Best lenses by Manufacturers

Attila · Joined: 24 Feb 2007 Posts: 14626 Location: Budapest,Hungary

Every manufacturer has same superb lenses and some lemon too.
I think nice to have a thread what is contains superb lenses by Manufacturers, please help me to improve this post.

CANON

Carl Zeiss (Oberkochen)

All of them !

Carl Zeiss Jena

LEICA M

LEICA R

KONICA

Nikon

Zooms

Soviets

Yashica

Yashica ML 24mm f2.8
Yashica ML 28mm f2.8
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Olympus E-1,Nikon FA,Pentax MX,Praktica VLC3,Olympus-OM2N,Yashica Eletro 35 GN,Exakta Varex IIb,BESA L,Yashica MAT 124G
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Carl Zeiss Jena:Flektogon 2.8/20mm,4/25mm,2.4/35,2.8/65mm,4.5/4cm Tessar, 8/500mm Fernobjektiv
Pancolar 1.4/55mm,1.8/50mm,1.8/80mm,Tessar 2.8/50mm,Biotar 2/58mm,1.5/75mm,1.5/7,5cm
Carl Zeiss: Sonnar 2.8/135,2.8/180mm,Tessar 4/135mm
Nikon: 3.5/20mm,2.8/28mm,1.4/35mm,1.4/50mm,1.2/50mm,2/50mm,1.8/105mm,2.5/105mm,4/200mm macro,4.5/300mm
Pentax: Pentax 1.2/50mm,1.8/85mm,4/200mm
Helios: Helios-40 1.5/8,5cm,Helios-44-1 2/58mm,Helios-44-2 2/58mm
Olympus OM: 3.5/18mm,3.5/21mm,1.4/50mm,3.5/55mm macro,2.8/135mm,2/90mm macro,35-70mm,60-250mm
Meyer: 4.5/35mm Primagon,Primoplan 1.9/58mm,1.9/75mm,2.8/100mm,Orestegor 2.8/135mm,4.5/40 Helioplan
Leica: 4/100 Macro Elmar,2.8/90 Elmarit last version

estudleon · Joined: 15 May 2008 Posts: 678 Location: Argentina

ZEIS JENA (I added)
Flektogon 2,4/35
Sonnar MC 3,5/135

LEICA M
Summicron 2/35
Summicron 2/40 (in comunion with minolta)
Summicron 2/50 (The "minolta" version 6 elements in 5 groups)
Summilux ASPHERICAL 1,4/35 (The first aspherical)
Summilux 1,4/75 (at 5,6 the bests images that I saw- 3D)
Elmar 4/135 (virtually, an apo lens)

LEICA R
Elmarit 2,8/35
Summilux 1,4/50
Elmarit 2,8/180

CANON
L 1,2/85
L 2/135
L 2,8/200

KONICA
1,7/50 (the old non mc)
1,8/85 (may be the best short tele with the summilux)
2,8/35
_________________
M42: tak 3,5/28
CZJ: 4/20, 2,4/35, 1,8/50, 1,8/50 aus jena, 3,5/135MC, Pentacon 1,8/50
Fuji: , 1,8/55, 1,4 50, 2.2/55, 4/85
Mamiya 2,8/135
Misc. : jupiter 9

Richard_D · Joined: 21 Oct 2007 Posts: 2376 Location: Faversham Kent UK

Tricky!

I think for the Nikkors you need to add the 55mm 3.5 micro-nikkor. As to the 50mm's Whilst my favourite 50mm is the f2 I don't know that it's better than the 1.8 or 1.4 just different. Similarly I'd put the 20mm 208 above the 3.5 but I know some people prefer the f4. The 135mm 2.8 probably deserves a place and it's difficult to find a better 24mm than the Nikkor 2.8...

