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adent
Joined: 06 Oct 2011 Posts: 304 Location: United States
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Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2011 3:16 pm Post subject: Low price lens options |
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adent wrote:
OK due to limited financial options, my lens buying has to be on the "bargain" end of the spectrum. This being said, I don't want to purchase lenses that have terrible image quality. I guess the information that I would like is a list of lenses on the cheap end that should be avoided at all cost and pictures would be great. So far I have been lucky in my purchases. I just don't want to spend money thinking I'm getting a good deal only to be disappointed by the image results.
I guess that what I am looking for are your lens horror stories. Any opinions would be appreciated. |
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yinyangbt
Joined: 08 Oct 2010 Posts: 1973 Location: Romania
Expire: 2012-12-27
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Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2011 3:22 pm Post subject: |
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yinyangbt wrote:
We need to know what camera do you use _________________ Cheers , Teo
http://photo.net/photodb/member-photos?user_id=5778915 |
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adent
Joined: 06 Oct 2011 Posts: 304 Location: United States
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Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2011 3:25 pm Post subject: |
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adent wrote:
I use a canon T2i and would prefer to stick to m42 lenses. Thank you. |
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Attila
Joined: 24 Feb 2007 Posts: 57865 Location: Hungary
Expire: 2025-11-18
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Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2011 3:28 pm Post subject: |
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Attila wrote:
All lenses what made in Eastern Europe, Carl Zeiss Jena, Pentacon, Meyer-Optik, Tair, Jupiter,MIR etc. _________________ -------------------------------
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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ManualFocus-G
Joined: 29 Dec 2008 Posts: 6622 Location: United Kingdom
Expire: 2014-11-24
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Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2011 3:49 pm Post subject: |
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ManualFocus-G wrote:
Super Takumar 55/1.8 and 55/2 are always a great place to start Takumars are generally ok mechanically whereas Carl Zeiss Jena lenses often have issues, in my experience. Pentacon 135/2.8 preset is always good. As is Jupiter 11a and Carl Zeiss Sonnar is usually great. _________________ 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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iangreenhalgh1
Joined: 18 Mar 2011 Posts: 15679
Expire: 2014-01-07
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Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2011 4:41 pm Post subject: |
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iangreenhalgh1 wrote:
Attila wrote: |
All lenses what made in Eastern Europe, Carl Zeiss Jena, Pentacon, Meyer-Optik, Tair, Jupiter,MIR etc. |
+1
Meyer/Pentacons are my favourite, my 3.5/30, 1.8/50 and 2.8/135 are always in my bag when I go out shooting. _________________ I don't care who designed it, who made it or what country it comes from - I just enjoy using it! |
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adent
Joined: 06 Oct 2011 Posts: 304 Location: United States
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Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2011 9:07 pm Post subject: |
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adent wrote:
Are there any in particular that I should avoid like the plague? |
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Attila
Joined: 24 Feb 2007 Posts: 57865 Location: Hungary
Expire: 2025-11-18
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Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2011 9:48 pm Post subject: |
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Attila wrote:
adent wrote: |
Are there any in particular that I should avoid like the plague? |
No , even cheapest one like Industar-50 ( cost usually 10 USD) is perform well. _________________ -------------------------------
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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adent
Joined: 06 Oct 2011 Posts: 304 Location: United States
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Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2011 9:58 pm Post subject: |
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adent wrote:
OK thank you for the information. |
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Lloydy
Joined: 02 Sep 2009 Posts: 7787 Location: Ironbridge. UK.
Expire: 2022-01-01
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Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2011 10:04 pm Post subject: |
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Lloydy wrote:
The poor lenses, if bought cheap enough, are still good lenses to use and learn from. Getting a good picture from a poor lens always makes me feel good. _________________ LENSES & CAMERAS FOR SALE.....
I have loads of stuff that I have to get rid of, if you see me commenting about something I have got and you want one, ask me.
My Flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/mudplugga/
My ipernity -
http://www.ipernity.com/home/294337 |
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Minolfan
Joined: 30 Dec 2008 Posts: 3438 Location: Netherlands
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Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2011 12:47 am Post subject: |
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Minolfan wrote:
Adent wrote: |
Are there any in particular that I should avoid like the plague? |
Attila wrote: |
No , even cheapest one like Industar-50 ( cost usually 10 USD) is perform well. |
I think that Meyer Domiplan and Ludwig Meritar are very challenging to get good results from, better avoided them for the short time. On the other hand, that Industar is a nice surprise if you are not interested in ergonomics. Helios 58mm 2.0 is easyer to handle and usually cheap too. |
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iangreenhalgh1
Joined: 18 Mar 2011 Posts: 15679
Expire: 2014-01-07
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Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2011 1:29 am Post subject: |
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iangreenhalgh1 wrote:
Lloydy wrote: |
The poor lenses, if bought cheap enough, are still good lenses to use and learn from. Getting a good picture from a poor lens always makes me feel good. |
+1 _________________ I don't care who designed it, who made it or what country it comes from - I just enjoy using it! |
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IAZA
Joined: 16 Apr 2010 Posts: 2587 Location: Indonesia
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Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2011 2:29 am Post subject: |
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IAZA wrote:
lenses are being said above..
Maybe you already have lens(es). How cheap is your budget?
and how good image quality not only depens on lens, there's camera, man behind it, light etc.
Buy good lens in cheap price is everyone's wish _________________ nex5, Olympus EPM1, yashica half 14, Canon eos 650 want to see samples of mine? please click My lenses
and My gallery
~Suat~ |
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Orio
Joined: 24 Feb 2007 Posts: 29545 Location: West Emilia
Expire: 2012-12-04
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Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2011 2:39 am Post subject: |
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Orio wrote:
Soviet lenses offer the best quality/price ratio. _________________ Orio, Administrator
T*
NE CEDE MALIS AUDENTIOR ITO
Ferrania film is reborn! http://www.filmferrania.it/
Support the Ornano film chemicals company and help them survive!
http://forum.mflenses.com/ornano-chemical-products-t55525.html |
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mfkita
Joined: 29 Jul 2007 Posts: 222
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Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2011 2:49 am Post subject: |
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mfkita wrote:
Most 135mm/F2.8 lenses by any well-known brand are fine and can be found for under $50US
Most 50/55mm F1.8/F2 standard lenses are fine as well as they were easy to make and as they were the standard by body manufacturers....they are everywhere and VERY cheap because they are not F1.4.... _________________ I favor the simple shot...and uncomplicated technology that won't distract me from seeing it...
NIKON D610, Canon 30D/450D/s90/A570is: Canon 35/2, 50/1.8 MKI, 18-55IS, 28-105/3.5-4.5, 70-210/3.5-4.5; MF Nikkors 50/2K, 50/1.4AIS, 60/2.8 Micro, 85/1.8-K (AI'd), 135/2.8K, 135/2.8Q.C, 180/2.8ED, 200/4Q (AI-cut), 200/4AIS, 300/4.5-H (AI'd), Olympus 24/2.8, Vivitar 28/2, Vivitar S1 70-210/3.5 and S1 28-90;Tamron sp90/2.5; (and 28-85 AF nikkor), 35mm Nikon F, FM, FE2/MD12 drive |
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visualopsins
Joined: 05 Mar 2009 Posts: 10958 Location: California
Expire: 2025-04-11
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Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2011 3:09 am Post subject: |
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visualopsins wrote:
All lenses are good. Some are excellent. Lens' range of performance, rather than being continuous, has definite categories, such as good, better/notable, and excellent. Take 135mm lenses for example. All of them are good. Some, such as Takumar or Nikkor f/3.5, are better. Some, like Pentacon/2.8, are notable. Some, like S-M-C Takumar f/2.5 version II, are excellent. The same would apply to 50mm, except there is less difference between good and excellent(!). Notable lenses are real fun to use. Excellent lenses are nearly a guilty pleasure.
