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NothingMan
Joined: 02 Mar 2011
Posts: 98
Location: Bosnia Herzegovina
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 Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 6:07 pm Post subject: Helios 44-3 sharp, sharp, sharp! |
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NothingMan wrote:
Hi there, this is my 4th Helios 44. Ive got 44-2, 44m-4 and 44-4. While those are all great lenses 44-3 is nothing short of amazing.
Some photos, all wide open!
My usual post processing consists of some sharpening and noise reduction (to bring some contrast) but believe me, the photos from this lens are great straight out of camera.
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Cistron
Joined: 25 Feb 2011
Posts: 238
Location: London/Vienna
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| Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 7:30 pm Post subject: |
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Cistron wrote:
Neat  |
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Nordentro
Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 4710
Location: Lillehammer, Norway
Expire: 2015-01-29
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| Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 7:50 pm Post subject: |
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Nordentro wrote:
Renders like a dream 
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Lars | Manuellfokus.no |
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Kram
Joined: 06 Feb 2010
Posts: 1344
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 7:52 pm Post subject: |
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Kram wrote:
Indeed, a very sharp and sweet lens! You have just boosted their value.
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torbod
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 379
Location: Sweden
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| Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 7:56 pm Post subject: |
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torbod wrote:
Very nice samples.
How do you find the corner sharpness compared to the other Helioses you have?
/T
_________________
For Sale or Trade: Pick from the list below.
Manual Lenses: CV 15 4.5 | MIR-20H 20 3.5 | Elmarit-R 28 2.8 | Flektogon MC 35 2.4 | S-M-C Tak 50 1.4 | Rollei 50 1.8 HFT | Helios 44-3 MC 58 2 | MC ROKKOR-X 58 1.2 | MacroPlanar 60 2.8 | Vega-12b 90 2.8 | Tamron 52B 90 2.5 | CZJ 135 3.5 | Jupiter-21A 200 4 | Tair-3s 300 4.5 | KOHBEPTEP K-1 | Takumar x2 |
Camera: Sony Nex 5N |
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Arkku
Joined: 28 Feb 2007
Posts: 1416
Location: Helsinki, Finland
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| Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 8:17 pm Post subject: |
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Arkku wrote:
| torbod wrote: |
How do you find the corner sharpness compared to the other Helioses you have? |
One thing to remember about these lenses that there's plenty of sample variance, even between lenses of the same number (and factory). |
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Attila
Joined: 24 Feb 2007
Posts: 57865
Location: Hungary
Expire: 2025-11-18
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| Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 8:37 pm Post subject: |
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Attila wrote:
| Nordentro wrote: |
| Renders like a dream |
+1 excellent!
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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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NothingMan
Joined: 02 Mar 2011
Posts: 98
Location: Bosnia Herzegovina
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| Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2011 1:01 am Post subject: |
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NothingMan wrote:
| torbod wrote: |
Very nice samples.
How do you find the corner sharpness compared to the other Helioses you have?
/T |
I usually shoot wide open, unless Im shooting landscapes which I only do when there are no people around , so I cant really tell, never tested it for corner sharpness.
But I can tell you that on some photos I need to reduce contrast ( I usually boost it, as I like contrasty...), thats how good this lens is.
I tested this lens against my Canon 50 1.8 II and its sharper than canon at f2. Canon picks up @ 2.8 but only by a little margin, from there its a really close call, bokeh is way better on Helios though. And Helios is tad more neutral in color reproduction, produces more real looking colors imho.
On another note my canon 50 1.8 is bit sharper on all comparable apertures than S-M-C takumar 50 1.4, but then again Takumar is better in every department except for sharpness.
_________________
Canon Gear: 5DII | 40D | 50 1.8 | 85 1.8 | 17-40 L |
MF Lenses: S-M-C Tak 50 1.4 | S-M-C Tak 135 3.5 | S-M-C Tak 28 3.5 | Helios 44-3/44-2/44m-4/44-4 | Yashica ML 50 1.4 | CZJ Pancolar 50/1.8 | Jupiter 37A | Zuiko 55 1.2 | Zuiko 24 2.8 |
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themoleman342
Joined: 21 Oct 2007
Posts: 2190
Location: East Coast (CT), U.S.A.
Expire: 2013-01-24
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| Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2011 1:25 am Post subject: |
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themoleman342 wrote:
Very nice results. Your findings are very similar to mine.