How do you define best? Wink

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Richard

The interesting bit:

Nikkors: 20mm f2.8 AIS, 24mm f2.8 AIS, 28mm f2.8 AIS, 35mm f2 AIS, 50mm f1.4 AI, 50mm f1.48AI, 50m f2 AI,
55mm f3.5 AI'd, 105mm f4 AI, 135mm f2.8 AI'd, 135mm f3.5 AI'd, 200mm f4 AI'd .
Nikon E Series: 100mm f2.8 .
Soviet Nikon Mount: Zenitar 16mm f2.8, Arsat/arax/photex 85mm T&S f2.8 .
Other: Asahi Super Takumar 55 mm f2 (M42) ,Tamron 300mm f5.6 SP, Tamron 500mm f8 SP.

DSLR: Nikon D700. 35mm SLRsNikon FE, Pentax S1a.
TLR: Rolliecord II.
Sub-Minature: Pentax Auto 110, 18mm f2.8, 24mm f2.8, 50mm f2.8.

More to come...

Attila · Joined: 24 Feb 2007 Posts: 14626 Location: Budapest,Hungary

How to define best ? Almost impossible that is true from so many great ones.
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Olympus E-1,Nikon FA,Pentax MX,Praktica VLC3,Olympus-OM2N,Yashica Eletro 35 GN,Exakta Varex IIb,BESA L,Yashica MAT 124G
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Carl Zeiss Jena:Flektogon 2.8/20mm,4/25mm,2.4/35,2.8/65mm,4.5/4cm Tessar, 8/500mm Fernobjektiv
Pancolar 1.4/55mm,1.8/50mm,1.8/80mm,Tessar 2.8/50mm,Biotar 2/58mm,1.5/75mm,1.5/7,5cm
Carl Zeiss: Sonnar 2.8/135,2.8/180mm,Tessar 4/135mm
Nikon: 3.5/20mm,2.8/28mm,1.4/35mm,1.4/50mm,1.2/50mm,2/50mm,1.8/105mm,2.5/105mm,4/200mm macro,4.5/300mm
Pentax: Pentax 1.2/50mm,1.8/85mm,4/200mm
Helios: Helios-40 1.5/8,5cm,Helios-44-1 2/58mm,Helios-44-2 2/58mm
Olympus OM: 3.5/18mm,3.5/21mm,1.4/50mm,3.5/55mm macro,2.8/135mm,2/90mm macro,35-70mm,60-250mm
Meyer: 4.5/35mm Primagon,Primoplan 1.9/58mm,1.9/75mm,2.8/100mm,Orestegor 2.8/135mm,4.5/40 Helioplan
Leica: 4/100 Macro Elmar,2.8/90 Elmarit last version

Schnauzer · Joined: 09 Apr 2008 Posts: 642 Location: Maine

Please keep this going. I'm not a collector and only want lenses that I will use. I didn't think I would get caught up in this, but I like the f/2.4 35mm so much that I got from Attila that I want more. It is no better than my L glass, but very much to my surprise it seems to be just as good.
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Ron

Orio · Joined: 24 Feb 2007 Posts: 11664 Location: West Emilia

I also have lots of trouble defining the "best lenses", but I will put together a list of the lenses that I know I would buy again should I have to sell them first - which is the best approximation to the "best lens" concept that I am able to offer Laughing

Nikkors

Auto Nikkor-UD 3.5/20
Nikkor 1.4/50 AI(S?)
Auto Nikkor-H 1.8/85
Nikkor 2.5/105 AI

Soviets

MIR-24N 2/35
MIR-36B 3.5/65
Volna-9 2.8/50 macro
Helios-40-2 1.5/85
Jupiter-37 AM 3.5/135
Tair-11M 2.8/135
Jupiter-21M 4/200

Leicas

Elmarit-R 35
Elmarit-R 90
Summicron-R 90
Elmarit-R 135

Zeiss Oberkochen (Contax)

all of them Embarassed

Zeiss Jena

Flektogon 4/20
Tessar 4.5/40
Pancolar 1.8/50
Tessar 3.5/50
Sonnar 4/135
Sonnar 2.8/180
Sonnar 2.8/200

Yashica

ML 2.8/24

I have little experience with the other main brands (Olympus, Tamron, Pentax, etc) so I can not give opinions.
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ХОРИОС-61 ( ώρεος ) : Lens sana in corpore sano