Maybe better to learn about the lenses by reading through the forum, to watch in marketplace for lenses of interest. Low bid wins sometimes, keep trying! Poke around garage/estate sales, flea markets, second-hand stores, let friends know -- sometimes a parent has 'old' camera stuff. The latest secret shared is to ask at coin shops if they have any old camera equipment -- many of these shops used to be 'coin & camera' shops, losing the 'camera' aspect shortly after the birth of digital photography -- sometimes they have it 'stored in back'. Maybe proprietor will say 'you can have the whole box for US$1'. _________________ ☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮ like attracts like! ☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮
Cameras: Sony ILCE-7RM2, Spotmatics II, F, and ESII, Nikon P4
Lenses:
M42 Asahi Optical Co., Takumar 1:4 f=35mm, 1:2 f=58mm (Sonnar), 1:2.4 f=58mm (Heliar), 1:2.2 f=55mm (Gaussian), 1:2.8 f=105mm (Model I), 1:2.8/105 (Model II), 1:5.6/200, Tele-Takumar 1:5.6/200, 1:6.3/300, Macro-Takumar 1:4/50, Auto-Takumar 1:2.3 f=35, 1:1.8 f=55mm, 1:2.2 f=55mm, Super-TAKUMAR 1:3.5/28 (fat), 1:2/35 (Fat), 1:1.4/50 (8-element), Super-Multi-Coated Fisheye-TAKUMAR 1:4/17, Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR 1:4.5/20, 1:3.5/24, 1:3.5/28, 1:2/35, 1:3.5/35, 1:1.8/85, 1:1.9/85 1:2.8/105, 1:3.5/135, 1:2.5/135 (II), 1:4/150, 1:4/200, 1:4/300, 1:4.5/500, Super-Multi-Coated Macro-TAKUMAR 1:4/50, 1:4/100, Super-Multi-Coated Bellows-TAKUMAR 1:4/100, SMC TAKUMAR 1:1.4/50, 1:1.8/55
M42 Carl Zeiss Jena Flektogon 2.4/35
Contax Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 28-70mm F3.5-4.5
Pentax K-mount SMC PENTAX-A ZOOM 1:3.5 35~105mm, SMC PENTAX ZOOM 1:4 45~125mm
Nikon Micro-NIKKOR-P-C Auto 1:3.5 f=55mm, NIKKOR-P Auto 105mm f/2.5 Pre-AI (Sonnar), Micro-NIKKOR 105mm 1:4 AI, NIKKOR AI-S 35-135mm f/3,5-4,5
Tamron SP 17mm f/3.5 (51B), Tamron SP 17mm f/3.5 (151B), SP 500mm f/8 (55BB), SP 70-210mm f/3.5 (19AH)
Vivitar 100mm 1:2.8 MC 1:1 Macro Telephoto (Kiron)
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luisalegria
Joined: 07 Mar 2008 Posts: 6602 Location: San Francisco, USA
Expire: 2018-01-18
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Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2011 3:23 am Post subject: |
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luisalegria wrote:
I agree with the 50-55mm M42 lens suggestion. Any of these will be very good, not just Takumar. Mamiya, Ricoh/Sears, Yashica, Chinon, etc. should give excellent results that are difficult to distinguish from each other. These can be found on US ebay for $20 or sometimes even less; you can find bargains especially with an old M42 body.
And just try find a modern AF 50/55mm lens with a f/1.7-f/2 aperture !
Other lenses that give excellent results for next to nothing -
135mm lenses as mentioned, nearly all brands are good, or at least very difficult to distinguish from each other. Even no-names can be very sharp. Look for US importers like Caspeco, Vemar, Lentar, Spiratone, Accura, Aetna, Rokunar, Coligon, etc. Even the old Super Takumar 135/3.5 can sometimes be found quite cheaply, and that is a very high quality lens.
The 200/4.5 made by Tokyo Koki, that later turned into Tokina, is a really great lens, if you need a 200mm.
Look for it under the brands above. Note that it is was normally produced in an interchangeable mount, the T2.
http://forum.mflenses.com/lentar-tokina-200-4-5-preset-another-lens-of-many-names-t11353,highlight,%2Blentar.html
The 300/5.5 also made by Tokyo Koki, in the same brands, is an excellent long tele, surprisingly free of aberrations.
http://forum.mflenses.com/caspeco-old-tokina-300-5-5-preset-t2-mount-t12261,highlight,+caspeco.html
You should be able to get any of the above for $20 or less with just a bit of hunting. _________________ I like Pentax DSLR's, Exaktas, M42 bodies of all kinds, strange and cheap Japanese lenses, and am dabbling in medium format/Speed Graphic work. |
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adent
Joined: 06 Oct 2011 Posts: 304 Location: United States
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Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2011 3:27 am Post subject: |
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adent wrote:
I don't know of any coin shops around here. I will try to find one.
My present manual lenses are as follow:
Super-Takumar 55/2
Yashica Auto Yashinon 50/2
Teleoptik Continar 300/5.5 (looks like a tokina preset)
And I have a Hanimex 135/2.8 in transit. Pic below:
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adent
Joined: 06 Oct 2011 Posts: 304 Location: United States
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Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2011 4:01 pm Post subject: |
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adent wrote:
I also just picked up another 300/5.5 that looks to be the same construction as my other one. Looks like it has a canon FD mount on it so it sold for $15.00 USD. That was a much better price than I paid for the first one. |
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