prime, prime, everywhere a prime...

**richard0170** · 01-21-2021, 06:06 AM - **1 Like**

Canon lens playtime with X-T1

FL 35mm f2.5

FL 50mm f3.5 Macro

FD 55mm f1.2 SSC

FL 85mm f1.8

edom31 · 01-21-2021, 07:21 AM

Originally posted by richard0170

Canon lens playtime with X-T1

Nice combo of lenses. Are these shots all wide-open?

**richard0170** · 01-21-2021, 09:35 AM

Originally posted by edom31

Nice combo of lenses. Are these shots all wide-open?

No, they are all stopped down a couple of stops. They all lack a bit of contrast wide open, and the 55 f1.2 and 50mm f3.5 are a bit soft wide open. The 35mm f2.5 and 85mm f1.8 are a bit softer wide open but you can only really tell by zooming in, so IMO are perfectly usable wide open. I wanted to try my FL 58mm f1.2, but it has a funny bulge to the mount so it won't fit on an adapter. These old lenses are stunning build quality and on the 35mm and 85mm the aperture placement makes them very easy to use on a mirrorless design.

edom31 · 01-21-2021, 10:30 AM

Originally posted by richard0170

the 55 f1.2 and 50mm f3.5 are a bit soft wide open.

I'd like to see that 50/3.5 macro compared to the Zuiko 50/3.5 macro - the Zuiko is a bit sof wide open as well, but it is a lovely lens.

Originally posted by richard0170

These old lenses are stunning build quality

Preaching to the choir my friend!

**paulh** · 01-21-2021, 10:48 AM - **3 Likes**

Old shot from the patio deck - Zenitar 16/2.8 on *ist D:

Aaron28 · 01-21-2021, 06:27 PM - **2 Likes**

reckon it's "street photography" in color.....random peoples at the park
Pentax ES.....smc takumar 85/f1.8.....expired fuji superia x-tra400....developed at local shop....scanned espon v600 at home

**richard0170** · 01-22-2021, 12:57 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by edom31

I'd like to see that 50/3.5 macro compared to the Zuiko 50/3.5 macro - the Zuiko is a bit sof wide open as well, but it is a lovely lens.

I might have to acquire one. I have been tempted a few times in the past, but been put off by the idea as I do not have suitable film camera to mount on one, as I have never been able to get along with Olympus shutter dials round the lens throat, despite trying a couple of times over the years.

Shenloanne · 01-22-2021, 02:11 AM

Have to say I've only ever seen this one in an old Pentax catalogue my wife's granny got with a Pentax film SLR for a trip to Africa in the 80s.

Ever hear of it on the market? Was browsing earlier and it caught my eye.

Used Pentax SMC 18mm f3.5 Lens - 1 YEAR GTEE - Used Pentax Fit Lenses - Used Lenses - Used and Refurbished

**richard0170** · 01-22-2021, 03:58 AM - **3 Likes**

Contax/Yashica playtime with Fuji X-T1. All shots @f5.6.

Yashica ML 28mm f2.8

Yashica ML 35mm f2.8

Carl Zeiss Tessar 45mm f2.8

Carl Zeiss Planar 50mm f1.7

Yashica DSB 55mm f2

Yashica ML 55mm f2.8 Macro

Carl Zeiss Distagon 85mm f2.8

There were some surprises. And some expectations fulfilled.
The 28mm is the weakest lens, noticeably softer and less contrasty as all the others, from wide open and stopped down.
The 35mm is similar to others I have tried like the Pentax M f2.8 and Minolta MD f2.8 in terms of overall performance - decent even wide open but noticeably better once stopped down.
The 45mm Tessar surprised me with its wide open performance which was pretty decent in terms of sharpness and CAs, and very good by f4. Outstanding for a lens of this design. In terms of IQ my favourite of the bunch due to its better saturation.
The Planar performed as expected. OK wide open with slight loss of contrast and CAs showing but excellent once stopped down just a little.
The DSB was another of the surprises. These lenses seem to have a poor reputation especially in the 50mm FL. But this 55mm is pretty good even wide open and stopped down just gets better.
No surprises from the ML Macro - just great overall performance even wide open.
Again none from the Distagon - great overall performance from wide open.

