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March, 2025

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The Official Vintage Glass Thread

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S.C
Posts: 3070 - Karma: 2,340
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!
14 years ago
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24730 - Karma: 30,007
I'm definitely getting a Hassy to Eos adapter just for the sake of it.

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Why the eff not.
13 years ago
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jkauffman22
Posts: 2592 - Karma: 1,150
Hey NS,

so this is my first time thinking about trying to get a vintage piece of glass. I ended up winning this lens off of ebay from a seller who seems pretty legit when I've talked to him. He's going to include an adapter so that it will fit my t2i but does anyone have any personal experience with this lens or have you heard anything about it? I'm probably going to be using it mainly for filming and/or time lapses. I got it for about $110 dollars so should i spend the money and go for it? the link is here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/130737999791?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

and for anyone who doesn't want to open the link...the lens is a:

Derek Gardiner 28mm f2.8 M42 WIDE ANGLE LENS.

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Thanks NS! +k for anyone who helps!

Also, I'm thinking about buying this then purchasing a Tokina 11-16. Should i still get this or just go ahead and opt for the 11-16?
13 years ago
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MACAQUE
Posts: 2811 - Karma: 696
That's awesome. I was in a shop last week and was having a photog-boner over the Hassy/Zeiss glass.

I think I might pick up the 50mm for the RZ. I want something wideeee.
13 years ago
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jkauffman22
Posts: 2592 - Karma: 1,150
^^ anyone? I need to send the money soon. Does anyone have any input?
13 years ago
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24730 - Karma: 30,007
Seems a tad pricy for a 28mm f2.8

But I don't really know the glass at all, so it might work out well.
13 years ago
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SamColby
Posts: 644 - Karma: 2,006
I have an old Nikon 35-70 f/3.3 amd 70-210 f/4 both fully manual lenses and freakin sexy
13 years ago
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MLeone
Posts: 725 - Karma: 72
Seems pretty pricey for vintage glass but who knows it could be ridiculously amazing, I'm just not sure. But The 11-16 and this lens are two very different lenses. The 11-16 is an UWA that costs $600ish, This is a sorta.. wide-ish vintage manual prime. It just depends on what youre shooting/looking for/ need.
13 years ago
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[J_Gasper]
Posts: 2983 - Karma: 1,594
Just because its vintage doesnt mean it has to be dirt cheap. I paid $120 or so for my S-M-C Takumar 50mm, but it literally looks like i just took it out of the box. Not a scratch on the body, nor any foreign objects in the optics. Pretty good for it being made decades ago. OP: I have no heard anything about that particular lens. A few things that pop up in mind are: its not THAT fast for being a prime. Secondly, i think 28mm on a crop is a bit of a weird focal length. Others will say differently, but its just personal opinion. What other lenses do you own? That might give us a better understanding of what you want/need
13 years ago
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jkauffman22
Posts: 2592 - Karma: 1,150
My lens set up as of right now is:

18-55mm Kit lens
55-250 Kit lens
50mm 1.8 Canon

I'm definitely buying a tokina 11-16 here in the near future and am thinking that this 28mm might be nice for filming/timelapses. Would it be better in the long run to just save the money from this lens and get the tokina 11-16? I have a glide cam and am looking for the tokina to mainly be used with that. Also, I don't have a fluid head for my tripod and am looking at getting a manfrotto fluid head so that the glide cam quick release will be smooth and interchangeable. So if i don't get this lens then i could go ahead and get the fluid head. I haven't sent the money to the ebay seller yet because idk if it will truly be worth it in the long run....
13 years ago
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24730 - Karma: 30,007
It's basically crop standard... it comes out to about 45mm, and then with any extra crop factor the adapter may put on it, it could end up even closer to that 50mm. Not all that weird, really.

28mm is usually the closest you'll get to crop standard focal length without getting something like the sigma 30mm 1.4, which is 400ish bucks, and doesn't have the quality of optics of vintage glass.
13 years ago
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jkauffman22
Posts: 2592 - Karma: 1,150
So this will probably be a noob camera question but if it's 28mm it will be more like a 45/50mm since I'm on a crop sensor?
13 years ago
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Randy_Quench
Posts: 5447 - Karma: 4,348
a crop body is 1.6x. so 28 + 15(~60% of 28) = ~43mm
I think im gonna go with a 24mm vintage prime next, which is more like a 35mm.
13 years ago
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jkauffman22
Posts: 2592 - Karma: 1,150
Ahhhh damn :/ I was wanting a true 28mm
13 years ago
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24730 - Karma: 30,007
You'd need like an 18mm or so for that on a crop. Sorry bud.
13 years ago
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24730 - Karma: 30,007
Was talking to Zach about this one tonight - for those with Full Frame, it's a pretty interesting option, for under 200$

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Russian made 16mm Fisheye. Cheap. Solid metal. Soft in the corners at lower apertures, but for at least a backup manual fish, would be pretty sweet.
13 years ago
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jkauffman22
Posts: 2592 - Karma: 1,150
dang ok. thanks for the input! looks like ill just go with the tokina and get a tripod head or something
13 years ago
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goodiepocket
Posts: 950 - Karma: 641
not exactly lens related, but treated myself to this lil guy today:

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pretty excited.
13 years ago
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,296
Are you implying the Sigma optically of lower quality than vintage glass?

