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Sjak
Joined: 29 Sep 2017 Posts: 696
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Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2018 9:37 am Post subject: |
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Sjak wrote:
y wrote: |
All versions of Asahi Macro Takumar 50/4 or 100/4 are very sharp. I would also include Soviet macro lenses like - Industar-61 L/Z 50/2.8 or Volna-9 50/2.8. |
Especially the Volna is really good. I got mine for 60 euro, never used. But up to approx. 100 for a mint copy is a good deal IMHO. |
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e6filmuser
Joined: 12 Nov 2010 Posts: 590 Location: Reading UK
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Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2018 3:08 pm Post subject: |
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e6filmuser wrote:
Carl Zeiss Jena 135mm (Red MC)
I bought this one for its sharpness for macro.
This is at closest focus, uncropped at f8. On m4/3 the FOV is ca 95mm wide at this setting.
This is on full frame at f16 with a Marumi +3 achromat supplementary on the front to get close enough.
_________________ Dedicated to using manual focus lenses with digital. Equiped for photography from macro to panoramic & from ultra-wide to extreme telephoto. Mostly shooting outdoor macro. Experienced entomological taxonomist. Some knowledge of mushrooms. |
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dickb
Joined: 04 Apr 2008 Posts: 821
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Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2018 3:45 pm Post subject: |
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dickb wrote:
kds315* wrote: |
newst wrote: |
Yes, I know, I sold him that lens set once
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I agree about the Pancolar 80/1.8 and the UA Takumar. I was about to write that I sold that one to Klaus, but that one was a different, not sequential number. The Vivitar Series 1 90/2.5 is another good lens I have used in m42. |
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jackmortain
Joined: 03 Nov 2022 Posts: 1
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Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2022 7:42 am Post subject: |
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jackmortain wrote:
Sorry for bumping this old thread, Currently I am using Helios 44_2 and I would like does it is sharpest lense for M42? Thanks _________________ Jack Mortain gb whatsapp |
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caspert79
Joined: 31 Oct 2010 Posts: 2935 Location: The Netherlands
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Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2022 8:08 am Post subject: |
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caspert79 wrote:
jackmortain wrote: |
Sorry for bumping this old thread, Currently I am using Helios 44_2 and I would like does it is sharpest lense for M42? Thanks |
I don't think it’s particularly sharp. I think the sharpest M42 lenses I tried are:
Auto Mamiya Sekor 55mm f/1.8 (SX version also, but needs modification)
Carl Zeiss MC Sonnar 135mm f/3.5
Auto Mamiya Sekor 50mm f/2
Super Multi Coated Takumar 85mm f/1.8
I usually test my lenses pretty thoroughly on 42+ mp and can confidently say that these are really sharp. The first three can be found for little money. |
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kiddo
Joined: 29 Jun 2018 Posts: 1130
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Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2022 10:37 am Post subject: |
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kiddo wrote:
No mention on flektogon 35mm 2.4? I thought it would be on the top list |
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D. P.
Joined: 26 Apr 2015 Posts: 150
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Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2022 4:53 pm Post subject: Re: Sharpest M42 lenses |
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D. P. wrote:
gazoo wrote: |
What are the sharpest M42 mount lenses that you know of?
No longer in focal length than 120mm please.
I bought the SMC Takumar 55mm F1.8 based on a recommendation on this forum and it is amazing. "Gimme more" as they say. |
Vivitar MC Macro 55mm f/2.8 (Komine) with M42 mount. But there is a drawback - ugly bokeh. |
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cooltouch
Joined: 15 Jan 2009 Posts: 9097 Location: Houston, Texas
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Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2022 5:54 pm Post subject: |
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cooltouch wrote:
jackmortain wrote: |
Sorry for bumping this old thread, Currently I am using Helios 44_2 and I would like does it is sharpest lense for M42? Thanks |
I have a Helios 44-2. The Yashinon I mentioned earlier (1st page) definitely trumps it. As coincidence would have it, I bought both from a pawn shop for $10 each. _________________ Michael
My Gear List: http://michaelmcbroom.com/photo/gear.html
My Gallery: http://michaelmcbroom.com/gallery3/index.php/
My Flickr Page: https://www.flickr.com/photos/11308754@N08/albums
My Music: https://soundcloud.com/michaelmcbroom/albums
My Blog: http://michaelmcbroom.com/blogistan/ |
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titrisol70
Joined: 14 Dec 2021 Posts: 156 Location: State of Denial
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Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2022 5:55 pm Post subject: |
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titrisol70 wrote:
Of the SMC Takumars, the 55/1.8 is the king, the 105/2.8, 35/3.5 are not far behind |
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KEO
Joined: 27 Sep 2018 Posts: 762 Location: USA
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Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2022 6:11 pm Post subject: |
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KEO wrote:
The Carl Zeiss 35mm Distagon f/2 ZS is the sharpest M42 lens I've used. |
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kiddo
Joined: 29 Jun 2018 Posts: 1130
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Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2022 6:47 pm Post subject: |
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kiddo wrote:
KEO wrote: |
The Carl Zeiss 35mm Distagon f/2 ZS is the sharpest M42 lens I've used. |
It might be the most expensive m42 lens in today's Market? (35mm FL) |
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visualopsins
Joined: 05 Mar 2009 Posts: 10561 Location: California
Expire: 2025-04-11
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Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2022 6:57 pm Post subject: |
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visualopsins wrote:
titrisol70 wrote: |
Of the SMC Takumars, the 55/1.8 is the king, the 105/2.8, 35/3.5 are not far behind |
Sorry to disagree!
