14 Great Lenses That Capture The “Vintage Look”
An exclusive selection of first-class glass aimed at optical connoisseurs
By Jason Schneider
Some lenses have a distinctive character, a visual signature that sets them apart and defines the unique way they render subjects in 3-dimensional space. The Japanese concept of bokeh points in this direction because it describes the visual appearance of out-of-focus areas of an image and whether they’re rendered smoothly and naturally (good bokeh) or harshly and with unpleasant artifacts (bad bokeh). A lens that’s tack sharp across the field at a given aperture doesn’t necessarily deliver smooth transitions or beautiful bokeh, but all 12outstanding Leica screw and M-mount lenses we’ve includedhere can deliver commendable sharpness when required along with that luminous, rounded vintage rendition that can set your creative work apart. Of course, some of the lenses in this list are relatively uncommon and hard to find and most of them command premium prices on the used market. What makes them worth it to discriminating shooters? They can capture elegant images that stand the test of time.
50mm f/1.4 Nikkor-S.C in Leica screw (LTM) mount.
50mm f/1.4 Nikkor-S.C: Available in “S” mount for Nikon rangefinder cameras and in M39 (Leica screw) mount, this 7-element, 3-group classic is closely based on the legendary 50mm f/1.5 Zeiss Sonnar, but it uses higher refractive index glass and is a measly 1/5-stop faster, a marketing coup that helped put Nikon on the map in 1950 as the fastest lens you could buy. It’s not a sharp as more modern equivalents, especially wide open, but is reasonably sharp in the center of the field at wide apertures, quite sharp overall by f/5.6, and captures images with a “vintage glow” and attractive bokeh, thanks in part to its 10-bladed diaphragm. Produced from 1950-1962 with minor cosmetic changes, it weighs about 8 ounces in chrome in Leica mount, about 5-1/2 ounces in Nikon mount, and focuses down to 1 meter. $250-$350 in Nikon S mount; $450-$850 in Leica M39 screw mount.
8.5cm (85mm) f/2 Nikkor in Leica screw (LTM) mount. Nikon mount version was one of the original lenses for the Nikon I of 1948.
85mm f/2 Nikkor-P.C: First marketed in 1948 as one of Nippon Kogaku’s original lenses for the Nikon I and available up to 1964/65, this 5-element 3-group gem was based on the esteemed 85mm f/2 Zeiss Sonnarformula and was available in Nikon S, Contax, and Leica M39 screw mounts. The first portrait tele for the Nikon rangefinder series,it provides1.7x magnification compared toa 50mm normal lens,has a 10-bladed diaphragm, focuses down to 3.5 feet, and weighs in at 12-7/8 ounces in M39 mount. This optical classic provided the basis for the legendary 105mm f.2.5 Nikkor. It delivers a pleasing vintage softness when shot wide open, covers the full format with even illumination, and is capable of crisp definition when stopped down to f/5.6 and smaller apertures. Earlier versions are chrome. The later black barrel lenses are lighter and improved with better lens coating, and of course sell for a premium.It’s a great choice for vintage look portraits and landscapes. $300-650 in Nikon S mount or Contax mount, $700-$1,000 in Leica screw mount.
105mm f/2.5 Nikkor-P.C in Nikon S rangefinder mount. It was also made, and quite popular, in Leica screw (LTM) mount.
105mm f/2.5 Nikkor-P.C (later versions marked Nikkor-P). Nippon Kogaku’s distinctive fast medium tele was introduced in 1954 along with the Nikon S2, offered in Nikon S and Contax rangefinder bayonet mounts and Leica (LTM) screw mount, and discontinued in rangefinder formby the early ‘60s. A 5-element, 3-group design closely based on the 85mm f/2 Nikkor-P.C, which was in turn based on the Zeiss Sonnar it was designed by ZenjiWakimoto and was an instant best seller that helped to establish the elite status of the Nikon brand. It was produced with minor variations in black and chrome finish, focuses to 4 feet, has a 10-bladed diaphragm, stops down to f/32, and weighs in at 18.9 ounces in screw mount, 18 ounces in S bayonet. Produced in a Nikon F mount version until 1971, this timeless classic delivers exceptional central sharpness at all apertures with some softness at the edges of the field at f/2.5-f/4, a distinctive “swirly” bokeh, and beautiful “vintage” rendition throughout. $200-$350 in Nikon s or Contax bayonet mount, $750-$950 in Leica screw (LTM) mount.