Main Tools:
LENSES: Carl Zeiss, Leitz, Soviet, old Nikkors, others.
DSLR: Canon EOS 5D, 50D. SLR: Contax AX, RX, 167MT; Voigtländer Bessaflex TM; Praktica FX2; Nikon FM2, F70.
RANGEFINDERS: Contax G2, Kiev-4, Voigtlaender Bessa-T, Canonette QL17. MEDIUM FORMAT: Pentacon 6, Zeiss Super Ikonta, Agfa Record II.
Read Full List HERE
www.timelessphotography.eu
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estudleon · Joined: 15 May 2008 Posts: 678 Location: Argentina

[quote="Orio"]I also have lots of trouble defining the "best lenses", [/quote]
I have the same problems. Now I assume that I can't do this and don't matter to me.
I recognice that I "fall in love" with some lenses and, after a time, I change my love for others. But I don't sell the firsts, may be that I fall in love with them again.
_________________
M42: tak 3,5/28
CZJ: 4/20, 2,4/35, 1,8/50, 1,8/50 aus jena, 3,5/135MC, Pentacon 1,8/50
Fuji: , 1,8/55, 1,4 50, 2.2/55, 4/85
Mamiya 2,8/135
Misc. : jupiter 9

LucisPictor · Posted: Thu May 29, 2008 3:38 pm Post subject:

It is pretty hard to define the best lens from one manufacturer, since you need to have the chance to compare different versions of the same focal length.

But I like the idea and thus I try to participate.

Leaving all the already mentioned lenses out, I think these lenses must also be in that list:

Soviet
- Zenitar 2.8/16 Fisheye
- MIR-1B 2.8/37
- Helios-44-2 2/58
- Tair 3-S 4.5/300
- Jupiter-12 2.8/35 P (M39 RF)
- Industar-61 L/D 2.8/53 (M39 RF)
- Volna-3 MC 80/2.8 (MF)

Komine
- Vivitar Auto Wide-Angle 2.8/28
- Vivitar MC Close Focus Wide Angle 2.0/28

Tokina
- Vivitar Wide-Angle 3.5/17 MC

Asahi Pentax
- Pentax-M SMC 2.8/28
- Asahi SMC Takumar 3.5/35
- Asahi Super-Takumar 1.4/50
- Pentax-M SMC 1.7/50
- Asahi Super-Takumar 2.8/105

Kiron
- Kiron 2.0/28 MC
- Vivitar Auto Wide-Angle 2.5/28

Olympus
- Olympus Zuiko Auto-W 3.5/28
- Olympus Zuiko MC Auto-S 1.4/50
- Olympus Zuiko Auto-T 3.5/135

Nikon
- Nikkor-N.C 2.8/24
- Nikkor-O 2.0/35
- Nikkor-S.C 1.2/55
- Nikkor-H 1.8/85
- Nikkor-Q.C Auto 3.5/135

Mamiya
- Voigtländer Color-Ultron 1.4/55 AR (Mamiya)
- Mamiya Auto Sekor 1.8/55

Yashica
- Yashica ML 1.7/50

Rollei
- Rollei Planar SL 1.8/50

Meyer
- Meyer Optik Trioplan 2.8/100 V

Leica
- Elmarit-R 2.8/35

Soligor
- Soligor C/D 3.5-4.5/28-105 MC Zoom+Macro
- Soligor C/D Zoom+Macro 3.8-5.3/35-200 MC
- Soligor MC 3.5/70-220 Macro