IMHO and experience, the Sharpest Takumars are S-M-C 1:1.8/85, Super 1:1.4/50 (8-elements), S-M-C 1:1..4/50, S-M-C 1:4/100, and S-M-C 1:4/150
Also. the Takumar 1:2.8/105 (oldest version), and Super-Takumar 1:2/35 (fat version) are sharper than their later S-M-C versions with different optics.
My starfield comparison of S-M-C 1:1.4/50 and S-M-C 1:1.8/55 on Canon 5D classic showed no differences I could discern other than FOV. _________________ ☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮ like attracts like! ☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮
Cameras: Sony ILCE-7RM2, Spotmatics II, F, and ESII, Nikon P4
Lenses:
M42 Asahi Optical Co., Takumar 1:4 f=35mm, 1:2 f=58mm (Sonnar), 1:2.4 f=58mm (Heliar), 1:2.2 f=55mm (Gaussian), 1:2.8 f=105mm (Model I), 1:2.8/105 (Model II), 1:5.6/200, Tele-Takumar 1:5.6/200, 1:6.3/300, Macro-Takumar 1:4/50, Auto-Takumar 1:2.3 f=35, 1:1.8 f=55mm, 1:2.2 f=55mm, Super-TAKUMAR 1:3.5/28 (fat), 1:2/35 (Fat), 1:1.4/50 (8-element), Super-Multi-Coated Fisheye-TAKUMAR 1:4/17, Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR 1:4.5/20, 1:3.5/24, 1:3.5/28, 1:2/35, 1:3.5/35, 1:1.8/85, 1:1.9/85 1:2.8/105, 1:3.5/135, 1:2.5/135 (II), 1:4/150, 1:4/200, 1:4/300, 1:4.5/500, Super-Multi-Coated Macro-TAKUMAR 1:4/50, 1:4/100, Super-Multi-Coated Bellows-TAKUMAR 1:4/100, SMC TAKUMAR 1:1.4/50, 1:1.8/55
M42 Carl Zeiss Jena Flektogon 2.4/35
Contax Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 28-70mm F3.5-4.5
Pentax K-mount SMC PENTAX ZOOM 1:3.5 35~105mm, SMC PENTAX ZOOM 1:4 45~125mm
Nikon Micro-NIKKOR-P-C Auto 1:3.5 f=55mm, NIKKOR-P Auto 105mm f/2.5 Pre-AI (Sonnar), Micro-NIKKOR 105mm 1:4 AI, NIKKOR AI-S 35-135mm f/3,5-4,5
Tamron SP 17mm f/3.5 (51B), Tamron SP 17mm f/3.5 (151B), SP 500mm f/8 (55BB), SP 70-210mm f/3.5 (19AH)
Vivitar 100mm 1:2.8 MC 1:1 Macro Telephoto (Kiron)
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blotafton
Joined: 08 Aug 2013 Posts: 1555 Location: Sweden
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Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2022 9:13 pm Post subject: |
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blotafton wrote:
memetph wrote: |
the Auto Sharponar MC 50mm f1.7 ( radioactive version). |
I'd like to try one of these. |
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titrisol70
Joined: 14 Dec 2021 Posts: 156 Location: State of Denial
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Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2022 12:43 pm Post subject: |
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titrisol70 wrote:
Thanks for that, astro is a whole different field in which I haven't dabbled into. I see differences between the 55/1.8 and 50/1.4 even within the generations but havent try them in a full starfield.
I guess there might be a little variation between samples.
The 105/2.8 I have is a transition example (between Super and SMC) and is awesome.
