Which Manual Lens to Go For?

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Jayceyned

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Hey guys,

I've decided to get hold of an older manual aperture, prime lens & convert it or use with my DSLR.
I'll primarily be using it reversed for macro, but I also thought it would be a good opportunity to learn how to use a manual lens. I don't want to spend huge amounts but don't mind spending if it means I'll get hold of something of good quality that will last, only thing is I'm not too clued up about lenses & the good ones.

I'd really appreciate it if anyone could tell me which (if any) of the following are worth going for. Any other suggestions would also be really appreciated:

Helios
Cosina Cosinon
Prinzflex
Sunactinon
Vivitar
Carl Zeiss
Hanimex
Toshiba Tosner

Thanks everyone,

You guys are wik,

Jay.
 
I can't recommend any lenses, but make sure any lens you are buying is suitable for 'macro' work and has close focusing capability. There is no point spending money on a lens that can only focus on objecting starting at 2m.
 
Here are some of my personal findings with old MF lenses.

My pick would be a Minolta MD Rokkor 45mm F2. My favourite lens by a country mile.
 
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Remember you'll need the correct adapter, many DSLRs won't accept adapters because the lens mount to film/sensor plane distance is too similar. Make sure you check on that before buying any lenses!
 
Can't go wrong with the tamron adaptall 90mm f/2.5 Macro. I'm very happy with mine.

Some sample images:

5881096662_c6b6e7bfec_z.jpg


5828920825_fb347eb6ea_z.jpg


5829469774_1eb6b7f040_z.jpg
 
Jayceyned said:
Thanks guys,

Will look out for Minolta.
Click to expand...

Minolta lenses don't adapt well to EF mount.
MD and FD lenses (and range finder mount like M39) are the only ones that don't adapt well to EF.


The vivitar 28mm f/2.8 (ones with serial numbers starting 28------) is supposed to be very good for reversing on tubes for very high magnification.

If you want something fast, the takumar 50mm f/1.4 is supposed to be good.
 
Jayceyned said:
Hey guys,

I've decided to get hold of an older manual aperture, prime lens & convert it or use with my DSLR.
I'll primarily be using it reversed for macro, but I also thought it would be a good opportunity to learn how to use a manual lens. I don't want to spend huge amounts but don't mind spending if it means I'll get hold of something of good quality that will last, only thing is I'm not too clued up about lenses & the good ones.

I'd really appreciate it if anyone could tell me which (if any) of the following are worth going for. Any other suggestions would also be really appreciated:

Helios
Cosina Cosinon
Prinzflex
Sunactinon
Vivitar
Carl Zeiss
Hanimex
Toshiba Tosner

Thanks everyone,

You guys are wik,

Jay.
Click to expand...

I don't know about the reversed macro thing. I got a Pentax Super Takumar 50mm f1.4 for £40 on ebay. Highly regarded.

http://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/showproduct.php?product=269&cat=23

It does come in a few variations Super, SMC etc.

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/columns/sm-02-11-24.shtml

Photos:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/eos-manual-lenses/discuss/72157605685714082/

Video:

http://vimeo.com/10917206

Good luck :)

John
 
protean said:
I don't know about the reversed macro thing. I got a Pentax Super Takumar 50mm f1.4 for £40 on ebay. Highly regarded.

http://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/showproduct.php?product=269&cat=23

It does come in a few variations Super, SMC etc.

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/columns/sm-02-11-24.shtml

Photos:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/eos-manual-lenses/discuss/72157605685714082/

Video:

http://vimeo.com/10917206

Good luck :)

John
Click to expand...

I own a SMC Takumar 50mm f.14 in new condition. I checked out the Luminous Landscape website and was surprised to learn that the early 8 element Super Takumar lenses had a radioactive element. Mine is a later model so I decided to measure the radiation of mine vs background levels.
SURPRISE !! Background level: 6 mcR/H, camera end of lens: 657 mcR/H !!! That's a 110/1 ratio. Interesting to say the least. Any comments ??
 
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Why not try the Industar-61 L/Z 50mm f2.8 apparently this has macro ability better than 1:2. Usually available for £25+ on ebay. Reading various revues it has a good reputation minimum focus 30cm.

Just bought one myself.

I think it has a radioactive element as well.
 
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Jayceyned said:
Hey guys,

I've decided to get hold of an older manual aperture, prime lens & convert it or use with my DSLR.
I'll primarily be using it reversed for macro, but I also thought it would be a good opportunity to learn how to use a manual lens. I don't want to spend huge amounts but don't mind spending if it means I'll get hold of something of good quality that will last, only thing is I'm not too clued up about lenses & the good ones.

I'd really appreciate it if anyone could tell me which (if any) of the following are worth going for. Any other suggestions would also be really appreciated:

Helios
Cosina Cosinon
Prinzflex
Sunactinon
Vivitar
Carl Zeiss
Hanimex
Toshiba Tosner

Thanks everyone,

You guys are wik,

Jay.
Click to expand...

Have you thought about using extension tubes instead of reverse mount adapters? I use both extension bellows and tubes.
This photo was taken with my radioactive M42 mount SMC Takumar 50mm f1.4 and a 26mm extension tube. The camera is a Canon T2i.


IMG_1352 by J Bruja, on Flickr
 
Yeah,

Am going for extension tubes in combination with a reversed wide-angle lens. Thanks for the advice. Will post some pics when it arrives; I went for a 28mm Vivitar in the end.
 
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