I too have one of these lenses and in their day when the 1st version was introduced it was claimed it was as good as a prime optic. However, my version is an old, pre 'D' version and has a degree of internal haze on the glass and when the few times I use it on digital the contrast is as flat as a very old non coated pre war lens on a folding camera. But used on my F6 it bounces back to life when used for B&W with apparently normal contrast. I only very rarely have to use a grade harder than 2 - 2.5 when printing (Ilford MG5). I have my own theories about this but what are yours?I've always loved vintage lenses. I love using them, handling them, photographing them.. Having begun my foray into photography in the late 80s, many of the now vintage Nikon lenses bring back a real sense of nostalgia for me but I also remember how good some of them were and how good they still are. Lenses that were tack sharp then are still tack sharp today. The 35-70mm f/2.8 AF-D was/is a cracking lens and was found in the bag of many a top journalist.
Apart from the improved coatingsI may be wrong but I think some breech lock and later FD lenses were optically identical.
Personally I think that of the film era lenses I have the Rokkors are generally the "best" as in they give the most modern look.
There absolutely nothing wrong with the old MC/MD Minolta lenses. The 20mm F2.8MD was at least as good as the same specification Nikon lens but a lot cheaper. Try to get hold of one nowadays apart from off Fleabay and sent from Japan and you will be really struggling to get a good one. Both the 20mm and 24mm MD lenses had floating elements to compensate for close up work, exactly the same as Nikon versionsApart from the improved coatings
There absolutely nothing wrong with the old MC/MD Minolta lenses. The 20mm F2.8MD was at least as good as the same specification Nikon lens but a lot cheaper. Try to get hold of one nowadays apart from off Fleabay and sent from Japan and you will be really struggling to get a good one. Both the 20mm and 24mm MD lenses had floating elements to compensate for close up work, exactly the same as Nikon versions
Thanks for posting this -its very interesting and I will have a good read later.People might find this interesting.
Filter Stacks compared: Sony E | Nikon Z | Leica M | Kolari UT
We see how different lenses perform on Sony E | Nikon Z | Leica M | Kolari UT cameras to find out if it actuallyphillipreeve.net
Of all the MD/MC lenses I owned was a F2.5/28mm MC with a low radioactive Thorium element. It had turned yellow and it was a wonderful lens for B&W because you didn't need a filter. (Rubbish though for colour!) It was outstandingly sharp from full aperture down to about F11/16. For a 28mm it was a large lens and next to a 28mm MD it absolutely dwarfed it and was so much heavier.People might find this interesting.
Filter Stacks compared: Sony E | Nikon Z | Leica M | Kolari UT
We see how different lenses perform on Sony E | Nikon Z | Leica M | Kolari UT cameras to find out if it actuallyphillipreeve.net
I got my A7 mk1 used to mount my C/Y lenses having used them before on a NEX6 + focal reducer. When the Z6 appeared, I realised I could mostly fund it and use Nikon and vintage lenses on just one body by selling my Nikon DSLR and the A7.I have the Sony 20mm f1.8 and I think it is a very nice lens. I use it on my quite old now Sony A7 mk1.
I bought the Sony as it was the 1st FF mirrorless camera. I'd previously had Canon DSLR's and further back a Nikon SLR for a long time and a couple of RF's. If Nikon had been first to market no doubt that's what I would have got.
I got my A7 mk1 used to mount my C/Y lenses having used them before on a NEX6 + focal reducer. When the Z6 appeared, I realised I could mostly fund it and use Nikon and vintage lenses on just one body by selling my Nikon DSLR and the A7.
Quite liked the A7 - felt a bit like my contax 139 in the hand. Preferred the light grip to that on the Z6 - for shorter lenses anyway.
The Sony to Z adapter I just use with the cheap and cheerful “tiny” Samyang 1.8’s. Work fine as casual snappers - nothing like that in the Z system.