Great video, very informative and a joy to view! Meyer Optic Gorlitz merged late sixties with a few other brands into VEB Pentacon. So If you experience difficulty finding the Oreston you can also take a look at the Pentacon 50mm/1.8. As far as I know this is the same lens except for the coating(s). Mine (Pentacon) also has the 6 (non-rounded) aperture blades- F1.8 to F16, 33cm min focus distance, etc.
I picked 1 up today for less than 5 euro. It was quite dirty on the outside, but the glass was perfectly fine. I really like the short focusing distance.
Thank you for your great videos and for sharing your experience with this lens. I bought the Meyer Optik Görlitz Oreston 50mm f1.8 a couple of weeks ago as my first Vintage Lens purchase. At nearly $70, I did not get as good a deal as some have commented, yet I payed less than many have on auction. This lens is still a bargain considering the price of other lenses and how well it performs. As for deciding factors, it has lots of great reviews, wonderful bokeh, and close focusing. I also have the Fotasy M42 to M4/3 Focusing Helicoid Adapter ($25 used) which adds more magic, for close up work, when paired with this lens. I shoot it on my Lumix G7 and the results are outstanding. The Helicoid adapter looks and functions the same as a plain adapter when retracted, nice for landscapes and portraits. When I want to get close, the Focusing Helicoid Adapter slowly moves the lens away from the camera, and focus closer to the subject. This is far better than fiddling with stacking extension tubes. I love this lens and Helicoid set up and highly recommend it.
Another great review, “”terse and pithy” with just the right amount of time. Your reviews are a welcome relief from so many on youtube. Many are more about the photographer than the equipment, and we watch for the equipment. Thanks for your professional postings! Regards, Jimp
You have a great style in your presentation of your lens subjects. I especially like the way in which you show viewers how easy it is to adapt to modern digital cameras. Also it’s a bonus to be able to compare the weight of the lenses. I use quite a few vintage lenses with micro four third bodies and am amazed at the quality of the images I obtain. Being a hobby photographer vintage lenses are bargains provided you can overcome the fact that you don’t have auto focus. But I find manual focussing more satisfying as long as the subject stays still !!!
Thank you so much! I'm glad you are enjoying the videos. I completely agree with you - I can't believe how good the image quality is from lenses that are 40, 50 or even 60 years old, that can be found in junk shops for really cheap prices. This was one of the reasons why I started this channel - is to show people that they don't need to spend $1000 on a lens in order to have fun with photography. And yes, manual focus is so much more satisfying than relying on autofocus. :)
My Pentacon 50mm f1.8 has a stop down lever built into the side of lens barrel, I'm not sure if the original Meyer Optik version has that too. There are two types of m42 adapters, one kind has an extra ring inside the screw mount for the purpose of depressing the aperture pin which then enables you to move the aperture ring to set the desired f stop. The other kind of adapter does not have this extra ring so the aperture pin will free float inside the adapter and you will have to use the stop down lever on the lens barrel to achieve your f stop, which is cumbersome. I use the adapters that don't have the ring for my Takumar lenses because they have a manual/auto switch.
Really enjoying your reviews and the outstanding video editing. Really fun intros. I have a copy of this lens too and I agree on all points. A real performer. Keep up the great work.
timskinnercanada Thank you so much! That’s so nice to hear. Glad that you are enjoying your copy of this lens. I was amazed by what it can do especially considering that it cost me just $15. Such a wonderful little lens!
@@VintageOptiks I also like the 135mm f/2.8 Meyer Optik Gorlitz Pentacon Orestor lens and sometimes shoot with a pair of Sony mirrorless cameras wearing the Oreston and Orestor...
@@VintageOptiks One of the positive aspects of modern mirrorless cameras, especially the Sony models, is how easily they can accept and use vintage lenses. The downside of this ability, for prospective purchasers, is that the legacy lenses which we could once buy for a pittance are increasing in price. I purchased my Orestor 135mm f/2.8 lens a few years ago and the used price of this lens has just about doubled since then! BTW: I will shoot legacy lenses on a full frame A7iii using "dumb" adaptors but, when shooting with a Sony crop format camera, I will often use the Bayess Kipon focal reducer. This virtually eliminates the need to consider the crop factor and also adds a stop to the speed of the lens. As an example, the 135mm f/2.8 Orestor , mounted on my A6600 using the focal reducer, becomes an equivalent 141mm f/2.0 lens! That is really rather marvelous!
@@richardpcrowe I agree. Unfortunately prices are going up, but compared to new lenses, vintage lenses are still cheaper. And some are still ridiculously cheap for the kind of quality they deliver. Thank you for mentioning the focal reducer. I haven't tried one yet but it sounds great for people with cropped sensor cameras!
