MFlenses - A new life in a digital age
MFLenses 2026

Manual Focus Lenses Forum

Explore the world of vintage lenses through repair notes, real test shots, and detailed archive threads packed with images.

Explore the world of vintage lenses through repair notes, real test shots, and detailed archive threads packed with images.
logovectorizer.com
Spotlight

Featured partner placement for the forum front page.

which of the four 50mm?
Post new topic Reply to topic
View previous topic :: View next topic  


Post
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 5:06 pm
Post subject: which of the four 50mm?
Reply
Post
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 5:06 pm
Post subject: which of the four 50mm?
Reply
such as for time not spent on here?
which of these four 50mm economicos think better?
Takuma SMC 55mm f / 2 or 1,8
Pentacon 50mm f / 1,8
Carl Zeiss Jena f/2.8
Helios 58mm f / 2


Post
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 5:11 pm
Post subject:
Reply
Post
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 5:11 pm
Post subject:
Reply
Doesn't matter more less all are same, pretty good one for a few bucks.


Post
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 5:13 pm
Post subject:
Reply
Post
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 5:13 pm
Post subject:
Reply
All are good as says the Hun Wink

i just miss the Takumar one, but pretty happy with the 3 you mentioned


Post
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 5:13 pm
Post subject:
Reply
Post
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 5:13 pm
Post subject:
Reply
for what purposes you want to use some of the lenses?


Post
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 5:19 pm
Post subject:
Reply
Post
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 5:19 pm
Post subject:
Reply
karabud wrote:
for what purposes you want to use some of the lenses?


I love the portrait.
I had a long helios in its version 4, and my unit was a little loose, but had a lovely bokeh


Post
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 5:32 pm
Post subject:
Reply
Post
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 5:32 pm
Post subject:
Reply
For portraits i think the best will be helios in canon it will have to about 92.8mm
check my 44-3 photos
http://forum.mflenses.com/helios-44-3-t18974.html


Post
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 5:57 pm
Post subject:
Reply
Post
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 5:57 pm
Post subject:
Reply
karabud wrote:
For portraits i think the best will be helios in canon it will have to about 92.8mm
check my 44-3 photos
http://forum.mflenses.com/helios-44-3-t18974.html


beautiful bokeh.
but this lens is more expensive


Post
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 5:59 pm
Post subject: Re: which of the four 50mm?
Reply
Post
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 5:59 pm
Post subject: Re: which of the four 50mm?
Reply
revinhood wrote:
such as for time not spent on here?
which of these four 50mm economicos think better?
Takuma SMC 55mm f / 2 or 1,8
Pentacon 50mm f / 1,8
Carl Zeiss Jena f/2.8
Helios 58mm f / 2


I own the Tak 1.8, the Pentacon multi coat, and the Zeiss f/2.8 aluminum.
I also have a Helios 44M I never use, so I cant comment on it... Sad

I like my Tak the best.

But as stated, you can go in any direction. They are all decent lenses.. Smile

Last edited by spiralcity on Thu Jul 30, 2009 6:38 pm; edited 5 times in total


Post
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 6:09 pm
Post subject: Re: which of the four 50mm?
Reply
Post
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 6:09 pm
Post subject: Re: which of the four 50mm?
Reply
revinhood wrote:
such as for time not spent on here?
which of these four 50mm economicos think better?
Takuma SMC 55mm f / 2 or 1,8
Pentacon 50mm f / 1,8
Carl Zeiss Jena f/2.8
Helios 58mm f / 2


Well I have auto tak, Meyer same as Pentacon, and Helios 44m 8 blade....and for sharpness would choose Pentacon/meyer


Post
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 6:20 pm
Post subject:
Reply
Post
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 6:20 pm
Post subject:
Reply
At one time, I owned an Autofocus Canon 50mm 1.8, a Super Takumar 55 1.8 and a Helios 44M 58mm f2, and kept only the Helios . There is just something nicer about the pictures the Helios takes, even though the Takumar was probably sharper and the Canon had Autofocus. At f2 you get a nice dreamy effect that works well for portraits IMO. And I really like the colors

You can get a good Helios 44 on ebay for way under $50 including postage. Definitely a lens everyone should own, IMO, because it is so good for the money. 58mm makes a great portrait length on a APS-C digital, too.


