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Which lens to get?
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PostPosted: Thu May 29, 2008 4:01 pm    Post subject: Which lens to get? Reply with quote
Let's imagine I would expect some money in summer and I would like to buy another lens for about € 100 - 150,- but I wouldn't know which lens to get.

I have got some IMHO excellent lenses in some focal lengths:

Nikkor-N.C Auto 2.8/24
Leica Elmarit-R 2.8/35
Nikkor-O 2.0/35
Olympus Zuiko MC Auto-S 1.4/50
Asahi Super-Takumar 1.4/50
Pentax-M SMC 1.7/50
Rollei Planar SL 1.8/50
Nikkor 2.0/50
MC Volna-9 2.8/50 Macro
Nikkor-S.C 1.2/55
Voigtländer Color-Ultron 1.4/55 AR
Nikkor-H 1.8/85

(I just have realized why I mainly shoot with a focal length between 24 and 85mm. I guess the saying is true: "You only shoot with your best lenses often.")


And I own some very good lenses:

Zenitar 2.8/16 Fisheye
Vivitar Wide-Angle 3.5/17 MC
Tamron 2.5/24 BBAR MC 01B
Olympus Zuiko Auto-W 3.5/28
Kiron 2.0/28 MC
Pentax-M SMC 2.8/28
MIR-1B 2.8/37
Asahi SMC Takumar 3.5/35
Yashica ML 1.7/50
Mamiya Auto Sekor 1.8/55
Jupiter-9 2.0/85
MC Kaleinar-5N 2.8/100
Asahi Super-Takumar 2.8/105
Nikkor-Q.C Auto 3.5/135
TAIR-11 2.8/135
Olympus Zuiko Auto-T 3.5/135
Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 4/135 1Q
Telear-N 3.5/200
Jupiter-21 M 4/200

Just to mention a few...

So, if I look at this list, the only focal lengths that I do not have lenses that excel are about 20mm, 28mm and 135mm. I am not a tele shooter.
I would love to get a Leica Elmarit-R 2.8/19 or an Oly Zuiko 3.5/18 but they do not fit into the max. € 150,- scheme. Sad

So should I try to find a really good lens in one these focal lenghts (20/28/135)?
Or do you think I should add an even better one of the other focal lenghts (although I am really happy with what I have here)?
Which lenses would you recommend?

Last edited by LucisPictor on Thu May 29, 2008 4:20 pm; edited 2 times in total


PostPosted: Thu May 29, 2008 4:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Flektogon 4/20


PostPosted: Thu May 29, 2008 4:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Hi
It's difficult to add any lens to your list. All are Super to me
But Isee that you could like 50 mm (especially fasters).The noctiulx M 1/50 ?somebody say that the 1,2 version is better.
Another lens is the Pancolar MC 1,8/50 - CZJ. Excelent rendition and color.
The Summilux M 1,4/75 is a great lens (at 5,6 you are in the image).
I don't like the zooms somuch, but I had a long ago a Tamron 35-70 (I think that was F/3,5) Very good lens. And the Konica 70/150 was optically excelent, great contrast.


PostPosted: Thu May 29, 2008 4:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Orio wrote:
Flektogon 4/20

I expected you to say that. Wink


PostPosted: Thu May 29, 2008 4:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
estudleon wrote:
The noctiulx M 1/50 ?somebody say that the 1,2 version is better...
The Summilux M 1,4/75 is a great lens (at 5,6 you are in the image).

For these I would need an M-Leica first. Shocked
And I'd like to spend € 150,- not € 1.500,-. Wink

estudleon wrote:
Another lens is the Pancolar MC 1,8/50 - CZJ. Excelent rendition and color.

Yes, but I think the 50ish mm range is well covered.


PostPosted: Thu May 29, 2008 4:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
LucisPictor wrote:
Orio wrote:
Flektogon 4/20

I expected you to say that. Wink


Well, you can't buy a better 20mm lens for 150€ Very Happy

For a 28mm I would consider either a Distagon 28/2.8 AE version (since you are going to use it on a crop camera, you don't need the MM corner improvement), which you should be able to find for 150€

For a 135mm, the Sonnar 2.8/135, at 150€ you will find the AE version but with some luck perhaps also a MM version.


PostPosted: Thu May 29, 2008 5:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
You could buy my Summicron R 2/90 for $300 including adapter Very Happy

Seriously though. Buy more Contax lenses. The 2.8/28 and 2.8/35 in the AE versions are the best value in used lenses. without any question.


PostPosted: Thu May 29, 2008 5:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Quote:
Buy more Contax lenses.


I just got a Planar 1.4/50 MM....

Oh dear.... Laughing


PostPosted: Thu May 29, 2008 5:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Quote:
I just got a Planar 1.4/50 MM....

Oh dear.... Laughing


Prepare to fall in LOVE!! Wink


PostPosted: Thu May 29, 2008 5:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
You can try a 135/2.8 Leica.
It goes around 200$.


PostPosted: Thu May 29, 2008 6:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I have accepted my fate with dignity Andy.... Laughing

It's my first Zeiss Oberkochen lens and I can see why people rate them.

