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gcogger
Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 18 Location: Southampton, UK
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Posted: Wed May 26, 2010 6:33 pm Post subject: Fast prime around 28-40mm? |
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gcogger wrote:
Hi all,
I've just bought a micro 4/3 camera (Panasonic G1), and would like to get a fast prime in the range 28-40mm. Due to budget constraints, and the fact that it will be my first experiment with adapted manual focus lenses, I'd like to keep the budget to under £100, including the mount adapter. Previous experience tells me that I need it to be an f/2 lens (or faster). So far, the options I've seen are:
- Vivitar/Kiron 28mm f/2
- Canon FD 35mm f/2
- Konica AR 40mm f/1.8 pancake
Has anyone had any experience with these, and could tell me which is likely to perform best at f/2? Thanks |
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Chris Watson
Joined: 12 Apr 2010 Posts: 168 Location: Fort Worth
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Posted: Wed May 26, 2010 6:43 pm Post subject: |
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Chris Watson wrote:
Well based on the fact that you're using a camera that has a 2X crop factor, your best bet might be the Kiron as it would be the closest to a "standard" lens. The good news is that since you are using m 4/3, you can pick up minolta and Canon FD copies for cheap.
Best of luck! _________________ Chris Watson
Watson Videography
www.dallasweddingfilms.com
blog: www.dallasweddingfilms.net |
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gcogger
Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 18 Location: Southampton, UK
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Posted: Wed May 26, 2010 6:53 pm Post subject: |
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gcogger wrote:
Chris Watson wrote: |
Well based on the fact that you're using a camera that has a 2X crop factor, your best bet might be the Kiron as it would be the closest to a "standard" lens. The good news is that since you are using m 4/3, you can pick up minolta and Canon FD copies for cheap.
Best of luck! |
Thanks. To be honest, I think 28mm or 35mm would be equally good for what I'll be using it for, but the 40mm appeals as it's a nice light pancake lens (that would go well on the G1). The Kiron is the easiest choice as it's the cheapest, but I don't want to compromise on the sharpness and overall quality. Maybe I should just get one of those and see if I'm happy with the images?
(I'm useless at making decisions, as you've probably gathered ) |
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revers
Joined: 13 May 2010 Posts: 574 Location: In the country just north of Toronto Canada
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Posted: Wed May 26, 2010 7:27 pm Post subject: |
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revers wrote:
I use both Minolta & Pentax mount lenses on my G1. The Minolta MC & MD lenses are bargain priced because they were orphaned. I have Minolta 35/2.8, 45/2.0, 50/1.4, 55/1.7, 100/3.5, 200/4.5 plus other lenses with Minolta mount. My Minolta 50/1.4 is the sharpest of the Minolta line-up. I have a Vivitar 24/2.8 1:5 Macro in Minolta mount that is also a very sharp lens. _________________ Ron
Olympus OM-D E-M5, 14-42 & 45/1.8.
Panasonic G1, GF1, 14-45, 45-200 & various legacy lenses.
Canon S5, Sony 1.7 Tele-converter & Raynox DCR 150 Macro converter. |
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gcogger
Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 18 Location: Southampton, UK
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Posted: Wed May 26, 2010 7:56 pm Post subject: |
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gcogger wrote:
revers wrote: |
I use both Minolta & Pentax mount lenses on my G1. The Minolta MC & MD lenses are bargain priced because they were orphaned. I have Minolta 35/2.8, 45/2.0, 50/1.4, 55/1.7, 100/3.5, 200/4.5 plus other lenses with Minolta mount. My Minolta 50/1.4 is the sharpest of the Minolta line-up. I have a Vivitar 24/2.8 1:5 Macro in Minolta mount that is also a very sharp lens. |
Do you know anything about the Minolta MC 35mm F1.8? I've seen one that's (just) within my budget, but I've not heard much about it. |
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revers
Joined: 13 May 2010 Posts: 574 Location: In the country just north of Toronto Canada
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Posted: Wed May 26, 2010 8:46 pm Post subject: |
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revers wrote:
I don't but a quick search turned up lots of hits:
http://www.google.ca/search?q=Minolta+MC+35mm+F1.8&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a _________________ Ron
Olympus OM-D E-M5, 14-42 & 45/1.8.