On a crop-cam corner sharpness is a bit of a mute point, no? |
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NothingMan
Joined: 02 Mar 2011
Posts: 98
Location: Bosnia Herzegovina
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| Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2011 1:38 am Post subject: |
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NothingMan wrote:
| themoleman342 wrote: |
Very nice results. Your findings are very similar to mine.
On a crop-cam corner sharpness is a bit of a mute point, no? |
Yeah, especially when all the corners are out of focus lol
_________________
Canon Gear: 5DII | 40D | 50 1.8 | 85 1.8 | 17-40 L |
MF Lenses: S-M-C Tak 50 1.4 | S-M-C Tak 135 3.5 | S-M-C Tak 28 3.5 | Helios 44-3/44-2/44m-4/44-4 | Yashica ML 50 1.4 | CZJ Pancolar 50/1.8 | Jupiter 37A | Zuiko 55 1.2 | Zuiko 24 2.8 |
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martinsmith99
Joined: 31 Aug 2008
Posts: 6943
Location: S Glos, UK
Expire: 2013-11-18
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| Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2011 7:08 am Post subject: |
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martinsmith99 wrote:
Nice portraits.
Is this lens the multicoated? It looks similar to the 44-2 in the way it handles (or doesn't) flare.
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uhoh7
Joined: 24 Nov 2010
Posts: 1300
Location: Idaho, USA
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| Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2011 7:15 am Post subject: |
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uhoh7 wrote:
I'm gonna see those eyes in my dreams...yow
good focusing skills, that's for sure.
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Making MFlenses safe for the letter *L* |
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torbod
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 379
Location: Sweden
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| Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2011 7:43 am Post subject: |
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torbod wrote:
| NothingMan wrote: |
| torbod wrote: |
Very nice samples.
How do you find the corner sharpness compared to the other Helioses you have?
/T |
I usually shoot wide open, unless Im shooting landscapes which I only do when there are no people around , so I cant really tell, never tested it for corner sharpness.
But I can tell you that on some photos I need to reduce contrast ( I usually boost it, as I like contrasty...), thats how good this lens is.
I tested this lens against my Canon 50 1.8 II and its sharper than canon at f2. Canon picks up @ 2.8 but only by a little margin, from there its a really close call, bokeh is way better on Helios though. And Helios is tad more neutral in color reproduction, produces more real looking colors imho.
On another note my canon 50 1.8 is bit sharper on all comparable apertures than S-M-C takumar 50 1.4, but then again Takumar is better in every department except for sharpness. |
Thanx for the feedback.
I have a vintage 44, a newer 44M4 and I have had a 44M-7 MC.
The old 44 is very sharp in the center and very dull in the edges, bokeh is stellar with the round aperture. The 44M4 is super sharp in center and somewhat soft in the corners unless stopping down. If this was a little bit better I would be very happy with it for all purposes, but now it is good for portraits, macros and such, but I don't bring it for walk around and architecture since it requires stopping down past f/4 and a tripod for best results in the corners. The 44M-7 MC was a tad better in sharpness and flare control, but the focusing ring was not very smooth, so I got rid of it. I bought it only to improve on the corner sharpness, according to data sheet, but it didn't improve enough to justify the price difference.
I'm mainly asking to see if there is any idea of searching a better version of the Helios, or if it is just a waste of time and money (even if they are relatively cheap). It would be so nice to get rid of all 50-60mm lenses in my bag and only use an under dog Helios for all purposes. I'm perfectly happy with the 44M4 for portraits and I have other tools for other tasks. So the importance is not that great, mainly a trip of LBA
/T
_________________
For Sale or Trade: Pick from the list below.
Manual Lenses: CV 15 4.5 | MIR-20H 20 3.5 | Elmarit-R 28 2.8 | Flektogon MC 35 2.4 | S-M-C Tak 50 1.4 | Rollei 50 1.8 HFT | Helios 44-3 MC 58 2 | MC ROKKOR-X 58 1.2 | MacroPlanar 60 2.8 | Vega-12b 90 2.8 | Tamron 52B 90 2.5 | CZJ 135 3.5 | Jupiter-21A 200 4 | Tair-3s 300 4.5 | KOHBEPTEP K-1 | Takumar x2 |
Camera: Sony Nex 5N |
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leo_b
Joined: 16 Feb 2011
Posts: 53
Location: Germany
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| Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2011 9:00 am Post subject: |
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leo_b wrote:
very sharp!
i got a version 7 and your captures force me to make some shots with mine ...
greets leo
Last edited by leo_b on Wed Mar 09, 2011 9:49 am; edited 1 time in total |
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NothingMan
Joined: 02 Mar 2011
Posts: 98
Location: Bosnia Herzegovina
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| Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2011 9:38 am Post subject: |
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NothingMan wrote:
| torbod wrote: |
| NothingMan wrote: |
| torbod wrote: |
Very nice samples.
