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iangreenhalgh1
Joined: 18 Mar 2011
Posts: 15685
Expire: 2014-01-07
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 Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 2:29 pm Post subject: My current shooting kit, arrived at after a year's testing |
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iangreenhalgh1 wrote:
Hi folks
In the last year I've been through more lenses than I care to remember looking for really great ones, finally I think I've got a shooting set that is as good as I can get without selling an organ to buy T*...
Here's what I have chosen after much testing and testing:
1. Tokina RMC 3.5/17 - just awesome, sharp across the frame, only slight barrel distortion, great colours and contrast, low CA, this lens has everything you could want in an ultrawide.
2. Konica Hexanon 4/21 - so sharp it could slice yer eyeballs, low distortion, no CA, just all-round superb, even has some 3d pop.
3. Konica Hexanon 2.8/24 - another super-sharp Konica, not found any weaknesses yet.
4. Konica Hexanon 3.5/28 - earlier 7 element EE version, incredibly sharp, very contrasty, has some 3d pop, I use this lens all the time and it has never failed to impress me. Only weakness is the single coating but as long as the sun isn't in the frame, it's no issue.
5. Meyer Primagon 4.5/35 - just stunning, my favourite lens, sharp like a razor at all apertures, has an incredible 3d dimensionality to it's rendering, colours are wonderful and it has fantastic bokeh. My best lens to use in bad light, these days it's rarely off my NEX.
6. Canon FL 2.5/35 - I was only going to choose one lens in each focal length but this one is so good I had to include it. Critically sharp even wide open, wonderful bokeh, such strong vivid colours, it has a special character to it's images.
7. Konica Hexanon 1.8/40 - usual Konica sharpness and quality, lovely tiny lens.
8. Minolta Rokkor 2/45 - as sharp as the Konica 40 but rather different rendering with vivid colours and such smooth bokeh, it has a certain charming character to it's rendering.
9. Konica Hexanon 1.7/50 - possibly my sharpest lens, great bokeh and colours, the best 50 I've tried and I've tried a lot, has some 3d pop.
10. Jupiter-8 2/50 - 1955 red P version, typical Sonnar sharpness and rendering, just a superb optic with a wonderful character.
11. Petri CC Auto 1.8/55 - an unknown gem and the best 99p I ever spent, razor sharp even wide open, swirly bokeh, really excels at infinity so I use it for landscapes, also wonderful at closeups at large aperture settings.
12. Topcon RE Auto Topcor 1.8/58 - I just love how RE Topcors render, critically sharp, fantastic contrast, smooth bokeh, I prefer this to my Pancolar, it's that good.
13. Pentax Super Takumar 1.8/85 - a recent acquisition but I immediately fell in love with it, pretty sharp, good contrast, smooth bokeh, a really nice focal length on my NEX. I might replace this if a better 85 comes along later.
14. Carl Zeiss Jena Cardinar 4/100 - the best Jena lens I've tried, a stunning optic, tack-sharp at all apertures, wonderful colours and bokeh, has some 3d pop, just a stunner.
15. Topcon RE Auto Topcor 3.5/135 - I've tried a lot of 135s and this is the best I've found, even better than the fantastic Konica Hexanon 3.2/135, it has everything, sharpness, contrast, bokeh, 3d pop, just wonderful.
16. Topcon RE Auto Topcor 5.6/200 - the best 200 I've found, like the 135 it has everything, it gives a great depth and dimensionality to images and is laser-sharp.
17. Tair-3C 4.5/300 - yes it's old, huge, rusty and feels like it's made out of an old artillery shell but it's a joy to use and is sharp and without CA at all apertures, a great telephoto by any terms.
18. Konica Zoom-Hexanon 28-135 - huge and heavy but as good as a prime lens at all settings, best zoom lens I have found and a really useful range of focal lengths on the NEX.
19. Konica UC Hexanon 4/80-200 - also huge and heavy but like the shorter Konica zoom is a truly superb optic and better than most primes in the same focal length I've tried.
20. Micro-Nikkor 3.5/55 - my macro lens of choice, sharp sharp sharp, does it's job very well and doesn't take up too much space in my bag unlike a bellows solution.
So that's it, covers all my needs and not much I would want to add, a fisheye like the Konica 15mm would be nice, maybe a Zenitar 16.
I'll add pictures later.