I didn;t mention the macros (50/4 and 100/4) or anything above 120mm as per the OP; but yes the 150 is very sharp.
visualopsins wrote: |
titrisol70 wrote: |
Of the SMC Takumars, the 55/1.8 is the king, the 105/2.8, 35/3.5 are not far behind |
Sorry to disagree!
IMHO and experience, the Sharpest Takumars are S-M-C 1:1.8/85, Super 1:1.4/50 (8-elements), S-M-C 1:1..4/50, S-M-C 1:4/100, and S-M-C 1:4/150
Also. the Takumar 1:2.8/105 (oldest version), and Super-Takumar 1:2/35 (fat version) are sharper than their later S-M-C versions with different optics.
My starfield comparison of S-M-C 1:1.4/50 and S-M-C 1:1.8/55 on Canon 5D classic showed no differences I could discern other than FOV. |
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D1N0
Joined: 07 Aug 2012 Posts: 2500
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Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2022 2:41 pm Post subject: |
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D1N0 wrote:
The Tamron 90mm 1:2.5 52B/52BB is very sharp and can be fitted with an m42 adaptall mount. The Kiron/Lester A. Dine 105mm 1:2.8 is even sharper according to the internet and is also found in m42. _________________ pentaxian |
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cooltouch
Joined: 15 Jan 2009 Posts: 9097 Location: Houston, Texas
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Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2022 1:39 am Post subject: |
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cooltouch wrote:
D1N0 wrote: |
The Tamron 90mm 1:2.5 52B/52BB is very sharp and can be fitted with an m42 adaptall mount. The Kiron/Lester A. Dine 105mm 1:2.8 is even sharper according to the internet and is also found in m42. |
I have both of these lenses, and I put them through an extensive head-to-head test. I too bought into the Internet lore regarding the Kiron 105mm f/2.8 macro, and eagerly paid more than I should have for it. The Tamron I've owned for over 30 years and I no longer remember what I paid for it.
I tested the above two macros, plus I added in a 55mm f/3.5 Micro Nikkor The results? The Tamron was extremely sharp even wide open, the Nikkor was almost as good, and that much lauded Kiron came in a distant 3rd. Honestly, I was disappointed. I thought the Kiron would fare much better, Kind of the big surprise for me was just how sharp that old 60s version of the Micro-Nikkor was. _________________ Michael
My Gear List: http://michaelmcbroom.com/photo/gear.html
My Gallery: http://michaelmcbroom.com/gallery3/index.php/
My Flickr Page: https://www.flickr.com/photos/11308754@N08/albums
My Music: https://soundcloud.com/michaelmcbroom/albums
My Blog: http://michaelmcbroom.com/blogistan/ |
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caspert79
Joined: 31 Oct 2010 Posts: 2935 Location: The Netherlands
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Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2022 9:28 am Post subject: |
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caspert79 wrote:
cooltouch wrote: |
D1N0 wrote: |
The Tamron 90mm 1:2.5 52B/52BB is very sharp and can be fitted with an m42 adaptall mount. The Kiron/Lester A. Dine 105mm 1:2.8 is even sharper according to the internet and is also found in m42. |
I have both of these lenses, and I put them through an extensive head-to-head test. I too bought into the Internet lore regarding the Kiron 105mm f/2.8 macro, and eagerly paid more than I should have for it. The Tamron I've owned for over 30 years and I no longer remember what I paid for it.
I tested the above two macros, plus I added in a 55mm f/3.5 Micro Nikkor The results? The Tamron was extremely sharp even wide open, the Nikkor was almost as good, and that much lauded Kiron came in a distant 3rd. Honestly, I was disappointed. I thought the Kiron would fare much better, Kind of the big surprise for me was just how sharp that old 60s version of the Micro-Nikkor was. |
The Kiron never really impressed me to be honest, especially at wider apertures. |
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D1N0
Joined: 07 Aug 2012 Posts: 2500
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Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2022 10:12 am Post subject: |
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D1N0 wrote:
This reviewer ( http://makingnottaking.blogspot.com/2010/02/105mm-trio-another-comparison-soon-to.html ) also concludes the wide open sharpness of the Kiron is less than that of the Series 1 90mm 1:2.5 (Bokina) Which can also be found in m42, but rarely since it is a sought after lens. The Tamron is found easily, The Komine made Vivitar 90mm 1:2.5 that goes 1:1 is also more common, but just decently sharp.
I looked up the designs for the Kiron, Tamron and Bokina. The Kiron I can't place very well. Tamron looks like a double gauss with added rear elements, Bokina has traits of a Sonnar. Couldn't find one for the 1:1 90/2.5 Vivitar but I now it is a classic double gauss.