Sigma
-Sigma Zoom-0 II 3.5-4.5/28-85 MC

Hoya
- Hoya HMC 3.5/25-42 Zoom&Macro

Tamron
- Tamron SP 3.8-5.4/60-300 MC 23A
- Tamron SP 3.5/70-210 CF Macro MC 19AH
_________________
There are two kinds of people in the world: those who divide the world into two kinds of people, and those who don’t.
"Schnäppchenjäger" | "KAPCTEH" | "Karusutenu" | "Carsten" | T-shirt?
Cams in use: EOS 40D, EOS 350D, EOS500, Spotmatic SPII, Yashica-24, EXA I & 1c, Zenit EM; Oly 35RC,Minolta Hi-Matic E & F, Ricoh 500RF, Yashica Electro 35 GS, FED-3b and some others...
Lenses in use: Asahi Pentax: 2.8/28;3.5/35;1.4/50;1.7/50;2.8/105;28-80 | Canon (AF):1.8/50;17-85;75-300 | Former GDR: Pentacon 3.5/30; Pentaflex 1.8/50; CZJ 2.8/50; CZJ 4/135; Pentacon 4/200 | Fujinon: 43-75 | Hanimex: 3.5/23; 4/100;80-200 | Hoya: 25-42;80-205 | Kiron: 2/28;70-210 | Leica: Elmarit-R 2.8/35 | Mamiya: 1.8/55 | Minolta: 1.7/50 | Nikkor: 2.8/24;2/35;2/50;1.2/55;1.8/85;3.5/135 | West German: Ludwig 2.9/50; Meyer 2.8/100; Will 4.5/105; Schneider 3.5/135;Enna 3.5/135; Zeiss 4/135;Isco 4/135; Enna 4.5/240 | Olympus: 3.5/28;1.4/50;3.5/135 | Rikenon: 1.7/50;35-70 | Rollei/Voigtländer: 1.4/55;1.8/50 | Russian: Peleng3.5/8; Zenitar2.8/16; MIR2.8/37; Volna2.8/50; Industar3.5/50; Industar3.5/5cm; Helios2/50; Helios2/58; Volna2.8/80; Jupiter2/85; Kaleinar2.8/100;Tair2.8/135; Jupiter3.5/135; Jupiter4/135; Telear3.5/200; Jupiter4/200; Tair4.5/300;RF: Jupiter2.8/35;Industar2.8/53 | Sigma: 28-85;28-105(AF);17-70(AF) | Soligor: 28-105;35-200;70-220 | Tamron: 2.5/24;2.5/135;2.8/135;60-300;70-210 | Tokina: 28-105;80-200;12-24(AF);70-210(AF) | Vivitar: 3.5/17;2/24;2/28;2.5/28;2.8/28 | Yashica: 1.7/50;2/5cm | Other Japanese: Cosina3.8/20; Petri2.8/28; Albinar2.8/28; Porst1.8/35; 2.8/135; Weltblick3.5/135; Beroflex 8/500; Spiratone28-200; Maginon70-210
Green are the lenses I shoot the most.
More? http://forum.mflenses.com/viewtopic.php?t=65

estudleon · Joined: 15 May 2008 Posts: 678 Location: Argentina

LucisPictor, HI!!

I noted that you had chosen the "Voigtländer Color-Ultron 1.4/55 AR (Mamiya)".

Yes, this was a mamiya's lens. And the rolleinar 1,4/55 - for the same mount, was mamiya too. And both could be based on mamiya /sekor 1,4/55 lens (may be from tamioka factory ).

You saw any differences betweem them (of corse the MC)??

Thanks.
_________________
M42: tak 3,5/28
CZJ: 4/20, 2,4/35, 1,8/50, 1,8/50 aus jena, 3,5/135MC, Pentacon 1,8/50
Fuji: , 1,8/55, 1,4 50, 2.2/55, 4/85
Mamiya 2,8/135
Misc. : jupiter 9

Fotal · Joined: 02 Mar 2008 Posts: 278 Location: Sweden

any Contax G lenses?

Even if I love the Nikkor 135/2 to death I think many photog:s will notice the CA in bright specular highlights.
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Mr Scott please restrain your leaps of illogic. I have said nothing. I was merely speculating.

