Kalejnar 3B 150/2.8

woodrim · Joined: 14 Jan 2010 Posts: 4060 Location: Charleston

Thanks, Orio. The last three shots were at f/2.8. I will remove the skylight filter and investigate the haze. I will need to learn how to best focus this lens as I have with others. My next outing will likely be in better light, probably tomorrow during a stroll downtown Charleston. I'll be looking to find the best aperture for sharpness, although my problems have been more do to me. I suspect this is going to be another lens that needs to be used selectively where it performs best, such as short and mid range and portraits as you mention.

Attila · Expire: 2025-11-18

I love them all ! Simple PP just auto contrast help to eliminate haze pretty well.

Orio · Expire: 2012-12-04

woodrim · Joined: 14 Jan 2010 Posts: 4060 Location: Charleston

I'll provide more assessment later - no urgency I'm sure as there are only three of us with any interest. I'll post yesterday's images and follow up later.

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Orio · Expire: 2012-12-04

More and more convincing every time! You are doing a great job with the lens.
I'm happy because your photos rehabilitate the reputation of this often ignored lens.

woodrim · Joined: 14 Jan 2010 Posts: 4060 Location: Charleston

Thank you very much, Orio. This lens requires thought and care when using. My perception now after a couple of uses is that the lens will win no sharpness contest. Furthermore, I find no particular quality that stands out from other lenses other than being quite fast for the focal length and the associated effects. I do agree with you (Orio) that it will probably be best used as a portrait lens at f/4, maybe f/3.5. The only problem with using it at 2.8 would be the narrow depth of field.

I can now report about the strong haze I was experiencing. I removed the Skylight filter and the haze went away. I am finding that the lens produces good detail at fully open, but with an accompanied softness that gives the impression of not being sharp. Contributing to that impression is the very shallow dept of field, so if the full subject isn't within the plane of focus, you'll have both in and out of focus together, making it seem softer than it is. This is most evident in pictures of flowers and plants as you might expect.

Stopping down does not provide an appreciable difference in sharpness until f/5.6 when it appears good, then quite good at f/8 which I think may be the sweet spot at least for sharpness. Bokeh remains pleasurable throughout. I still wonder if at 5.6 most of the difference is depth of field more than sharpness, but f/8 definitely is sharper. I need to be careful in describing the lens as less than sharp, because every now and then it surprises me with crisp images, suggesting careful use is important.

The following two images are uploaded in full size so that you can see what I mean about the sharpness between fully open and f/5.6. The first is the 2.8 and close examination will show relatively good resolution with some CA in the expected areas. The second image is at f5.6.

The lens seems to be built well with smooth operating focus and well defined half stop clicks with the aperture ring.

Orio · Expire: 2012-12-04

If you have a compatible medium format film camera, try the lens on it. You will be very pleased I am sure.

iangreenhalgh1 · Expire: 2014-01-07

It doesn't look great to me, probably alright for portraits but it just lacks detail and contrast imho, reminds me of the ubiquitous 3.5/200s of cheaper makers.

Attila · Expire: 2025-11-18

iangreenhalgh1 · Expire: 2014-01-07

#11 is not bad, but I just don't see anything that catches my eye, so I'd call it competent but not great.

woodrim · Joined: 14 Jan 2010 Posts: 4060 Location: Charleston

As is often the case with me, after an initial critical assessment of a lens, I go back for a look and sometimes appreciate the performance a little more. This is such a case. Still, I will not include this lens among my sharpest, but am learning how to appreciate it. I do wish it was a little sharper at f/2.8 or even f/3.5, but I have concluded that f/5.6 is quite good and f/8 is best.

I don't consider the benefit of fast lenses to be wide open performance so much as bright viewing and the improved focusing ability that comes with brightness. Bokeh doesn't always have to come from wide open, but can be very pleasing with less background confusion. This lens is easier to focus, even with the shallow depth of field, than my f/4.5 ISCO lens of the same focal length. WHile the ISCO is sharper at f/4.5 and maybe f/5.6, they are pretty much equal at f/8. The Kaleinar is just a little micro contrast away from being a good 3-D effect lens.

This additional picture is another version of the one that Attila liked, but I found it more focused. The first one may have been shot at f/2.8 or f/3.5 or f/4, but this version was at f/5.6 and is clearly sharper. I've uploaded the full but slightly cropped image. One aspect of this photo which I think the lens handled very well is the blue flowers. Blue in flowers against a black background has been a real CA challenge for most of my lenses.

The following picture is nothing special, but demonstrates the sharpness of this lens at f/8. It was taken of a friend from across the room with flash.

Attila · Expire: 2025-11-18

f8 certainly very good like with most lenses, I think this lens is a rare bird and usable well.

woodrim · Joined: 14 Jan 2010 Posts: 4060 Location: Charleston

Someone said portrait lens?

Orio · Expire: 2012-12-04

Attila · Expire: 2025-11-18

Amazing !

Nordentro · Expire: 2015-01-29

awesome

woodrim · Joined: 14 Jan 2010 Posts: 4060 Location: Charleston

The Sony Dyxum forum has an ongoing challenge to use focal lengths matching the day of the year, and yesterday was the 150th day of the year, so I got out my Kaleinar 3B 150/2.8. I hadn't used the lens since getting my NEX because I didn't have the adapter, but got one this week in anticipation for the Dyxum challenge. Besides, I had been itching to use it again (along with my other P6 lenses).

I set a personal record last evening for the most consecutive out-of-focus shots. Again, I didn't get out until the Sun was setting, so processing was also challenging. Or maybe it was the wine before going out.

NEX-5N and Kaleinar 150/2.8

Nordentro · Expire: 2015-01-29

These are very nice Woodrim Wink

woodrim · Joined: 14 Jan 2010 Posts: 4060 Location: Charleston

Thank you Nordentro. Seems not many people are interested in Kalienar.

philslizzy · Joined: 07 Aug 2012 Posts: 4744 Location: Cheshire, England

woodrim · Joined: 14 Jan 2010 Posts: 4060 Location: Charleston

philslizzy: PM sent.

themoleman342 · Expire: 2013-01-24

Great samples Woodrim! I like the bird one the most. Superb lighting for all of them.

I love my Hartblei 2.8/150: http://forum.mflenses.com/camouflage-hartblei-2-8-150mm-kiev-6c-hp5-t51716,highlight,%2Bhartblei.html It's basically a MC Kaleinar in a new shell. I would rate it only slightly less than the Sonnar 2.8/180 and that's saying something! It delivers a flatter looking image but it's almost as sharp wide-open and offers a smooth background.

I have a few rolls coming back soon from my Pentacon Six. I'll be sure to share those.