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ManualFocus-G
Joined: 29 Dec 2008
Posts: 6622
Location: United Kingdom
Expire: 2014-11-24
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 Posted: Sat Dec 05, 2009 10:45 pm Post subject: My first year of photography with a DSLR: 10 important shots |
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ManualFocus-G wrote:
It's hard to believe but it's only a year since my first ever digital SLR arrived at my door - a Sony a200. I'd done a LOT of research and settled on it due to the price/performance ratio and huge array of cheap Minotla AF lenses available. But shorlty after I received the camera, something weird happened - I found M42 lenses! A dedicated Sony / Minolta forum pointed me in the right direction and then MFLenses.com took over 
The 10 photos below are not my best 10 photos of the year, but the 10 which mean the most to me for one reason or another on a photography level. I obviously haven't included family / friend shots as I haven't asked permission, but these mean something to me photography wise 
Photo #1 - Elephants at Dublin Zoo
This was my favourite photo from my first proper manual focus shoot, at Dublin Zoo. I had just one lens with me - a Pentacon 135/2.8 electric in M42 mount. It was absolutely freezing and the sun was only out for about 30 mins of the entire day!
Photo #2 - Robin in the February snow
I took this one the day before my birthday, while the UK was suffering some of its heaviest snow for some time. The venue was Sir Harold Hiliar Gardens and it snowed almost the entire time! The lens used was a Carl Zeiss Sonnar 135/3.5 which was only delivered that morning.
Photo #3 - View point at Weymouth
While not a particular amazing photo, this one was taken with the Tamron Adaptall 2 80-210/3.8-4 103A lens which I immediately fell in love with! It's light, sharp, fast and has good bokeh. All this for very little outlay!
Photo #4 - Daffodils with Pentacon preset
This was in the first batch of shots taken with my Pentacon 135/2.8 preset. I'd heard all about the 12 bladed bokeh, but it was fantastic to witness it first hand. Now one of my favourite lenses.
Photo #5 - Macro fly!
This was taken at Furzey Gardens and marked one of the first decent close focus shots I'd taken with the Flektogon. The lens is absolutely superb for closeups, and has rocketed in price recently. Luckily I got this one pretty cheap!
Photo #6 - Sunflowers in Bagnizeau
I had a fantastic holiday in France with my girlfriend in July. The location of these sunflowers was the village we stayed in - Bagnizeau. I hadn't tried landscapes before, so this was a change of direction. The Vivitar 28/2.8 is a fantastic lens.
Photo #7 - Autumn colours with the Distagon
Another milestone for me here, the first time I'd used a Contax Carl Zeiss lens. This was taken with the Distagon T* 28/2.8 and I was blown away by the edge to edge sharpness of the lens and it's incredible 3D ability.
Photo #8 - Dlugokecki gig
This was the first time I'd tried to shoot a gig indoors and the first time I'd attempted to use a really fast lens in the dark with manual focusing! I used the Sony a200 as it creates some lovely grain at ISO1600. The lens is of a lesser known brand name, but likely of the famous Tomioka 55/1.4 design.
Photo #9 - Night scene in Southampton
For me this was the moment I felt I finally had control of night traffic shots in a city. The lens used is a superb allrounder in the Tamron SP 28-80/3.5-4.2 and I used my Grandad's old Velbon tripod which did the job just fine. Although it's quite heavy!
Photo #10 - Muppets at York Christmas market
My final favourite photo from my first year of DSLR photography is this one, taken at the St Nicholas Christmas Market in York. I had no idea how good the Contax Carl Zeiss Planar 50/1.4 was until this moment, and from then on I struggled to take it off the camera!