Post
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 6:36 pm
Post subject:
Reply
Post
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 6:36 pm
Post subject:
Reply
revinhood wrote:
karabud wrote:
For portraits i think the best will be helios in canon it will have to about 92.8mm
check my 44-3 photos
http://forum.mflenses.com/helios-44-3-t18974.html


beautiful bokeh.
but this lens is more expensive

Hmm I bought mine for about 14$... can buy the next?Smile


Post
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 6:52 pm
Post subject:
Reply
Post
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 6:52 pm
Post subject:
Reply
Take the Takumar 55/1.8... if you want to spare some money, take Helios 44-2 KMZ or MMZ made.

Pentacon is very good for portraits (my opinion), but I would't spend much money for it - definately not more than for the Takumar, this lens is variable in quality (Helios too, but Helios is cheaper).

Tessar is not good for portraits (bokeh), I think this lens is better for macro work.


Post
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 7:37 pm
Post subject:
Reply
Post
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 7:37 pm
Post subject:
Reply
I would say this: All 50-55-58mm in M42 mount lenses are good as is. If I would make any decision what to set as my primary lens without any doubts - from this list - my choice is Pancolar 1.8/50. Following - my second choice is lens off your list, cheap as dirt, always great bokeh and very sharp closed - Petri 1.8/55. Helios is a very good lens, special older version of 2/58 Helios 44-2, this one has the best bokeh between 58mm Helioses - this is my third choice. Then others. Quality of the photo taken always depends on condition of the lens. At the "market" to get good quality used lens is in 99% transactions - a risky business. In my opinion - except this community and one ebay seller -Spiro "stil22"


Post
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 7:46 pm
Post subject:
Reply
Post
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 7:46 pm
Post subject:
Reply
voytek wrote:
I would say this: All 50-55-58mm in M42 mount lenses are good as is. If I would make any decision what to set as my primary lens without any doubts - from this list - my choice is Pancolar 1.8/50. Following - my second choice is lens off your list, cheap as dirt, always great bokeh and very sharp closed - Petri 1.8/55. Helios is a very good lens, special older version of 2/58 Helios 44-2, this one has the best bokeh between 58mm Helioses - this is my third choice. Then others. Quality of the photo taken always depends on condition of the lens. At the "market" to get good quality used lens is in 99% transactions - a risky business. In my opinion - except this community and one ebay seller -Spiro "stil22"


Hi, Voytek!!

I noted that you didn't name any 1,4 lens. Casuality or causality?

Rino.


Post
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 7:48 pm
Post subject:
Reply
Post
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 7:48 pm
Post subject:
Reply
Takumar has fabulous bokeh and build quality, Pentacon is sharp with interesting blocky bokeh (but lots have broken aperture) and the Helios is sharp when stopped down and creates swirly bokeh (well the 44M and 44M-4 do).

I love them all! Laughing


Post
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 7:59 pm
Post subject:
Reply
Post
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 7:59 pm
Post subject:
Reply
I see that any choice is good. So forget that Carl Zeiss is the least bright.


Post
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 8:13 pm
Post subject:
Reply
Post
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 8:13 pm
Post subject:
Reply
From your list, I would pick Tak 55/1.8. I have S-M-C version and it' very sharp at wide open.



Post
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 8:59 pm
Post subject:
Reply
Post
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 8:59 pm
Post subject:
Reply
estudleon wrote:
voytek wrote:
I would say this: All 50-55-58mm in M42 mount lenses are good as is. If I would make any decision what to set as my primary lens without any doubts - from this list - my choice is Pancolar 1.8/50. Following - my second choice is lens off your list, cheap as dirt, always great bokeh and very sharp closed - Petri 1.8/55. Helios is a very good lens, special older version of 2/58 Helios 44-2, this one has the best bokeh between 58mm Helioses - this is my third choice. Then others. Quality of the photo taken always depends on condition of the lens. At the "market" to get good quality used lens is in 99% transactions - a risky business. In my opinion - except this community and one ebay seller -Spiro "stil22"


Hi, Voytek!!