_________________ pentaxian |
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calvin83
Joined: 12 Apr 2009 Posts: 7554 Location: Hong Kong
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Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2022 11:54 am Post subject: |
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calvin83 wrote:
Tamron 90/2.5, vivitar/tokina 90/2.5 and the leica 100/2.8 all sharing a very similar approach in their design: double gauss lens groups(6e in the front) is used for focusing while the last two fixed elements are used as a compensator group to correct for aberrations when the lens is focused at close distance.
_________________ https://lensfever.com/
https://www.instagram.com/_lens_fever/
The best lens is the one you have with you. |
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KEO
Joined: 27 Sep 2018 Posts: 762 Location: USA
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Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2022 6:16 pm Post subject: |
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KEO wrote:
kiddo wrote: |
KEO wrote: |
The Carl Zeiss 35mm Distagon f/2 ZS is the sharpest M42 lens I've used. |
It might be the most expensive m42 lens in today's Market? (35mm FL) |
It's up near the top, I'd guess. Other Zeiss ZS lenses would be the contenders. I don't know whether the 35 1.4 has a ZS version, but that would be more expensive.
There are a fair number of old collectible lenses that can top it too, of course. It's not that expensive. |
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stevemark
Joined: 29 Apr 2011 Posts: 3754 Location: Switzerland
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Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2022 12:04 pm Post subject: |
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stevemark wrote:
Tamron 2.5/90mm certainly is the sharpest "vintage" M42 lens I'm aware of (not talking about more modern Zeiss M42 glass from around 2005). No visible CAs on 24MP FF, and even wide open nearly perfect corners. Impressive indeed.
My best vintage M42 normal lenses (much better than eg the hyped 1.4/50mm Super Takumars, including the 8L version) are
Mamiya 1.8/55mm
Fuji 1.8/55mm
The latter is remarkably good over the entire FF field at f1.8, the former excels when stopped down. Be aware of different computations for the Mamiya 1.8/55mm; they perform differently (tested with several copies of each version). I have written about that here at MFlenses before.
S _________________ www.artaphot.ch |
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caspert79
Joined: 31 Oct 2010 Posts: 2935 Location: The Netherlands
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Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2022 7:57 pm Post subject: Re: Sharpest M42 lenses |
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caspert79 wrote:
D. P. wrote: |
gazoo wrote: |
What are the sharpest M42 mount lenses that you know of?
No longer in focal length than 120mm please.
I bought the SMC Takumar 55mm F1.8 based on a recommendation on this forum and it is amazing. "Gimme more" as they say. |
Vivitar MC Macro 55mm f/2.8 (Komine) with M42 mount. But there is a drawback - ugly bokeh. |
This is indeed a sharp lens. It has (much) better corner performance than the micro-Nikkor ai(-s) 55mm f/2.8. I think the Nikkor is a bit better in the center wide open, but this difference disappears once stopped down. |
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flavio81
Joined: 20 Mar 2022 Posts: 35 Location: Lima, Peru
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Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2022 4:08 pm Post subject: Re: Sharpest M42 lenses |
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flavio81 wrote:
gazoo wrote: |
What are the sharpest M42 mount lenses that you know of?
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Look no further than the mighty, biggest, strongest, most skilled japanese manufacturer: Asahi Optical.
Some of the Super-Multi-Coated Takumars are as sharp as you could need them to be, particularly:
28/3.5
35/3.5
55/1.8
135/3.5
There are also some very sharp M42 lenses from Mamiya (SX) line and Fuji optical, but you'll have to do some research.
Carl Zeiss Jena lenses, too, i had the 35/2.4 and 135/3.5 in MC version and they were as sharp as they could be (stopped down). |
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KEO
Joined: 27 Sep 2018 Posts: 762 Location: USA
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Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2022 8:23 pm Post subject: |
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KEO wrote:
stevemark wrote: |
My best vintage M42 normal lenses (much better than eg the hyped 1.4/50mm Super Takumars, including the 8L version) are
Mamiya 1.8/55mm
Fuji 1.8/55mm |
This has been my experience as well - that they're both extremely good.
I liked these two so much I have multiple copies of both. It helps that they're inexpensive, of course. |
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memetph2
Joined: 02 Dec 2021 Posts: 13 Location: Poland
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Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2022 8:42 pm Post subject: |
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memetph2 wrote:
The Mamiya is a sharp lens even wide open . Unfortunately its bokeh is very busy.
I find my CZJ Pancolar 50 1.8 and my Ricoh 55 f1.4 ( Tomioka) sharp.
The Voigtlander Rollei Ultron Planar 50 1.8 is very sharp . I have QBM versions but it exists in M42. |
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