How do you find the corner sharpness compared to the other Helioses you have?
/T |
I usually shoot wide open, unless Im shooting landscapes which I only do when there are no people around , so I cant really tell, never tested it for corner sharpness.
But I can tell you that on some photos I need to reduce contrast ( I usually boost it, as I like contrasty...), thats how good this lens is.
I tested this lens against my Canon 50 1.8 II and its sharper than canon at f2. Canon picks up @ 2.8 but only by a little margin, from there its a really close call, bokeh is way better on Helios though. And Helios is tad more neutral in color reproduction, produces more real looking colors imho.
On another note my canon 50 1.8 is bit sharper on all comparable apertures than S-M-C takumar 50 1.4, but then again Takumar is better in every department except for sharpness. |
Thanx for the feedback.
I have a vintage 44, a newer 44M4 and I have had a 44M-7 MC.
The old 44 is very sharp in the center and very dull in the edges, bokeh is stellar with the round aperture. The 44M4 is super sharp in center and somewhat soft in the corners unless stopping down. If this was a little bit better I would be very happy with it for all purposes, but now it is good for portraits, macros and such, but I don't bring it for walk around and architecture since it requires stopping down past f/4 and a tripod for best results in the corners. The 44M-7 MC was a tad better in sharpness and flare control, but the focusing ring was not very smooth, so I got rid of it. I bought it only to improve on the corner sharpness, according to data sheet, but it didn't improve enough to justify the price difference.
I'm mainly asking to see if there is any idea of searching a better version of the Helios, or if it is just a waste of time and money (even if they are relatively cheap). It would be so nice to get rid of all 50-60mm lenses in my bag and only use an under dog Helios for all purposes. I'm perfectly happy with the 44M4 for portraits and I have other tools for other tasks. So the importance is not that great, mainly a trip of LBA
/T |
No probs . Im on a crop camera, so a 58 was always gonna be a portrait lens for me, its too long for anything else I shoot.
Ive read great things about this exact lens, and turns out everything is correct. Also this lens looks quite different of all other 44 lenses.
Here is my lens, It is basically in new condition:
Focus ring is big and smooth, no takumar quality though. Also, from what Ive seen it will shine with macro rings as well. Spring is coming so Ill post some macro shots as well.
If I ever test it for corner sharpness Ill let you know what I find
[/img]
_________________
Canon Gear: 5DII | 40D | 50 1.8 | 85 1.8 | 17-40 L |
MF Lenses: S-M-C Tak 50 1.4 | S-M-C Tak 135 3.5 | S-M-C Tak 28 3.5 | Helios 44-3/44-2/44m-4/44-4 | Yashica ML 50 1.4 | CZJ Pancolar 50/1.8 | Jupiter 37A | Zuiko 55 1.2 | Zuiko 24 2.8 |
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NothingMan
Joined: 02 Mar 2011
Posts: 98
Location: Bosnia Herzegovina
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| Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2011 9:39 am Post subject: |
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NothingMan wrote:
| uhoh7 wrote: |
I'm gonna see those eyes in my dreams...yow
good focusing skills, that's for sure. |
Thanks, Im getting pretty good with mf. So much I almost gave up on focusing screen . Besides no one around here will install those 
_________________
Canon Gear: 5DII | 40D | 50 1.8 | 85 1.8 | 17-40 L |
MF Lenses: S-M-C Tak 50 1.4 | S-M-C Tak 135 3.5 | S-M-C Tak 28 3.5 | Helios 44-3/44-2/44m-4/44-4 | Yashica ML 50 1.4 | CZJ Pancolar 50/1.8 | Jupiter 37A | Zuiko 55 1.2 | Zuiko 24 2.8 |
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martinsmith99
Joined: 31 Aug 2008
Posts: 6943
Location: S Glos, UK
Expire: 2013-11-18
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| Posted: Thu Mar 10, 2011 7:16 am Post subject: |
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martinsmith99 wrote:
I would get one but some have protruding parts at the back which prevent them being used on my DSLR. They're more pricey than the other 44s, so I've stayed away.
