recommend a tessar formula m42 normal lens, please ...

[fish4570]

... for my spotmatic. any that do not cost arm AND leg?

my super takumar 55/2 does not have the tessar touch, even wide open. too contrasty, methinks:


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Fish4570 (Paul)

Konica S III with fixed Konishiroku Hexanon 47/1.9; Yashica Lynx 14E with fixed Yashinon-DX 45mm/f1.4; FED-2(d), Industar-61, Industar-50; SP1000, Meyer-Optik Oreston 50/1.8, Fujinon 55/2.2, Super Takumar 55/f2, Auto Rikenon 50/2.

http://blackcreekjournal.blogspot.com/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/51210672@N07/

[Orio]

The Tessar is not a low contrast lens per se.
It depends on the coating.
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Ave atque vale
Orio

[Keysersoze27]

For cheap+quality get one from the 1950s , CZJ 2.8/50 or CZJ 3.5/50 .
Since you don't what them to bee too contrasty try to avoid the red T ones ...
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Canon EOS 5D MkII , EOS Rebel XT, EOS 50E, Contax RTS

28mm: Zeiss Distagon 2.8/28 MMJ
35mm: S-M-C Takumar 3.5/35
40mm: CZJ Tessar T 4.5/40 1Q
50mm: Zeiss Planar 1.4/50 MMJ ,Zeiss Planar 1.7/50 MMJ+AEJ,S-M-C Takumar 1.4/50,Nikkor 1.8/50 AiS v1,CZJ Tessar T 3.5/50 1Q (1953), CZ Planar 1.8/50 (QBM-MIG),OM Zuiko AUTO-S 1.8/50 MIJ
85mm: Zeiss Sonnar 2.8/85 AEJ
105mm: Nikkor 2.5/105 AiS, S-M-C Takumar 2.8/105
135mm: S-M-C Takumar 3.5/135, CZJ 4/135 Exakta(1963)
Zoom: Sigma 18-50mm DC EX
Macro: Micro-Nikkor Auto 3.5/55 Compensating type (1964)

[no-X]

Alu T-tessars aren't much contrasty...

Anyway, tessars formula was developed as high-contrasty sharp lens. It has only 4 inner air/glass surfaces, so multi-coated tessars are the most contrasty lenses lenses ever made. I like S-M-C Macro Takumar 50/4 - tessar formula + MC.

But if you need something with not so high contrast, try alu tessars 50/2.8 or meyer primotars. They are not expensive and not too contrasty. Even "better" would be uncoated pre-war tessars.
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(almost) complete list of Helios lenses

selling: Zeiss Triotar 135/4 M42, Tair 11A 135/2.8 M42, CZJ Flektogon MC 20/2.8 M42, MIR 20M MC 20/3.5 M42, CZJ Triotar T 135/4 exa+praktina

[fish4570]

ok, so i am not asking the proper question. if not tessar formula, what? i am looking for a normal "portrait" lens? how about my helios 44-2 wide open?
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Fish4570 (Paul)

Konica S III with fixed Konishiroku Hexanon 47/1.9; Yashica Lynx 14E with fixed Yashinon-DX 45mm/f1.4; FED-2(d), Industar-61, Industar-50; SP1000, Meyer-Optik Oreston 50/1.8, Fujinon 55/2.2, Super Takumar 55/f2, Auto Rikenon 50/2.

http://blackcreekjournal.blogspot.com/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/51210672@N07/

[Orio]

Nox put it right, Meyer lenses are usually low-medium contrast, good quality, and relatively affordable (although recently some of them raised a lot in price).
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Ave atque vale
Orio

[martinsmith99]

For lower contrast, I go to my older lenses. The E.Ludwig Meritar triplet is good for that, but may not be pleasing wide open.
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[no-X]

fish4570: here's an example taken by my pre-war uncoated Tessar 135/4.5 (the same RAW, 4 different options)...




if you search for fast 50mm lens with not so high contrast, you could be happy with Meyer Primoplan 58/1.9
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(almost) complete list of Helios lenses

selling: Zeiss Triotar 135/4 M42, Tair 11A 135/2.8 M42, CZJ Flektogon MC 20/2.8 M42, MIR 20M MC 20/3.5 M42, CZJ Triotar T 135/4 exa+praktina

[fish4570]

nice, no-x ...
_________________
Fish4570 (Paul)

Konica S III with fixed Konishiroku Hexanon 47/1.9; Yashica Lynx 14E with fixed Yashinon-DX 45mm/f1.4; FED-2(d), Industar-61, Industar-50; SP1000, Meyer-Optik Oreston 50/1.8, Fujinon 55/2.2, Super Takumar 55/f2, Auto Rikenon 50/2.

http://blackcreekjournal.blogspot.com/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/51210672@N07/