Looking for recommendations for some inexpensive vintage glass

B

brandondelnero

New member
Hey all

I'm looking for some recommendations for inexpensive glass that has some great character for my 7D. I've looked through the forum and found some great leads that I'm stoked about, but eager to hear about anything anybody would like to add.

I say "inexpensive" because I'm experimenting more or less at this point. I have some awesome glass, but searching for something with a bit more visual enticement for both stills and video.

Any recommendations would be appreciated

B
 
Last edited:
Actually, I've decided that I've compiled a pretty complete list from previous posts. However, I can't figure out how to delete this post. Anyone?
 
im pretty happy with coverage i get from these 3 lenses

tamron 17-50mm 2.8 (not vintage)

nikkor 50 mm 1.4
vivitar 1 series 70-210 3.5 macro (nikon mount)

the later 2 only cost abot $65 each, (and another $15 of so for nikon adapter)
 
I love my Vivitar 70-210 3.5 Macro (Kiron made: Serial Number starts with 22). It's relatively fast, sharp and cheap. It has a great look to it. If you are looking for lenses with character, look no further than Russian glass. You have the Helios 44M (or 44-2 through 7), the Jupiter-9, the Mir 24, and my personal favorite at this moment: the Volna-3. All of them have great color rendition and distinctive bokeh going on. If you save up your pennies, try and get the Helios 40 or Helios 40-2. It's an 85mm 1.5 that is just amazing. I don't own it personally but every shot I've seen taken with it is magical. It's on my bucket list for sure.

Best of luck with your search and I hope a few of these are new to you.

Chris W
 
I tested a non-AI Nikkor 50 1.4; you might want to get the AI version unless you're strapped. The Nikkor-S 50 (non-AI) produces a lot of reflections and flares.

Here's a video which shows some of that:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpK2GgESvFc

It's really cheap, though, and the non-AI version can be mounted without modification on a Canon 5D or 7D with an adapter like the Fotodiox.
 
i'm a pentax super takumar fan myself. I've got the 50mm 1.4, 35mm 2, and the 135mm 2.5 and they all have great classic characteristics and buttery smooth focus rings.
 
80% of what I've shot over the last year with the GH1, 7d and now t2i has been with nikon AIS.

Paid gigs I rent a fast EOS zoom because the look of the grandfather lens draws comments even though IMO the quality is better.
 
my current fave


J Davis said:
So excited because I bought it this morning, I've been seaching for this for months. In good condition these are pretty rare.
Was using a 75-150/3.5 AIS for CU's but this is my new go to lens for around the 50mm, 85mm and 105mm marks
(and if anyone is wondering the adapter I have so I can use it on canon vDSLR's is the one from ebay:fotodiox)

4432918574_f721877fed_o.jpg


and check this, someone loved this so much its been chipped for nikon AF confirm
(sorry i was rushing and this pic is a little soft)
4432919728_b02ecbd17e_o.jpg



only one word I can describe it with ... gorgeous !
Click to expand...



J Davis said:
Here's a different screengrab also from the church shoot. Actress Emily Bennett.

4590712832_62739986a7_o.jpg


Canon t2i with Nikon AIS 50-135 f3.5 at ~55mm, f5.6, iso800, 180 shutter, tungsten

more about this lens here LINK




.
Click to expand...




J Davis said:
Day for night with nikon ais 50mm 1.4 at f2 iso 800 (taken facing west just after sunset)

4646893378_2db15cf4b6_o.jpg
Click to expand...
 
Some more shots I did a year ago with the GH1

Nikon Nikkor 50mm f1.2 AIs


J Davis said:
These are stills not video, same lens, same conditions. What I like about 1.2 is the bokeh
(If you take these three jpegs into the same photoshop doc as layers you can flip the layers on and off and
see exactly how much light difference there is between 1.2 and 1.4)
3832601238_3fb2be82c1_o.jpg

3832601138_ea70844d71_o.jpg

3831806035_3301c4acdc_o.jpg
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
I have a Series 1 (version 2 Olympus mount) Vivitar 70-210 and I love it. Excellent bokeh and very sharp from about f8. I've just sent a friend who is getting his 7D today a link to shop that has a Nikon version 1 in stock. Make sure you get one that is version 1 - 3 as they're the only ones worth buying. Check here for details: http://www.robertstech.com/vivitar.htm

Hope this helps.

Cheers
 
I hear the ones to get are versions 1 and 3. I have version 1 (with the serial number starting with 22) and it's a great lens. Kiron (who makes the version 1 70-210) is one of the best lens makers you've never heard of. Highly recommend anything made by them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top