The Absolutely Greatest "Cheap" Lens I've Ever Bought
Feb 10, 2016 09:32:37 #
I was just gifted (unintentionally) with a pristine Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70mm f/2.8D. I always heard it was the go-to pro lens for Nikon during the 90's and that the glass, build quality and IQ were top of the line. My very early conclusion: YOU BET, in spades. The zoom range is short but serviceable (I didn't buy it for that) and the push/pull zoom takes some getting used to (but brings back memories). Unbelievably, at least for me, the serial number signifies it was built in the last year, 2005, of its long run of 18 years. I see it as being an excellent portrait lens, but will be interested in the bokeh. I'll try to post some pix later if anybody's interested. And please forgive my excited long-windedness; it's just an old lens but I'm just an old guy. Speaking of which, no VR is gonna be interesting. OK, I gotta quit shooting off my mouth and go shoot something else.
Feb 10, 2016 09:42:58 #
Enjoy the lens. Many of my older Nikon lenses do not have VR. I don't care. I am interested in image quality which your lens will deliver. Please post some images. Have fun with your lens
Raz Theo wrote:
I was just gifted (unintentionally) with a pristin... (show quote)
Feb 10, 2016 09:50:31 #
Feb 10, 2016 10:11:37 #
Best cheap lens I ever bought was an old Russian KMZ (Zenit) Jupiter 8. This is a 50mm f/2 rangefinder lens that I use on my Leica (film and digital). I bought the lens from a gentleman who rebuilds and tunes these old Zeiss Sonnar type lenses.
My Jupiter 8 was all of $85, is modified for close focus (0.65 meters, very good for RF) and is rangefinder coupled and accurate all the way from 0.65 meters to infinity. It also has beautiful Zeiss Sonnar f/2 rendering.
On the SLR side, I have a Russian or Ukrainian Helios 81-H, also a 50mm f/2. This one is in Nikon AI mount, but I use it with an adapter on my Canon 6D. I think this one is a Zeiss Planar copy, but not certain. Regardless, it is a beautiful lens with very nice bokeh.
My Jupiter 8 was all of $85, is modified for close focus (0.65 meters, very good for RF) and is rangefinder coupled and accurate all the way from 0.65 meters to infinity. It also has beautiful Zeiss Sonnar f/2 rendering.
On the SLR side, I have a Russian or Ukrainian Helios 81-H, also a 50mm f/2. This one is in Nikon AI mount, but I use it with an adapter on my Canon 6D. I think this one is a Zeiss Planar copy, but not certain. Regardless, it is a beautiful lens with very nice bokeh.
Feb 10, 2016 10:39:11 #
Bazbo
Loc: Lisboa, Portugal
Raz Theo wrote:
I was just gifted (unintentionally) with a pristin... (show quote)
That is a great lens...I wish I still had mine.
Its been said before, but it is true...nothing wrong with old. I still use Zeiss glass that is 50 years old.
Cameras come and go. Lenses are forever.
Feb 10, 2016 11:36:59 #
Feb 10, 2016 11:49:56 #
Bazbo wrote:
That is a great lens...I wish I still had mine.
Its been said before, but it is true...nothing wrong with old. I still use Zeiss glass that is 50 years old.
Cameras come and go. Lenses are forever.
Its been said before, but it is true...nothing wrong with old. I still use Zeiss glass that is 50 years old.
Cameras come and go. Lenses are forever.
The Jupiter 8 is my cheapest, but not my only old lens. My favorite lens is a Carl Zeiss 5cm f/1.5 Sonnar made in 1936 and and a 1941 f/2 Sonnar made in 1941, as well as a Russian Jupiter 3 from 1963 and the new Lomo-Zenit Jupiter 3+, which is the best of the lot.
Here are some shots with the various Carl Zeiss Sonnar and Russian Sonnar lenses from the last few years. The car was shot with the new Jupiter 3+, with focus on the gas cap.
L1000438.jpg by Andrew F, on Flickr
L1003267.jpg by Andrew F, on Flickr
L1000348.jpg by Andrew F, on Flickr
L1000216.jpg by Andrew F, on Flickr
67510026.jpg by Andrew F, on Flickr
Mrs Kimura by Andrew F, on Flickr
L1000252.jpg by Andrew F, on Flickr
L1003317.jpg by Andrew F, on FlickrFeb 10, 2016 15:20:49 #
PixelStan77 wrote:
Enjoy the lens. Many of my older Nikon lenses do not have VR. I don't care. I am interested in image quality which your lens will deliver. Please post some images. Have fun with your lens
I agree. I used to think VR was the sad result of a trip to the massage parlor. Thanks for your come nt.
Feb 10, 2016 15:21:58 #
rjaywallace wrote:
Looking forward to seeing the images. There's nothing wrong with "old".
Amen. Thanks.
Feb 10, 2016 15:31:33 #
asiafish wrote:
Best cheap lens I ever bought was an old Russian KMZ (Zenit) Jupiter 8. This is a 50mm f/2 rangefinder lens that I use on my Leica (film and digital). I bought the lens from a gentleman who rebuilds and tunes these old Zeiss Sonnar type lenses. My Jupiter 8 was all of $85, is modified for close focus (0.65 meters, very good for RF) and is rangefinder coupled and accurate all the way from 0.65 meters to infinity. It also has beautiful Zeiss Sonnar f/2 rendering.
asiafish, I think my "cheap" lens vs your "cheap" lens can be likened to a Studebaker vs a Stutz. But thanks. You're the one who should post some pictures. I'd like to see them.
Feb 10, 2016 15:33:13 #
Bazbo wrote:
That is a great lens...I wish I still had mine.
Its been said before, but it is true...nothing wrong with old. I still use Zeiss glass that is 50 years old.
Cameras come and go. Lenses are forever.
Its been said before, but it is true...nothing wrong with old. I still use Zeiss glass that is 50 years old.
Cameras come and go. Lenses are forever.
Thanks Bazbo. I couldn't agree more; why do you think this "old" guy was so excited about an "old" lens?
Feb 10, 2016 15:34:23 #
Raz Theo wrote:
I was just gifted (unintentionally) with a pristin... (show quote)
For the Canon photographers; Canon's "nifty fifty", 50mm
Canon EF 50mm F/1.8 II Lens Nifty Fifty xt xti xs xsi 30D 40D 50D 60D 70D 7D
Feb 10, 2016 15:34:56 #
Feb 10, 2016 15:52:21 #
Raz Theo wrote:
asiafish, I think my "cheap" lens vs your "cheap" lens can be likened to a Studebaker vs a Stutz. But thanks. You're the one who should post some pictures. I'd like to see them.
I just did post some pictures, scroll up a bit.
Feb 10, 2016 16:43:12 #
19104
Loc: Philadelphia
The wonderful part of the old glass is that so many people confuse new with better. One of the reasons that I went to Nikon over Canon when I went Digital was that I knew there was some incredible old glass (since 1959)to be had that could be used on my Modern AF Nikon bodies. And it seems that every trip to the thrift shop or flea market yields a new find. Such as a Nikkormat el with 50 f 1.4 S FOR $10 OR the Nikon N2020 with flash and 50MM F1.8 D WITH SB12 FLASH FOR $20. Or the 400 f4.5 Q Nikkor that I got for $75.00
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