This forum and its many VERY talented members has been a real inspiration to me over the last year. Previous to the Sony, I had been playing with a Canon Powershot a570is, but nothing more serious, so this was a real challenge to learn so much. I hope to take things onto the next level next year, where I'm looking to take many, many more landscape shots and certainly more street shots and portraits, and I look forward to sharing them with you
Thanks
_________________
Graham - Moderator 
Shooter of choice: Fujifilm X-T20 with M42, PB and C/Y lenses
See my Flickr photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/manualfocus-g |
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patrickh
Joined: 23 Aug 2007
Posts: 8551
Location: Oregon
Expire: 2011-11-18
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| Posted: Sat Dec 05, 2009 10:55 pm Post subject: |
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patrickh wrote:
Shrek
Thank you for taking us on the excursion down memory lane. That is a very fine progression of lenses and technique, with the latter keeping up with the improvements to the former. The Planar and a Distagon are the first lenses to make me feel that I could rival my best nikkors - and I find it hard to take either off the camera too.
patrickh
You get around too 
_________________
DSLR: Nikon D300 Nikon D200 Nex 5N
MF Zooms: Kiron 28-85/3.5, 28-105/3.2, 75-150/3.5, Nikkor 50-135/3.5 AIS // MF Primes: Nikkor 20/4 AI, 24/2 AI, 28/2 AI, 28/2.8 AIS, 28/3.5 AI, 35/1.4 AIS, 35/2 AIS, 35/2.8 PC, 45/2.8 P, 50/1.4 AIS, 50/1.8 AIS, 50/2 AI, 55/2.8 AIS micro, 55/3.5 AI micro, 85/2 AI, 100/2,8 E, 105/1,8 AIS, 105/2,5 AIS, 135/2 AIS, 135/2.8 AIS, 200/4 AI, 200/4 AIS micro, 300/4.5 AI, 300/4.5 AI ED, Arsat 50/1.4, Kiron 28/2, Vivitar 28/2.5, Panagor 135/2.8, Tamron 28/2.5, Tamron 90/2.5 macro, Vivitar 90/2.5 macro (Tokina) Voigtlander 90/3.5 Vivitar 105/2.5 macro (Kiron) Kaleinar 100/2.8 AI Tamron 135/2.5, Vivitar 135/2.8CF, 200/3.5, Tokina 400/5,6
M42: Vivitar 28/2.5, Tamron 28/2.5, Formula5 28/2.8, Mamiya 28/2.8, Pentacon 29/2.8, Flektogon 35/2.4, Flektogon 35/2.8, Takumar 35/3.5, Curtagon 35/4, Takumar 50/1.4, Volna-6 50/2.8 macro, Mamiya 50/1.4, CZJ Pancolar 50/1,8, Oreston 50/1.8, Takumar 50/2, Industar 50/3.5, Sears 55/1.4, Helios 58/2, Jupiter 85/2, Helios 85/1.5, Takumar 105/2.8, Steinheil macro 105/4.5, Tamron 135/2.5, Jupiter 135/4, CZ 135/4, Steinheil Culminar 135/4,5, Jupiter 135/3.5, Takumar 135/3.5, Tair 135/2.8, Pentacon 135/2.8, CZ 135/2.8, Taika 135/3.5, Takumar 150/4, Jupiter 200/4, Takumar 200/4
Exakta: Topcon 100/2.8(M42), 35/2.8, 58/1.8, 135/2.8, 135/2.8 (M42), Kyoei Acall 135/3.5
C/Y: Yashica 28/2.8, 50/1.7, 135/2.8, Zeiss Planar 50/1.4, Distagon 25/2.8
Hexanon: 28/3.5, 35/2.8, 40/1.8, 50/1.7, 52/1.8, 135/3.2, 135/3.5, 35-70/3.5, 200/3.5
P6 : Mir 38 65/3.5, Biometar 80/2.8, Kaleinar 150/2.8, Sonnar 180/2.8
Minolta SR: 28/2.8, 28/3.5, 35/2.8, 45/2, 50/2, 58/1.4, 50/1.7, 135/2.8, 200/3.5
RF: Industar 53/2.8, Jupiter 8 50/2
Enlarg: Rodagon 50/5,6, 80/5,6, 105/5.6, Vario 44-52/4, 150/5.6 180/5.6 El Nikkor 50/2,8,63/2.8,75/4, 80/5,6, 105/5.6, 135/5.6 Schneider 60/5.6, 80/5.6, 80/4S,100/5.6S,105/5.6,135/5.6, 135/5.6S, 150/5.6S, Leica 95/4 |
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madamasu
Joined: 03 Feb 2009
Posts: 597
Location: Frankfurt/Main Germany
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| Posted: Sat Dec 05, 2009 10:59 pm Post subject: |
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madamasu wrote:
Shrek,
this is an extraordinary collection of pictures, and if I had to choose one , I would choose the the sun-flowers, because I love these plants, and not because they are better than the other pictures. I love them all.