35mm f/1.8 W-Nikkor-C in Nikon S bayonet mount (left) and Leica screw (LTM) mount (right).
35mm f/1.8 W-Nikkor-C: Introduced in 1956, this innovative 7-element 5-group Gauss type lens was then the fastest wide-angle lens for 35mm cameras. It was in production until 1964, though soon eclipsed by the iconic 35mm f/2 LeitzSummicron in 1958, and the new world’s fastest 35mm f/1.4 LeitzSummilux in 1960. Nevertheless, it outperforms many modern high-speed wide-angles in terms of overall sharpness and lack of distortion, employs radioactive Lanthanum glass to achieve a flat field, and employs large front and rear elements to enhance off-axis illumination. It has a 9-bladed diaphragm, focuses to 0.9 meters, and weighs 5-1/2 ounces in Nikon S bayonet, and 6-3/8 pounces in Leica screw mount. Thislens delivers sharp images with vintage rendition at its widest apertures, is extremely sharp across the field by f/4 and has pleasing natural bokeh over its entire range. $800-$1,300 in Nikon S mount, $1,500 and up in (rare) Leica screw mount.
50mm f/1.2 Voigtlander Nokton Aspherical in Leica M mount.
50mm f/1.2 Voigtlander Nokton Aspherical: This updated super-speed classic 50mm lens for Leica M-mount cameras employs one aspheric element at the front and another at the rear of its 8-element, 6-group construction, plus one partial dispersion element to minimize spherical aberrations and distortion. As a result, it yields sharp, clear images and vibrant color rendition with the smooth “vintage look” rendition, and beautiful natural bokeh that’s enhanced by its 12-bladed diaphragm. Great for low light shooting and selective focus effects, it’s rangefinder coupled down to 2.3 feet and weighs in at 12.1 ounces. $949.00 new.
50mm f/3.5 Voigtlander Heliar is a modern collapsible classic with a striking vintage form factor.
50mm f/3.5 Voigtlander Heliar: This minuscule, one-of-a-kind classic pays homage to the historic 5-element, 3-group Heliar optical design renowned for capturing impressive sharpness and detail along with luminous vintage rendition. Featuring a sold all-metal barrel, it focuses down to 2.3 feet, has a de-clicked aperture ring to facilitate smooth, silent aperture transitions when shooting stills or video, and its 10-bladed aperture enhances its attractive natural bokeh. It weighs in at 7.4 ounces, extends 1.7 inches from the camera and comes with a traditional screw-in lens hood. 2017 version in M-mount, $529.00; previous versions in Leica screw mount also available.
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50mm f/2 Voigtlander Nickel Heliar looks like vintage lens and is a great choice for capturing vintage look images.
50mm f/2 Voigtlander Nickel Heliar: Originally produced as a limited edition LTM screw mount collapsible lens for the 2006 Voigtlander R2M and R3M in honor of the 250th Anniversary of Voigtlander, then reissued in another limited edition in M-mount collapsible lens to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Cosina. This unique 50mm lens features the venerable 5-element, 3-group Heliar construction, a vintage form factor with a traditional knurling and a Leica-style infinity lock, an 11-bladed diaphragm to enhance its inherently smooth, natural bokeh, and coupled rangefinder focusing down to 1 meter. It yields a classic vintage look at its widest apertures, impressive resolution and detail at moderate apertures, and smooth natural transitionsthroughout. Now officially discontinued, the later version of this timeless Leica screw mount classic is still available in like new condition. The screw mount version comes with an M adapter. $800.00.
For details on 7 more great lenses that capture the vintage look please go to Part 2 of this article.