Attila · Joined: 24 Feb 2007 Posts: 14626 Location: Budapest,Hungary

All Contax lens are superb Smile

we not make yet any list from them
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Olympus E-1,Nikon FA,Pentax MX,Praktica VLC3,Olympus-OM2N,Yashica Eletro 35 GN,Exakta Varex IIb,BESA L,Yashica MAT 124G
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Carl Zeiss Jena:Flektogon 2.8/20mm,4/25mm,2.4/35,2.8/65mm,4.5/4cm Tessar, 8/500mm Fernobjektiv
Pancolar 1.4/55mm,1.8/50mm,1.8/80mm,Tessar 2.8/50mm,Biotar 2/58mm,1.5/75mm,1.5/7,5cm
Carl Zeiss: Sonnar 2.8/135,2.8/180mm,Tessar 4/135mm
Nikon: 3.5/20mm,2.8/28mm,1.4/35mm,1.4/50mm,1.2/50mm,2/50mm,1.8/105mm,2.5/105mm,4/200mm macro,4.5/300mm
Pentax: Pentax 1.2/50mm,1.8/85mm,4/200mm
Helios: Helios-40 1.5/8,5cm,Helios-44-1 2/58mm,Helios-44-2 2/58mm
Olympus OM: 3.5/18mm,3.5/21mm,1.4/50mm,3.5/55mm macro,2.8/135mm,2/90mm macro,35-70mm,60-250mm
Meyer: 4.5/35mm Primagon,Primoplan 1.9/58mm,1.9/75mm,2.8/100mm,Orestegor 2.8/135mm,4.5/40 Helioplan
Leica: 4/100 Macro Elmar,2.8/90 Elmarit last version

rbsinto · Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 3:18 am Post subject:

you can also add these to your list;
Nikkor 105 2.5 AI
micro-Nikkor 105 f4 AI
Nikkor 300 2.8 ED AIS
Zoom-Nikkor 80~200 2.8 ED AIS
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I shoot with film. That's film. F....i....l....m. You remember film. It was in all the papers.

LucisPictor · 1.8/55

rick_oleson · Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 8:23 pm Post subject:

I'm a little surprised not to see the 80/2.8 Biometar as one of the great CZJ lenses listed above (maybe I missed it). Surely this is an excellent and historic lens; I don't know if the later Schneider Xenotar and Zeiss Planar in the f/2.8 Rolleis were copies of the Biometar, but they are suspiciously similar; perhaps all were developed from a common prewar design. My understanding is that the Biometar design was shelved due to flare issues until AR coatings became available and then it was brought back off the shelf. The 120 Biometar is also reputed to be one of CZJ's best but I have never had one of those.
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I don't know what I want to be when I grow up

Attila · Joined: 24 Feb 2007 Posts: 14626 Location: Budapest,Hungary

In my opinion 80mm Biometar and 120mm are excellent lenses as all Carl Zeiss lenses. I have Biometar 80mm in many variants and 120mm in MC, zebra etc. They are excellent glasses trully.I didn't put into the list because I found in this range two lenses are lot better, Pancolar and Biotar.
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Olympus E-1,Nikon FA,Pentax MX,Praktica VLC3,Olympus-OM2N,Yashica Eletro 35 GN,Exakta Varex IIb,BESA L,Yashica MAT 124G
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Carl Zeiss Jena:Flektogon 2.8/20mm,4/25mm,2.4/35,2.8/65mm,4.5/4cm Tessar, 8/500mm Fernobjektiv
Pancolar 1.4/55mm,1.8/50mm,1.8/80mm,Tessar 2.8/50mm,Biotar 2/58mm,1.5/75mm,1.5/7,5cm
Carl Zeiss: Sonnar 2.8/135,2.8/180mm,Tessar 4/135mm
Nikon: 3.5/20mm,2.8/28mm,1.4/35mm,1.4/50mm,1.2/50mm,2/50mm,1.8/105mm,2.5/105mm,4/200mm macro,4.5/300mm
Pentax: Pentax 1.2/50mm,1.8/85mm,4/200mm
Helios: Helios-40 1.5/8,5cm,Helios-44-1 2/58mm,Helios-44-2 2/58mm
Olympus OM: 3.5/18mm,3.5/21mm,1.4/50mm,3.5/55mm macro,2.8/135mm,2/90mm macro,35-70mm,60-250mm
Meyer: 4.5/35mm Primagon,Primoplan 1.9/58mm,1.9/75mm,2.8/100mm,Orestegor 2.8/135mm,4.5/40 Helioplan
Leica: 4/100 Macro Elmar,2.8/90 Elmarit last version