Thomas
P.S. I had another look: the bird is simply marvellous. Maybe I even prefer it to the the sun-flowers.
_________________
Zorki 4
Jupiter 8, 9, 11, 12 & triple finder
Nikon D200, D700
Nikkors: 15/3.5 AI; N.C 24mm/2.8 (AIed);
N 35mm/1.4 (AIed); 45mm/2.8P; 50mm/1.2 AIS; Micro 55mm/2.8 AIS; Noct 58mm/1.2 AIS;85mm/1.8 (K-lense AIed); 105mm/2.5 AIS; 135mm/3.5 (K-lense AIed)
Voigtlaender Ultron 40mm/2; CZJ Flektogon 20mm/4 (AIed); Helios-81M; MIR-20N; Volna-3; Flektogon 50/4;Flektogon 65/2.8; Biometar 80/2.8; Biometar 120/2.8; Sonnar 180/2.8; Sonnar 300/4
Kiron 70-210/4.5 Makro
--------------------------------------------------------
http://www.flickr.com/photos/madamasu |
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NikonD
Joined: 29 Jul 2008
Posts: 1922
Location: Slovenija
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| Posted: Sat Dec 05, 2009 11:12 pm Post subject: |
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NikonD wrote:
wow, superb photos!! |
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poilu
Joined: 26 Aug 2007
Posts: 10472
Location: Greece
Expire: 2019-08-29
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| Posted: Sat Dec 05, 2009 11:16 pm Post subject: |
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poilu wrote:
superb portfolio after only 1 year
great you put them in the oversized gallery
difficult to select a fav as it's already a fine selection |
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trifox
Joined: 14 May 2008
Posts: 3614
Location: UK
Expire: 2014-05-29
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| Posted: Sat Dec 05, 2009 11:20 pm Post subject: |
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trifox wrote:
 wow!
I can not believe that how nicely you've demonstrated and described all your pictures!!
Your style is very appealing! Great job!!
tf
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Last edited by trifox on Sun Dec 06, 2009 8:47 am; edited 1 time in total |
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cooltouch
Joined: 15 Jan 2009
Posts: 9096
Location: Houston, Texas
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| Posted: Sun Dec 06, 2009 1:11 am Post subject: |
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cooltouch wrote:
Hey Shrek,
You've done a magnificent job during your first year of DSLR photography. I've taken this thread of yours to heart, since my first year of DSLR photography's anniversary date is the day after Christmas this year. Honestly, I don't know that I'd be able to assemble anything approaching your fantastic collection of shots taken with mf lenses, though. I guess I've whimped out somewhat in that respect, spending most of my time with my DSLR and manual lenses testing them for sharpness instead of actually getting involved with photography with them. Yes, I've been active with the AF lenses, but much more so than the mf ones. But I still have a few weeks left! Time to get busy . . . well, it'll have to wait until my DSLR is returned from warranty service, that is.
_________________
Michael
My Gear List: http://michaelmcbroom.com/photo/gear.html
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My Blog: http://michaelmcbroom.com/blogistan/
Last edited by cooltouch on Sun Dec 06, 2009 6:58 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Attila
Joined: 24 Feb 2007
Posts: 57865
Location: Hungary
Expire: 2025-11-18
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| Posted: Sun Dec 06, 2009 1:14 am Post subject: |
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Attila wrote:
Stunning pictures! Thank you for sharing them!
