[jeddy]

Hey everybody,

Just wanted to know what everyone thought. I have several old manual lenses, some bayonet others screw mount (I have a pentax adapter), and I never get very good pictures with them, they are generally somewhat soft in focus and just do not seem to work well. I want to take good sharp pictures, is that a possibility with these old lenses? I have a super 50/1.9 and a 135 etc.

Thanks!

Jeff

[roy]

what model cam??
i can post a couple thousand+ images using vintage lenses.
are you sure it's not OE ???
33 year old screw mount lens shot wide open , 200mm f3.5 with a DS
my PPing may be better than yours tho.



the shots at f8 are even better and quite a bit sharper. i do find my DS over exposes some what with my manual lenses. no prob--- set the EV comp.. or if not shooting in Av go manual and set the Ev manually.

[jeddy]

I have an ist DL and the lens I use most is a 55/1.8 m42. I noticed under exposure and had to change my ev comp. That is a great picture, I am excited to be able to use these lenses.

Jeff

what model cam??
i can post a couple thousand+ images using vintage lenses.
are you sure it's not OE ???
33 year old screw mount lens shot wide open , 200mm f3.5 with a DS
my PPing may be better than yours tho.



the shots at f8 are even better and quite a bit sharper. i do find my DS over exposes some what with my manual lenses. no prob--- set the EV comp.. or if not shooting in Av go manual and set the Ev manually.

[Eaglerapids]

That is such a nice photo Roy. There's just something about the quality of the scene that goes beyond sharpness. I can see how it could be a little bit sharper but the color rendition and the depth is wonderful.
I think whoever designed that lens envisioned someone with your skills to get the most out of the lens. And you sure did, thanks for sharing.

[rfortson]

Hey everybody,

Just wanted to know what everyone thought. I have several old manual lenses, some bayonet others screw mount (I have a pentax adapter), and I never get very good pictures with them, they are generally somewhat soft in focus and just do not seem to work well. I want to take good sharp pictures, is that a possibility with these old lenses? I have a super 50/1.9 and a 135 etc.

Thanks!

Jeff

I've bought a bunch of older lenses because I'm cheap and they're good bargains. I do struggle at times getting a sharp shot, but I'm sure it's operator error in my case. Some of my best shots have been taken with the SMC-A 135 f/2.8 and the SMC 300 f/4.0 lenses.

SMC 300mm f/4.0


SMC 300mm f/4.0


SMC-A 135 f/2.8


I've got some real stinkers, too. I prefer to look at my nice shots, though.

[roentarre]

These colour are so rich and sharp.

[kjao]

... K55/f1.8 lens.









An old one from the same lens:


cheers
Kenny

[Jonas B]

I have an ist DL and the lens I use most is a 55/1.8 m42. I noticed under exposure and had to change my ev comp.

I know Kenny likes his K55/1.8. I do however bet that the pictures he shows here aren't taken wide open.
My K55/1.8 isn't that very "sharp" until stopped down to f/5.6 or so. The M42 version may or may not be the same. Then add the problems focusing anything on the spot... Not all old and cheap lenses are very good and super bargains.

Are your pictures soft also when you have stopped down?

[kjao]

Hi Jonas

You are right, these shots were not taken wide-open. However I do find that K55/1.8 becomes sharp enough by f2.8 and very sharp by f4. Another good alternative to K55/1.8 is M50/1.7, very usable wide-open.

cheers
Kenny

[Jonas B]

Hi Jonas

You are right, these shots were not taken wide-open. However I do find that K55/1.8 becomes sharp enough by f2.8 and very sharp by f4. Another good alternative to K55/1.8 is M50/1.7, very usable wide-open.

Hi,

Maybe there some sample differences as I have read various reports. My copy is an f-stop behind yours it seems.
The soft/flary effect one gets from these lenses wide open *may* be used in an artistic way. For the most of the time I do however prefer lenses that are sharp also wide open, or maybe stopped down one stop only.

I think you are right about the M50/1.7.

regards,

[rhermans]

up till now my old lenses are the best ones and the worst I've got.

the oldest a vivitar 1 70-210 (series 1) - no A setting (ca 35years)



the worst a sirius automatic f2.8 28mm macro lens.
Can't show you any shot with it, I still have to get any sharp result, but for 25€ you can't expect much

So I guess it depends a lot on what you've got.

[little laker]

I've bought a bunch of older lenses because I'm cheap and they're good bargains. I do struggle at times getting a sharp shot, but I'm sure it's operator error in my case. Some of my best shots have been taken with the SMC-A 135 f/2.8 and the SMC 300 f/4.0 lenses.

SMC 300mm f/4.0


I've got some real stinkers, too. I prefer to look at my nice shots, though.

I really like this pic Russ

[shoey]

Takumar 200mm F4 (m42 adapted):


SMC-M 50mm F1.7:


Takumar 135mm F3.5


All three lenses had been bargins and I love them =) but u do have to try hard with em to get sharp shots. It does pull u back from the mindless snap snap snap mindset which is good =)

[Skorzen]

with my new (to me) SMC K 28 3.5 on film (does that count? lol my 100D is being serviced) I think the lab srewed up my negatives though...

[roy]

That is such a nice photo Roy. There's just something about the quality of the scene that goes beyond sharpness. I can see how it could be a little bit sharper but the color rendition and the depth is wonderful.
I think whoever designed that lens envisioned someone with your skills to get the most out of the lens. And you sure did, thanks for sharing.

this was just basicly a test. i'm not even sure if i still have the original but i do remember that the same shot at f8 was remarkably sharper. guess i need to look for it. and thanks. if you look closely at it you'll notice some cloning in the leaves.