View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
miran
Joined: 01 Aug 2012 Posts: 1364 Location: Slovenia
|
Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 7:31 am Post subject: Chinon 55mm/1.7 - is it good? |
|
|
miran wrote:
I don't have many lenses, but even so only use a few of the good ones while others rarely get to see the light of day. I thought I'd change that so I took my Chinon 55/1.7 out for a walk the other day. I've only read good things about this lens online, but personally I never liked it. Is there something wrong with mine or is it just not to my taste? It's not even close to sharp wide open, it glows like crazy and controling the flares when shooting into the sun is very difficult. Some might say it produces a sort of dreamy type of image and I suppose this is a good thing for certain applications but not for general shooting. Stopped down to about f/4 and beyond it is of course quite good, sharp and contrasty, I'm just not convinced by its open and close to open performance. A few samples below, the first at f/1.7 (I think), the rest mostly around f/2.8 or so. I was having a hard time focusing the lens wide open on my NEX-5. Focus peaking set to high barely registered anything at max magnification.
1:
2:
3:
4:
5:
6:
7:
8:
9:
10:
_________________ my flickr stream
Last edited by miran on Mon Sep 23, 2013 7:49 am; edited 1 time in total |
|
Back to top |
|
|
raay04
Joined: 08 Dec 2012 Posts: 340 Location: India
|
Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 7:47 am Post subject: |
|
|
raay04 wrote:
After this output you are asking if its good _________________ Cameras-Point and shoot- Powershot A590IS Mirroless-SONY NEX-3
Lenses
M42 Mount
Super-Takumar 55/1.8, Super-Takumar 50/1.4 ,SMC Takumar 50/1.4 ,MC Helios 44M7-58/2,MC Helios 77M-4 50/1.8,Helios 44-2(valdai), Zenitar-M 50/1.7 Pentacon 50/1.8, MC Jupiter-37AM 135/3.5, Industar 50-2 50/3.5
Nikon F mount
Vivitar close focus 28/2.8(Komine) Keleinar 5N 100/2.8
LTM
Jupiter 8 50/2
KIEV
Jupiter8M ( element donor lens )
Minolta SR(MD)
MD 35/1.8, MD 35-70/3.5 macro, MD 50/1.4 ,Vivitar Auto macro 55/2.8,
Canon FD
FDn50/1.4
Minolta AF
Vivitar (cosina) 100/3.5 macro
Minolta AF 35-70/4
Enlarger
EL NIKKOR 50/2.8
Adaptall
Tamron 24/2.5 , Tamron sp 90/2.5 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Oldhand
Joined: 01 Apr 2013 Posts: 6005 Location: Mid North Coast NSW - Australia
|
Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 8:16 am Post subject: |
|
|
Oldhand wrote:
raay04 wrote: |
After this output you are asking if its good |
Indeed.
All lenses wide open can be painful to focus sometimes.
The results from your lens speak for themselves.
Interesting that Chinon produced a 55mm and a 50mm f1.7
OH |
|
Back to top |
|
|
DR.JUAN
Joined: 08 Feb 2013 Posts: 661
|
Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 9:24 am Post subject: |
|
|
DR.JUAN wrote:
The chinon 1,7 and 1,9 were in very good concept in the 70's and 80's (here the multicoated version).
The chinon and gaf srl cams had them.
Not sourprize at all.
I thnk that if you said that the pics were taken with planar 50/1,7 i should beleave you. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
miran
Joined: 01 Aug 2012 Posts: 1364 Location: Slovenia
|
Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 10:23 am Post subject: |
|
|
miran wrote:
Ah, so I think I won't sell it then. I probably wouldn't get much if anything for it anyway. I got it together with a Chinon CX Camera a few years ago for around 20€, I think. I just searched for completed listings on ebay and it looks like this kit (CX+55/1.7) regularly sells for amounts like 2, 3, 5 €/$/£/whatever. Well, when I think about it that way, then I suppose it's a good enough lens considering it's worth less than a beer. _________________ my flickr stream |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Oldhand
Joined: 01 Apr 2013 Posts: 6005 Location: Mid North Coast NSW - Australia
|
Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 10:32 am Post subject: |
|
|
Oldhand wrote:
miran wrote: |
Ah, so I think I won't sell it then. I probably wouldn't get much if anything for it anyway. I got it together with a Chinon CX Camera a few years ago for around 20€, I think. I just searched for completed listings on ebay and it looks like this kit (CX+55/1.7) regularly sells for amounts like 2, 3, 5 €/$/£/whatever. Well, when I think about it that way, then I suppose it's a good enough lens considering it's worth less than a beer. |
It is amazing how we sometimes forget what is important in photography - the images themselves.
