Cheap lens - some are good
Jul 8, 2014 10:55:04 #
Do any others have a lens that is super cheap and also super? I bought a Spiratone 135mm f/2.8 lens that is a preset (look it up) t mount that can be used on most SLRs and DSLRs. It has been one of my favorite Portrait lenses every since. It has 15 aperture blades so it gives a nice blured background. I would like to know of others that have "went cheap" and found they had a treasure. Picture below is my granddaughter taken with this lens. - Dave
Jul 8, 2014 11:08:48 #
I have never spent money on cheap glass. It looks like nice bokeh. It looks like the image is soft.
Jul 8, 2014 11:09:49 #
I haven't heard of Spiratone in years. I had a 135mm also on my Pentax SLR years ago. Loved it.
Jul 8, 2014 11:55:10 #
tradio wrote:
I have never spent money on cheap glass. It looks like nice bokeh. It looks like the image is soft.
One of the reasons I like it is the soft image. Think portrait. - Dave
Jul 8, 2014 12:38:56 #
I love my old '70's Minolta Rokkors...they are huge bang for the buck...
The lens that took this images is the Minolta 100mm macro and it was less than $100.00.
The lens that took this images is the Minolta 100mm macro and it was less than $100.00.
Jul 8, 2014 12:41:04 #
wilsondl2 wrote:
One of the reasons I like it is the soft image. Think portrait. - Dave
I'm gonna have to agree with the other poster...soft is fine if the eyes are sharp and it looks softened intentionally...but this looks soft like the lens isn't sharp or it's mis-focused...but that's just my personal opinion.
PS: I did look up your lens and the images that I see on line that it can take are nice and sharp where they need to be.
Jul 8, 2014 12:43:51 #
All my Asahi lenses (as well as my Jupiter 9) in my signature were right around $100 each...They're all super. I had a Hexanon 200mm f/4 that was less than $40 used, but the modified lens mount stopped working with my m4/3 camera. The cheapest lens I bought was an OM 50mm f1.8. Dang thing was tack sharp when you nailed the focus. Paid $12 for it.
Jul 8, 2014 12:45:02 #
rpavich wrote:
I love my old '70's Minolta Rokkors...they are huge bang for the buck...
mmm...Roks...
Great shot btw.
Jul 9, 2014 06:08:41 #
the poster didn't say if he was talking about lenses made to be sold cheaply or those that can be picked up cheaply.
my big three, sony, canon, and Nikon, make lower end lenses that are quite good.
my big three, sony, canon, and Nikon, make lower end lenses that are quite good.
Jul 9, 2014 06:35:45 #
wilsondl2 wrote:
Do any others have a lens that is super cheap and also super? I bought a Spiratone 135mm f/2.8 lens that is a preset (look it up) t mount that can be used on most SLRs and DSLRs. It has been one of my favorite Portrait lenses every since. It has 15 aperture blades so it gives a nice blured background. I would like to know of others that have "went cheap" and found they had a treasure. Picture below is my granddaughter taken with this lens. - Dave
"Spiratone" That name takes me back. I remember lots of Spiratone items for sale in the 1970s.
Jul 9, 2014 06:52:15 #
tradio wrote:
I have never spent money on cheap glass. It looks like nice bokeh. It looks like the image is soft.
Cheap is an emotional word, Low Cost is the better word since it does not automatically evaluate the IQ. There are some of us who purchase low cost rather than none at all. My lenses for Sony Alpha are kit but also a stable of classic Minolta. These lenses are low in cost, but recall that Minolta made glass and lenses for Ziess and Leica.
https://sites.google.com/site/seevve/historical-perspective-on-minolta-lens-design-philosophy
Examining the "softness" in the posters photo, it appears to me that it is a mater of focus. Note the fine hair at the back of the neck and the hair on top but further back than the forward face.
Jul 9, 2014 06:59:26 #
lighthouse
Loc: No Fixed Abode
wilsondl2 wrote:
Do any others have a lens that is super cheap and also super? I bought a Spiratone 135mm f/2.8 lens that is a preset (look it up) t mount that can be used on most SLRs and DSLRs. It has been one of my favorite Portrait lenses every since. It has 15 aperture blades so it gives a nice blured background. I would like to know of others that have "went cheap" and found they had a treasure. Picture below is my granddaughter taken with this lens. - Dave
Maybe it was cheap because it backfocuses about 6 inches?
Jul 9, 2014 07:06:52 #
lighthouse wrote:
Maybe it was cheap because it backfocuses about 6 inches?
Some things just make me chuckle...this did.
Jul 9, 2014 07:31:14 #
When I saw rpavich's dog, I wrote an $18 check to ASPCA in hopes they will rescue this forlorn looking beast. I think that no mater how much rpavich would pay for a lens the dog still would look soft. I will try one of those face programs, Portrait Professional 11, later today and see it that helps remove the wrinkles... :?:
A friend just pointed out to me that I am assuming that this is a dog and not a portrait of rpavich himself !!! If this is the case rpavich, then I apologize. :lol:
A friend just pointed out to me that I am assuming that this is a dog and not a portrait of rpavich himself !!! If this is the case rpavich, then I apologize. :lol:
Jul 9, 2014 07:32:39 #
dpullum wrote:
When I saw rpavich's dog, I wrote an $18 check to ASPCA in hopes they will rescue this forlorn looking beast. I think that no mater how much rpavich would pay for a lens the dog still would look soft. I will try one of those face programs, Portrait Professional 11, later today and see it that helps remove the wrinkles... :?:
A friend just pointed out to me that I am assuming that this is a dog and not a portrait of rpavich himself !!! If this is the case rpavich, then I apologize. :lol:
A friend just pointed out to me that I am assuming that this is a dog and not a portrait of rpavich himself !!! If this is the case rpavich, then I apologize. :lol:
Lol...thankfully it's the dog and not me..but I'm not much better :)
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