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Casual attendance these days |
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NothingMan
Joined: 02 Mar 2011
Posts: 98
Location: Bosnia Herzegovina
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| Posted: Thu Mar 10, 2011 3:38 pm Post subject: |
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NothingMan wrote:
| martinsmith99 wrote: |
| I would get one but some have protruding parts at the back which prevent them being used on my DSLR. They're more pricey than the other 44s, so I've stayed away. |
Yeah, Ive read about that problem, however the version I have doesnt have that problem. As for price, I think they are worth it
_________________
Canon Gear: 5DII | 40D | 50 1.8 | 85 1.8 | 17-40 L |
MF Lenses: S-M-C Tak 50 1.4 | S-M-C Tak 135 3.5 | S-M-C Tak 28 3.5 | Helios 44-3/44-2/44m-4/44-4 | Yashica ML 50 1.4 | CZJ Pancolar 50/1.8 | Jupiter 37A | Zuiko 55 1.2 | Zuiko 24 2.8 |
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torbod
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 379
Location: Sweden
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| Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2011 7:28 pm Post subject: |
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torbod wrote:
I got so tempted that I got one from the Bay (Alexander photo in Ukraine). Serial number starting with 92, so quite modern.
I asked if the focusing ring was behind the mounting flange or not ( and even sent him an illustrative image) and the answer was not. So I grabbed it, and of course he was wrong
I don't think he lied on purpose, rather a misunderstanding. However, I didn't feel like posting it back, so I had a look at it and had a go at removing the focusing ring. It was just to unscrew the three small screws and take it off, very simple. First, I sanded away 0.2mm by hand (very simple, but hard work), and it worked great on the DSLR-adapter alone. But when mounted to the camera the "bayonet stop rod" on the SONY hit the focusing ring, so I decided to take away more. So I took it to my job and machined away 0.5 mm from the bottom. Now it works great.
So, don't be afraid to buy the wrong version, it is very simple to fix without any risk of damaging the lens. At least my version where the focusing ring overlap was only a few 10th of a millimeter.
I'll be back with image results when I have caught something nice. First impressions are very contrasty, great sharpness (but I don't know if it beats the central sharpness of the 44M4 yet, but it looks promising at least stopped down to 2.8 ), smooth focusing, compact, beautiful design and great operation with pre set aperture
/T
_________________
For Sale or Trade: Pick from the list below.
Manual Lenses: CV 15 4.5 | MIR-20H 20 3.5 | Elmarit-R 28 2.8 | Flektogon MC 35 2.4 | S-M-C Tak 50 1.4 | Rollei 50 1.8 HFT | Helios 44-3 MC 58 2 | MC ROKKOR-X 58 1.2 | MacroPlanar 60 2.8 | Vega-12b 90 2.8 | Tamron 52B 90 2.5 | CZJ 135 3.5 | Jupiter-21A 200 4 | Tair-3s 300 4.5 | KOHBEPTEP K-1 | Takumar x2 |
Camera: Sony Nex 5N |
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estudleon
Joined: 15 May 2008
Posts: 3754
Location: Argentina
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| Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2011 4:03 pm Post subject: |
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estudleon wrote:
I had the 44-3 of 1986 version. My helios was not so good like yours.
The 44M-7 was really better, but not than the SMC 1,4/50.
The 44-3 had the particular rendering of the 44 series (not M ones).
The portraits posted here are very nice. Very neutral colors.
Rino
_________________
Konica 2,8/100
CZJ: 4/20, 2,4/35, 1,8/50 aus jena, 3,5/135MC, Pentacon 1,8/50
Pentax S-M-C-1,4/50
Helios 44-3
Mamiya 2,8/135
Misc. : jupiter 9
Stuff used:
A) SRL
Alpa 10 D - kern macro Switar 1,9/50 -black, Kilffit apochromat 2/100.
