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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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123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
just got a takumar 200mm f3.5 for $30. 18 aperture blades

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Jun 5 2012 7:55PM
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1337
Posts: 31054 - Karma: 29,232
sick dude! Let me know how it is!

Anyone know of any 300 or above primes? Don't have to be super fast or anything, just want to see whats out there.
Jun 5 2012 8:04PM
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123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
I love it so far, used it to shoot a little of my brothers lacrosse game. Just going through, I kind of liked this one, not perfect, but still a decent example shot.

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Jun 5 2012 8:23PM
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123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
ns killed the quality as always, and I'm not great at exporting pictures for the web, but I really like this lens so far. Heres a decent collective review of it:

http://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/Takumar-200mm-F3.5.html
Jun 5 2012 8:27PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
Hot damn, that looks like a fine piece of glass. Although I'm not sure if I'm a fan of the Canonesque bokeh.
Jun 5 2012 9:13PM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,404
Have the super tak version of this, never actually used it lol

I wish there was a way to use mamiya rz glass on a 5d, seriously the best glass ive ever used/owned
Jun 5 2012 10:36PM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
I'm sure you could rig something up with some bellows....
Jun 5 2012 10:38PM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,404
That would be awkward at best lol
Jun 5 2012 11:44PM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
IMO worth a try, those lenses are so fucking sharp!

I thought this might help you guys out.

Jun 6 2012 5:37PM
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alexat955
Posts: 2732 - Karma: 112
bumper cars.

anyone know anything about the vivitar 75-205 3.8? Theres a 2-ring m42 mount version at a thrift store near me for $50 and im trying to decide whether or not to pick it up. seems like a decent price and a decently good lens
Jul 23 2012 4:22PM
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alexat955
Posts: 2732 - Karma: 112
serial starts with a 22 but its not the push pull, it has separate zoom and focus rings.
Jul 23 2012 4:41PM
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Laurent.
Posts: 10056 - Karma: 25,313
One of my friends who's late father was a wildlife photographer just found this between his dad's stuff.

THE MOTHERFUCKING 1200mm f/11 ED.

This lens is so beastly you grow a third testicle on your chest, and hair on your eyeballs when you use it.

It's a ridiculous 90cm long (3 feet) (with Focusing Unit)
And it Weights a bloody 6,1kg (13.5 pounds)

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(not his or mine pics.)

I'm so gonna beg him to lend it to me.
Jul 23 2012 4:49PM
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TheGreen
Posts: 504 - Karma: 41
Holy shit balls that lens is huge.

On another note, I've just come across a Tokina 80-200mm f/4 for 50$ on CL. Worth it? Anybody used that lens? I read some pretty good reviews. And it's a Canon Bayonet mount so I would think it's the same as a FD mount
Jul 23 2012 7:45PM
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alexat955
Posts: 2732 - Karma: 112
If it's actually FD it isn't good for adapting to EOS. what camera do you have?
Jul 23 2012 7:51PM
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TheGreen
Posts: 504 - Karma: 41
I've got a t2i right now which I know isn't the best with FD mounts, but still do-able. But I'm upgrading to a GH2 soon which is M4\3 and will be just fine
Jul 23 2012 10:54PM
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alexat955
Posts: 2732 - Karma: 112
With a glass adapter which sucks. Get it for when you upgrade though it'll be super tele haha
Jul 23 2012 11:24PM
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TheGreen
Posts: 504 - Karma: 41
Yeah that's the main reason I was gonna get it anyways, but I've seen some glassless adapters for FD to EOS, will the focusing get THAT fucked or is it just really infinity focusing that becomes impossible. Like will it be usable for macro only or still usable for normal stuff.
Jul 24 2012 12:27AM
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123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
it will be just like a macro lens. Whatever the difference is between the flange distance of the EF mount and the fd mount is plus the adapter thickness is the same as adding that thick of a macro ring to the EF version of that lens. So you will have a decent macro, and then when you get a gh2, you will have a great tele/super tele zoom (160-400 equivalent, much further in crop mode depending on 1080p or 720p).
Jul 24 2012 12:36AM
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TheGreen
Posts: 504 - Karma: 41
alright thanks for the help guys
Jul 24 2012 12:46AM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
you guys think i should get a fd 20mm for 110?

got a t2i
Jul 24 2012 1:04AM
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TheGreen
Posts: 504 - Karma: 41
Well as it has just been said, FD lenses on EOS cameras aren't really good unless you want a macro lens. And 110 seems very expensive, usually FD lenses run under 50$
Jul 24 2012 1:11AM
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Randy_Quench
Posts: 5447 - Karma: 4,343
can anyone recommend me a 24 or 28 for under $100? Gonna be mounting it on my t2i, have a helios 58mm and love it to death - just looking for something wider.
Jul 24 2012 12:16PM
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1337
Posts: 31054 - Karma: 29,232
Soligor 28 2.8 nikon mount. great sharp lens with good bokeh. it's not super fast but I loved mine.
Jul 24 2012 12:39PM
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alexat955
Posts: 2732 - Karma: 112
when did you become a mod?!?
Jul 24 2012 1:22PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24725 - Karma: 29,944
God... If only it was easier to do this conversion haha. I have so much sweet minolta rokkor-X glass. It still works better than FD with an adapter though - much sharper from my experience - even though it still uses an extra lens..

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/319477_419162658129658_98929702_n.jpg

Oh well. In the meantime I have heaps of gorgeous m42 screwmount pentax glass. Works beautiful.


Jul 24 2012 4:24PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24725 - Karma: 29,944
oops.




