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Explore the world of vintage lenses through repair notes, real test shots, and detailed archive threads packed with images.

Explore the world of vintage lenses through repair notes, real test shots, and detailed archive threads packed with images.
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Isco-Gottingen Tele-Westanar 135mm f3.5
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Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2016 12:57 pm
Post subject: Isco-Gottingen Tele-Westanar 135mm f3.5
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Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2016 12:57 pm
Post subject: Isco-Gottingen Tele-Westanar 135mm f3.5
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Hi,
I do not plan to buy this lens, unless you show me some convincing pictures Smile
Jokes apart, the few sample photographs I have found in the internet look gorgeous and the price of the lens on ebay is also inviting.

However, what do you think of this lens? I have a Jupiter 37A 135mm f3.5, do you think the Isco-Goettingen has a different rendering then the Russian one? Would you like to share some pictures? Which other lens from the Isco-Goettingen family would you otherwise recommend?

Thank you.


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Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2016 2:44 pm
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Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2016 2:44 pm
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I have two versions of this lens. There was one thing for each that really struck me; the latest plastic one provides wonderful bokeh to my eyes, comparable to Tair. The earlier one has too long a minimum focus for my enjoyment. IQ is good from both.

If I was looking for a 135mm lens, which is inconceivable since I and many other people have too many already, I would look elsewhere first and buy the ISCO is curious or if I just wanted to collect. It is a good lens, but for me too slow and too long a focus for most of what I like to do.


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Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 6:04 am
Post subject: Re: Isco-Gottingen Tele-Westanar 135mm f3.5
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Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 6:04 am
Post subject: Re: Isco-Gottingen Tele-Westanar 135mm f3.5
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wolan wrote:
Hi,
I do not plan to buy this lens, unless you show me some convincing pictures Smile
Jokes apart, the few sample photographs I have found in the internet look gorgeous and the price of the lens on ebay is also inviting.

However, what do you think of this lens? I have a Jupiter 37A 135mm f3.5, do you think the Isco-Goettingen has a different rendering then the Russian one? Would you like to share some pictures? Which other lens from the Isco-Goettingen family would you otherwise recommend?

Thank you.


I know this is an old thread, but...

I love this lens, but it is a bit tricky to get best results from. I own a heavy, machined metal version. CA is evident wide open though really pretty subtle compared to most 135s, it clears up mostly by 5.6, and is a non-issue in most cases. I would say for this vintage (1960s) it has above average contrast, sometimes actually more than I'd prefer.

Near focus is pretty far, annoyingly, however this condition makes for an excellent "macro" lens when used on an extension tube, allowing you to keep some distance from the subject - useful for floral work. In closer quarters, it will prove frustrating to use other than with a "macro" tube. The Berolina Westromat is very similar, but in plastic construction and allows for slightly closer focus as mentioned, more "useable" I suppose, but I think the older Westanar versions render a little better, but I could be imagining it. The Berolina Westromat, though plastic, it is German plastic, so surprisingly high quality feel and still fairly hefty. The metal Tele Westanar I have is even more hefty and stout feeling however.

This willow shot is done using the westanar on an extension tube on A7II, it is stopped down to f4 or 5.6 here



Last edited by aerogami on Thu Jun 07, 2018 6:19 am; edited 3 times in total


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Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 6:06 am
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Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 6:06 am
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A slightly cropped shot using the tele westanar - I don't know what F stop I used on this one. maybe f8


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Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 6:36 am
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Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 6:36 am
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Like 1


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Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 8:13 am
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Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 8:13 am
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Gorgeous!


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Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 3:47 pm
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Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 3:47 pm
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Nice pigeon shot. Maybe I should give mine another try now that I have a helicoid adapter.


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Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 10:17 pm
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Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 10:17 pm
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woodrim wrote:
Nice pigeon shot. Maybe I should give mine another try now that I have a helicoid adapter.


I would. I think that extension tubes open up the best qualities of this lens.
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