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According to my tests, Zuiko 50 1.8 is the sharpest in the category, a bit sharper even than the Contax Zeiss 50 1.7! Konica is average in the category. Pancolar is sharper too.

i really like this 50mm f1.7 lens, There are 2 versions , I have nice copies of both. 1 is said to be sharper ( the LATER version supposedly ) I haven't tested this to see the difference. The older version 1973-76' is heavier with longer focus throw and closer minimum focuss distance of just under the marking of .45 meters the newer focussess down to just under the mark of .55 meters and has a slimer barrel. The lens in your video looks like the one that is preffered by the afficinatos. aside from the close focus distance markings without the other lens to compare size and weight with you van tell witch version you have from how many clicks you have on the apperture ring, The early lens has half stop clicks 13 in totla counting fro f16 to f1,7 excluding the A setting Whereas the newer version only has 7 counting f16 through to f1.7 , There are a few Konica lenses I appreciate quite a bit, their glass coatings and quality are fantastic. in the 50 f1.7 range I also very much like the Minolta 50mm f1.7 its a bit of a surprise too for a kit lens. Maybe not quite as sharp, maybe just as, hard to say, again I have never tested I just really enjoy it when I shoot it, fantastic colours too. outstanding to be honest, compared to Nikon's 50mm f1.8 "Pancake" e series which I know people really like. You cane really see the difference it sharpness and clarity when zooming for critical focus on mirrorless cameras like the a7, which I have come to learn you also shoot. while it pales in comparison to all the newest tech available from Sony it is the most versatile and efficient Camera in my vintage collection for mounting everything, It is my lens test mule but still make great images. I also have lots of love for Pentax Glass 50 f1.4 both 7 and 8 ellement versions, 55mm f1.8 as well lots of others both M42 and PK mount. I do enjoy the 50mmf1.4 Konica but might prefer the 57mm f1.4, The Rokkor PF 58mm f1.4 , and the 55mm f1.7 are also nice . You mentioned the the 40mm f1,8 I have to agree that is a fantastic lens as well I find the focal falloff remains clean and colours and contrast are really good, it is a really nice walk around focal length for the street. Although I do enjoy a wide zoom as well 16-35 I have yet to acquire a CZJ it has been on my mental list.

Something to consider with vintage is when you use an adapter what the furthest distance is it will focus. It might only be 15 feet.

Just an idea for a future video - why don't you showcase some of your own images? I'd love to see them.

Maybe I was a bit hasty. You do talk about the color and the saturation and all the things that makes these lenses different from each other and different from a modern lens.

You are arguing minutia here. I own all three and I know that they are all sharp. The real difference is how they feel and the actual images. Having said that, I think I like them all. What impresses me is that they all three of them, have the character that we love so much in vintage lenses. If ultimate sharpness is all you are worried about , then get a modern lens for your Nikon Z. They are probably all sharper than the vintage lenses, especially wide open. Sharpness is not the defining characteristic of vintage lenses. Thanks for the comparison. You always give it your best and we will appreciate that and keep on coming back for more. Cheers.

Is the Zeiss Jena 35mm f/2.4 Flektogon in the clear? Don't see anything specifically saying they're radioactive, but other Zeiss Jenas are on the list...

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I think the Helios is very sharp too

Wow! Glad you were able to get it patched up, the images have SO much character to them

👍Thanks for video. I recently tried an Olympus MIJ 50mm f1.8 on my Sony A7 and was very impressed with the results. Only gripe is that minumum focus is only 0.45m. I ordered some extentions tubes and will give them a try soon.

I have this lens from my grandfather. Great hearing you have good things to say about it, as I have search CZcams before without finding proper reviews. I use it with my X-t3 and have taken maybe my favorite picture with it. Love your show. Keep up the good work 🙂

The Takumar 55mm F2 has beautiful colors. It's supposed to be the same as the 1.8, which I have, but I find the F2 is a bit more magical. Could be sample variation.

It's frustrating to me - there are so many excellent choices, and while they differ, the differences are often quite subtle. Upon realizing that I had about a dozen choices in the 40-58mm range, I decided to just use the darn things, rather than buying more! The truth is I love just about every one of them. When I put a lens on the camera, I want to play to its strength, whatever that is, and doing so is extremely pleasing. In the end, I think I'm going to concentrate on my M42 and FD lenses - mostly because I adapt M42 to FD, and can use any of them on my Canon SLR bodies as well as my mirrorless. There is always something just a bit extra-nice about getting a truly lovely image out of a lens that's 40-60 years old. I just have to stop lusting after ALL of them!

I think they were saying that about the 40mm 1.8. That one at f2.8 and lower is really sharp

Have you tried the Meyer Primoplan 58mm f1.9 before? Out of 50+ Vintage 50mm lenes that I´ve tested, it got the best blur and glow in my opinion. Sharpness and Abberation wise i think the (Rodenstock) Edixagon 50mm f2.0 is my sharpest Vintage lens (close to the center), but sadly very rare, dark and soft corners.

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Nigel, thanks for the video. I have a Konica 45mm 1.8 that someone removed from a rangefinder camera, manufactured a back for it on a 3D printer and added an adapter. I thought that was pretty cool and had to buy it (on Etsy). Have not spent much time with it yet. See you next week.

