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The Official Vintage Glass Thread

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S.C
Posts: 3068 - Karma: 2,281
Alright, figured that enough people have posted threads about vintage glass that we should just put our knowledge into one go to place.

Vintage lenses are great deals for spectacular glass if you are unaware

I just bought the pentax-m S-M-C takumar 50mm 1.4 I've read that this is better than the k mount version or the super takumar version. the SMC is the same as the S-M-C but with a rubber focus ring. the M42 mount version is radioactive though, and may have to have UV treatment to remove the yellowing.

Anyone know about the Zenitar 16mm 2.8? Kinda want!
Aug 11 2011 6:37PM
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Linked
Posts: 325 - Karma: 216
does any have any experience with a canon fd 35-105 f3.5 on gh1/2/3,
it seams like it would be quite a large lens on a gh2? being 600grams and 11cm long
Jul 22 2013 4:33AM
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No.Quarter
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 16,956
So i am l looking to buy a pentax k1000 body and was surfing on KEH and i noticed on the pentax lenses how there is either a "M" or "A" designation. I know the "M" means manual something, but what does the "A" mean? I understand the "A" lenses are newer, so would an "A" lens work on a fully manual everything k1000 body?

Also give me some suggestions for pentax to eos and pentax to sony NEX adapters. Are many eos adapters glassless? Budget is around $50 each
Jul 23 2013 1:49AM
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GrahamGould
Posts: 713 - Karma: 2,439
just out of curiosity, where is the best place to buy vintage NIKKOR glass?
Jul 23 2013 10:14PM
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No.Quarter
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 16,956
bump
Jul 24 2013 5:47PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24704 - Karma: 29,683
They will work no problem on the 7D.

On the 5D, you will have to shave down the Aperture pin to get them to work. How much, I'm not exactly sure, but it will interfere with the mirror if it's not taken down.
Jul 24 2013 6:16PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24704 - Karma: 29,683
A means Auto, being that they can be used on Auto Exposure cameras such as the ME or the LX, which have Program and Aperture priority exposure settings.

The K1000 is a completely manual camera, so it doesn't need the A setting, but it can still use any A designated lens flawlessly. You can't use an ME very easily with an M designated lens. It just won't work right. (call me out if I'm mistaken - as I've never actually needed to worry about this)


Pentax k-mount doesn't need element adapters with an EOS camera. Neither does Nikon, Olympus, M42, Contax/Yashica, Leica R.

NEX is a mirrorless system, and doesn't need a glass adapter with really anything, unless that is you want to make something full frame, like with the Metabones adapter- which gives you the FOV of a full frame lens on a crop sensor body like an NEX (as well as allows you go get like f1.0 out of them, which is fucking silly shit)

You shouldnt spend more than 10 bucks on any pentax adapter. I have like 5 of them and I paid maybe 20-25 for the lot.

Jul 24 2013 6:22PM
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GuillaumeLafleur
Posts: 34 - Karma: 50
I need a lens for my pentax zx50 I was looking into vintage glass but wich lens woudl fit on my slr
Feb 2 2014 2:33PM
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No.Quarter
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 16,956
Pentax has always used the same mount so you can use any vintage K mount lens on any pentax SLR without an adapter.

You can get Program and Shutter priority on the ZX50 with a SMC-A lens set to the "A" position on the lens
Feb 2 2014 9:39PM
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Laurent.
Posts: 10054 - Karma: 25,277
The K-Mount only exists since 1975, before that Pentax used the M42 lens mount.
Feb 3 2014 1:06AM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24704 - Karma: 29,683
M42 to Kmount adapters are like 5$ and will meter no problem with stopdown.
Feb 3 2014 10:54AM
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No.Quarter
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 16,956
God I feel dumb for forgetting that.
Feb 3 2014 5:28PM
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mrbillgates
Posts: 153 - Karma: 303
Looking to get another lens for my Sony A55, currently I just have the kit lens (18-55mm)…I was looking at these two:

PROMASTER 28-80mm AF Aspherical Wide Angle Zoom f3.5-5.6

Click for larger image

Minolta Maxxum AF Lens 28-80mm f3.5-5.6

Click for larger image

Any recommendations or experience to help me make a decision? The price difference is negligible.
The Minolta comes with a couple filters, I don't have any experience with them though.
Feb 6 2014 12:33AM
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No.Quarter
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 16,956
28-80 used to be the standard for basic AF film cameras just like 18-55 is kind of the standard for crop digitals today. They are pretty much the same as any of today's 15-55 lenses.
Feb 6 2014 12:45AM
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No.Quarter
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 16,956
18-55 sorry
Feb 6 2014 12:46AM
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No.Quarter
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 16,956
sorry for triple post, but I am just going to assume that your budget is pretty minimal if you are looking at 1990's 28-80mm lenses. I would suggest two lenses for your A55, the OM Zuiko 28mm f3.5 and the OM Zuiko 50mm f1.8. They are both super cheap, especially the 28mm, for how good they are. You could really get any other vintage 50mm and it will be great (see tijmendal's thread), but if you get two OM lenses you don't have to get more than one adapter.
Feb 6 2014 12:58AM
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mrbillgates
Posts: 153 - Karma: 303
Thanks for the reply…my budget definitely isn't limitless, but I am definitely not unwilling to spend some money on a quality lens. Like most others in this thread I want to broaden my camera's abilities without spending a fortune on a "G-Series" type lens. As you can tell I'm rather new to this, so any help is appreciated.
Feb 6 2014 7:51PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24704 - Karma: 29,683
Just scored a Minolta MD 135mm f2 for 50$ at a pawn shop in Reno. Suckers.

