Your underrated lenses

[caila77]

These days there are plenty of lenses you can pick up for very little money.
I’m especially thinking of lenses from “dead” systems, like the Konica AR series (40/1.8, 28/3.5, 50/1.7, and I’d also add the 52/1.8—not outstanding, but it has a nice vintage character), or the Minolta classics that have already been mentioned (58/1.4, 50/1.7, 28/2.8, 35/2.8…).

I also wouldn’t overlook M42 screw-mount lenses. Some of them have become really affordable now, thanks to the decline of the “adapter ring craze” for mounting them on mirrorless cameras. For example, various Helios 58/2 versions (I personally like the 4, 6, and 7) are often selling for no more than €35–40. You can also find lenses like the Chinon 28/2.8 or the Yashinon M42s.

Then there are Fuji X bayonet lenses, such as the 28/3.5, and the Zuiko OM line, whose prices are dropping fast. Lately I’ve seen 28/2.8 or 28/3.5 models go for just over €60, and the 50/1.8 for around €40 (I actually picked one up for €25).

And if you look at less common systems like Rollei QBM, you can come across real bargains—lenses like the 50/1.8 or the 55/1.4 are often sold off at very low prices.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

interesting series of observations

Unfortunately , liking the contents of pictures is often confused with equipment quality. Famous names as producers may easily be confused with quality (mainly because the fame was gained by past quality). Also, the use of materials, appearance and style will affect reputation and price.

Hence my contribution to this litany is only to echo a comment a few dozen posts above ad Panasonic L-mount 20-60 variable aperture plastic zoom. I have found it perfectly adequate (and not inferior to the really excellent but much wider Leitz wide zoom for the CL). I have not yet dropped it on a hard surface like what happened to a canon plastic 50mm so that it split in two. But unlike the Leitz zoom, the Panazoom sunshade clicks in place and is not as easily skewed or lost. Such small things also count.

I realize that making lenses optically cheaper and having the cameras correct the flaws creates larger markets. And that plastic construction instead of aluminium and brass (or magnesium), changing couplings and other tricks to create faster aging of ones lens library also keeps the industry alive; while those of us who just keep using less fashionable old equipment because we like the results contribute to the industry demise.

p.

I chose the Minolta lens for use on the M8 based on the performance over the center 2/3rds of the image.

I went through the 1976 Pop Photo tests of 32 50mm lenses and picked four for conversion. The Minolta- ended up getting most of the use.
(Looking closely at the chart- I believe the datapoint for F2 at 1/3rd out is in error, or my lens is just better than their test sample)