_________________
-------------------------------
Items on sale on Ebay
Sony NEX-7 Carl Zeiss Planar 85mm f1.4, Minolta MD 35mm f1.8, Konica 135mm f2.5, Minolta MD 50mm f1.2, Minolta MD 250mm f5.6, Carl Zeiss Sonnar 180mm f2.8
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Laurence
Joined: 26 Mar 2007
Posts: 4809
Location: Western Washington State
Expire: 2016-06-19
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| Posted: Sun Dec 06, 2009 2:23 am Post subject: |
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Laurence wrote:
This was GREAT, getting to see the progression as you acquired more lenses. The images are superb...and super!
_________________
Assent, and you are sane;
Demur,—you ’re straightway dangerous,
And handled with a chain.
Emily Dickinson
Cameras and Lenses in Use:
Yashica Mat 124 w/ Yashinon 80/3.5,
CV Apo-Lanthar 90/3.5SL, (Thank you Klaus),
Pentax 645,
Flek 50,
Pentax-A 150
Pentax-A 120 Macro
Voigtlander Vitomatic I w/Color Skopar 50/2.8
Konica TC and zoom lenses (thanks Carsten)
Contax AX
Yashica ML 50/2
Yashica ML 35/2.8
Carl Zeiss Contax 50/1.4
Tamron Adaptall SP 17/3.5
Tamron Adaptall 28/2.5
Tamron Adaptall SP 300/2.8 LD (IF)
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tobbsman
Joined: 25 Jul 2008
Posts: 2578
Location: Austria
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| Posted: Sun Dec 06, 2009 9:32 am Post subject: |
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tobbsman wrote:
Ican just repeat .... IMPRESSIVE !!!!!!
Cheers
Tobias
_________________
Camera Pentax K10D, K20D, Super A
SMC K28 3.5, SMC K24 2.8, SMC K28/2, SMC K50/1.4,SMC A50/1.7, SMC M28/3.5, SMC A 50/1.7, SMC K135 2.5, SMC A50 1.2
SMC A35-105 3.5, SMC A70-210 4, SMC A20 2.8, SMC M28 2.8,K28/3.5 SMC A28 2.8, SMC A100 2.8 Macro, CZJ Flektogon 20 2.8 (MC), 35 2.4 (MC),S.M.C Takumar 85mm 1.8, Helios 44M-4, A.Schacht Travenar 90/2.8, C.Zeiss J. Sonnar 180/2.8
Check out my: 2012 New "Advanced Guide to Panorama Stiching" !
Check out my "Beginner's Guide to Panorama Stiching !
Visit my Asahi and Zeiss MF lens samples database ! |
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Xpres
Joined: 11 Dec 2007
Posts: 964
Location: UK
Expire: 2014-10-28
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| Posted: Sun Dec 06, 2009 10:07 am Post subject: |
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Xpres wrote:
What a fine way to sum up a year! Like one of those 'round robin' letters but with a twist.
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Film... and sometimes SD14, 5D2 and some other suff! |
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shauttra
Joined: 17 Nov 2009
Posts: 778
Location: Latvia
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| Posted: Tue Dec 08, 2009 7:46 am Post subject: |
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shauttra wrote:
realy cool pictures!! I LOVE THESE SUNFLOWERS!!
_________________
Mto-1000, Tair-3, Auto Exaktar 135mm 2,8, Samyang 14mm 2.8,
Jupiter 37A, Carl Zeiss Sonnar 135/3.5,
Helios-44, Mir-1, Revuenon 50/1.4,
Carl Zeiss Pancolar 50/1.8, Samyang 24/1.4, Auto Vivitar 35/2.8
www.radosi.lv
http://shauttra.blogspot.com |
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Uzay
Joined: 16 May 2009
Posts: 92
Location: Turkey
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| Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 4:55 pm Post subject: |
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Uzay wrote:
#6 is great I'd like to know the PP? If there is not PP then it's extraordinary.
All pics are very good as i said i like 6 and the bird shot very much
_________________
Helios 44-4
Jupiter-9
Samyang 85 1.4
Katana 135 2.8
Pancolar 50 1.8
Takumar 50 1.4
http://www.flickr.com/photos/uzaykisi/ |
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LucisPictor
Joined: 26 Feb 2007
Posts: 17633
Location: Oberhessen, Germany / Maidstone ('95-'96)
Expire: 2013-12-03
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| Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 5:06 pm Post subject: |
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LucisPictor wrote:
This is a fantastic set! Congratulations!