Panasonic G1, GF1, 14-45, 45-200 & various legacy lenses.
Canon S5, Sony 1.7 Tele-converter & Raynox DCR 150 Macro converter. |
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gcogger
Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 18 Location: Southampton, UK
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Posted: Wed May 26, 2010 8:52 pm Post subject: |
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gcogger wrote:
Thanks - I was just going through the Google hits I found this wide open image, that seems impressive:
http://flor27.free.fr/forums/minolta_w.rokkor-hh_35_1.8/IMG_5496.JPG
It's a pretty large and heavy beast, though... |
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revers
Joined: 13 May 2010 Posts: 574 Location: In the country just north of Toronto Canada
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Posted: Wed May 26, 2010 11:26 pm Post subject: |
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revers wrote:
Well, it seems you want wide plus compact. The Vivitar 24//2.8 1:5 macro is sharp & light/compact, on the left in the pic below. More compact is the Minolta 45/2 on the right which I posted pics from today in another thread. I shot this pic with the Minolta 50/1.4.
_________________ Ron
Olympus OM-D E-M5, 14-42 & 45/1.8.
Panasonic G1, GF1, 14-45, 45-200 & various legacy lenses.
Canon S5, Sony 1.7 Tele-converter & Raynox DCR 150 Macro converter. |
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gcogger
Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 18 Location: Southampton, UK
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Posted: Wed May 26, 2010 11:32 pm Post subject: |
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gcogger wrote:
Too many options!
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egidio
Joined: 02 Sep 2009 Posts: 222 Location: slovenia
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Posted: Wed May 26, 2010 11:36 pm Post subject: |
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egidio wrote:
I use a mir 35mm f2 a lot! Great lens _________________ I use: Flektogon 2.8/20, Flektogon 2.8/35, planar 50mm/1.4, Takumar 1.4/50mm, Takumar 1.9/85, MIR 24H, Mir1v, Industar-50-2, Helios-44-2, Pentacon 2.8/135, cyclop 85 1.5 |
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walter g
Joined: 20 Feb 2010 Posts: 2463 Location: NC, USA
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Posted: Wed May 26, 2010 11:55 pm Post subject: |
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walter g wrote:
gcogger wrote: |
revers wrote: |
I use both Minolta & Pentax mount lenses on my G1. The Minolta MC & MD lenses are bargain priced because they were orphaned. I have Minolta 35/2.8, 45/2.0, 50/1.4, 55/1.7, 100/3.5, 200/4.5 plus other lenses with Minolta mount. My Minolta 50/1.4 is the sharpest of the Minolta line-up. I have a Vivitar 24/2.8 1:5 Macro in Minolta mount that is also a very sharp lens. |
Do you know anything about the Minolta MC 35mm F1.8? I've seen one that's (just) within my budget, but I've not heard much about it. |
The 35 f1.8 you pay alot for the extra speed, which is fine if thats what you need.