**pepperberry farm** · 01-22-2021, 06:28 AM

Originally posted by Shenloanne

Have to say I've only ever seen this one in an old Pentax catalogue my wife's granny got with a Pentax film SLR for a trip to Africa in the 80s.

Ever hear of it on the market? Was browsing earlier and it caught my eye.

Used Pentax SMC 18mm f3.5 Lens - 1 YEAR GTEE - Used Pentax Fit Lenses - Used Lenses - Used and Refurbished

several reviews here on PF:

SMC Pentax 18mm F3.5 Reviews - K Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

I have seen copies show up on eBay (possibly even here on the Marketplace), but no experience with it myself....

**pepperberry farm** · 01-22-2021, 06:50 AM - **3 Likes**

slowly coming to terms with this lens

I'm considering using it next month for the SIC, so I will have a huge learning curve to navigate with it soon....

**pepperberry farm** · 01-22-2021, 06:51 AM - **3 Likes**

edom31 · 01-22-2021, 06:52 AM

Originally posted by richard0170

as I have never been able to get along with Olympus shutter dials round the lens throat,

Great sentence there... Yeah, it is uncomfortable, but they did good for the overall compactness of the OM System.

**pepperberry farm** · 01-22-2021, 06:58 AM - **2 Likes**

**richard0170** · 01-22-2021, 08:35 AM - **2 Likes**

45mm mini shootout on X-T1. All shots @f5.6

Auto Revuenon 45mm f2.8

Carl Zeiss Tessar 45mm f2.8

Minolta MD 45mm f2

In terms of IQ, once you stop down these are all pretty close, but at f2.8 the MD is appreciably sharper than the two Tessar designs. plus you get an extra stop, closer focusing and less fiddly handling. Making it the clear winner in my book.
Of the two Tessars, the Carl Zeiss is marginally sharper wide open and displays higher contrast, but the AR is still quite usable. If I were shooting film I think though that I would choose the AR as the difference would be very hard to spot and the build quality is significantly better than the CZ's.

01-22-2021, 06:50 AM - 3 Likes	#12041
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,766 Original Poster	K-5 IIs with SMC A 15mm f3.5 slowly coming to terms with this lens I'm considering using it next month for the SIC, so I will have a huge learning curve to navigate with it soon....

01-22-2021, 06:51 AM - 3 Likes	#12042
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,766 Original Poster	X-H1 with Fujinon 55mm f1.6 DM

01-22-2021, 06:58 AM - 2 Likes	#12044
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,766 Original Poster	K-3 with Irix 150mm f2.8 Macro

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01-21-2021, 06:06 AM - 1 Like	#12031
richard0170 Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2017 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,034	Canon lens playtime with X-T1 FL 35mm f2.5 FL 50mm f3.5 Macro FD 55mm f1.2 SSC FL 85mm f1.8

01-21-2021, 07:21 AM	#12032
edom31 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Garden City, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,349	Originally posted by richard0170 Canon lens playtime with X-T1 Nice combo of lenses. Are these shots all wide-open?

01-21-2021, 09:35 AM	#12033
richard0170 Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2017 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,034	Originally posted by edom31 Nice combo of lenses. Are these shots all wide-open? No, they are all stopped down a couple of stops. They all lack a bit of contrast wide open, and the 55 f1.2 and 50mm f3.5 are a bit soft wide open. The 35mm f2.5 and 85mm f1.8 are a bit softer wide open but you can only really tell by zooming in, so IMO are perfectly usable wide open. I wanted to try my FL 58mm f1.2, but it has a funny bulge to the mount so it won't fit on an adapter. These old lenses are stunning build quality and on the 35mm and 85mm the aperture placement makes them very easy to use on a mirrorless design.

01-21-2021, 10:30 AM	#12034
edom31 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Garden City, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,349	Originally posted by richard0170 the 55 f1.2 and 50mm f3.5 are a bit soft wide open. I'd like to see that 50/3.5 macro compared to the Zuiko 50/3.5 macro - the Zuiko is a bit sof wide open as well, but it is a lovely lens. Originally posted by richard0170 These old lenses are stunning build quality Preaching to the choir my friend!