Now I need to get an adapter....

Or two....

Or three.... Laughing


PostPosted: Thu May 29, 2008 6:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Contax 2.8/28 and 2.8/35, Planar 1.4/50 MM, 135/2.8 Leica, Flektogon 4/20 ... all these sound great!
Actually, I really like the Summicron R 2/90 idea, but I guess it will be a bit too much.

I will definitely watch Zeiss, Leica, Nikon and Olympus auctions in the next time.

Thanks so far, for your ideas!


PostPosted: Thu May 29, 2008 6:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I really am selling my Summicron 2/90 for $300 with eos adapter. So if you want it just send me a PM. No hurry It will go likely word of mouth rather than Peebay.


PostPosted: Thu May 29, 2008 7:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
F16SUNSHINE wrote:
I really am selling my Summicron 2/90 for $300 with eos adapter. So if you want it just send me a PM. No hurry It will go likely word of mouth rather than Peebay.

Wow! That's a great offer. I will have to think about that.
There are two "problems": one is that I do have an excellent Nikkor 1.8/85 and the other one is that I will get the money not before end of July.
Still, such a great offer! How much will shipping be to Germany?


PostPosted: Thu May 29, 2008 11:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Some other lenses to look at, can be inexpensive:

Nikkor 105/2.5. The earlier lens is a Sonnar, the post ~1973 lens may be a bit sharper -but it just isn't a Sonnar-.

Nikkor-S 5.8cm F1.4. Takes a little patience, well worth it. Lower contrast than most Nikkor's, closer in look to a 1950s Leitz lens.

Micro-Nikkor-P 55mm/3.5. One of the sharpest lenses made by Nikon.


PostPosted: Fri May 30, 2008 1:03 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Carsten, you have many excellent lenses but not many CZJ.
I second Flek 4/20.

And don't buy Summicron 2/90. It's a crap lens Wink
Seriously, if you don't want it, I would like to have it.


PostPosted: Fri May 30, 2008 2:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
esrods wrote:
...And don't buy Summicron 2/90. It's a crap lens Wink
Seriously, if you don't want it, I would like to have it.

Laughing
If Andy wants to sell it soon, you should take it. I won't buy it before August.


PostPosted: Fri May 30, 2008 4:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I could compare Zeiss 2,8/135, leica 2,8/135 and CZJ MC 3,5/135.

About the copies compared, Jena match Zeiss in F/4 to f/8 range only in center, at the border the different is for Zeiss at 4 and equipared at the rest.
Leica was little less sharper than the others at 4 and 5,6.
Price/quality I vote CZJ


PostPosted: Fri May 30, 2008 4:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
[quote="LucisPictor"][quote="estudleon"]The noctiulx M 1/50 ?somebody say that the 1,2 version is better...
The Summilux M 1,4/75 is a great lens (at 5,6 you are in the image).
[/quote]
For these I would need an M-Leica first. Shocked
Bad Idea? May be not.


PostPosted: Sat May 31, 2008 9:02 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
No, not a bad idea, but a much too expensive one. Wink


PostPosted: Sat May 31, 2008 9:04 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Take a look in the MFL Club, I posted a link to a Sonnar 135 that might interest you. It's in the USA though.


PostPosted: Sat May 31, 2008 9:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Orio wrote:
Take a look in the MFL Club, I posted a link to a Sonnar 135 that might interest you. It's in the USA though.

Thanks very much Orio, but honestly, I will not look for another 135mm lens no matter how good it is. 135mm are a little too long at a crop cam for my personal taste. (If I found an Elmarit-R 135 for € 70,-, this would be different. Wink)
And with the auction you have found, I guess the price will go up considerably during the next two days (plus shipping and customs, but you have mentioned that yourself.)


PostPosted: Sat May 31, 2008 10:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
LucisPictor wrote:
[
Thanks very much Orio, but honestly, I will not look for another 135mm lens no matter how good it is.


I just did because you mentioned 135mm as a focal lenght where you are in need.


PostPosted: Sat May 31, 2008 11:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Orio wrote:
LucisPictor wrote:
[
Thanks very much Orio, but honestly, I will not look for another 135mm lens no matter how good it is.


I just did because you mentioned 135mm as a focal lenght where you are in need.

Yes, the 135mm length is one of the ranges my collections lacks a really excellent lens. The J37, Tair11, Nikkor135, Zuiko135 or CZJ135 are very good lenses, but I do not have one that outshines the others in the way the Leica35 or Nikkor35 do.
Although I used to like 135mm lenses on a film cam for portraits a lot, it is a little too long for portraits and a little too short for real tele situations on a crop cam. I prefer 50-85mm and 180-200mm. 180mm is a great tele length for a crop cam, being the equivalent of almost a 300mm lens (135) it's often just usable without tripod and still quite long. My 300mm Tair is hardly usable withour tripod on a crop Canon.
A Elmar 4/180 (or even Elmarit 2.8/180) would be a very nice addition. Although I would not use it really often, I guess. I am not a tele shooter.
But then, if you have a convincong lens in a certain focal length, you will use it!
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