Also, what is everybody raving about 'awkward' focal lengths on different formats. It really doesn't matter at all, as long as you know how to use it. 28mm is wonderful FL, both on crop, FF or medium format (although very wide, which doesn't have to mean bad). It's just where you put it to use. 28mm is both a wonderful walkaround length on both crop and FF. Anyone saying otherwise doesn't know what he's talking about.
13 years ago
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MACAQUE
Posts: 2811 - Karma: 696
Eh not really. You gotta spend money on what you're gonna use.

Some focal lengths don't have a place in most people's lineup. If somebody handed me a 28mm to keep in my bag I'd be stoked, but I wouldn't buy one. My 24mm is better for my needs. If I had a 24 and a 28 and could only keep one in my bag I'd keep the 24. It's all about prioritizing.
13 years ago
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24730 - Karma: 30,007
I mean't to say 'many other options' rather than Vintage glass...

Truth be told the optics on it are pretty decent. It's just way too expensive for a lens that you can get similar if not better quality from other lenses. I'd probably take the 28mm 1.8 from canon over it now that I've had some experience with both lenses, realize it costs less or equivalent, doesn't have much if any performance dropoff (also 2mm of focal length is really unnoticeable), and is able to be used on an FF camera.. They both have MF override too, so it's pretty sweet. The 30mm 1.4 is better in low light, sure... but it's kinda shitty at 1.4 and it's not much sharper at 1.8 than the Canon 28mm 1.8. Plus the Canon has a focus window - which I am a fan of.

That said. pick up a MF Nikon 28mm f2 for like 100 bucks in great condition and call it a day, if you're doing film, or want to save like 300 bucks...
13 years ago
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1337
Posts: 31074 - Karma: 29,629
still looking for a 300+ lens. anyone?

of all the things i've heard, i was shocked the most that a tamron adapt-all lens (300 5.6) is actually really decent.
13 years ago
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,296
Interesting, but it blows. Super soft, even stopped down.
The Tokina is a MUCH better option.
13 years ago
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24730 - Karma: 30,007
Hey. For 150 bucks, i'd say it's pretty cool.
13 years ago
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,296
Sure is, but for 50$ more you can get the Tokina, which isn't as fast (f/3.5) but about 5 times sharper, without the ghosting.

What next vintage lens is everybody going to buy?

I'm in the market for a new 135mm, quite possibly an SMC Tak f/2.5.
That or a Nikkor 105. Or a 24mm... Choices...
13 years ago
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
Anyone have any experience with older Nikon/Pentax/Olympus fisheyes?
13 years ago
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,296
They're expensive as fuck. That's all I know.
13 years ago
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JAHrig
Posts: 738 - Karma: 2,649
Anyone used one of these? or have any alternatives?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pentax-Asahi-SMC-Takumar-300mm-F-4-M42-Manual-Prime-Lens-4-300-/251134784045?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item3a78ccb22d#ht_4827wt_1141
13 years ago
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JAHrig
Posts: 738 - Karma: 2,649
Anyone used one of these? or have any alternatives?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pentax-Asahi-SMC-Takumar-300mm-F-4-M42-Manual-Prime-Lens-4-300-/251134784045?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item3a78ccb22d#ht_4827wt_1141
13 years ago
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JAHrig
Posts: 738 - Karma: 2,649
Anyone used one of these? or have any alternatives?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pentax-Asahi-SMC-Takumar-300mm-F-4-M42-Manual-Prime-Lens-4-300-/251134784045?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item3a78ccb22d#ht_4827wt_1141
13 years ago
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123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
I've used the takumar 200m f3.5 and I love it, it has something like 20 aperture blades. Check out pentax forums, they do reviews on almost every lens and they have examples
13 years ago
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
Jesus, $1000 for an old lens, no thank you. Any 'cheaper' okay full frame fisheye options out there?
13 years ago
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123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
cheapest on keh was a leica r 16mm f2.8 for $890. Peleng is $300ish but looks pretty crappy, and its 8mm so I think it would vignette on a full frame sensor. Check skateperception though, they all try to find the cheapest fisheye short of an opteka on an 18-55 to use. Might be a little harder to find fullframe, but there should at least be some info, maybe in the photo forum
13 years ago
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,296
You *think* it vignettes? Apart from that it doesn't mount to FF, I think only 1/3 of the whole image would be visible, if that, haha.
Not many good 'cheap' vintage fisheyes available as far as I know. And the ones that are cheaper are mostly crappy.
I don't know if it's still made, but the 15mm Canon is a very good lens and not extremely expensive (not cheap either).
13 years ago
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24730 - Karma: 30,007
Not really... ebay might be your best bet with this one.
13 years ago
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123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
It says that it covers a 24mmx36mm sensor, but a sample picture shows full circle vignetting, I was just trying to throw some ideas out there
13 years ago
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vandersteeze
Posts: 2650 - Karma: 1,511
I havent posted in here in a while, just picked up a Bronica Sq-a and a while back I got a Canon QL17 G-III

