to shoot it.
Jan 8 2012 8:07PM
1 0
profile picture
alexat955
Posts: 2732 - Karma: 112
Can anyone suggest me a good 100-135mm prime? I know everyone likes the pentax and olympus ones but their prices are so much higher than other vintage primes in that range. Basically I just want to know if any of the $20 135mm's on ebay will be decent quality. I'm not looking to spend more than $50ish.
Jan 24 2012 1:40PM
1 0
profile picture
blatt
Posts: 5584 - Karma: 3,097
Pentax 50mm f/1.4 k mount is a dope lens. Just saying. Such a solid prime, just need to pick up an nd filter for it
Jan 24 2012 5:29PM
1 0
profile picture
MLeone
Posts: 725 - Karma: 72
Im interested as well, probably more in the 80s range though
Jan 24 2012 6:05PM
1 0
profile picture
Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,404
don't cheap out like you did on that tiffen you are selling, if you want a decent ND filter you are looking at paying at least $100
Jan 24 2012 6:38PM
1 0
profile picture
alexat955
Posts: 2732 - Karma: 112
from what I understand 85mm's have held their value a lot because portrait photographers still use them, I don't think good vintages one exist under $250 or so. otherwise I would want an 85mm too haha. I might be wrong though, someone correct me if a cheap vintage 85mm exists
Jan 24 2012 7:28PM
1 0
profile picture
blatt
Posts: 5584 - Karma: 3,097
Hahaha no way I'm paying 100 for a filter. sticking with tiffen since my income as a filmer=0
Jan 24 2012 11:46PM
1 0
profile picture
Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,404
have fun with degraded IQ then, you get what you pay for
Jan 25 2012 3:03AM
1 0
profile picture
eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,049
maybe for photo, you gotta realize that a 1080p image is hard to degrade because its only 2mp. Obviously an 18mp picture would be a different story.
Jan 25 2012 3:22AM
1 0
profile picture
TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
There's a lot of good different 135mm's out there.

SMC Takumar 135mm f/3.5 - 40$ish
Jupiter 37a f/3.5 - 50$ish (in Europe at least)
Carl Zeiss Sonnar 135mm f/3.5 (my personal favorite of all the 135mm's I've used, which is a lot) - 80$ (?)
Vivitar Komine build (serial starts with 28) 135mm f/2.8 - 25$
Pentacon 135mm f/2.8, the 15 blade aperture one. Not too expensive, smoothest bokeh. Don't know exact price.
Jan 25 2012 4:27PM
1 0
profile picture
MLeone
Posts: 725 - Karma: 72
can someone recommend a 80-100 range lens?
Jan 25 2012 4:43PM
1 0
profile picture
[J_Gasper]
Posts: 2983 - Karma: 1,594
canon 85mm f/1.8
Jan 25 2012 4:48PM
1 0
profile picture
MLeone
Posts: 725 - Karma: 72
^^ Yeah that's probably my #1 choice but I was thinking vintage budget prime.
Jan 25 2012 5:09PM
1 0
profile picture
zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
I saw a few nikon primes in the 80-100 range here. Theres also some old pentax glass in great condition. Check out this seller.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/rnovosel/m.html?hash=item256b78d1a6&item=160716870054&pt=Camera_Lenses&_trksid=p4340.l2562
Jan 25 2012 9:09PM
1 0
profile picture
MLeone
Posts: 725 - Karma: 72
Thanks brother! K+
Jan 26 2012 6:21AM
1 0
profile picture
Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,404
sort of want...

taken with one, do like dat creamy bokeh

http://www.flickr.com/photos/g_a_z/5775928522/in/faves-toconnellphotography/
Jan 26 2012 9:40PM
1 0
profile picture
Sklar
Posts: 8864 - Karma: 31,612
What do you guys think about adapting this to canon?


LB1 Vivitar 75-205mm f3.8 Close Focus SN22936344 (Kiron) EX+ condition, glass is spotless. Comes with both caps, hood, Vivitar VMC multicoated UV filter. Soft case. $29.00
Mar 31 2012 12:41PM
1 0
profile picture
TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
Wing it, but what mount is it in? Kiron made lenses are always really nice.
Mar 31 2012 3:45PM
1 0
profile picture
Sklar
Posts: 8864 - Karma: 31,612
Either m42 or OM
A guy on Fred Miranda is having a huge sale
Mar 31 2012 5:46PM
1 0
profile picture
1337
Posts: 31054 - Karma: 29,232
Soligor 28 2.8 still has to be my favorite "vintage" lens. Get one in nikon mount for really cheap on ebay. I'm kicking myself that I sold it to eheath a while back :(
Mar 31 2012 8:16PM
1 0
profile picture
Sklar
Posts: 8864 - Karma: 31,612
go nuts guys

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1098305/0?keyword=alt#10476774
Mar 31 2012 10:02PM
1 0
profile picture
jeano
Posts: 333 - Karma: 104
has anyone tried a noct nikkor?
Mar 31 2012 10:33PM
1 0
profile picture
TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
Someone should pick up the Vivitar Series 1 70-210 f/3.5 in OM mount he's offering. Easily adapted to Canon and a really good lens. 44$ only, I'd say go for it to anyone here looking for a big zoom.
Apr 1 2012 12:25PM
1 0
profile picture
1337
Posts: 31054 - Karma: 29,232
I thought you couldn't adapt OM mount lenses?
Apr 1 2012 12:34PM
1 0
profile picture
Sklar
Posts: 8864 - Karma: 31,612
was going to pick up that and his om teleconverter, but i think i want af
Apr 1 2012 12:35PM
1 0
profile picture
TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
Oh yes you can. OM is really nice to adapt, not to mention it's KILLER glass. Generally much better than the ever-so-famous M42 glass. Olympus made super nice lenses.
Apr 1 2012 12:39PM
1 0
profile picture
TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
Ah, fuck AF. Shit's for pussies!
Apr 1 2012 12:39PM
1 0
profile picture
Phil-X-
Posts: 7205 - Karma: 14,399
anyone have a prime recommendation that I could use with my D7000 for filming this summer? I've never really looked into vintage glass before
Apr 2 2012 3:33PM
1 0
profile picture
123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
probably just legacy nikon glass, I think leica r would still be too close

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flange_focal_distance

and what range are you looking for?
the 35 f2 is pretty popular
Apr 2 2012 3:57PM
1 0
profile picture
TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
I *think* Leica R can be adapter to Nikon, but not 100% sure.

I'd look into the 35mm AI-S f/2 if I were you. Should run you less than 150$.
Apr 2 2012 4:18PM
1 0
profile picture
a_pla5tic_bag
Posts: 9215 - Karma: 5,398
i just wanna say, one of my friends recently acquired a nikon 6mm, that crazy 220 degree fisheye. It's hilarious to shoot with, you can't even look through the finder cause you have to use the camera in mirror lockup mode since the rear element protrudes into the camera so much. and i have some medium format stuff, i'll take a picture and post it eventually.
Apr 2 2012 8:30PM
1 0
profile picture
[J_Gasper]
Posts: 2983 - Karma: 1,594
Gonna be purchasing a m42 S-M-C takumar 50mm f1.4 pretty soon. New to all of this vintage glass stuff. Pretty interesting. Could anyone reccomend me a good 85,135, and 200mm prime? Preferably under 100 bucks. Saw a few reccomendations to choose from above, but so many choices.
Apr 2 2012 8:41PM
1 0
All times are Eastern (-5)