The Vintage Lens Thread

ThisIsANewID said:
I got a little confused with the additional crop, but apparently that is only an issue with a few certain lenses/adapters
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That's another reason why I tried to stick with all the same brand of lenses. I started with the 50mm and then, when that worked, I figured I'd keep going that way to limit potential confusion.

I can't figure out the difference between Nikon/Nikkor. Which one should i prefer? Can you use the same adapter on them?
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"Nikkor" was the name that Nikon gave to their high-end lenses years ago. The Nikon E-Series were their more budget friendly versions that tended to have just as good optics but weaker build quality. I only have one E series and I wish I'd gotten a Nikkor instead as it doesn't feel as robust (made of plastic instead of metal).

Some time in the 90s (I think) Nikon decided to call ALL their lenses "NIKKOR" and no longer based this on build quality.

They require the exact same adapter (F-Mount to EOS) and work the same way. One is just sturdier than the other.



And when I look for an adaptor for the Nikon E series I would have to buy a AIS to EOS adaptor, right?
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As I understand it, AI and non-AI doesn't matter if you're adapting to Canon cameras. You use the same adapter and can buy the cheaper non-AI lenses. If you were using a Nikon DSLR, you'd want AI ones because the non-AIs will give you trouble (so I am told).


ah, I think I'll need an F-mount to EOS adaptor. Would this one be alright? http://www.fotodiox.com/product_info.php?products_id=601 . There's also a more expensive one with focus confirmation, but I think you wouldn't need that for filming.
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Fotodiox is good but I've been using the RainbowImaging ones on amazon as they are half the price and part of "Prime" so I don't have to pay shipping. Since I buy an adapter for each lens (since screwing and unscrewing it takes time and is a pain), I prefer to go cheaper. I'm pretty sure focus confirmation won't do you any good with an older lens.
 
I've really been enjoying my ever-growing collection of Yashica ML lenses. There are a couple of challenges in gathering a good set of Yashica primes, one of which being the lack of 85mm and 100mm primes (there is a 100mm, but it's macro) since those focal lengths were typically saved for medium format film. Also, some ML lenses are much harder to find, such as the 35mm. Nonetheless, there are some fantastic ML primes out there. Right now, I have 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 135mm, and 200mm lenses. I know the 28mm f/2.8 has come up from several people, but I have to say I really like the whole series.

Here's something I snapped today with the 35mm f/2.8 ML (T2i), shot at f/5.6:

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grantw said:
So is there a 'brand' that anyone prefers if someone was going to start gathering vintage lens'?
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I agree to read the past 30 pages if you want to get a real consensus.

Beyond that, I would say that if you're trying to go as cheap as possible, you have to mix and match a lot of off-brands and steer toward the Russian glass and the Yashica lenses. The downside to this is that different brands have different characters and often need different adapters.

If you want to stick with the same brand and want the most bang for your buck, I do think older Nikons are the best way to go. They've been making great lenses for years and, because they are so prolific, they're a lot of good deals to be found (though they're getting a bit pricier as a lot of Canon users realize what a good option they are). All the old Nikkors I've bought have aged well because they were much better made back then and are frankly a lot sturdier than most modern lenses (I love it when they're made of metal). The great thing about sticking to one brand is that they all have a similar kind of look and (with Nikon) all work on an F-mount which is relatively cheap/easy to adapt to Canon.

Another way to go is Canon FD lenses but they require an optical element which costs you a bit of light and a bit of sharpness not to mention being more expensive than the simple screw on adapters for other lenses. Personally, I think all the problems with adapting FDs outweigh the bennafits but I know of people who love he character of Canon FD lenses and are willing to deal with the problems.

I've also seen people who try to find old Ziess's but that is too pricey for me.
 
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I'm slowly trying to build up a set of Leica R glass (Doing it quickly would result in bankruptcy!). I may well sell my 24-105 L to help fund them. so far I've only got a 21 f/4 Super Angulon and a 180 f/3.4 Apo-Telyte (Fabulous lens), but I have a 28 f/2.8 Elmarit on the way and I've my eyes on a 50 f/2 summicron.

I'll try to fill in with a 35 f/2 and a 90 f/2 or 2.8 (The 2.8 may have better optical quality).