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13 years ago
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
Two of the best value for dollar film camera's on the market. I strongly considered a sq-a instead of my Pentax 6x7, I just like the 6x7 format better. The canonet is so fucking sharp, like a mini fixed lens leica.
13 years ago
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,296
I really need to check out rangefinders. I'd love having one and shooting with one. The only rangefinder I've ever shot with was Leica M4, which I can't afford anyway. But I bet there's a ton of really cool, small rangefinders out there for real cheap (like the Canonet).

Let's do some research, eh?!
13 years ago
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1337
Posts: 31074 - Karma: 29,629
Talk to Zack, he always points them out to me on craigslist or kijijijijijijijijijijijijiji or whatever that website is
13 years ago
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24730 - Karma: 30,007
^probably KEH.com?

Anyways... Some cool rangefinders that AREN'T as expensive as a Leica... These are some of the ones I've used, and enjoy a ton.

Olympus XA
Rollei 35
Minolta Hi-Matic 7Sii
Ricoh 500G
Canon Canonet
Canon 7
Konica C35/Vivitar C35
Olympus 35SP

Minolta CLE (Pretty much a Leica, that Leica was too snobbish to sell, because it was killing the sales of it's M5 camera - the worst Leica model. It takes Leica lenses, and even though it's plastic and everything, it's my choice for the best rangefinder out there for under 1000$... You can find them for around 600-700 very easily. Maybe you'll find one as low as 400-500 if you really look hard. They're amazing.)

Then, if you want some russianmade Leica knockoff rangefinders, check out the Zorki's. They aren't as sharp or anything, but they are still pretty cool, and damn cheap.


13 years ago
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
Click for larger image

Yashica Electro 35 is an amazing rangefinder! There are also Zorki's and FED's, they are pretty crude russian leica screw copies, they are no where near as sharp, but you can pick one up for like $10 on ebay. Canonet's are dope, the ql17 giii is an awesome camera, still pretty cheap, I believe they run around $75 for one in decent condition. Contax G1/2's are amazing, zeiss lenses, but a big step up in terms of price, a g1 with a 45mm will run you like $400 or $500, and they are pretty automatic.

13 years ago
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,296
A week before I left to America I bought a Konica C35, but it's back home so not much use for that now.

I don't really want one with screw in lenses. I'm just fine with a fixed focal length.
Right now, I'm looking at the QL17 and SP35. They seem simple, sturdy and fast (f/1.7). The Yashica looks great too, but that one has interchangeable lenses, right?
13 years ago
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,296
I love theartofphotography btw. Such a good show.
13 years ago
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
Yashica is a fixed 45mm f1.7, I'd also check out the OLY Trip 35, slower lens at 40mm f2.8, but it has a great vintage look to it.
13 years ago
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
How much did you snag that for? I'm trying to buy one but I'm having trouble finding the WLF...
13 years ago
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vandersteeze
Posts: 2650 - Karma: 1,511
I got it for 275 with a 220 back and the 80 2.8

I only saw 1 wlf on keh and it was way too expensive, its difficult to find them I guess. Next thing I am going to purchase is a 120 back anyway. Unless all I will ever shoot is Kodak Portra 160 or 400, since those are the only 2 films I can find in the 220 format haha
13 years ago
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
wehk, the cheapest I can find is ~$400
13 years ago
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
220 back systems are considerable cheaper, 220 is kinda non existent these days so you'll end up buying a 120 back anyways for more cash.
13 years ago
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
Im finding even 220 back systems in the upper $300 range, yet everyone seems to be finding them for much cheaper...
13 years ago
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
Check out skate perception.

http://forums.skateperception.com/index.php?/topic/296687-fs-bronica-sq-a-80mm-f28/
13 years ago
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