It's been a great first year, with nothing but top quality videos. Here's to many more! I have the Zeiss Jena Pancolar, 50mm 1.8, also as a zebra version. Does anyone know how it compares to the Oreston? Good luck to everyone!
I enjoyed watching your videos. They're informative and the photography work is superb. Do you think you can you do videos for these lenses? Carl Zeiss Biotar 80mm 2.8 for the Pentacon 6 mount Carl Zeiss Pancolar 50mm 1.8 Carl Zeiss Jena 135mm MC 3.5 Thanks!
Michael Parcon Hello and thank you for your message and kind words. It’s so nice to hear that people are enjoying the videos. Yeah I have the CZJ 135mm f3.5 in the works and the other 2 will definitely happen sometime in the near future. I love Zeiss lenses! Take care and have fun with vintage lenses.
I don't know of any other 50mm lens that has minimum focusing distance of only 33cm like the Oreston. But if you want to shorten the minimum focusing distance of many of your vintage lenses, you can get yourself helicoid adapters. Not sure what camera you use, or if you are using digital or film. But if you are adapting lenses to digital, using helicoid adapters is great! I made a video about them. Check it out: czcams.com/video/O96rrc67jFs/video.html
Great video, very informative and a joy to view! Meyer Optic Gorlitz merged late sixties with a few other brands into VEB Pentacon. So If you experience difficulty finding the Oreston you can also take a look at the Pentacon 50mm/1.8. As far as I know this is the same lens except for the coating(s). Mine (Pentacon) also has the 6 (non-rounded) aperture blades- F1.8 to F16, 33cm min focus distance, etc.
Kees Groen Thank you for your nice comment! Hope you are enjoying your Pentacon lens and thank you for checking out the channel.
The best 50mm 1.8 out there. Bar none.
Amazing lens for sure!!
Great intro surround sound track for all the series 💕
Johnson Lee Thank you! I love sound design and it’s been fun incorporating some quirky elements into my videos. Glad to hear you enjoy it.
I picked 1 up today for less than 5 euro. It was quite dirty on the outside, but the glass was perfectly fine. I really like the short focusing distance.
Wow, that's an amazing deal! I love the super short focusing distance as well!! Very unique for this focal length. Enjoy!!
Thank you for your great videos and for sharing your experience with this lens. I bought the Meyer Optik Görlitz Oreston 50mm f1.8 a couple of weeks ago as my first Vintage Lens purchase. At nearly $70, I did not get as good a deal as some have commented, yet I payed less than many have on auction. This lens is still a bargain considering the price of other lenses and how well it performs. As for deciding factors, it has lots of great reviews, wonderful bokeh, and close focusing. I also have the Fotasy M42 to M4/3 Focusing Helicoid Adapter ($25 used) which adds more magic, for close up work, when paired with this lens. I shoot it on my Lumix G7 and the results are outstanding. The Helicoid adapter looks and functions the same as a plain adapter when retracted, nice for landscapes and portraits. When I want to get close, the Focusing Helicoid Adapter slowly moves the lens away from the camera, and focus closer to the subject. This is far better than fiddling with stacking extension tubes. I love this lens and Helicoid set up and highly recommend it.
I want that lens
Thank you for nice review
Thank you! It’s an excellent lens which I’m sure you’ll love!
Another great review, “”terse and pithy” with just the right amount of time. Your reviews are a welcome relief from so many on youtube. Many are more about the photographer than the equipment, and we watch for the equipment. Thanks for your professional postings! Regards, Jimp
Thank you so much! I appreciate it!!
You have a great style in your presentation of your lens subjects. I especially like the way in which you show viewers how easy it is to adapt to modern digital cameras. Also it’s a bonus to be able to compare the weight of the lenses. I use quite a few vintage lenses with micro four third bodies and am amazed at the quality of the images I obtain. Being a hobby photographer vintage lenses are bargains provided you can overcome the fact that you don’t have auto focus. But I find manual focussing more satisfying as long as the subject stays still !!!
Thank you so much! I'm glad you are enjoying the videos. I completely agree with you - I can't believe how good the image quality is from lenses that are 40, 50 or even 60 years old, that can be found in junk shops for really cheap prices. This was one of the reasons why I started this channel - is to show people that they don't need to spend $1000 on a lens in order to have fun with photography. And yes, manual focus is so much more satisfying than relying on autofocus. :)
My Pentacon 50mm f1.8 has a stop down lever built into the side of lens barrel, I'm not sure if the original Meyer Optik version has that too. There are two types of m42 adapters, one kind has an extra ring inside the screw mount for the purpose of depressing the aperture pin which then enables you to move the aperture ring to set the desired f stop. The other kind of adapter does not have this extra ring so the aperture pin will free float inside the adapter and you will have to use the stop down lever on the lens barrel to achieve your f stop, which is cumbersome. I use the adapters that don't have the ring for my Takumar lenses because they have a manual/auto switch.