Dave
 
Zxander34 said:
Video-wise how do the non-AIS and the AIS compare?
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The AIS designation on a Nikon lens is in reference to an automatic exposure indexing system that was used on Nikon cameras starting in the mid 1970s. With advances in their camera system's exposure control in the early 1980's the designation was updated to AIS. Pre-AI lenses (Also called Non-AI) with the same focal length and maximum aperture are just older than the same lens that is designated AI or AIS. The Pre-AI and AI lenses are all metal construction and built like tanks. The new AIS lenses (and Series E lenses) used more plastic in their construction, but are still great lenses. The differences in the lenses do no affect their functioning, with adaptors, on modern cameras. Some folks say that the newer AI and AIS lenses have better coatings and do not flare as much, but I personally have not found this to be the case. I use pre-AI, AI and AIS lenses interchangeably and have not had any issue with them cutting together. I also have a 100mm f2.8 Series E lens and it matches the others as well. I use all of my Nikon lenses with the same adaptor on a Canon T2i and a Sony FS100 without issue. IMHO, because of the ubiquity of the Nikon F mount lenses, I think that a good set of manual Nikkor prime lenses should be the starting point for any functional lens collection.
 
I've your trying to decide what kind of Nikons to go with, I highly recommend the Pre-AIs. I agree with David that they all have very good optics and look very similar (I've mixed Pre-AI, AIS, and E series and didn't have any issues cutting them together). I like the Pre-AI because of how big and tough they're made. I love the sense of weight to those lenses, I how much give and pull I have when I'm focusing, and I love all the other little tactile aspects. I currently have only one AIS lens in my collection and I almost regret getting it. I found it at a camera show for the same price as its Pre-AI equivelant and went with it because I was new to buying lenses and figured AIS must be better. After playing with it for some time, I really don't like the feel as much as my Pre-AI ones. It's still fairly solid but not great. Worse are the E-series which feel even lighter and more plasticky.

Of course, all of this is relative. The AIS and even the E series are still sturdier than most modern lenses.
 
daveswan said:
I'm slowly trying to build up a set of Leica R glass (Doing it quickly would result in bankruptcy!). I may well sell my 24-105 L to help fund them. so far I've only got a 21 f/4 Super Angulon and a 180 f/3.4 Apo-Telyte (Fabulous lens), but I have a 28 f/2.8 Elmarit on the way and I've my eyes on a 50 f/2 summicron.

I'll try to fill in with a 35 f/2 and a 90 f/2 or 2.8 (The 2.8 may have better optical quality).

Dave
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Simply, Yes.
 
Just picked up a 28mm Asanuma auto-wide f/2.8 for less than $15. Believe it was being used on a m42 mount yashica 35mm camera. Anyone have any knowledge of this lens?[h=1][/h][h=1][/h][h=1][/h]
 
So .... I've got the bug.

I spent nearly all of yesterday reading this thread and looking at footage, and now I'm ready to sink my teeth in.

Luckily (or unluckily) for me, there's a pawn shop around the corner that's got the following lenses on hold for me until my adapter comes:

Kiron 24mm 2.0 (condition: A; price: $75)
Nikkor 35mm 2.0 (condition: A; price: $200) S/N 692012
Super Takumar 50mm 1.4 (condition: A-; price $100) ***He has a 50mm Nikon 1.4 for $150 but it's in slightly worse condition. Is it a better lens?
Nikkor 85mm 1.8 (condition: A-; price $200) S/N 269462

So, all in I'm looking at 575 for 4 great vintage lenses.

1) Is this a reasonable deal?
2) Is the Kiron 24mm a decent lens?
3) What adapter mount do I need to use it?
4) What adapter mount do I need for the Super Takumar?

[5) Where is the closest rehab centre for vintage-lens addiction?]

Thanks!
 
If you buy all 4, he should definitely give you a break in price.

Those deals aren't terrible, but they're not stellar either. Pretty Yawn-tastic, average prices.

Talk him down.... $500 for the set would be a better deal.

That takumar is great, but try both the 50 1.4's out while you're there and see which you prefer.

It would be nice to get the Nikon so you have a matched set
 
The Super Takumar is M42 but verify with the seller.

$150 is too high for a Nikon 50mm f/1.4 in less than A condition. I'd offer $75 unless the glass has scratches or a lot of dust, in which case I'd walk. These are a dime a dozen.

