Older Lenses
Jul 15, 2018 17:41:30 #
I have been looking at photos taken with older Nikon and Canon lenses on my digital cameras.
I know my modern EL L series lenses are sharp and excellent.
But I notice the older lenses have a look that just can't be described.
Have those of you who use older lenses noticed this. I don't mean your sharp 105 mm lens but the other feel the lens gives.
I use my FLM 100mm f4.0 lens and my EF 100mm f2.8 L lens and for some reason like the older lens for the look it does.
Nothing wrong with the EF lens, incredibly sharp etc. but just the feel imposed on the photos.
I will not post any photos but just want to know if others like older lenses for different reasons.
I know my modern EL L series lenses are sharp and excellent.
But I notice the older lenses have a look that just can't be described.
Have those of you who use older lenses noticed this. I don't mean your sharp 105 mm lens but the other feel the lens gives.
I use my FLM 100mm f4.0 lens and my EF 100mm f2.8 L lens and for some reason like the older lens for the look it does.
Nothing wrong with the EF lens, incredibly sharp etc. but just the feel imposed on the photos.
I will not post any photos but just want to know if others like older lenses for different reasons.
Jul 15, 2018 17:59:27 #
RWR
Loc: La Mesa, CA
Architect1776 wrote:
I have been looking at photos taken with older Nik... (show quote)
I like the color rendition of Leica lenses. From the early M39 rangefinder lenses to the later R lenses, there is little difference.
Jul 15, 2018 18:02:22 #
rwww80a
Loc: Hampton, NH
Old vs new...
Most of the "older" lens were actual ground glass with metal construction, made much better than today's molded plastic or glass elements and plastic lens body components. Many of today's zoom lens are actually vari-focal lens, focus is not held in place at different focal lengths. Not a problem for auto digital focus cameras but is a cheaper method of designing a lens.
But photo beauty is in the vision of the beholder!
Most of the "older" lens were actual ground glass with metal construction, made much better than today's molded plastic or glass elements and plastic lens body components. Many of today's zoom lens are actually vari-focal lens, focus is not held in place at different focal lengths. Not a problem for auto digital focus cameras but is a cheaper method of designing a lens.
But photo beauty is in the vision of the beholder!
Jul 15, 2018 18:03:54 #
Yep love shooting old glass, Mostly Minolta, Love Minolta's warm colors.
Jul 15, 2018 18:07:29 #
Jul 15, 2018 18:10:15 #
BebuLamar wrote:
I use a lot of old Nikkor lenses but don't notice anything different.
No quality improvements for 60 years?
Jul 15, 2018 18:14:23 #
Architect1776 wrote:
I have been looking at photos taken with older Nik... (show quote)
It’s not as though lens design and construction was inferior two or three decades ago. The old lenses are really quite good.
Many of the “improvements” that have happened in recent designs have been incremental and most of the attention has given to autofocus and vibration reduction. Unless you are using a high resolution sensor to capture landscapes, the older metal body, manual focus lenses are hard to beat for general photography and they are very durable. Best of all, they are a bargain.
So long as you concentrate on prime lenses and are careful in your selection of low ratio zooms you should be OK.
Jul 15, 2018 18:18:58 #
selmslie wrote:
It’s not as though lens design and construction wa... (show quote)
I am speaking of far older than 2-3 decades. The AF lenses are that old. I am speaking of late 50's through the 70's.
Jul 15, 2018 19:07:25 #
There is a Facebook page that specifically deals with vintage lenses here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1510996062486122/?ref=bookmarks
Some very interesting results- you may have to join to see samples.
I just bought a pristine Helios 58mm f/2 for less than $50 to use with my Fuji.
I seems surprisingly well made.
Waiting for an adapter so I can mount it.
More here: https://jonasraskphotography.com/2013/05/17/helios-44m-4-58mm-f2-review/
Some very interesting results- you may have to join to see samples.
I just bought a pristine Helios 58mm f/2 for less than $50 to use with my Fuji.
I seems surprisingly well made.
Waiting for an adapter so I can mount it.
More here: https://jonasraskphotography.com/2013/05/17/helios-44m-4-58mm-f2-review/
Jul 15, 2018 19:09:57 #
mas24
Loc: Southern CA
I own a Nikon crop sensor 24 megapixels camera. I don't own any Nikon vintage lenses. All my lenses are autofocus. There is a lens that has received good reviews, even by Ken Rockwell. It's the Nikon 28-80mm f3.3-5.6G lens. One uhh member claims this lens is as sharp as some current expensive Nikon lenses in this general focal range. I doubt it could compare to Nikon's 24-70mm f2.8. But, for a price of less than $70, used, from eBay, that's a pretty good review. IMO. If I already didn't have a zoom lens in that range area, I would be tempted to buy that lens. Vintage manual Minolta lenses from the late 1960s-1970s have very good reviews too. However, lens improvements are always on the horizon. Look at how Sigma has become better with their Art Lenses of late.
Jul 15, 2018 19:44:34 #
Jul 15, 2018 20:08:22 #
mas24
Loc: Southern CA
imagemeister wrote:
The Minolta 58mm f1.2 is a well known bokeh monster ! ....
..
..
There was a rumor, that particular lens had a radioactive coating?
Jul 15, 2018 20:28:29 #
Architect1776 wrote:
I am speaking of far older than 2-3 decades. The AF lenses are that old. I am speaking of late 50's through the 70's.
I was actually thinking that far back as well. My Rolleiflex and Leica date back to the 60s and 70s and most of my Nikon lenses are pre-autofocus.
Jul 15, 2018 21:53:05 #
Jul 16, 2018 05:38:01 #
LWW wrote:
Old NIKKOR glass is incredibly undervalued.
Why, Not just your nostalgia or mechanical build?
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