Thanks for these quick concise reviews! My ISCO 135 3.5 may have a new friend soon.
You are very welcome. Glad you enjoy them.
You are very welcome. Glad you enjoy them.
Really enjoying your reviews and the outstanding video editing. Really fun intros. I have a copy of this lens too and I agree on all points. A real performer. Keep up the great work.
timskinnercanada Thank you so much! That’s so nice to hear. Glad that you are enjoying your copy of this lens. I was amazed by what it can do especially considering that it cost me just $15. Such a wonderful little lens!
Amazing lens, great channel. Congrats!
Thank you so much!!
I only use vintage lenses for their special renditions and the image rendition of the Oreston 50mm f/1.8 is one of my favorites.
I completely agree! It's a fantastic vintage lens that gives your images that special look!
@@VintageOptiks I also like the 135mm f/2.8 Meyer Optik Gorlitz Pentacon Orestor lens and sometimes shoot with a pair of Sony mirrorless cameras wearing the Oreston and Orestor...
@@richardpcrowe I've heard great things about the Orestor 135mm f2.8!! I would love to try it in the near future.
@@VintageOptiks One of the positive aspects of modern mirrorless cameras, especially the Sony models, is how easily they can accept and use vintage lenses. The downside of this ability, for prospective purchasers, is that the legacy lenses which we could once buy for a pittance are increasing in price. I purchased my Orestor 135mm f/2.8 lens a few years ago and the used price of this lens has just about doubled since then!
BTW: I will shoot legacy lenses on a full frame A7iii using "dumb" adaptors but, when shooting with a Sony crop format camera, I will often use the Bayess Kipon focal reducer. This virtually eliminates the need to consider the crop factor and also adds a stop to the speed of the lens. As an example, the 135mm f/2.8 Orestor , mounted on my A6600 using the focal reducer, becomes an equivalent 141mm f/2.0 lens! That is really rather marvelous!
@@richardpcrowe I agree. Unfortunately prices are going up, but compared to new lenses, vintage lenses are still cheaper. And some are still ridiculously cheap for the kind of quality they deliver.
Thank you for mentioning the focal reducer. I haven't tried one yet but it sounds great for people with cropped sensor cameras!
It's been a great first year, with nothing but top quality videos. Here's to many more!
I have the Zeiss Jena Pancolar, 50mm 1.8, also as a zebra version. Does anyone know how it compares to the Oreston?
Good luck to everyone!
Thank you so much!!
Please do a review on the Olympus OM f.Zuiko 50mm f1.8 bro! It can focus down to around 1ft/33cm as well.
Yeah I need to do it at some point. I have so many lenses waiting for me. :) Cheers!
What an amazing informative channel
Thank you Eckhard!
Man you should try SMC Takumar 55mm 1.8 Crazy good lens able to make macro shots and portraits with deeeeep boke.))
I have the Takumar 55mm f1.8 and will eventually do a deep dive on it at some point. I have so many lenses waiting for me to review them. :)
Or you can just buy the Pentacon 50mm F1.8. Same lens, lower price... :-)
Yes indeed :)
And you can get it multicoated as Pentacon, absolutely stunning lens.
I enjoyed watching your videos. They're informative and the photography work is superb.
Do you think you can you do videos for these lenses?
Carl Zeiss Biotar 80mm 2.8 for the Pentacon 6 mount
Carl Zeiss Pancolar 50mm 1.8
Carl Zeiss Jena 135mm MC 3.5
Thanks!
Michael Parcon Hello and thank you for your message and kind words. It’s so nice to hear that people are enjoying the videos. Yeah I have the CZJ 135mm f3.5 in the works and the other 2 will definitely happen sometime in the near future. I love Zeiss lenses! Take care and have fun with vintage lenses.
Wow. Is there other 50mm lenses 1.8 and less with little focusing distance?
I don't know of any other 50mm lens that has minimum focusing distance of only 33cm like the Oreston. But if you want to shorten the minimum focusing distance of many of your vintage lenses, you can get yourself helicoid adapters. Not sure what camera you use, or if you are using digital or film. But if you are adapting lenses to digital, using helicoid adapters is great! I made a video about them. Check it out: czcams.com/video/O96rrc67jFs/video.html
@@VintageOptiksPentacon 50mm f1.8 has the same MFD and CZJ Pancolar has slightly worse MFD - 35cm
340 deg is less than 1 turn, there are 360 deg in a full circle.
👏👏
Thank you!
cool lens. is that a russian accent I hear?
Yeah it’s a great little lens! Regarding my accent, I grew up in Bulgaria, so that’s where the accent comes from.
@@VintageOptiks I was close though.