What's the best ~75-150mm zoom lens?

Boris_Akunin · Joined: 22 Aug 2013 Posts: 392 Location: Bremen, Germany

I just unpacked a near-mint Minolta MD75-150/4.

I'm used to Minolta's small but heavy primes so the MD75-150 feels weirdly light for it's size... I rather like it.

I quickly slapped it onto my A7 and went through my usual test pattern to see how it performs (f/4-11 at 75, 85, 100, 120 & 150mm).
I can only concur with stevemark, this thing is very impressive!

The 100% crops are below, if you really want them you can download the full test shots over here (password:"rokkor")

At 75mm:

f/4

f/5.6

f/6.7

f/8

f/9.5

f/11

At 85mm:

f/4

f/5.6

f/6.7

f/8

f/9.5

f/11

At 100mm:

f/4

f/5.6

f/6.7

f/8

f/9.5

f/11

At 120mm:

f/4

f/5.6

f/6.7

f/8

f/9.5

f/11

At 150mm:

f/4

f/5.6

f/6.7

f/8

f/9.5

f/11

Boris_Akunin · Joined: 22 Aug 2013 Posts: 392 Location: Bremen, Germany

I built myself a little test scene to compare the Minolta 75-150/4 (and a MD50-135/3.5) to my primes at constant magnification:

The results are over here.

D1N0 · Joined: 07 Aug 2012 Posts: 2530

has anyone got any info on the Panagor 75-150mm F4? It doesn't look like it was made by Kino.

source: http://allphotolenses.com/lenses/item/c_3812.html

Also, is there a know 70/75-150mm lens made by Komine? Can't find a Vivitar version.[/img]

Oldhand · Posted: Sun May 26, 2019 11:38 pm Post subject:

DigiChromeEd · Joined: 29 Dec 2009 Posts: 3460 Location: Northern Ireland

Oldhand · Posted: Mon May 27, 2019 9:10 am Post subject:

kymarto · Posted: Mon May 27, 2019 9:29 am Post subject:

I have the Tamron 51a, which I like a lot. It is pretty sharp, but I use it in various stages of soft focus for the bokeh.

D1N0 · Joined: 07 Aug 2012 Posts: 2530

Back to the Panagor 75-150mm. It has a different design aperture lever than I have seen before. Maybe this could lead to the manufacturer. (K-mount)

Image from ebay. See how the entire ring runs on ball bearings

stevemark · Joined: 29 Apr 2011 Posts: 3952 Location: Switzerland

kymarto · Posted: Mon May 27, 2019 1:02 pm Post subject:

I don't consider smooth bokeh desirable. Plenty of modern zooms superior in every way optcally if that's what floats your boat.

D1N0 · Joined: 07 Aug 2012 Posts: 2530

I've seen some nice samples of that Tamron online. I think the problem may be people are using the soft focus feature to the extreme. The samples above look like somebody has been pushing the clarity slide all the way to the right. Meanwhile I have ordered the mysterious Panagor from eBay. Another lens that is very nice not entirely in this focal range (but that just makes it more useful) is the S-M-C Takumar/SMC Pentax 45-125mm 1:4. It is an excellent lens that will beat a lot of Modern day zooms: Album: https://www.flickr.com/photos/randomdump/albums/72157707427370294

DigiChromeEd · Joined: 29 Dec 2009 Posts: 3460 Location: Northern Ireland

Focusthrow · Joined: 12 Sep 2017 Posts: 209

I can't say which one is the "Best"--I love every one I ever shot with, but do like my Nikon, E-Series 75-150mm, f/3.5: many of these are Wide open. jt

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D1N0 · Joined: 07 Aug 2012 Posts: 2530

I received the Panagor 75-150 F4 today and it certainly is nowhere near the best in this range. As big as a 70-210 and as sharp as a milk bottle. Why it even has a close up mode with that kind of mediocre sharpness is beyond me. It must have been a cheap offering that was sold on specs and not on any real quality and not worthy of the mostly very decent Panagor lenses. Can't bring myself to show some samples yet :p If I ever post some, they will appear here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/randomdump/albums/72157708905538088

btw the Nikon E looks very nice.

KEO · Joined: 27 Sep 2018 Posts: 773 Location: USA

james · Expire: 2011-12-28

Iâ€™d beg to differ on the Nikon E 75-150, make by Kiron for Nikon. Colour saturation and contrast are lower (both adjustable on digital PP) but resolution is quite good, especially f/5.6 and smaller.

Better on film, but especially B&W.

kiddo · Joined: 29 Jun 2018 Posts: 1226

I'm about to get a 70-150 or 70-210 ,if they are about the same size and quality. The MD 70-150 version I don't see it at all, Canon 70-150 it's about 20 euros , what should I get? Better stick to my 135 and 200 primes? Many times they are limiting taking some shots (I know I can always crop .... but that's not the same)

Oldhand · Posted: Sat Jun 08, 2019 10:29 pm Post subject:

kiddo · Joined: 29 Jun 2018 Posts: 1226

Ok ,thanks I'll give it a try, I really appreciate that it's got the hood in the body and that's a plus. Wonder if it's easy to focus on Sony A7II,wouldn't be to large? Weight isn't it an issue for me

Excalibur · Expire: 2014-04-21

Well I only use film and my Vivitar 2t 75-150 is very good especially on close ups and my Pentax 75-150 I have no complaints....my thinking is why bother with a shoot out for which is the best zoom for pixel peeping when I happy with the film results.
Maybe the 75-150 range is like say 135mm or 50 mm lenses in that it's easier to pick a crap one than choose a winner.

Oldhand · Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2019 7:03 am Post subject:

D1N0 · Joined: 07 Aug 2012 Posts: 2530

kiddo · Joined: 29 Jun 2018 Posts: 1226

I've never used the one ring push pull and focus zoom , and I don't plan to be using a tripod ,is it easy to get good focus with such a lens? Or better to get the 2ring one like Olympus or others ?

cooltouch · Joined: 15 Jan 2009 Posts: 9096 Location: Houston, Texas

Whether push-pull or 2-ring, I think it's all what you're used to. When I first got interested in "real" photography back in 1982, my first zoom was a push pull. As was my second. My third was a 2-ring, and I recall it took quite a while getting used to having to remember to use the 2 rings, each for what it was intended. For my fourth zoom, I went back to a push-pull and found it more convenient.

Nowadays, so many people are coming from the AF ranks, where almost all zooms are 2-ring, so they're having just the opposite problems I had. These days, I'm pretty much used to both designs and I don't really have a problem with either anymore. So my preference now is toward lens quality more than lens design.

kiddo · Joined: 29 Jun 2018 Posts: 1226

Thanks for clarifying my doubt. In fact, there are way more push pull zooms to choose from , so right now I've found a Panagor PMC (red letters) Auto Tele zoom 80-200 Macro 4.5 55m filter and s.n.81....(6 numbers in total) Wich it's in pristine shape ,wonder if it's worth the try for the macro option ,or should I stick with the Canon 70-150? A little bit more weight ain't a problem for me, as long as the results of the lens are worth it. Does anyone have experience with this Panagor (probably Polar maker,as by vivitars s.n.)?