My New Favorite Lens

*Igilligan* · 03-31-2009, 02:57 PM

You all know how I love my Helios 44 and I have even posted some recent shots from my Vivi 135 2.8...
So obviously, the next lens I would need to buy would be another 135 2.8 right? I mean I have a bucket full of 50's why not a bigger bucket of 135's?
Addiction is an ugly condition.

Anyway my PP program has gone all wonky so these are kind of funky PP wise. but I am loving my new...

Soviet Tair-11A 135/2.8

Here are some shots from the first day with it.

thanks for lookin'

**Buddha Jones** · 03-31-2009, 03:04 PM

Very nice shots, making me miss spring even more!!

*séamuis* · 03-31-2009, 03:06 PM

what kind of PP was done? specifically any sharpening or color correction, boosting? these are quite stunning. I have heard many excellent things about Tair lenses most notably, legendary sharpness.and this one seems to be of no exception. stunning photos mate.

*farfisa* · 03-31-2009, 03:11 PM

You and your damned sunshine and flowers!

Nice stuff once again--hope those Soviet lenses can survive in the heat down there!

*arpaagent* · 03-31-2009, 03:35 PM

Glad to hear you enjoying it, and nice results so far!

-Jim

fs999 · 03-31-2009, 03:43 PM

Nice bokeh !
How close can you go with it ?

*gawan* · 03-31-2009, 04:08 PM

Looks absolutely wonderful!

*pcarfan* · 03-31-2009, 04:11 PM

Wow! that's a nice find indeed...like the bokeh and the overall rendering....good buy.

*fwcetus* · 03-31-2009, 04:50 PM

Originally Posted by Igilligan

Addiction is an ugly condition.

Ugly, indeed - <g>.

However, the pix (and, therefore, that lens) are beautiful.

:-)

jsherman999 · 03-31-2009, 06:56 PM

Very Nice, Gus! Where are you finding these things!?

*farfisa* · 03-31-2009, 07:48 PM

Originally Posted by jsherman999

Very Nice, Gus! Where are you finding these things!?

The alley behind the blood bank.

*Igilligan* · 03-31-2009, 11:24 PM

Originally Posted by Buddha Jones

Very nice shots, making me miss spring even more!!

Thanks Buddha, It has definately sprung here... everything is busting out...

Originally Posted by séamuis

what kind of PP was done? specifically any sharpening or color correction, boosting? these are quite stunning. I have heard many excellent things about Tair lenses most notably, legendary sharpness.and this one seems to be of no exception. stunning photos mate.

There is not a lot going on PP wise... my picasa is messing up even after a reinstall, so I was trying a trial version of elements 7. And I do not have a clue what I am doing. Maybe a little levels/contrast adj on some and some have some sharpening after the resize. But for the most part I am very happy with the colors and sharpness of this lens. I had heard of this lens and seen a few shots, but like my Helios 44M, nothing could prepare me for what happens wide open with this lens. I clicked the first 5 shots and looked at them on the LCD and it was Love!

Originally Posted by farfisa

You and your damned sunshine and flowers!

Nice stuff once again--hope those Soviet lenses can survive in the heat down there!

And wind, pollen, swollen eyes and runny nose... It ain't all pretty to look at!

You'll get yours soon enough

thanks for looking...

Originally Posted by arpaagent

Glad to hear you enjoying it, and nice results so far!

-Jim

Hi Jim, Much thanks for the comments and for my birthday present. More to come!

Originally Posted by fs999

Nice bokeh !
How close can you go with it ?

I do love the oof area this glass gives... my guess is min focus is 3ft to 1 meter. I think my vivi 135 is a bit closer but I will have to get back to you on that.

*Igilligan* · 03-31-2009, 11:38 PM

Originally Posted by gawan

Looks absolutely wonderful!

Thanks Georg,
my feelings exactly... what a great old lens.

Originally Posted by pcarfan

Wow! that's a nice find indeed...like the bokeh and the overall rendering....good buy.

Thanks for the comments and I feel the same way...

Originally Posted by fwcetus

Ugly, indeed - <g>.

However, the pix (and, therefore, that lens) are beautiful.

:-)

It does look like a tank! Truly a good self-defence weapon in a crunch... and that is what would happen to someones skull if you smacked them with this lens...crunch!

Originally Posted by jsherman999

Very Nice, Gus! Where are you finding these things!?

I got this one from Jim, late the other night on this forum. I have overslept thru most of your latest sales Jay, but luckily was on the forum when Jim posted this one. Seldom do you see these on our forums, so I jumped when I had the chance. Thanks again to Jim for passing it on.
I have stopped the ebay hunting, and I am done for a while... I did get a lens that I think you would love to play with, and I will be posting some shots from it as soon as I can get a little control of all the twisting, swirling cacaphony...

Originally Posted by farfisa

The alley behind the blood bank.

haha... I am starting to feel a bit light headed!!!!

Jewelltrail · 03-31-2009, 11:46 PM

Yep, another winner--very nice pics Gus.

*knyghtfall* · 04-01-2009, 12:11 AM

Originally Posted by Igilligan

There is not a lot going on PP wise... my picasa is messing up even after a reinstall, so I was trying a trial version of elements 7.

I do love the oof area this glass gives... my guess is min focus is 3ft to 1 meter. I think my vivi 135 is a bit closer but I will have to get back to you on that.

Great shots - especially the bokeh bit, set against the sharp subject = beautiful.

Incidentally, I have the same PP setup as u - using picasa, and recently invested in a copy of PSE 7. Did you get the trial copy together with a magazine? Anyway, I would recommend you to get the PSE 7 - it allows creative PP with your photos to bring how what you really what to communicate with your pictures, beyond what picasa can do.

Nonetheless, picasa is much more user friendly - i use a combi of the two tools, dep on which is more conducive towards getting the result you want.

My current fave lens is a Viv 135mm too - the Series 1 f2.3. Hence, can totally empathise with your addiction on the 135mm range. Now all i need is a FF DSLR to maximise the potential of the lens...