The 35 f2.8 matches it for performance from f2.8 and up. It's actually a little sharper. I don't know UK pricing, but in the US can be had for as little as $40. _________________
Main cameras
Panasonic G5,Nikon J1,Pentax Q10,Sony Nex 6
Minolta MC W SI 2.5/28, MD 2.8/28, MC W SG 3.5/28, MC Celtic 3.5/28, MC W HG 2.8/35, MD Celtic 2.8/35, QE 4/35, Rokkor X 2/45, MC Rokkor X PG 1.4/50, MC Rokkor X PG 1.7/50, MD Rokkor X 1.7/50, MD 2/50, MC Rokkor PF 1.7/55, MC Rokkor PF 1.9/55, Auto Tele Rokkor PG 2.8/135, MC Tele Rokkor QD 3.5/135, TC 4/135, MC Celtic 4/200, MC Tele Rokkor PE 4.5/200
MD 28-70 f3.5-4.8, MD Macro 35-70 f3.5, Md 70-210 f4, MD Rokkor X 75-200 f4.5, MD 100-200 f5.6
Nikon Nikkor 4/20, O Auto 2/35, S Auto 1.4/50..... Miranda Auto 2.8/28, Auto 2.8/35, Auto 1.4/50, Auto EC 1.4/50, Auto 1.8/50, Auto EC 1.8/50,Auto 1.9/50, Auto 3.5/135
Various Soligor,Sun,Fujita,Komura,Spitatone, etc. Lenses
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karabud
Joined: 11 Apr 2009 Posts: 843 Location: Lodz
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Posted: Thu May 27, 2010 12:02 am Post subject: |
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karabud wrote:
Nikkor 35/2; mir 35/2, rokkor 35/1.8 - all great&cheap
i got yashica ml 35mm f/2.8 - isn`t light but it`s excellent performance lens!
-some samples - http://www.flickr.com/photos/atheist_lenses/sets/72157623993186836/ _________________ http://www.flickr.com/photos/atheist_lenses/
old
http://www.flickr.com/photos/piotr_p/ |
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Chris Watson
Joined: 12 Apr 2010 Posts: 168 Location: Fort Worth
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Posted: Thu May 27, 2010 12:28 am Post subject: |
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Chris Watson wrote:
I was going to suggest the Mir 24 but unfortunately, they can't be had easily for under $100 these days. _________________ Chris Watson
Watson Videography
www.dallasweddingfilms.com
blog: www.dallasweddingfilms.net |
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gcogger
Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 18 Location: Southampton, UK
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Posted: Thu May 27, 2010 9:05 am Post subject: |
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gcogger wrote:
Thanks for all the suggestions. I definitely need f/2 or better and want to stay at 40mm or under. I think the Konica 40/1.8 is out of the running - I found some wide open samples that look really soft I also keep hearing that the Kiron 28/2 is soft wide open so, at the moment, I think I'm down to the Canon 35/2 or the Minolta 35/1.8. (The Nikkors seem to go for more money, and I can't find anything else for sale). Someone is sending me a sample from the Canon today, so I'll make up my mind soon (no really, I will) |
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karabud
Joined: 11 Apr 2009 Posts: 843 Location: Lodz
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Posted: Thu May 27, 2010 9:20 am Post subject: |
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karabud wrote:
gcogger wrote: |
Thanks for all the suggestions. I definitely need f/2 or better and want to stay at 40mm or under. I think the Konica 40/1.8 is out of the running - I found some wide open samples that look really soft I also keep hearing that the Kiron 28/2 is soft wide open so, at the moment, I think I'm down to the Canon 35/2 or the Minolta 35/1.8. (The Nikkors seem to go for more money, and I can't find anything else for sale). Someone is sending me a sample from the Canon today, so I'll make up my mind soon (no really, I will) |
Nikkor 35mm f/2 ai or ais on ebay often go for below 80GBP(sometimes 50-60) - don`t buy early version - only k, ai or ais. This lens is sharp wide open in center but corner are soft - this is problem on FF sensor but in your situation can be an excellent choice. _________________ http://www.flickr.com/photos/atheist_lenses/
old
http://www.flickr.com/photos/piotr_p/ |
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gcogger
Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 18 Location: Southampton, UK
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Posted: Thu May 27, 2010 11:20 am Post subject: |
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gcogger wrote:
I'll keep an eye out for the Nikkor on ebay. The ones I've seen have gone for a bit more than that, but I've not been looking for long. |
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karabud
Joined: 11 Apr 2009 Posts: 843 Location: Lodz
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Posted: Thu May 27, 2010 12:53 pm Post subject: |
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karabud wrote:
What about Flektogon 35mm 2.4 ? It seem to be great lens and cost about 100gbp _________________ http://www.flickr.com/photos/atheist_lenses/
old
http://www.flickr.com/photos/piotr_p/ |
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gcogger
Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 18 Location: Southampton, UK
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Posted: Thu May 27, 2010 5:51 pm Post subject: |
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gcogger wrote:
karabud wrote: |
What about Flektogon 35mm 2.4 ? It seem to be great lens and cost about 100gbp |
I've been thinking about that one, but it's a little slower, and a little more expensive (once I've bought the adapter) than I'd like.