An exclusive selection of first-class glass aimed at optical connoisseurs
By Jason Schneider
Some lenses have a distinctive character, a visual signature that sets them apart and defines the unique way they render subjects in 3-dimensional space. The Japanese concept of bokeh points in this direction because it describes the visual appearance of out-of-focus areas of an image and whether they’re rendered smoothly and naturally (good bokeh) or harshly and with unpleasant artifacts (bad bokeh). A lens that’s tack sharp across the field at a given aperture doesn’t necessarily deliver smooth transitions or beautiful bokeh, but all 12outstanding Leica screw and M-mount lenses we’ve includedhere can deliver commendable sharpness when required along with that luminous, rounded vintage rendition that can set your creative work apart. Of course, some of the lenses in this list are relatively uncommon and hard to find and most of them command premium prices on the used market. What makes them worth it to discriminating shooters? They can capture elegant images that stand the test of time.
50mm f/1.4 Nikkor-S.C in Leica screw (LTM) mount.
50mm f/1.4 Nikkor-S.C: Available in “S” mount for Nikon rangefinder cameras and in M39 (Leica screw) mount, this 7-element, 3-group classic is closely based on the legendary 50mm f/1.5 Zeiss Sonnar, but it uses higher refractive index glass and is a measly 1/5-stop faster, a marketing coup that helped put Nikon on the map in 1950 as the fastest lens you could buy. It’s not a sharp as more modern equivalents, especially wide open, but is reasonably sharp in the center of the field at wide apertures, quite sharp overall by f/5.6, and captures images with a “vintage glow” and attractive bokeh, thanks in part to its 10-bladed diaphragm. Produced from 1950-1962 with minor cosmetic changes, it weighs about 8 ounces in chrome in Leica mount, about 5-1/2 ounces in Nikon mount, and focuses down to 1 meter. $250-$350 in Nikon S mount; $450-$850 in Leica M39 screw mount.
8.5cm (85mm) f/2 Nikkor in Leica screw (LTM) mount. Nikon mount version was one of the original lenses for the Nikon I of 1948.
85mm f/2 Nikkor-P.C: First marketed in 1948 as one of Nippon Kogaku’s original lenses for the Nikon I and available up to 1964/65, this 5-element 3-group gem was based on the esteemed 85mm f/2 Zeiss Sonnarformula and was available in Nikon S, Contax, and Leica M39 screw mounts. The first portrait tele for the Nikon rangefinder series,it provides1.7x magnification compared toa 50mm normal lens,has a 10-bladed diaphragm, focuses down to 3.5 feet, and weighs in at 12-7/8 ounces in M39 mount. This optical classic provided the basis for the legendary 105mm f.2.5 Nikkor. It delivers a pleasing vintage softness when shot wide open, covers the full format with even illumination, and is capable of crisp definition when stopped down to f/5.6 and smaller apertures. Earlier versions are chrome. The later black barrel lenses are lighter and improved with better lens coating, and of course sell for a premium.It’s a great choice for vintage look portraits and landscapes. $300-650 in Nikon S mount or Contax mount, $700-$1,000 in Leica screw mount.
105mm f/2.5 Nikkor-P.C in Nikon S rangefinder mount. It was also made, and quite popular, in Leica screw (LTM) mount.
105mm f/2.5 Nikkor-P.C (later versions marked Nikkor-P). Nippon Kogaku’s distinctive fast medium tele was introduced in 1954 along with the Nikon S2, offered in Nikon S and Contax rangefinder bayonet mounts and Leica (LTM) screw mount, and discontinued in rangefinder formby the early ‘60s. A 5-element, 3-group design closely based on the 85mm f/2 Nikkor-P.C, which was in turn based on the Zeiss Sonnar it was designed by ZenjiWakimoto and was an instant best seller that helped to establish the elite status of the Nikon brand. It was produced with minor variations in black and chrome finish, focuses to 4 feet, has a 10-bladed diaphragm, stops down to f/32, and weighs in at 18.9 ounces in screw mount, 18 ounces in S bayonet. Produced in a Nikon F mount version until 1971, this timeless classic delivers exceptional central sharpness at all apertures with some softness at the edges of the field at f/2.5-f/4, a distinctive “swirly” bokeh, and beautiful “vintage” rendition throughout. $200-$350 in Nikon s or Contax bayonet mount, $750-$950 in Leica screw (LTM) mount.