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I don't care who designed it, who made it or what country it comes from - I just enjoy using it! |
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Kram
Joined: 06 Feb 2010
Posts: 1344
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 2:44 pm Post subject: |
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Kram wrote:
Ian, impressive list. Has me drooling a bit! |
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Attila
Joined: 24 Feb 2007
Posts: 57849
Location: Hungary
Expire: 2025-11-18
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| Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 2:55 pm Post subject: |
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Attila wrote:
Thank you for sharing your experience!
_________________
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Items on sale on Ebay
Sony NEX-7 Carl Zeiss Planar 85mm f1.4, Minolta MD 35mm f1.8, Konica 135mm f2.5, Minolta MD 50mm f1.2, Minolta MD 250mm f5.6, Carl Zeiss Sonnar 180mm f2.8
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iangreenhalgh1
Joined: 18 Mar 2011
Posts: 15685
Expire: 2014-01-07
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| Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 2:56 pm Post subject: |
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iangreenhalgh1 wrote:
Cheers, I better not tell you how much I paid for them, you might be a bit upset, the most expensive was about 100USD but all the rest were less than 60USD.
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I don't care who designed it, who made it or what country it comes from - I just enjoy using it! |
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iangreenhalgh1
Joined: 18 Mar 2011
Posts: 15685
Expire: 2014-01-07
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| Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 2:59 pm Post subject: |
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iangreenhalgh1 wrote:
| Attila wrote: |
| Thank you for sharing your experience! |
Thank you for all the help you've given in guiding me to this kit, without mflenses.com I'd not have 95% of these lenses...
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LucisPictor
Joined: 26 Feb 2007
Posts: 17633
Location: Oberhessen, Germany / Maidstone ('95-'96)
Expire: 2013-12-03
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| Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 4:24 pm Post subject: |
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LucisPictor wrote:
Isn't it great to have the chance to pick from a list of 20 lenses what you want to use each day?
_________________
Personal forum activity on pause every now and again (due to job obligations)!
Carsten, former Moderator 
Things ON SALE
Carsten = "KAPCTEH" = "Karusutenu" | T-shirt?.........................My photos from Emilia: http://www.schouler.net/emilia/emilia2011.html
My gear: http://retrocameracs.wordpress.com/ausrustung/
Old list: http://forum.mflenses.com/viewtopic.php?t=65 (Not up-to-date, sorry!) | http://www.lucispictor.de | http://www.alensaweek.wordpress.com |
http://www.retrocamera.de |
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iangreenhalgh1
Joined: 18 Mar 2011
Posts: 15685
Expire: 2014-01-07
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| Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 4:33 pm Post subject: |
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iangreenhalgh1 wrote:
| LucisPictor wrote: |
| Isn't it great to have the chance to pick from a list of 20 lenses what you want to use each day? |
Oh yes, and when all the lenses can be relied upon to produce high IQ if you treat them properly then it is a great feeling.
I used to have more than 50 but many were of lesser IQ so happily I've sold most of those now.
In all, I have pretty much gathered up my 20 lenses for nothing as I've made enough profit on selling the lesser ones, which is a really nice feeling for a poor peasant like me! lol
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I don't care who designed it, who made it or what country it comes from - I just enjoy using it! |
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Lloydy
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Posts: 7785
Location: Ironbridge. UK.
Expire: 2022-01-01
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| Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 5:29 pm Post subject: |
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Lloydy wrote:
Impressive..... 
But you've worked hard to get what you want, well done. 
_________________
LENSES & CAMERAS FOR SALE.....
I have loads of stuff that I have to get rid of, if you see me commenting about something I have got and you want one, ask me.
My Flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/mudplugga/
My ipernity -
http://www.ipernity.com/home/294337 |
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Jethro Tull
Joined: 31 Dec 2010
Posts: 68
Location: SCOTLAND
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| Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 6:09 pm Post subject: Great selection |
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Jethro Tull wrote:
What a great selection and quite a few i have never heard of and will have to check some out. Having said that i'd hate to fit that lot in my rucksack! 
Look forward to seeing some photos of the precious things
Brian |
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iangreenhalgh1
Joined: 18 Mar 2011
Posts: 15685
Expire: 2014-01-07
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| Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 6:37 pm Post subject: |
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iangreenhalgh1 wrote:
Aye, I have worked hard, hate to think how many crap lenses I tried. I do think you have to try all kinds of lenses to really appreciate how good the best ones are though.
I didn't think of taking pics of the lenses themselves, I shall have to do that, perhaps a group shot too.