If only there was a local shop that had all these lenses (and the adapters) so I could try them out |
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aleksanderpolo
Joined: 24 Jan 2010 Posts: 684
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Posted: Thu May 27, 2010 7:48 pm Post subject: |
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aleksanderpolo wrote:
The Kiron brand 28/2 is actually quite good, not sure about the Kiron made Vivitar though. I actually prefer my Kiron 28/2 over my beat up copy of Nikon 28/2 Ai. |
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std
Joined: 09 Feb 2010 Posts: 1826 Location: Bulgaria
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Posted: Fri May 28, 2010 8:05 am Post subject: |
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std wrote:
Flektogon 35/2.8 (alu) will be even cheaper.
Maybe somewhere around 30-40 eur.
very nice 35mm, no that good than skoparex 35 but still very good. |
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rappelbums
Joined: 07 Apr 2009 Posts: 13
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Posted: Fri May 28, 2010 8:15 am Post subject: |
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rappelbums wrote:
I've got a 2,8/35 1Q Zebra-Flek. It is the lens I love most on my crop camera. It equals a standard lens on this cam, is fast enough, especially as it is sharp at 2,8. And I got it for about 30 €. |
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gcogger
Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 18 Location: Southampton, UK
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Posted: Fri May 28, 2010 9:16 am Post subject: |
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gcogger wrote:
Thanks for the suggestions guys, but I do need f/2, not f/2.8 |
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std
Joined: 09 Feb 2010 Posts: 1826 Location: Bulgaria
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Posted: Fri May 28, 2010 9:28 am Post subject: |
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std wrote:
f2.0 will be very heavy unless it's a rangefinder lens.
I have vivitar 28/2.5 M42 and it's almost 50% heavier than 35/2.8 flektogon.
Too long and too heavy - not very good balance for micro four thirds camera. |
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gcogger
Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 18 Location: Southampton, UK
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Posted: Fri May 28, 2010 1:56 pm Post subject: |
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gcogger wrote:
I realise they'll be heavier than f/2.8 lenses, but sometimes you just need the aperture This is replacing a previous setup, but for the same shooting conditions, so I know from experience that I'll need f/2 (or wider!). |
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gcogger
Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 18 Location: Southampton, UK
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Posted: Fri May 28, 2010 3:51 pm Post subject: |
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gcogger wrote:
OK, I've stopped dithering and made a decision
I've ordered a Vivitar (manufactured by Komine) 28mm f/2. This is the 49mm filter close focus version and rumour has it that it may be better than the Kiron one. It was cheap enough at £45 in (apparently!) top condition, so I can try it without too much risk. I also remembered that I have an old, beaten up, Super Takumar 50mm f/1.4 somewhere, so 28 + 50 makes more sense than 35 + 50. This was in Minolta MD fit so, as I've bought the adapter anyway, I couldn't resist a cheap (£20) Minolta 45mm f/2 pancake lens as well for when I want fast and light. Not really sensible, but when they're this cheap...
If I don't like the 28mm I'll sell it and get the Minolta MC 35mm f/1.8 which I've seen for about £80. I found someone who had compared it to the Canon and Nikon 35mm f/2 lenses and said that all 3 were equally sharp wide open.
Fingers crossed... |
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