Pentacon 30/3.5

[SonicScot]

Found one of these in a charity shop last week, thick with dust and devoid of caps/case.
I had no knowledge of this particular lens but for £4 I wasn't taking much of a risk.
After a bit of cleaning I could see it was in reasonable condition apart from an obvious dent on the filter ring. The glass all appears clear and free of blemishes and I was surprised to count no less than ten aperture blades. The lens looks well used, with paint worn away in several areas, but it works just fine.

This is the lens




We've had almost continuous rain since I bought this so I've only managed a quick test shot with no artistic intent.



I'm delighted with the initial results, so much so that my recent purchase of a Tokina 28/2.8 might turn out to be a waste of money (in the sense that I may never use it).

[Arctures]

Very nice color and beautiful bokeh painting. Congrats! #2 is my fav

[iangreenhalgh1]

This is a good lens but I think the Tokina 2.8/28 is better, more contrasty and sharper.

[Aanything]

[SonicScot]

[Katastrofo]

Love my Pentacon 30, congrats!

[Lloydy]

I like my Penta' 30 a lot, it does colours a treat. When we get a sunny day shoot some flowers, especially red ones, and you'll see what I mean.

That dent in the filter ring will come out if you're careful. I make a former out of soft wood the same diameter as the lens then get a bit of soft wood dowel and use that as a punch - with light taps from a small hammer a dent like that will come out fairly easy. Attacking it with pliers will just mash the threads.

[SonicScot]

[Neil Purling]

You did quite well for £4. I hope you can fix the dented filter thread.
I have a much earlier variant, a Meyer Lydith in a different barrel. That didn't cost me £4.............
Is this 30mm f3.5 the best wide-angle made for the Praktica?

[Excalibur]

[Gerris2]

Are you considering selling the Tokina lens? What mount type is it?

[Attila]

I did like this lens when I did try it out, congrats for great deal!

[SonicScot]

I have used this lens several times since and I'm always pleased with it. I think it qualifies as the best bargain that I've paid for. I haven't attempted to fix the filter ring because I have no need for filters.

@Gerris2
Do you mean me? If so, I'm not planning on selling the Tokina at the moment because I haven't decided which lens I prefer.

[kyonthinh]

Nice sample Sonic, and I am always wonder why this lens is too soft.

[SonicScot]

[kyonthinh]

May be mine is a bad copy.

[Macca]

I picked one up with a Zenitar 50mm 1.7 and Pentacon 50mm 1.8 ( which was heavily fungused and I gave away) for 22 quid with a praktica camera but yours is even more of a bargain. Its a lovely sharp lens with some fall off in sharpness on the upper two corners at times but it renders nicely. Hope you don`t mind me posting this on your thread...

[woodrim]

[Macca]

Its interesting Woodrim, I`ve seen your excellent shots with it here and elsewhere, and the character of mine ( if not the execution!) is very similar, wonder if Sonicscots will be similar?

Its not as off putting as it was after the first few uses and is a definite keeper for me as its a nice focal length on DSLR.

[SonicScot]

I certainly don't mind you guys adding your images, the more the merrier

I haven't paid this lens enough attention lately but I aim to rectify that in the next few days...weather willing

[ForenSeil]

I think Pentacon lenses have the some quality spreading . But that might be due decentering of the elements.

I had a fairly good copy