Your underrated lenses

The CZJ wide angle lenses are all great performers, remarkable given how early they appeared on the scene.
I've recently acquired an Enna 4/24 and need to properly test it. It is a very compact design when compared to the CZJ 4/25 or the ISCO 4/24, so I'll be pretty impressed if it can outperform those lenses.
I own the Enna 24mm F4 Lithagon in Praktina mount. It's a beautifully made lens, somewhat uncommon these days. It makes sharp images with sort of a pleasant vignette common on early very-wides - reminescent of the first version of the 21mm Super-Angulon.

In fact I'm starting to conclude that many of these early post-war German SLR lenses are underrated!
 
There are quite a few vintage lenses that started again enjoying popularity due to being adapted to digital cameras. To me it seems that although people started appreciating Rokkors again, they are still not in the forefront of people's mind when looking out for lenses.

There are some that i liked when i first used them but when i used other company's equivalents, realised they were not that great. Rokkor MD 28f/2.8 is a good example - I used the alpha mount version too: good lens but not a match for the AiS28f/2.8 or the EF28f/2.8 or even the zuiko 28f/2.8.

I do enjoy their 50-58mm lenses though. Only exception is the old Auto-Rokkor PF 55f/2 which I have mixed feelings about. The MC-II 58f/1.4 is underrated although a difficult lens to handle.

IMG_2742.JPG

ScanImage956.jpg

The 50f/1.4 was underrated but people figure it out now. Still less expensive to buy than an equivalent Nikkor or a Canon FD.

IMG_20250629_095929_(525_x_700_pixel).jpg

One of the most underrated Rokkor has to be the plain MD 50/1.7 - even the cheaper 50f/2 enjoys more fame online. The 50f/1.7 is cheap, excellent performer, plentiful and has not been infected by the horrible "Hypus Internetus" disease.

IMG_6156.JPG
 
There are quite a few vintage lenses that started again enjoying popularity due to being adapted to digital cameras. To me it seems that although people started appreciating Rokkors again, they are still not in the forefront of people's mind when looking out for lenses.

There are some that i liked when i first used them but when i used other company's equivalents, realised they were not that great. Rokkor MD 28f/2.8 is a good example - I used the alpha mount version too: good lens but not a match for the AiS28f/2.8 or the EF28f/2.8 or even the zuiko 28f/2.8.

I do enjoy their 50-58mm lenses though. Only exception is the old Auto-Rokkor PF 55f/2 which I have mixed feelings about. The MC-II 58f/1.4 is underrated although a difficult lens to handle.

View attachment 4876093

View attachment 4876094

The 50f/1.4 was underrated but people figure it out now. Still less expensive to buy than an equivalent Nikkor or a Canon FD.

View attachment 4876095

One of the most underrated Rokkor has to be the plain MD 50/1.7 - even the cheaper 50f/2 enjoys more fame online. The 50f/1.7 is cheap, excellent performer, plentiful and has not been infected by the horrible "Hypus Internetus" disease.

View attachment 4876092
The 35/2.8 Rokkor also seems underrated - my copy was at least better than the 28/2.8.
 
For a relatively short period between 1975-79 Nikon made a 6 element 35mm f2.8 that was better than the both the 7 element predecessor and 5 element successor, both of which are not so highly regarded.
This particular 35mm lens placed in-between may be a little difficult to identify and therefore mostly sell at the same (low) price as its successor.

It is absolutely worth picking up if you spot it.
Serial no. should be in the range 773111-870063.

It features two very thick elements which were said to be too expensive to produce for what was basically meant as an entry level lens.
IMG_4913.jpegIMG_4911.jpeg
 

Thread viewers

Back
Top Bottom