Brixellum 2008, part four : Noon

Orio · Expire: 2012-12-04

Short chronicle of a mad man walking around the town under the sun at peak with a reflex camera and over 35°C of temperature in the shade (under the sun, certainly over 40°C):

http://www.oriofoto.net/temp/BRIXELLUM_2008_4_NOON/index.html

Katastrofo · Expire: 2013-11-19

Beautiful shots, and refreshing to see the absence of motor vehicles!

I see you singled out that classic beauty (the one I thought should be on
a Roman coin) as your avatar. Wink

Bill

Orio · Expire: 2012-12-04

poilu · Expire: 2019-08-29

nice series!
the new avatar is superb, even at this small size it smell quality

Orio · Expire: 2012-12-04

Schnauzer · Expire: 2012-03-08

I enjoyed looking at these.

You make it hard to decide what a person should get next for a lense. The shots from all your lense look good.

Orio · Expire: 2012-12-04

Schnauzer · Expire: 2012-03-08

Even my wife enjoyed looking at the country side and the town. While I do, she doesn't care much for pictures of doorways,etc.

I was thinking about maybe a 85mm for my next M/F lense. One of the lenses Andy recommended was a Helios 44. The Helios 44-2 sounds nice. I like the flek 2.4-35mm so much that I'm think my next one might be a Zeiss 85mm of some sort.

What amazes me is that I get pictures with the flek 2.4-35 and the yashica ml 1.7-50mm that are about the same as my $1000+ canon L glass.

Orio · Expire: 2012-12-04

luisalegria · Expire: 2018-01-18

I love your avatar !

It looks like a detail from Frederick Leighton, or some similar 19th century salon painter.

Schnauzer · Expire: 2012-03-08

Orio · Expire: 2012-12-04

Sorry, I have not understood you were asking for advice Embarassed

Well, what is your price range?

Below the Eur 100 (sorry, it's easier for me to think Euros as I am not used to the US Ebay prices) there is the Jupiter-9 (85mm), the Nikon 100/2.8 series E, and the Kaleinar-5N, but in this price range the best buy is probably the Pentacon 100mm (which I don't have)

Of course I am always speaking of the lenses that I know for having used them, or for having seen lots of samples from (for instance I don't know what models might have Olympus or Pentax/Takumar or Tamron)

In the 100-200 Euros range, I would advice for the Nikkor 85/1.8 or the Contax Sonnar 2.8/85 AE. There is also the Helios-40 but it's a single coated lens and I don't know how do you feel about them.

In the 200-400 Euros range, there are the Sonnar 2.8/85 MM, the Sonnar 3.5/100 (if you can find one...), the Planar 1.4/85, the Leica Elmarit-R 2.8/90, the Leica Summicron-R 2/90, the Helios-40-2... they are all great lenses, each with its own personality.

What I would choose if I had to buy just one?

I think I would go with the Sonnar 3.5/100 - it is slower than the other lenses, but it's wide open performance is every bit as good as any f/5.6 or f/8 performance of the other lenses.

Unless, I would use the lens ONLY for portraits, in which case, I think that the skin rendition and bokeh of the Summicron-R 90 are unbeatable. You pay that, however, with an inferior sharpness compared to the other lenses mentioned.

luisalegria · Expire: 2018-01-18

I've found the fellow ! Not Leighton -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_Alma-Tadema

I swear your lovely avatar belongs in his paintings.

Orio · Expire: 2012-12-04

Attila · Expire: 2025-11-18

Schnauzer · Expire: 2012-03-08

Thanks Orio and Attila. I would say the price range would be $100.00 to $550.00 but more wouldn't be a problem. I agree with Attila 75 to 100mm would be about right. Sooo not wanting macro and not doing portraits what would be your choice. I am leaning towards Zeiss.

Attila I think after doing a lot of reading on the subject, that canon had a good reason for changing mounts. I don't see them changing again for a long time.

Attila · Expire: 2025-11-18

I see Nikon not changed basically from 1947, all Nikkor lenses still usable on any Nikon body I love this way instead of changing mounts.

Orio · Expire: 2012-12-04

In the Zeiss ballpark you have three or four choices and you will be happy with any of them.

Starting from the cheapest:

Sonnar 2.8/85 = compact lens, ideal for travels, MM is preferable as it's sharp wide open but AE is also a very good lens which I have used in the last years and always been happy. It is a lens that does well everything, from landscape to portrait to architecture

Sonnar 3.5/100 = also very compact, best optical performance, it has both sharpness and 3D, it's only drawback is that it's very rare to find. I have only tried MM version of this lens so I can not speak about the AE

Planar 1.4/85 = this is really a portrait lens, but is very useful also in situations with low light and fast action (concerts, indoor sports etc). It is big and bulky so not really good for traveling or hiking. Need to be careful with front lens because it is much exposed. If you choose this lens be sure to take a MM, because the AE version has the blades with ninja star shape and therefore makes ugly highlights in the bokeh

Planar 2/100 = this lens is the "Portrait king" but has a punishing used value of about 1000 Euros, more or less. Wether it is worth it or not I leave to users decide. It is, in my opinion, the most "Leickish" of Zeiss lenses. It has sweeter contrast than the other Contax medium teles, and has better bokeh.
In my very personal opinion, if one needs this type of lens, it is wiser to spend 300-350 Euros for a Leica Summicron-R which does this same type of job equally well, than to spend 1000 Euros for this lens.
If one instead wants a more aggressive lens, then the 300-350 Euros needed for a Planar 1.4/85 will make him more happy.
I am not "pushing down" the 2/100, I have it and it's fantastic - I only think that it's not the best price/quality ratio currently available.

Schnauzer · Expire: 2012-03-08

Orio · Expire: 2012-12-04

F16SUNSHINE · Expire: 2011-11-18

Ron
The 1.4/85 is a fabulous choice although in the upper end of your price range (but still in it). I agree with the assesment Orio gives us of the 2/100 it is the King and really amazing to use as well (but expensive). Go for the 1.4/85 you will not be sorry. You get the dreamy look wide open and Zeissy sharpness as you stop down. With a f1.4 max aperture so a bright viewfinder it is a classic and a very fun lens to use. Keep your eye on KEH. They sometimes will have a "bargain" copy for around $400. The rating system there is very conservative. If they say it is bargain condition. Often an ebay seller will say Exc. condition.

@ Orio
This is a great series. You are fortunate to live near these types of events. We don't have much access to festivals and re-creations like this where I live.

Schnauzer · Expire: 2012-03-08

Thanks Orio and Andy. 1.4/85 it will most likely be then. Probably be a few weeks before I start shopping. Summer is short and I have a lot to do for now.