I noted that you didn't name any 1,4 lens. Casuality or causality?

Rino.

It is simple, I didn't write about any 1.4 because it would be "off topic" Smile
No single 1.4 lens was mentioned in the list.


Post
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 10:32 pm
Post subject:
Reply
Post
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 10:32 pm
Post subject:
Reply
voytek wrote:
estudleon wrote:
voytek wrote:
I would say this: All 50-55-58mm in M42 mount lenses are good as is. If I would make any decision what to set as my primary lens without any doubts - from this list - my choice is Pancolar 1.8/50. Following - my second choice is lens off your list, cheap as dirt, always great bokeh and very sharp closed - Petri 1.8/55. Helios is a very good lens, special older version of 2/58 Helios 44-2, this one has the best bokeh between 58mm Helioses - this is my third choice. Then others. Quality of the photo taken always depends on condition of the lens. At the "market" to get good quality used lens is in 99% transactions - a risky business. In my opinion - except this community and one ebay seller -Spiro "stil22"


Hi, Voytek!!

I noted that you didn't name any 1,4 lens. Casuality or causality?

Rino.

It is simple, I didn't write about any 1.4 because it would be "off topic" Smile
No single 1.4 lens was mentioned in the list.


Yes, you are right. Laughing

But Pancolar is "off topic" too Laughing

From this Off topic, I ask for 1,4. Excuse me but I was something confused. Embarassed


Post
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 10:42 pm
Post subject:
Reply
Post
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 10:42 pm
Post subject:
Reply
no-X wrote:
Tessar is not good for portraits (bokeh), I think this lens is better for macro work.


Tessar and Pentacon have the same mini focusing distance : 0.33. The Tessar is not bright at full aperture, but is very sharp stopped down f4-f8, i mostly used it at 5.6, and for close portraits too on a slr.

Too sharp again Laughing


Post
Posted: Sat Aug 01, 2009 11:32 am
Post subject:
Reply
Post
Posted: Sat Aug 01, 2009 11:32 am
Post subject:
Reply
not exactly know why but I always have liked Takuma. seems to be my first choice, or if helios Economy


Post
Posted: Sat Aug 01, 2009 11:43 am
Post subject:
Reply
Post
Posted: Sat Aug 01, 2009 11:43 am
Post subject:
Reply
revinhood wrote:
not exactly know why but I always have liked Takuma. seems to be my first choice. . . . .


Not difficult to know, they are very good.


Post
Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 6:21 am
Post subject:
Reply
Post
Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 6:21 am
Post subject:
Reply
Pentacons and CZJ Tessars often have stuck apertures. Tak is the sharpest with the Pentacon a close 2nd. A Helios is a great lens for the price (I have 2) and is quite sharp with different bokeh.

My order of favourites from those would be:

1. S-M-C Tak (not Super or SMC)
2. Helios
3. Pentacon (too much like the tak, but variable quality and aperture problems)
4. CZJ Tessar (I've had 3 so far and not found one with working aperture)


Post
Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 5:33 pm
Post subject:
Reply
Post
Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 5:33 pm
Post subject:
Reply
The Pentacon 1,8 is really very sharp ... I own this whole range and this lens is a real gem ...
This picture is 40% of the original , (reduced to 900 for midget's screens ) , hand held , f/11, at the minimum focusing distance ... Did you say macro ?



Last edited by Helios on Wed Aug 05, 2009 8:30 pm; edited 1 time in total


Post
Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 6:30 pm
Post subject:
Reply
Post
Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 6:30 pm
Post subject:
Reply
Yes, the S-M-C perhaps is the sharpest.

And the pentacon is a very good lens too, but I think that the Pancolar is between both. (a bit less sharp than S-M-C but a bit sharp than the pentacon).

I have the three. Takumar 1,4 and CZJ are equals (negligible differents for me) at F/1,8 to F/4. The S-M-C is lasser sharp at F/ 5,6 and 8 while the CZJ is a bit less sharp. The CZJ win at F/11.

The Pentacon is a little step below them. Perhaps is better to use in B&W. I will try.

Rino.
Post new topic Reply to topic
Goto pagePrevious 1 2 Next
Page 1 of 2