Some folks get hung up on the reputation of certain brands of lens and forget that the end result is what matters.
Yours are splendid - and this lens has been a major contributor.
You should be pleased to have it.
OH |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Aanything
Joined: 27 Aug 2011 Posts: 2187 Location: Piacenza, Italy
Expire: 2014-05-30
|
Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 10:40 am Post subject: |
|
|
Aanything wrote:
Oldhand wrote: |
miran wrote: |
Ah, so I think I won't sell it then. I probably wouldn't get much if anything for it anyway. I got it together with a Chinon CX Camera a few years ago for around 20€, I think. I just searched for completed listings on ebay and it looks like this kit (CX+55/1.7) regularly sells for amounts like 2, 3, 5 €/$/£/whatever. Well, when I think about it that way, then I suppose it's a good enough lens considering it's worth less than a beer. |
It is amazing how we sometimes forget what is important in photography - the images themselves.
Some folks get hung up on the reputation of certain brands of lens and forget that the end result is what matters.
Yours are splendid - and this lens has been a major contributor.
You should be pleased to have it.
OH |
It's also true that there are millions of good f1.7 50mm lenses out there, so for a basic demand/offer ratio the value remains quite low.
To fetch higher prices you need stand out, either by being faster (from f1.4 on) or bearing a famous brand on the name ring.
Obviously, lens prices (especially in normal focal lengths) are almost never proportional to the sheer performance: often factors like brand reputation, rarity, momentanous trends, and max aperture play a major role. It needs to be said also that often the brand reputation is deserved, i.e. : all the contax/yashica zeiss lenses I tried were at least excellent.
So, to answer op's question, the lens look good, not exceptional imho, but very good, so much that I wouldn't sell it. _________________ C&C and editing of my pics are always welcome
Samples from my lenses
My gear
My Flickr |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Oldhand
Joined: 01 Apr 2013 Posts: 6005 Location: Mid North Coast NSW - Australia
|
Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 12:19 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Oldhand wrote:
Aanything wrote: |
Oldhand wrote: |
miran wrote: |
Ah, so I think I won't sell it then. I probably wouldn't get much if anything for it anyway. I got it together with a Chinon CX Camera a few years ago for around 20€, I think. I just searched for completed listings on ebay and it looks like this kit (CX+55/1.7) regularly sells for amounts like 2, 3, 5 €/$/£/whatever. Well, when I think about it that way, then I suppose it's a good enough lens considering it's worth less than a beer. |
It is amazing how we sometimes forget what is important in photography - the images themselves.
Some folks get hung up on the reputation of certain brands of lens and forget that the end result is what matters.
Yours are splendid - and this lens has been a major contributor.
You should be pleased to have it.
OH |
It's also true that there are millions of good f1.7 50mm lenses out there, so for a basic demand/offer ratio the value remains quite low.
To fetch higher prices you need stand out, either by being faster (from f1.4 on) or bearing a famous brand on the name ring.
Obviously, lens prices (especially in normal focal lengths) are almost never proportional to the sheer performance: often factors like brand reputation, rarity, momentanous trends, and max aperture play a major role. It needs to be said also that often the brand reputation is deserved, i.e. : all the contax/yashica zeiss lenses I tried were at least excellent.
So, to answer op's question, the lens look good, not exceptional imho, but very good, so much that I wouldn't sell it. |
Agreed.
It is also the 12 inches behind the camera that turns these tools into the images that we love and enjoy.
What gives me a lot of pleasure on these forums is the way that many photographers here use the tools they have to give the images that they do.
This photographer - miran - and this lens - Chinon 55mm f1.7 - are a good combination.
OH |
|
Back to top |
|
|
miran
Joined: 01 Aug 2012 Posts: 1364 Location: Slovenia
|
Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 12:32 pm Post subject: |
|
|
miran wrote:
Yes, I agree with you. Thank you for your comments. I'll keep the lens and use it more often, and maybe even start to like it. _________________ my flickr stream |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Excalibur
Joined: 19 Jul 2009 Posts: 5017 Location: UK
Expire: 2014-04-21
|
Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 12:56 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Excalibur wrote:
Oldhand wrote: |
It is also the 12 inches behind the camera that turns these tools into the images that we love and enjoy.
What gives me a lot of pleasure on these forums is the way that many photographers here use the tools they have to give the images that they do.