Asahi pentax spotmatic super takumar 1,4/50
Contaflex super B tessar 2,8/50 Pro-tessar 115
Leica R3 electronic summicron 2/50 elmarit 2,8/35
Konica Autoreflex 3 (2 black and chrome one), TC, T4. 2,8/24, 3,5/28 not MC and MC, 1,8/40, 1,4/50, 1,7/50 MC and not MC, 1,8/85, 3,2/135, 3,5/135, 4/200
Minolta XG9 2,8/35, 2/45, 3,5/135
Nikkormat FTn 1,4/50, 2,8/135
Fujica ST 801, 605, 705n. 3,5/19, 1,4/50, 1,8/55, 4/85, 3,5/135.
Praktica MTL 5 and a lot of M42 lenses.
Voigtlander. Bessamatic m, bessamatix de luxe, bessamatic cs, ultramatic and ultramatic cs.
Skoparex 3,5/35, skopagon 2/40, skopar 2,8/50, skopar X 2,8/50, super lanthar (out of catalogue) 2,8/50, dinarex 3,4/90, dinarex 4,8/100, super dinarex 4/135, super dinarex 4/200, zoomar 2,8/36-83, portrait lens 0, 1 and 2. Curtagon 4/28 and 2,8/35
Canon AV1, 1,8/50
Rolleiflex SL35 and SL35 E. 2,8/35 angulon, 2,8/35 distagon, 1,4/55 rolleinar, 1,8/50 planar, 4/135 tessar, 2,8/135 rolleinar, x2 rollei, M42 to rollei adap.
Etc.
RF
Yashica Minister III
Voightlander Vito, vitomatic I, Vito C, etc.
Leica M. M2, M3 (d.s.) and M4. Schenider 3,4/21, 2/35 summaron 2,8/35 (with eyes). Summicron 2/35 (8 elements with eyes), 2/35 chrome, 2/35 black, 1,4/35 pre asph and aspheric - old -, 2/40 summicron, 2,8/50 elmar, 2/50 7 elements, 2/50 DR, 2/50 - minolta version, 1,4/50 summilux 1966 version, 1,4/75 summilux, 2/90 large version, 2/90 reduced version of 1987, 2,8/90 elmarit large version, 4/135 elmar. |
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NothingMan
Joined: 02 Mar 2011
Posts: 98
Location: Bosnia Herzegovina
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| Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 12:39 am Post subject: |
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NothingMan wrote:
The bokeh can be 'busy' and not so pleasing at times, but nevertheless Its a sharp lens...
100% CROP
[/img]
_________________
Canon Gear: 5DII | 40D | 50 1.8 | 85 1.8 | 17-40 L |
MF Lenses: S-M-C Tak 50 1.4 | S-M-C Tak 135 3.5 | S-M-C Tak 28 3.5 | Helios 44-3/44-2/44m-4/44-4 | Yashica ML 50 1.4 | CZJ Pancolar 50/1.8 | Jupiter 37A | Zuiko 55 1.2 | Zuiko 24 2.8 |
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newton
Joined: 10 Mar 2011
Posts: 343
Location: USA
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| Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 1:40 pm Post subject: |
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newton wrote:
It is an okay lens. I am not fully convinced though. I would love to see some more and un-touched images.  |
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themoleman342
Joined: 21 Oct 2007
Posts: 2190
Location: East Coast (CT), U.S.A.
Expire: 2013-01-24
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newton
Joined: 10 Mar 2011
Posts: 343
Location: USA
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| Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 6:50 pm Post subject: |
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newton wrote:
Thanks! I would like to see the gold standard for sharpness. |
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NothingMan
Joined: 02 Mar 2011
Posts: 98
Location: Bosnia Herzegovina
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| Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 6:55 pm Post subject: |
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NothingMan wrote:
| newton wrote: |
| It is an okay lens. I am not fully convinced though. I would love to see some more and un-touched images. |
No probs, Ill send some straight out of camera shots with crops bit later
Here they are:
All photos shot under AWB, exported from RAW to JPG no sharpening whatsover. Resized to 700 px high in ps. All shots @ f2
_________________
Canon Gear: 5DII | 40D | 50 1.8 | 85 1.8 | 17-40 L |
MF Lenses: S-M-C Tak 50 1.4 | S-M-C Tak 135 3.5 | S-M-C Tak 28 3.5 | Helios 44-3/44-2/44m-4/44-4 | Yashica ML 50 1.4 | CZJ Pancolar 50/1.8 | Jupiter 37A | Zuiko 55 1.2 | Zuiko 24 2.8 |
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