01-21-2021, 10:48 AM - 3 Likes	#12035
paulh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: DFW Texas/Ventura County, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 33,306	Old shot from the patio deck - Zenitar 16/2.8 on *ist D:

01-21-2021, 06:27 PM - 2 Likes	#12036
Aaron28 Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Huntsville, Al Posts: 7,131	reckon it's "street photography" in color.....random peoples at the park Pentax ES.....smc takumar 85/f1.8.....expired fuji superia x-tra400....developed at local shop....scanned espon v600 at home

01-22-2021, 12:57 AM - 1 Like	#12037
richard0170 Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2017 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,034	Originally posted by edom31 I'd like to see that 50/3.5 macro compared to the Zuiko 50/3.5 macro - the Zuiko is a bit sof wide open as well, but it is a lovely lens. I might have to acquire one. I have been tempted a few times in the past, but been put off by the idea as I do not have suitable film camera to mount on one, as I have never been able to get along with Olympus shutter dials round the lens throat, despite trying a couple of times over the years.

01-22-2021, 02:11 AM	#12038
Shenloanne Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2018 Posts: 99	Have to say I've only ever seen this one in an old Pentax catalogue my wife's granny got with a Pentax film SLR for a trip to Africa in the 80s. Ever hear of it on the market? Was browsing earlier and it caught my eye. Used Pentax SMC 18mm f3.5 Lens - 1 YEAR GTEE - Used Pentax Fit Lenses - Used Lenses - Used and Refurbished

01-22-2021, 03:58 AM - 3 Likes	#12039
richard0170 Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2017 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,034	Contax/Yashica playtime with Fuji X-T1. All shots @f5.6. Yashica ML 28mm f2.8 Yashica ML 35mm f2.8 Carl Zeiss Tessar 45mm f2.8 Carl Zeiss Planar 50mm f1.7 Yashica DSB 55mm f2 Yashica ML 55mm f2.8 Macro Carl Zeiss Distagon 85mm f2.8 There were some surprises. And some expectations fulfilled. The 28mm is the weakest lens, noticeably softer and less contrasty as all the others, from wide open and stopped down. The 35mm is similar to others I have tried like the Pentax M f2.8 and Minolta MD f2.8 in terms of overall performance - decent even wide open but noticeably better once stopped down. The 45mm Tessar surprised me with its wide open performance which was pretty decent in terms of sharpness and CAs, and very good by f4. Outstanding for a lens of this design. In terms of IQ my favourite of the bunch due to its better saturation. The Planar performed as expected. OK wide open with slight loss of contrast and CAs showing but excellent once stopped down just a little. The DSB was another of the surprises. These lenses seem to have a poor reputation especially in the 50mm FL. But this 55mm is pretty good even wide open and stopped down just gets better. No surprises from the ML Macro - just great overall performance even wide open. Again none from the Distagon - great overall performance from wide open.

01-22-2021, 06:28 AM	#12040
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,766 Original Poster	Originally posted by Shenloanne Have to say I've only ever seen this one in an old Pentax catalogue my wife's granny got with a Pentax film SLR for a trip to Africa in the 80s. Ever hear of it on the market? Was browsing earlier and it caught my eye. Used Pentax SMC 18mm f3.5 Lens - 1 YEAR GTEE - Used Pentax Fit Lenses - Used Lenses - Used and Refurbished several reviews here on PF: SMC Pentax 18mm F3.5 Reviews - K Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database I have seen copies show up on eBay (possibly even here on the Marketplace), but no experience with it myself....

01-22-2021, 06:52 AM	#12043
edom31 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Garden City, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,349	Originally posted by richard0170 as I have never been able to get along with Olympus shutter dials round the lens throat, Great sentence there... Yeah, it is uncomfortable, but they did good for the overall compactness of the OM System.

01-22-2021, 08:35 AM - 2 Likes	#12045
richard0170 Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2017 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,034	45mm mini shootout on X-T1. All shots @f5.6 Auto Revuenon 45mm f2.8 Carl Zeiss Tessar 45mm f2.8 Minolta MD 45mm f2 In terms of IQ, once you stop down these are all pretty close, but at f2.8 the MD is appreciably sharper than the two Tessar designs. plus you get an extra stop, closer focusing and less fiddly handling. Making it the clear winner in my book. Of the two Tessars, the Carl Zeiss is marginally sharper wide open and displays higher contrast, but the AR is still quite usable. If I were shooting film I think though that I would choose the AR as the difference would be very hard to spot and the build quality is significantly better than the CZ's.