I think, unfortunately, the Kiron is a K mount. That price is excellent.

I recommend trying out the Nikon 35mm f/2. I had one once and wasn't impressed. I now have a Mir 24N 35mm f/2 and LOVE it. You can get a Mir 24M (m42 mount) or 24N (Nikon mount). The 24N is cheaper.

I think you should also consider a Jupiter 9 (85mm f/2) instead of the Nikon f/2. It will run you a lot less.

I've had mostly good experiences buying on Ebay. You are protected, especially if you use a credit card to fund Paypal.

Hope this helps.
 
Thanks for the reply Jordan, I appreciate the input.

So I'm going to stick with the Super Takumar 50mm instead of the Nikon 50mm. The footage I've seen from the Takumars is just too nice (and it's in better shape, and cheaper).

I also ordered a Mir 24M instead of going for the Nikon 35mm. I much prefer the look of that lens too.

In regards to the 85mm, I'm going to stick with the Nikon 1.8 (not an f2, you must have misread my post) because there aren't any cheap Helios 40-2 lenses around right now, and the Jupiter 9 "glows" at its widest aperture. The cheapest Helios 40-2 I could find was about $500, and the pawn shop is willing to sell me the Nikon 1.8 for $200. Plus, as far as I can tell, it's a pretty nice lens too. Have you heard otherwise?
 
Micah D said:
So .... I've got the bug.

I spent nearly all of yesterday reading this thread and looking at footage, and now I'm ready to sink my teeth in.

Luckily (or unluckily) for me, there's a pawn shop around the corner that's got the following lenses on hold for me until my adapter comes:

Kiron 24mm 2.0 (condition: A; price: $75)
Nikkor 35mm 2.0 (condition: A; price: $200) S/N 692012
Super Takumar 50mm 1.4 (condition: A-; price $100) ***He has a 50mm Nikon 1.4 for $150 but it's in slightly worse condition. Is it a better lens?
Nikkor 85mm 1.8 (condition: A-; price $200) S/N 269462

So, all in I'm looking at 575 for 4 great vintage lenses.

1) Is this a reasonable deal?
2) Is the Kiron 24mm a decent lens?
3) What adapter mount do I need to use it?
4) What adapter mount do I need for the Super Takumar?

[5) Where is the closest rehab centre for vintage-lens addiction?]

Thanks!
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Can't comment on the Kiron. It is my understanding that they made their lenses in multiple mounts so you may want to clarify about that.
I have a Nikkor 35mm f2.8 lens and really like it. I have never tried the 35mm f2.0, but have been watching them on eBay and that is about the price they are going for. I got my 35mm f2.8 for about $130.00 (in early 2010).
I can't comment on the Super Takumar 50mm f1.4. I have a Nikor 50mm f1.4 (Pre-AI) and I love the lens. It is one of my favorite lenses and I always carry that one with me. I paid about $150.00 for mine, but It is great condition. I would double check about the condition of the one for sell.
I don't have a Nikkor 85mm f1.8, but want one to round out my Nikkor collection. If the one for sell is in good condition, that is a good price, as they seem to go for about $100 more than that on eBay on a regular basis.
 
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Yeah, I meant 1.8 for the Nikon 85mm. Can't comment on it.

I think you've made good choices. As far as finding a Helios 44-2, I think it's just a matter of patience on Ebay and maybe buying more than one. Sounds like the pawnshop made a [big] mistake charging $500 for one. I haven't shopped around in a while, but I can't recall any higher than $100.
 
As far as finding a Helios 44-2, I think it's just a matter of patience on Ebay and maybe buying more than one. Sounds like the pawnshop made a [big] mistake charging $500 for one. I haven't shopped around in a while, but I can't recall any higher than $100.
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It's actually the Helios 40-2 85mm I was referring to, and they are selling for at least $500 on ebay. The Helios 44 is a 58mm lens and goes for much less.

I don't have a Nikkor 85mm f1.8, but want one to round out my Nikkor collection.
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How important is it to have a matched set? In terms of focus direction I might get a bit confused, but I feel like the image quality/characteristics of these (Kiron 24mm, Mir 24M, Super Takumar 50mm, Nikkor 85mm) vintage lenses will blend together nicely, no?
 
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