This photographer - miran - and this lens - Chinon 55mm f1.7 - are a good combination.
OH |
12 inches behind the camera? hey don't forget the film users _________________ Canon A1, AV1, T70 & T90, EOS 300 and EOS300v, Chinon CE and CP-7M. Contax 139, Fuji STX-2, Konica Autoreflex TC, FS-1, FT-1, Minolta X-700, X-300, XD-11, SRT101b, Nikon EM, FM, F4, F90X, Olympus OM2, Pentax S3, Spotmatic, Pentax ME super, Praktica TL 5B, & BC1, , Ricoh KR10super, Yashica T5D, Bronica Etrs, Mamiya RB67 pro AND drum roll:- a Sony Nex 3
.........past gear Tele Rolleiflex and Rollei SL66.
Many lenses from good to excellent. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Nordentro
Joined: 24 Jun 2010 Posts: 4713 Location: Lillehammer, Norway
Expire: 2015-01-29
|
Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 1:13 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Nordentro wrote:
I would say the lens do pretty well, and if the photographer can do pretty well too the results = stunning _________________ Lars | Manuellfokus.no |
|
Back to top |
|
|
yinyangbt
Joined: 08 Oct 2010 Posts: 1973 Location: Romania
Expire: 2012-12-27
|
Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 7:44 pm Post subject: |
|
|
yinyangbt wrote:
I don't detect major flaws .The shots made against the sun don't show an outstanding resistance to flare,but I believe that the performance here is average from this point of view. The sharpness is not outstanding but seems OK .The colors and contrast seem fine , average ,again. I like the bokeh .
Overall , seems a good lens , not a fabulous one . But we only need good lenses to make fine images ,as you prove with this fine series. _________________ Cheers , Teo
http://photo.net/photodb/member-photos?user_id=5778915 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
frenched
Joined: 16 Feb 2013 Posts: 395 Location: MD USA
Expire: 2014-06-17
|
Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 8:10 pm Post subject: |
|
|
frenched wrote:
Obviously the lens is in expert hands, regardless of opinion about it. Nice work! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
eddieitman
Joined: 12 Apr 2011 Posts: 1246 Location: United Kingdom
|
Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 8:17 pm Post subject: |
|
|
eddieitman wrote:
I like them, i think the dreamy bokeh is great, and when in a good photoghraphers hands shines, and here i see it shine.
I think this lens is one of those tools that needs better understanding, i originally was not impressed with sharpness, etc but i love mine when i learnt it's strenghts i love the fact it s so different from all others _________________ My web site www.digital-darkroom.weebly.com
Life is like a camera. Focus on what's important, capture the good times, develop from the negatives and if things don't work out, just take another shot. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
mosaster
Joined: 23 Sep 2013 Posts: 12 Location: Ukraine
|
Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 8:50 pm Post subject: |
|
|
mosaster wrote:
I had one and enjoyed it for a while untill got the newer version - 50mm plastic MC . Then I sold the first to a guy from an auction and he reported exactly the same opinion - glows a bit too much and not as sharp wide-open as it could be. However, we both admitted that the lens is really underrated and overall performs very-very well, especially for portraits on full frame DSLRS. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Digitalriver
Joined: 14 Oct 2012 Posts: 33 Location: River Mersey
|
Posted: Tue Sep 24, 2013 1:27 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Digitalriver wrote:
Miran , those are lovely pictures , I love my 55 1.7 chinon,
heres shot wide open
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
miran
Joined: 01 Aug 2012 Posts: 1364 Location: Slovenia
|
Posted: Tue Sep 24, 2013 6:36 pm Post subject: |
|
|
miran wrote:
That's a very lovely shot, just the kind this lens is best for. _________________ my flickr stream |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Oldhand
Joined: 01 Apr 2013 Posts: 6005 Location: Mid North Coast NSW - Australia
|
Posted: Tue Sep 24, 2013 8:32 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Oldhand wrote:
Awesome!
OH |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Pancolart
Joined: 04 Feb 2008 Posts: 3705 Location: Slovenia, EU
Expire: 2013-11-18
|
Posted: Tue Sep 24, 2013 8:44 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Pancolart wrote:
Bravo Miran, te bi bilo škoda zamudit. Tomioka klasična potemtakem. _________________ ---------------------------------
The Peculiar Apparatus Of Victorian Steampunk Photography: 100+ Genuine Steampunk Camera Designs https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B92829NS |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Oldhand
Joined: 01 Apr 2013 Posts: 6005 Location: Mid North Coast NSW - Australia
|
Posted: Tue Sep 24, 2013 8:59 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Oldhand wrote:
Pancolart wrote: |
Bravo Miran, te bi bilo škoda zamudit. Tomioka klasična potemtakem. |
+1
Just a quick question for anyone who might know.
