peterm1
Veteran
Having adapted quite a few mainly Japanese lenses - Nikon, Canon, Pentax etc plus some Leica glass and confirmed for myself that there are some beautiful performers amongst them, I am becoming more interested in old mainly European glass. I have posted another thread touching on this but I found today some marvellous shots taken with a Dallmeyer Super-Six 102mm f1.9. I presume its for something like the Kowa Super Six medium format camera. I gather too that its a pricey lens - although I have not seen this one on eBay other Dallmeyer glass certainly is pricey. (Dallmeyer is also an old maker who's line of lenses go back to early large format cameras but I imagine that's not what I am seeing here - BTW here is a link exhibiting some of their really big old lenses - and I mean BIG and OLD! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRj17rg91GY )
This lens and some others by this maker produce superb (and slightly funky bokeh which may not be to everyone's taste). But while the "usual suspects" amongst Japanese makers produce some technically brilliant performers, I am interested in more artistic rendition even where this lacks a little in modern technical performance.
It set me thinking about what other options there may be - old glass like this that shoots nicely and in particular produces nice bokeh. A few links and samples from the i'net. Any ideas and samples you folks can offer?
http://toby-marshall.com/galleries/bokeh-tales/dallmeyer-super-six-102mm-f1-9-lens/
The above samples were from this thread.
http://forum.mflenses.com/dallmeyer-super-six-102mm-f19-t77169.html
This lens and some others by this maker produce superb (and slightly funky bokeh which may not be to everyone's taste). But while the "usual suspects" amongst Japanese makers produce some technically brilliant performers, I am interested in more artistic rendition even where this lacks a little in modern technical performance.
It set me thinking about what other options there may be - old glass like this that shoots nicely and in particular produces nice bokeh. A few links and samples from the i'net. Any ideas and samples you folks can offer?
http://toby-marshall.com/galleries/bokeh-tales/dallmeyer-super-six-102mm-f1-9-lens/
The above samples were from this thread.
http://forum.mflenses.com/dallmeyer-super-six-102mm-f19-t77169.html
Fjäll
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Perhaps one of the more common lenses in terms of artistic bokeh is the Petzval Lens with it's signature swirly bokeh.
Larry H-L
Well-known
The first two photos you posted, with the "soap bubble" bokeh, look similar to renderings from a Meyer Trioplan.
Richard G
Veteran
That’s a lovely shot. I agree with funky, Peter.
Here’s a hazy old M mount 9cm Elmar.
Here’s a hazy old M mount 9cm Elmar.
lynnb
Veteran
Not sure if you already have a Summitar 5cm f/2 Peter? Here's mine wide open at closest focus distance:
lynnb
Veteran
Topcor 58mm f1.4 @f1.4, FP4+ in XTOL 1:1, LR4 (Taken with Topcon RE Super)
peterm1
Veteran
Not sure if you already have a Summitar 5cm f/2 Peter? Here's mine wide open at closest focus distance:
I do actually and that's something I had forgotten about. I must get it out and try it for bokeh. I usually have shot it stopped down more. Thanks
peterm1
Veteran
That’s a lovely shot. I agree with funky, Peter.
Here’s a hazy old M mount 9cm Elmar.
And this reminds me that yes I have this lens too though it is seldom used. (My bad) Thanks
peterm1
Veteran
Perhaps one of the more common lenses in terms of artistic bokeh is the Petzval Lens with it's signature swirly bokeh.
I have wondered if I bought a Petzval modern repo if I would get enough use from it. Its worth thinking about though the bokeh can sometimes edge into slight harsh territory I think. But thanks for the thought - its worth considering. Another swirly bokeh one I have been trying actually is the Helios 58mm f2. Its new to me so I have not tried it much yet but I have seen some nice enough photo samples from it. And its much cheaper to buy - I got mine for under $50.
xmas_one
Established
Richard G
Veteran
Hazy 1932 Nickel Elmar 5cm
peterm1
Veteran
Wow I like that. You know I NEVER would have thought of an Elmar for interesting bokeh - Summar yes but not the Elmar. Very nice effect.
Visit the Bokeh thread 
Fixcinater
Never enough smoky peat
The Trioplan line of lenses is quite popular for it's "interesting" bokeh. The 105/2.8 is the one I have and it does the soap bubble bokeh (onion ring, bright edge, etc) very well. The 50mm version has similar but it's not as obvious, but significantly cheaper than the 105mm. You can find it in M42 and Exakta mount, mine is in Exakta.
The Summarit 50/1.5 is interesting bokeh-wise. Not my interest but it was a good time trying it out. I prefer my Canon LTM 50/1.2 by a wide margin.
The Summarit 50/1.5 is interesting bokeh-wise. Not my interest but it was a good time trying it out. I prefer my Canon LTM 50/1.2 by a wide margin.
aizan
Veteran
one of the best, most artistic use of harsh bokeh is by bill henson, where the edginess adds to the picture's meaning.
why are you just looking for old lenses with harsh bokeh? new lenses do it, too.
why are you just looking for old lenses with harsh bokeh? new lenses do it, too.
f16sunshine
Moderator
peterm1
Veteran
That is very nice I have to say. Very soft bokeh - I like it. I have one with a rather poorly handled front element (missing quite a bit of coating) that I shoot almost always stopped down. Even then I find its very low contrast though this may be due to the above problem. Did you find it necessary to work the images tone and contrast over in post processing? That's what I fancy I would need to do to get the nice contrast you have. Even so I must try mine out open - I have been put off by its problems but should be more brave.
peterm1
Veteran
I am interested in knowing more about the Trioplan(s) - they seem to go for a surprising amount of money online given they seem to be all made with what looks like a fairly soft alloy body. (Those I may be wrong in that). But I was aware that they are well regarded - your lens comes up a lot in conversation when long lenses are discussed.
Is this the one?
http://vintage-camera-lenses.com/meyer-optik-gorlitz-trioplan-100-2-8/
https://phillipreeve.net/blog/meyer-trioplan-100mm-28-review-sony-a7/
Looks good to me - I love the vintage "look".
BTW I have recently been alerted to the joys of Exakta mount lenses - for obvious reasons they are cheaper than m42 versions of the same lens (least that is my impression) but m4/3 and NEX mount adapters are now readily and cheaply available so the Exakta camera mount is no longer really a deficit that it once was (shhhh dont tell anyone
). I have bought a couple recently - a no name 35mm pre set lens that came out of a security camera of all things but never the less it is pretty sharp and renders quite well. A $5 purchase. And a 105mm Schneider Kreusnach Xenar f3.5. They are recent acquisitions so I have not had a chance to give them a solid test run for bokeh yet.
filmtwit
Desperate but not serious
Minolta-Rokkor 58mm f1.2
DanskDynamit
Well-known
Helios 40-1 (m39)
