compiling a collection of MF vintage lenses for video

butterflies · Joined: 27 Mar 2018 Posts: 8 Location: Hungary

Hi there,
I have been reading a lot of reviews and information about vintage lenses during the last few weeks. I have started a new project, filming butterflies. I used to do this with Panasonic GH5 and associated cristal clear and tagsharp modern lenses. Now, I want to create a special look in my new project that best can be described as 'fantasy'. I have been using the well known helios 58 mm f2 during a try out last summer. That was a good start, but not perfect. What I very much like about the image it produces is the OOF elements, but not the -too extreme- swirly bokeh rings. I do like the character of the image but the swirlyness could be less. I am trying to compile a small collection of lenses in different focal lengths, so that overall I accomplish footage all with a same sort of character. I have done enough reading now and the more I read the harder it gets to decide things. If I would ask at this forum some advise about a set of lenses that do (more or less) what I wish, would anybody be willing to help?
Many thanks,
Rob

iangreenhalgh1 · Expire: 2014-01-07

Good project.

The obvious answer, in my opinion, especially living in Hungary where they can be found easily, would be the Russian Jupiter series, they are copies of the Zeiss Sonnars and will definitely give a fantasy look, they don't have swirly bokeh, instead they have a very creamy, smooth rendering.

butterflies · Joined: 27 Mar 2018 Posts: 8 Location: Hungary

Many thanks for your suggestions. I looked at most of them and find it hard to find something in the macro or near macro corner. The CZJ originals almost all focus closer than the Jupiters.
I was looking at the TAIR's. As an example, I like the bokeh of the Tair-11A 135 mm f/ 2.8 very much. Also from the Tair-11 133 mm f/ 2.8. But also with these, closest focussing is at 150 cm. I also like the rendering of the Vivitar Series 1 70-210mm f/2.8-4 Macro (ver.3 Komine) Lens, just to give an idea of what I like in an image. Anybody knows of a Jupiter that has a reasonable macro facility? Or any other thought on a set of lenses (one wider lens, one around 50, one around 100 mm and a tele) with a dreamy/fantasy character? Zoom is also possible.
Thanks,
Rob

iangreenhalgh1 · Expire: 2014-01-07

A set of M42 extension tubes fixes the close focus issue.

One of the very best non-macro lenses for shooting close up is the Konica Hexanon 3.2/135.

DConvert · Joined: 12 Jun 2010 Posts: 902 Location: Essex UK

Some of the longer focal length c-mount lenses might be suitable. Not all cover MFT but the coverage issue seems to be worse with wider focal lengths. They have a reputation for swirly bokeh, which is certainly visible in the 25 & 35 I have. For butterflies I suspect you'll need a considerably longer lens than these.

kds315* · Expire: 2021-03-09

Consider possibly especially the longer Zeiss Jena TEVIDON lenses in c-mount (50, 70, 100mm),
they are easier to find in the East, are very sharp and have naturally clickless apertures.

Shot on Panasonic Lumix GH1/GH2

25mm (slight vignetting on Lumix):
https://www.flickr.com/photos/kds315/albums/72157625549417179

35mm (excellent lens with close up focusing!!):
https://www.flickr.com/photos/kds315/albums/72157625498057403

70mm Tevidon:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/kds315/albums/72157626556909405

(have no online 50mm + 100mm images)

butterflies · Joined: 27 Mar 2018 Posts: 8 Location: Hungary

kds315* · Expire: 2021-03-09

butterflies · Joined: 27 Mar 2018 Posts: 8 Location: Hungary

I see that the 100 mm is a very sharp lens. I am afraid these are out of my league anyway, very expensive.

kds315* · Expire: 2021-03-09

butterflies · Joined: 27 Mar 2018 Posts: 8 Location: Hungary

Hi Klaus,
Which ones do you posess and could you do me an offer? Could you maybe add some nice pics you created with them?
Thanks,
Rob