Are there any noticeable differences - apart from slightly different focal length - between the 55mm and the 50mm Chinon 1.7 lenses?
Similar performance?
OH |
|
Back to top |
|
|
mosaster
Joined: 23 Sep 2013 Posts: 12 Location: Ukraine
|
Posted: Tue Sep 24, 2013 9:43 pm Post subject: |
|
|
mosaster wrote:
Oldhand wrote: |
Pancolart wrote: |
Bravo Miran, te bi bilo škoda zamudit. Tomioka klasična potemtakem. |
+1
Just a quick question for anyone who might know.
Are there any noticeable differences - apart from slightly different focal length - between the 55mm and the 50mm Chinon 1.7 lenses?
Similar performance?
OH |
First off all, there are 55mm MC and 55mm non-MC. Also, there is are several versions of 55 non-MC which are different in barrel finishing and a later 55mm MC version made mainly of plastic. The difference between them is not significant.
The difference between mine 55mm non-MC and 50 mm MC is following:
1) 55 non-MC glows, (not much but it does, acceptable for portraits) while 50mm doesn't;
2) 55 non-MC is soft and less sharp than 50 mm MC;
3) 55 non-MC is heavier cause made of metal.
IMHO 50mm is a bit better.
Also I've seen 55mm in different mounts, but, mainly, m42, while 50mm MC seen only in PentaxK mount. I've converted 50mm to EOS.
Mine 55mm non-MC is this model http://fotking.net/sites/default/files/images/lens/9/chinon-55mm-f1.7-auto-0-0.jpg
and 50 MC is that model http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4143/4742282012_71dc8a4f7f.jpg |
|
Back to top |
|
|
mosaster
Joined: 23 Sep 2013 Posts: 12 Location: Ukraine
|
Posted: Tue Sep 24, 2013 9:45 pm Post subject: |
|
|
mosaster wrote:
Digitalriver wrote: |
Miran , those are lovely pictures , I love my 55 1.7 chinon,
heres shot wide open
photo |
+100500 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Oldhand
Joined: 01 Apr 2013 Posts: 6005 Location: Mid North Coast NSW - Australia
|
Posted: Tue Sep 24, 2013 9:52 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Oldhand wrote:
mosaster wrote: |
Oldhand wrote: |
Pancolart wrote: |
Bravo Miran, te bi bilo škoda zamudit. Tomioka klasična potemtakem. |
+1
Just a quick question for anyone who might know.
Are there any noticeable differences - apart from slightly different focal length - between the 55mm and the 50mm Chinon 1.7 lenses?
Similar performance?
OH |
First off all, there are 55mm MC and 55mm non-MC. Also, there is are several versions of 55 non-MC which are different in barrel finishing and a later 55mm MC version made mainly of plastic. The difference between them is not significant.
The difference between mine 55mm non-MC and 50 mm MC is following:
1) 55 non-MC glows, (not much but it does, acceptable for portraits) while 50mm doesn't;
2) 55 non-MC is soft and less sharp than 50 mm MC;
3) 55 non-MC is heavier cause made of metal.
IMHO 50mm is a bit better.
Also I've seen 55mm in different mounts, but, mainly, m42, while 50mm MC seen only in PentaxK mount. I've converted 50mm to EOS.
Mine 55mm non-MC is this model http://fotking.net/sites/default/files/images/lens/9/chinon-55mm-f1.7-auto-0-0.jpg
and 50 MC is that model http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4143/4742282012_71dc8a4f7f.jpg |
Thank you mosaster for your reply and links.
Here are some images of 50mm (I think ?) f1.7 in M42 mount:
Cheers
OH |
|
Back to top |
|
|
frenched
Joined: 16 Feb 2013 Posts: 395 Location: MD USA
Expire: 2014-06-17
|
Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2013 2:08 am Post subject: |
|
|
frenched wrote:
Digitalriver wrote: |
heres shot wide open |
Totally lovely portrait. Catchlights in the eyes are superb. Congrats! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
miran
Joined: 01 Aug 2012 Posts: 1364 Location: Slovenia
|
Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2013 4:29 am Post subject: |
|
|
miran wrote:
Mine looks like this:
The only photo of it I have. Non MC apparently. _________________ my flickr stream |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|