Nigel Instead of buying a new Pentax 17 film camera I decided to recondition my Pentax Spotamatic it needed new light Seals and a mirror bumper. My favorite 50mm lens is the Takumar 50mm1.4 radioactive lens and agree the Pentax 1.7 is no slouch either

As to the lenses and their sharpness - you are forgetting very important thing - some older series vary in terms of quality, some issues might have happened also in the production of a certain line of lenses. It is a well known fact that even if you have the same type of lens from the same manufacturer, it might happen that each of them may give you slightly different results. And let's not forget that it may also depend on how the lens was used, if it was dropped, kept in good condition, if it doesn't have a fungus etc. But of course, even if everything is fine, it still can vary. This is just how it is. It may not be different by far, but even slight differences sometimes decide whether it will deliver the image you want, or not. Btw - great videos.👍 You made me want to try the Helios 44m (got two - 44m and 44m4). I used it with m42-FD adapter on Canon A-1. And as a matter of fact 44m is sharper - at least the one that I got😉

For a split second, I thought Ozzie started a photography channel! As always, just love the content and your knowledgeable postulations Zen. Keep up the good work!

You look a bit like Ozzy, with your hair down.

Is this video supposed to be called Untitled?

Jena Flektogon has 3 version 1st Gen - Flektogon Auto 2nd Gen - Electric MC Flektogon 3rd Gen - MC Flektogon

Thanks for the review. I'm surprised by what you said about flare-resistance. In other review I had watched internal reflections were mentioned as a huge problem: czcams.com/video/82_Qw_rzDJw/video.htmlsi=m-HGyFVGd1Up_Hpl&t=405. I must say, it is also consistent with my personal experience with some other TTartisan lenses (25mm/f2 particularly) - they all suffered from a substantial flare and an associated drop of contrast. They stil offer a very good value for money but it is something worth considering (or at least being aware of when making decision to purchase one).

If nobody has mentioned this you can assign on the XS-10 fine zoom to the focus ring but need AF+MF disabled for it to work. Also on the XS-10 zoom level does return on switch on. These are more a body/firmware issues than with the lens itself.

Zenography you truly are the poet of ‘Blur’ closely followed by your musings on colour. Pleased you’ve returned to your roots Vintage glass.

Nigel: these are sharp , I have an MX-EVS with the 10 blade aperture , and she is a TESSAR 75mm 3.5 " honey " , your camera is beautiful compared to my 75 TESSAR , I need a tune up on mine also though the lenses are spectacular. My BIG Rollei is the 55mm F4 DISTAGON Wide Rollei , it is heavier , but my God ...that is a sharp gracious lens. Love ROLLEI ♥

My God man ; head down into concrete , Damn ... that is rough but the hood took the blow and cushioned the rest of the body so that is good and finding the expert and servicing / parts incredible blessings. She is a sharp looking Rollei ♥

Hi! Not a longtime watcher or anything, just wanted to say you look like the Home Alone kid as a grown fellow. Have a nice day

With these two cameras, does it make a difference if you set the shutter speed before or after cranking the camera?

I have the 3.5. When I got it, I just held it and stared at it. It was so beautiful and elegant. The craftsmanship and design are incredible. I need to use it more.

Very nice informative video, as always! Thanks. I love my Olympus EM-10 Mark II mirrorless. You’re right. Olympus has outstanding color technology in their sensors! I also have the Sony a6100 mirrorless.

28/06/2024 Vivitar 28mm f2 (22xxxxxx Kiron) - 15eur

Finest vintage lenses ever made are Leica M39 and Leica M Lenses. Pre War Zeiss, MF Nikkors, Canon FD, Minolta Rokkors, Olympus OM Pentax M AP 67 Mamiya RB 67, etc are astonishing too. Zeiss Jena lenses are nice, but finest ever made? Come on...

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all great videos, ive learnt allot , thankyou

What a beautiful introduction.

Nigel, my oh my, so glad you've managed to find a specialist to fix this treasured TLR. I would have fallen into total dispair. Finding a true specialist in anything these days is nigh impossible. Glad it's all turned out well for you and the camera. Regards Rob

thanks for the content. i just bought this lens recently and it’s great lens with wonderful bokeh i say. such a good lens that only took me 25USD. what a good thing happened to me.

Exactly! That's exactly how I felt when I first used a large format groundglass. It pulls you in and there's nothing in any other system quite like it.

Is this MC Flektogon 35mm 2.4 Radioactive Thorium?

Konica 40mm is a decent lense, one of few Konica lenses made by Tokina. The pancolar 50mm is too hyped for what it is, instead you may want to consider the Nikon pancake (either the series E, the JP pancake or the mk3) or the Nikon 50mm long nose. Cheers.

Great coverage video. My only critique is that it would be nice to have the lens description and in the the video notes so one does not have to scrub though the video .

I have the Lydith. Nice lens. Also Sigma mini-wide 28/2.8 - wonderful. And Unitor (who?) 35/2.8 - clean and sharp. Things get wider from there on.

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Thank you very much, you save me with the improvise one, very difficult to find exact match but I got it! with a old little coffee cup from my grandpa on a memories shelf❤

I had a camera strap break, it changed my life.

thanks for this timeless review! I can also recommend the Schneider Kreuznach 135 f4. Phantastic bulit from the 1960s? and really sharp.

Don't tell me what to do.