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I don't care who designed it, who made it or what country it comes from - I just enjoy using it! |
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iangreenhalgh1
Joined: 18 Mar 2011
Posts: 15685
Expire: 2014-01-07
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| Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 7:40 pm Post subject: |
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iangreenhalgh1 wrote:
Okay, some sample pics:
1. Tokina 3.5/17:
2. Konica 4/21:
3. Konica 2.8/24:
4. Konica 3.5/28:
5. Meyer Primagon 4.5/35:
6. Canon FL 2.5/35:
7, Konica 1.8/40:
8. Minolta 2/45:
9. Konica 1.7/50:
10: Jupiter-8 2/50:
[url=http://forum.mflenses.com/userpix/20122/big_4077_St_Georges_3_WEB_1.jpg]
 [/url]
11: Petri CC 1.8/55:
12: Topcor 1.8/58:
13: Auto Takumar 1.8/85:
14: Cardinar 4/100:
15: Topcor 3.5/135:
16: Topcor 5.6/200:
17: Tair-3C 4.5/300:
18: Konica 28-135:
19: Konica UC 4/80-200:
20: Micro-Nikkor 3.5/55:
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I don't care who designed it, who made it or what country it comes from - I just enjoy using it! |
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Attila
Joined: 24 Feb 2007
Posts: 57849
Location: Hungary
Expire: 2025-11-18
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| Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 9:53 pm Post subject: |
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Attila wrote:
So many nice images ! Great lens collection!
_________________
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Items on sale on Ebay
Sony NEX-7 Carl Zeiss Planar 85mm f1.4, Minolta MD 35mm f1.8, Konica 135mm f2.5, Minolta MD 50mm f1.2, Minolta MD 250mm f5.6, Carl Zeiss Sonnar 180mm f2.8
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stingOM
Joined: 27 Sep 2007
Posts: 3168
Location: Ireland
Expire: 2012-12-27
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| Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 9:56 pm Post subject: |
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stingOM wrote:
Wonderful list of gear you got there. A definite thumbs up to those Topcors! They are hidden gems no more after you publicizing it!
Konica's of course are fab too! |
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iangreenhalgh1
Joined: 18 Mar 2011
Posts: 15685
Expire: 2014-01-07
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| Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 10:07 pm Post subject: |
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iangreenhalgh1 wrote:
Topcors are not cheap to begin with and not many appear on ebay, the three I've got are by far the cheapest three. Not far off Oberkochen quality, not far off Oberkochen prices sometimes, sadly....
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I don't care who designed it, who made it or what country it comes from - I just enjoy using it! |
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Jethro Tull
Joined: 31 Dec 2010
Posts: 68
Location: SCOTLAND
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| Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 11:19 pm Post subject: Great series of photo's |
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Jethro Tull wrote:
Wow what a cracking series of shots! those mountain shots are superb but my favourite is the Purple Gnome great detail
Brian |
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Lloydy
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Posts: 7785
Location: Ironbridge. UK.
Expire: 2022-01-01
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| Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2012 12:01 am Post subject: |
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Lloydy wrote:
Wow......
there's some classy shots there Ian.
_________________
LENSES & CAMERAS FOR SALE.....
I have loads of stuff that I have to get rid of, if you see me commenting about something I have got and you want one, ask me.
My Flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/mudplugga/
My ipernity -
http://www.ipernity.com/home/294337 |
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iangreenhalgh1
Joined: 18 Mar 2011
Posts: 15685
Expire: 2014-01-07
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| Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2012 12:14 am Post subject: |
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iangreenhalgh1 wrote:
Cheers, all with NEX-3 apart from seagull on chimney.
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nixland
Joined: 30 Jan 2011
Posts: 577
Expire: 2012-07-29
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| Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2012 9:51 am Post subject: |
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nixland wrote:
Wow! Congratulation Ian. And thanks for sharing about your favorite lens.
