Next Logic Step (purchase)

ChromaticAberration · Joined: 23 Dec 2010 Posts: 819 Location: Portugal

I have also been looking at the rubber ones. Are they a good alternative? They are a bit cheaper than generic brands plastic hoods.

William · Joined: 26 Nov 2009 Posts: 489 Location: London

Chromatic Aberration, I would second looking into Nikkors. They seem to be a lot easier to find on US eBay cheaper than UK eBay. I bought rough looking 35/2 (a quality lens) and a 24/2.8 for about £60 each. A perfect condition S.C. 50/1.4 was about £50. It's hard to improve much on those lenses without spending hundreds per lens. Nikkors tend to be very sharp and popped into focus very easily for me on the 1000D with stock screen.

For cheap 50mms you can try the Helios 44-2/M, the Pentacon MC, Jeiss Jena Tessars in M42 mount which are all under £20. I would recommend trying some 50mms to get a feel for different lens designs and manufacturers. For little money you can try out most of the major lens manufacturers and see their approach to colour, contrast and resolution.