Time to make some cash on the Ebay!
Apr 21 2014 9:17PM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
Wow. Damn dude. You could probably sell that for times what you paid for it.
Apr 22 2014 3:37AM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24704 - Karma: 29,683
It's not in the best shape. Aperture ring is missing. but the glass is mostly clean. Part of me wants to keep it, but it's too much of a project for me right now. Ebay profit time.
Apr 22 2014 4:09AM
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Laurent.
Posts: 10054 - Karma: 25,277
Despite the state that it's apparently in: nice.

A friend used to have one, it's a bloody bokeh machine.
Apr 22 2014 5:18AM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24704 - Karma: 29,683
Holy hell, speaking of fast 135's... how have I never heard of one of these before.



135 f1.8? BEAST.
Oct 8 2014 2:07AM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24704 - Karma: 29,683
For sale on Ebay right now.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/141433630285

Oct 15 2014 3:18PM
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Laurent.
Posts: 10054 - Karma: 25,277
Why can't those tumbling dickweeds who sell rare lenses on eBay never take a few let alone one proper shot off said rare lenses?
Oct 15 2014 3:35PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24704 - Karma: 29,683
omnidataWhy can't those tumbling dickweeds who sell rare lenses on eBay never take a few let alone one proper shot off said rare lenses?


too busy oogling and aweing at the bulbous elements.
Oct 15 2014 3:58PM
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JuliusJ
Posts: 3778 - Karma: 2,106
Speaking of Nikon wide/fisheyes, would anyone seriously recommend a zenitar 16mm? apparently its horrid until f/16, trying to figure out if thats worth $150.
Oct 15 2014 8:37PM
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CheddarJack
Posts: 5203 - Karma: 7,380
DingoSeanFor sale on Ebay right now.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/141433630285



Hold on.


What?? What is so special about this lens?
Oct 15 2014 9:01PM
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JuliusJ
Posts: 3778 - Karma: 2,106
CheddarJackHold on.


What?? What is so special about this lens?


Its a very wide lens that is optically fantastic and has practically no distortion. And they were made in a very small quantity, so its rare to even see them being sold. Heres Ken Rockwell blowing his load about it.
Oct 15 2014 10:02PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24704 - Karma: 29,683
JuliusJSpeaking of Nikon wide/fisheyes, would anyone seriously recommend a zenitar 16mm? apparently its horrid until f/16, trying to figure out if thats worth $150.


If you're on a Canon full frame, sure. Go for it. Especially if you can get it for around 100 or less and really want a fisheye look. If you're on a Nikon it won't work well really, and I'd recommend a Tokina 17 or a Vivitar 19 for around the same price instead.
Oct 20 2014 11:38AM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24704 - Karma: 29,683
Speaking of old Tokinas. A friend of mine just found one of these in his uncles old stuff. I'm quite jealous.



Tokina RMC 28-85 f4.

**This post was edited on Oct 20th 2014 at 11:40:36am
Oct 20 2014 11:40AM
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JuliusJ
Posts: 3778 - Karma: 2,106
DingoSeanIf you're on a Canon full frame, sure. Go for it. Especially if you can get it for around 100 or less and really want a fisheye look. If you're on a Nikon it won't work well really, and I'd recommend a Tokina 17 or a Vivitar 19 for around the same price instead.


I mean I already have a 20-35. Looking for real wide, preferably a fisheye look. Why wont it work well on a Nikon?
Oct 20 2014 1:31PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24704 - Karma: 29,683
JuliusJI mean I already have a 20-35. Looking for real wide, preferably a fisheye look. Why wont it work well on a Nikon?


as far as I know, it's m42 screw mount only, right? Pentax doesn't adapt well to Nikon.
Oct 20 2014 1:45PM
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JuliusJ
Posts: 3778 - Karma: 2,106
DingoSeanas far as I know, it's m42 screw mount only, right? Pentax doesn't adapt well to Nikon.


i think they make a nikon mount? either way it looks way fuzzy until f/16 according to mr rockwell.
Oct 20 2014 2:21PM
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Laurent.
Posts: 10054 - Karma: 25,277
DingoSeanPentax doesn't adapt well to Nikon.


Why do I make these things instead of studying?

Oct 20 2014 2:29PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24704 - Karma: 29,683
JuliusJi think they make a nikon mount? either way it looks way fuzzy until f/16 according to mr rockwell.


It's soviet glass.. it's always a total crapshoot and it's usually never consistent.. Plus, Mr. Rockwell isn't always right. Mir, Dynax and pentax forums are more likely to give you a rough idea of how a vintage lens performs.
Oct 20 2014 2:39PM
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