Lenses that make you WOW! for $50 or less

All this is a bit misleading - I would imagine this whole thread should be about what anyone can actually buy for $50, not some exotic finds. For all we know someone could have found a black M6 with black Summilux for $50 on some garage sale, but it's not typical.
NO what can one really get for under $50 that will make you go WOW? I'm afraid nothing other than some russian glass like Industars/jupiters, which are pretty good in some cases.
 
I think this thread is good fun. Another one that can be sometimes had for about $50 with a little effort is the Zeiss Jena Flektogon 35mm F2.8 for Exakta or Praktina from the fifites or early 60's -- simply amazing. The M42 versions command more money.
 
Two more: Nikkor 50mm F2 H-C for Nikon F mount (non-AI) - killer sharpness - about $40-60 for a really good one. Also the 35mm F2.8 NAI for Nikon F.
 
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One lens that has given me reliably very sharp and great results is the Zuiko 28/3.5. And it can be had for much less than US 50, usually.

Roland.
 
for RF: I-22, and I-50.

SLR: virtually all used K-mount lenses, including Chinon 50/1.9, 28/2.8 JC Penny, M42 18/3.4 Sigma (or was it Tokina or Tamron, I sold it).

Slightly above, but not much more is a Vivitar 35/1.9 in M42 mount.
 
Wayne, what a fun and refreshing thread. After reading for the umpteenth time questions like Biogon or Summilux, my head starts to hurt :D

Here's my list:

On RF:
*Any* Zuiko-bearing RF that you can get for fifty bucks will have no trouble wow-ing anyone with decent taste.
Fed 50/3.5.
As said frequently, any good copy of Jupiter whatever, I have J8, J12, and J9.
Konica C35, this little guy has that special f2.8 lens that is really special.

SLR:
*Any* Zuiko that you can get for fifty bucks will have no trouble wow-ing anyone with decent taste :D
Konica AR 50mm (both 1.4 and 1.7 will wow you).
Chinon 50mm/1.9 will wow you.
And the stable of CZ Jena M42 optics like the Biotar 58/2, some flektogon on a good day can be had for almost fifty bucks :p
Don't overlook the super cute Industar 50-2 (clone of Tessar 50/3.5).
SMC Takumar 200/4 is quite awesome.
Tamron 28/2.5, it's very good.
Lastly, when you see a blue moon and you held your gaze just at the right angle on the monitor when you bid on the 'bay, you can get a Zeiss Planar T* 50/1.7 for fifty bucks, now that lens will wow anyone. period.
 
Did anyone mention the Helios 44-M? It's a copy of the Zeiss Biotar, 58mm f/2. Pretty common in M42 mount.
 
Thank you, Robin.

Back in 1974 I picked up a cheap but remarkably good Angenieux 28 mm, pre-set, for the Exacta that was my main camera. In today's money it would probably cost more than $50, though.
 
ChrisN said:
Did anyone mention the Helios 44-M? It's a copy of the Zeiss Biotar, 58mm f/2. Pretty common in M42 mount.
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I haven't used the Helios 44 but I did buy a not too pretty( but very good glass) 58mm/f2 Biotar for a bit less than $50.
Rob
 
As a student with a photography habit I've picked up some gems for very little:
- Olympus 35RC: dirt cheap because there's millions about and stopped down this lens is superb. It amazes me every time I make a print. 8x10 and larger darkroom prints are pin sharp and it's seemingly impossible to make it flare. I can't believe how good it is. Much better than my Canonet. I haven't tried the SP lens, but I believe it's even better.
- Pentax SMC-M 28/2.8 (K-mount SLR lens) - picked up for £25 (~$50) in mint unused condition and it's the best lens I have. Consistently sharp across the frame, flare-free and lovely to use. In fact it's the only lens that keeps me using my Pentax SLR.
 
owenreading said:
As a student with a photography habit
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Same here, being a student with a limited budget.

So I got a Jupiter 8 yesterday. I think I made a very good deal. The first results will be here end of this week, about thursday, I think.
I will post them in my flickr gallery then.

Also waiting for a J-9, which will hopefully be a good one, since I read about some to have flaws.
 
ChrisN said:
Did anyone mention the Helios 44-M? It's a copy of the Zeiss Biotar, 58mm f/2. Pretty common in M42 mount.
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Agree with Chris, although the Biotar itself is not that expensive, it's a good bit less commonly found than the Helios 44. I don't have personal experiences with it but if it's really a good copy of the Biotar, I'd say that it's pretty much a given that this lens is one of the best values out there.
 
Tokina 28mm 2.8 for a canon fd slr, 50 euro and the most amazingly pin sharp lens for something that was allegedly used constantly for 15 years, great d.o.f. brilliant for street photography,

also a polar 80-200 f4 for the same camera €6.

helios 53 f1.8, €40 with a kiev 4 attached

ps i'm also a broke student,
 
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