So you could be more relax now  No sleepless night anymore ... thinking about lenses you would buy or dissapointing any bad lenses you just have bought .. It happened to me throughout last year
_________________
Carl Zeiss Jena: Biotar 58/2 1Q, DDR Pancolar 80/1.8 MC, Biotar 75/1.5, Biotar 10cm/2, DDR Sonnar 135/3.5 MC
Carl Zeiss C/Y: Planar 50/1.4 T*, Planar 85/1.4 T*, Planar 100/2 T*, Sonnar 135/2.8 T*
Leica: Summicron-R 35/2 v1, Summicron-R 50/2, Summilux-R 80/1.4, Summicron-R 90/2
Pentax: A 50/1.2
Minolta: Rokkor MC 58/1.2, Rokkor MC 85/1.7, Rokkor MC 100/2, MD 200/2.8
Olympus: Zuiko MC Auto-W 21/2, Zuiko 50/1.2, Zuiko MC Auto-T 85/2, Zuiko Auto-T 100/2
Nikon: Nikkor 28/2.8 Ais, Nikkor 85/1.8, Nikkor 105/1.8, 300/2.8 ED (Ais)
Canon: FD 50/1.2 L, FD 85/1.2 L
Sony: 135/2.8 STF
Jupiter: 85/2 Alu
Cyclop: 85/1.5
Meyer-Optic: Trioplan 100/2.8, Orestor 100/2.8, Primotar 135/3.5
Samyang: 8/3.5 FE, 14/2.8, 85/1.4, 85/1.4 UMC
FOR SALE
Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 10cm/2 || Carl Zeiss ZE Distagon 28/2 || Minolta Rokkor MD 35/1.8 || Rokkor-X MC 85/1.7 || Rokkor MD 85/1.7 || Olympus Zuiko MC Auto-W 21/2 || Olympus 100/2 || Nikon Nikkor 35/1.4 || Canon: FD 55/1.2 || Vivitar 90/2.5 Series 1 VMC || Tamron: 90/2.5 SP
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ruber
Joined: 04 Feb 2012
Posts: 16
Location: italy
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| Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2012 11:04 am Post subject: |
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ruber wrote:
Great kit!!!
Thank you for sharing these precious info. |
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s58y
Joined: 05 Sep 2010
Posts: 131
Location: Eastern NY
Expire: 2013-09-10
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| Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2012 12:29 pm Post subject: |
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s58y wrote:
A lot of work must have gone into acquiring and selecting those lenses. It looks like it paid off.
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flickr photostream
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uddhava
Joined: 22 Aug 2012
Posts: 3071
Location: Hungary
Expire: 2021-06-21
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| Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2016 8:21 am Post subject: |
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uddhava wrote:
This is an old topic, but I never replied to it.
This is a nice, useful list and I saved it to my bookmarks a couple of years ago.
I am curious are there any updates to this list? |
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Lloydy
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Posts: 7785
Location: Ironbridge. UK.
Expire: 2022-01-01
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| Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2016 9:17 am Post subject: |
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Lloydy wrote:
It will be interesting if Ian revisits this list, I'd like to know what's still on the list, and what's been added.
_________________
LENSES & CAMERAS FOR SALE.....
I have loads of stuff that I have to get rid of, if you see me commenting about something I have got and you want one, ask me.
My Flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/mudplugga/
My ipernity -
http://www.ipernity.com/home/294337 |
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blotafton
Joined: 08 Aug 2013
Posts: 1552
Location: Sweden
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| Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2016 10:37 am Post subject: |
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blotafton wrote:
My guess: Fewer Hexanons. |
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Excalibur
Joined: 19 Jul 2009
Posts: 5019
Location: UK
Expire: 2014-04-21
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| Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2016 10:52 am Post subject: |
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Excalibur wrote:
| blotafton wrote: |
| My guess: Fewer Hexanons. |
H'mm surely that would depend on how deep is your pocket and what you want a lens to do for the results you want.....if it was that simple there would be say only 1, 2 or 3 lenses recommended to buy from a range say from 15mm upwards but even then there is the problem of copy variation. 
_________________
Canon A1, AV1, T70 & T90, EOS 300 and EOS300v, Chinon CE and CP-7M. Contax 139, Fuji STX-2, Konica Autoreflex TC, FS-1, FT-1, Minolta X-700, X-300, XD-11, SRT101b, Nikon EM, FM, F4, F90X, Olympus OM2, Pentax S3, Spotmatic, Pentax ME super, Praktica TL 5B, & BC1, , Ricoh KR10super, Yashica T5D, Bronica Etrs, Mamiya RB67 pro AND drum roll:- a Sony Nex 3
.........past gear Tele Rolleiflex and Rollei SL66.
Many lenses from good to excellent. |
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dan_
Joined: 05 Dec 2012
Posts: 1053
Location: Romania
Expire: 2016-12-19
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| Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2016 12:14 pm Post subject: |
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dan_ wrote:
Yes, it would be interesting to see your updated list after 4 years, Ian.
| blotafton wrote: |
| My guess: Fewer Hexanons. |
...And the zooms replaced with Minolta AF zooms, fewer Topcors, no Tair (too havey), the 35mm replaced wit an older Biogon (if I remember well), some adapted Schneider cine projection lenses added and the overall list reduced with ~50%. That's my guess. |
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