Jul 24 2012 4:25PM
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DIX~
Posts: 4695 - Karma: 6,502
Holy fucking fuck
Jul 25 2012 12:10AM
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TheGreen
Posts: 504 - Karma: 41
I'm buying a Yashica ML 28mm f2.8 this thursday, from what I've read, it's a great lens, and I found it for 40$. I'll post my results here but it might be a while since I need to order an adapter from China.

The mount is Contax\Yashica (CY), and the adapters to EOS don't need glass :)
Jul 25 2012 12:33AM
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Kevski
Posts: 7056 - Karma: 2,785
Got this as a film camera setup, but I'll be buying a converter soon to use on my t2i. Looking forward to the 28-90 on a crop body, it'll be nicely telephoto when zoomed in.
Though I haven't heard too great things about the 55mm f/2, so I'll probably be picking up a replacement prime for the two cameras. S-M-C takumar f/1.4 maybe.
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Jul 25 2012 12:52AM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24725 - Karma: 29,944
I really want to see how these would work for video when I get my Hassy...



Anyone else tried out MF lenses on 35mm format DSLRs?
Jul 26 2012 6:52AM
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TheGreen
Posts: 504 - Karma: 41
Just bought the Tokina 80-200 push-pull I was talking about, and also a Yashica 28mm f/2.8, I don't have adapters right now and I'm selling my camera so I might not get to try them until I get the GH2, but damn they look like nice lenses. I tried the tokina on a Canon AE-1 and it's really nice, it's gonna be a nice super-tele on a crop.

The Yashica seems awesome too, super solid metal lens, feels bombproof (like most older lenses) I've seen some amazing test shots and the focal range is very nice. Now all I need is a Pentax 50 1.4 and I'm set!

For 100$ total, I'm pretty happy with those 2 lenses.
Jul 27 2012 7:14PM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
Olympus Zuiko 28mm f/3.5

Should be able to get one for 30-40$.
Jul 29 2012 1:54AM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
What Hasselblad you're going to get?
Jul 29 2012 2:00AM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24725 - Karma: 29,944
My uncle's old 500c/m
Jul 29 2012 6:14AM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
Can't say I'm not jealous.
Jul 29 2012 9:23AM
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Kevski
Posts: 7056 - Karma: 2,785
Question: are the smc 50mm 1.4 takumar lenses the same as the k-mount smc 50mm 1.4? Or is that unique bokeh limited only to the takumar m42 one?
Jul 29 2012 9:08PM
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TheGreen
Posts: 504 - Karma: 41
the takumar ones are different, there's something about a radioactive coating that gives it that special look
Jul 31 2012 4:07PM
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Mag
Posts: 8155 - Karma: 14,809
Was looking at some prime telephoto lenses and saw a Canon FD 135mm f/3.5 for only $25, I immediately assumed it would be a POS but I figured it was old, so may aswell have a look at some tests.
After seeing this video it makes me wonder, considering how cheap they are why doesn't everyone buy vintage glass?(that's a genuine question) thanks.

Jul 31 2012 7:42PM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
Nah. Takumars and Super-Takumars are made with glass with thorium in it, wich yellows when not in the light. That just warms the picture, which I don't like personally, but you can easily de-yellow by putting it under a lamp for a day.

The M42 and (P)K-mount ones are different in that the PK version is the same as the SMC version in M42 mount.
Personally I would go for the S-M-C and not SMC in either M42 and Pk mount because it's more rugged and more beautiful. The focusing ring is smoother too imo.

And Takumar bokeh isn't unique. Or not special for that matter. I rather dislike Takumar bokeh (in general). You're probably thinking of the very characteristic Helios bokeh.
Jul 31 2012 7:50PM
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B.Taillefer
Posts: 420 - Karma: 321
I picked up two vintage lenses earlier in July and just got an adapter so I can use them on my GH2!

I got a Canon FD 50mm 1.8 S.C and a Canon FD 28mm 2.8 and really love them. The 50mm especially is crazy sharp and the best part about them is that I got both for $60!

I really love the look of vintage lenses, does anybody have any good recommendations for lenses? I do all filming, not really much photography, and I don't mind if a lens is a little expensive!
Jul 31 2012 8:01PM
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Mag
Posts: 8155 - Karma: 14,809
is there any vintage UWA lenses?
Jul 31 2012 8:04PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24725 - Karma: 29,944
Nikon made a really nice 20mm back in the day.. You can sometimes find them for pretty affordable too, considering their focal length..
Jul 31 2012 10:28PM
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Mag
Posts: 8155 - Karma: 14,809
Thanks but I meant like 15mm or less.
Jul 31 2012 10:30PM
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alexat955
Posts: 2732 - Karma: 112
Nope. They didn't need anything wider than 15 because crop sensors didn't exist
Jul 31 2012 11:05PM
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Mag
Posts: 8155 - Karma: 14,809
Ah, that makes sense, annoying though, guess that's why all uwa's are so much more.
Jul 31 2012 11:13PM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
You could look into the Tokina 17mm RMC. I got one and it's sharp from f/5.6 onwards. Corners are quite distorted, but that's to be expected. Can't really beat it for the price imo. It's built really nicely. Full metal and nice focus throw. You should be able to get one for about 175$.
Jul 31 2012 11:36PM
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Kevski
Posts: 7056 - Karma: 2,785
I'll do some more research elsewhere, but any recommendations for quality K-mount glass? Preferably telephoto?
Aug 6 2012 9:02PM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
Medium format glass on a dlsr, just throwing the idea out there............
Aug 6 2012 10:46PM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,404
Not possible a lot of the tIme^
Aug 6 2012 10:56PM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
With pretty much any non-bellow focus system (not RZ/RB) it will work. I know hassy and P67 both work. P67 glass is a steal, 105 2.4 would be one hell of a portrait lens on a full frame body.
Aug 6 2012 10:59PM
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