My favs?
No. 8 for atmosphere
No. 6 for the incredible rendition of the sunflowers and
No. 2 for everything (esp. the little snowflakes!)
_________________
Personal forum activity on pause every now and again (due to job obligations)!
Carsten, former Moderator 
Things ON SALE
Carsten = "KAPCTEH" = "Karusutenu" | T-shirt?.........................My photos from Emilia: http://www.schouler.net/emilia/emilia2011.html
My gear: http://retrocameracs.wordpress.com/ausrustung/
Old list: http://forum.mflenses.com/viewtopic.php?t=65 (Not up-to-date, sorry!) | http://www.lucispictor.de | http://www.alensaweek.wordpress.com |
http://www.retrocamera.de |
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Arkku
Joined: 28 Feb 2007
Posts: 1416
Location: Helsinki, Finland
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| Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 6:33 pm Post subject: |
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Arkku wrote:
Very nice photos! My first year with a DSLR was probably far less spectacular… |
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Orio
Joined: 24 Feb 2007
Posts: 29545
Location: West Emilia
Expire: 2012-12-04
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| Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 8:54 pm Post subject: |
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Orio wrote:
Congratulations, an excellent set for a newbie!
_________________
Orio, Administrator
T*
NE CEDE MALIS AUDENTIOR ITO
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PaulC
Joined: 23 Dec 2008
Posts: 2318
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| Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 8:59 pm Post subject: |
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PaulC wrote:
Great work! I love the robin in the snow. I haven't seen an English winter for about 30 years and it makes me quite nostalgic.
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William
Joined: 26 Nov 2009
Posts: 489
Location: London
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| Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2009 11:58 am Post subject: |
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William wrote:
These photos are very impressive. I am only 3 months into my first DSLR having previously too used Canon Powershots (A410, A530, A450) and your shots are inspiring. Did you ever use CHDK on your A570? |
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ManualFocus-G
Joined: 29 Dec 2008
Posts: 6622
Location: United Kingdom
Expire: 2014-11-24
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| Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 9:49 pm Post subject: |
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ManualFocus-G wrote:
Crikey, thanks for all the lovely comments!  The PP on the sunflowers was to increase the saturation, but it was very easy to do and livened up the image completely. Most others just had a bit of exposure adjustment and some sharpening.
As for CHDK, I've just looked it up...RAW on my A570is? I'm downloading now, thanks!!!
_________________
Graham - Moderator
Shooter of choice: Fujifilm X-T20 with M42, PB and C/Y lenses
See my Flickr photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/manualfocus-g |
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my_photography
Joined: 03 Nov 2008
Posts: 2772
Location: Pearl of the Orient
Expire: 2016-12-25
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| Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2009 5:32 am Post subject: |
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my_photography wrote:
Wonderful photos you have there even more impressive as this is your first year going digital.
_________________
Zeiss: CJZ Flektogon 20/2.8, CJZ Flektogon 20/4, , CJZ Pentacon 29/2.8, CJZ Flektogon 35/2.4, CJZ Pancolar 50/1.8, Tessar 50/2.8, Biotar 7.5cm/1.5, CJZ Pancolar 80/1.8, CJZ Sonnar 135/3.5, CJZ Pentacon 135/2.8 CJZ Sonnar 200/2.8
Other Germany: Meyer Primoplan 50/1.8, Meyer Trioplan 100/2.8
Takumar: SMC 50/1.4 Super Tak 55/2, Super Tak 85/1.9, S-M-C 135/3.5, Super Tak 150/4
Russian: Zenith 16/2.8, Mir-24M 2/35, Volna-9 50/2.8, Helios 44M (58/2), Helios 44M-3 MC (58/2), Helios 40 (85/1.5), Tair 11A (135/2.8 )
Others: Sears 28/2.8, Sankor 35/2.8, Enna M�nchen Tele-Ennalyt 135/3.5
Zoom Sigma Zoom 28-85/3.5-4.5
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