35mm f/1.8 W-Nikkor-C in Nikon S bayonet mount (left) and Leica screw (LTM) mount (right).
35mm f/1.8 W-Nikkor-C: Introduced in 1956, this innovative 7-element 5-group Gauss type lens was then the fastest wide-angle lens for 35mm cameras. It was in production until 1964, though soon eclipsed by the iconic 35mm f/2 LeitzSummicron in 1958, and the new world’s fastest 35mm f/1.4 LeitzSummilux in 1960. Nevertheless, it outperforms many modern high-speed wide-angles in terms of overall sharpness and lack of distortion, employs radioactive Lanthanum glass to achieve a flat field, and employs large front and rear elements to enhance off-axis illumination. It has a 9-bladed diaphragm, focuses to 0.9 meters, and weighs 5-1/2 ounces in Nikon S bayonet, and 6-3/8 pounces in Leica screw mount. Thislens delivers sharp images with vintage rendition at its widest apertures, is extremely sharp across the field by f/4 and has pleasing natural bokeh over its entire range. $800-$1,300 in Nikon S mount, $1,500 and up in (rare) Leica screw mount.
50mm f/1.2 Voigtlander Nokton Aspherical in Leica M mount.
50mm f/1.2 Voigtlander Nokton Aspherical: This updated super-speed classic 50mm lens for Leica M-mount cameras employs one aspheric element at the front and another at the rear of its 8-element, 6-group construction, plus one partial dispersion element to minimize spherical aberrations and distortion. As a result, it yields sharp, clear images and vibrant color rendition with the smooth “vintage look” rendition, and beautiful natural bokeh that’s enhanced by its 12-bladed diaphragm. Great for low light shooting and selective focus effects, it’s rangefinder coupled down to 2.3 feet and weighs in at 12.1 ounces. $949.00 new.
50mm f/3.5 Voigtlander Heliar is a modern collapsible classic with a striking vintage form factor.
50mm f/3.5 Voigtlander Heliar: This minuscule, one-of-a-kind classic pays homage to the historic 5-element, 3-group Heliar optical design renowned for capturing impressive sharpness and detail along with luminous vintage rendition. Featuring a sold all-metal barrel, it focuses down to 2.3 feet, has a de-clicked aperture ring to facilitate smooth, silent aperture transitions when shooting stills or video, and its 10-bladed aperture enhances its attractive natural bokeh. It weighs in at 7.4 ounces, extends 1.7 inches from the camera and comes with a traditional screw-in lens hood. 2017 version in M-mount, $529.00; previous versions in Leica screw mount also available.
50mm f/2 Voigtlander Nickel Heliar looks like vintage lens and is a great choice for capturing vintage look images.
50mm f/2 Voigtlander Nickel Heliar: Originally produced as a limited edition LTM screw mount collapsible lens for the 2006 Voigtlander R2M and R3M in honor of the 250th Anniversary of Voigtlander, then reissued in another limited edition in M-mount collapsible lens to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Cosina. This unique 50mm lens features the venerable 5-element, 3-group Heliar construction, a vintage form factor with a traditional knurling and a Leica-style infinity lock, an 11-bladed diaphragm to enhance its inherently smooth, natural bokeh, and coupled rangefinder focusing down to 1 meter. It yields a classic vintage look at its widest apertures, impressive resolution and detail at moderate apertures, and smooth natural transitionsthroughout. Now officially discontinued, the later version of this timeless Leica screw mount classic is still available in like new condition. The screw mount version comes with an M adapter. $800.00.
For details on 7 more great lenses that capture the vintage look please go to Part 2 of this article.
