Some photos made with Tair-3S

Some photos made with Tair-3S · 07:51 AM

Hi folks,

I have been asked by another member of this forum to post some samples from my Tair-3S 300mm f/4.5 which is an old USSR made lens.

The purpose of this post is to show that old soviet lenses are not bad as many people seems to often think. The images are nothing artistic but demonstrate the character of this lens.

From my experience with this lens it seems that like many other USSR lenses this one has virtually no PF or CA. The lens is not as contrasty as I would like but it is not an issue. I love the bokeh though.
Oh.. BTW it has 16 aperture blades which form a perfectly round circle.

For everyone who wants to look at 100% photos (no resizing) can go to: Russian Lenses - a set on Flickr

Cheers,

Voe.

TaoMaas · 05-20-2008, 08:30 AM

I was going to comment on the lower contrast, but that was before I read the bottom part of your post. I think that lower contrast is making the colors seem slightly washed out. Not horribly so...just a touch. The sharpness seems good, though.

Voe · 05-20-2008, 08:43 AM

I agree

I forgot to mention that I got this lens and the Helios-44M-4 together with the Photosniper kit for $50AUD about a year ago. I think it was a good bargain

ftpaddict · 05-20-2008, 09:08 AM

oh. my. GOD!

I forgot how good my Russian lenses were.

I know there's a TAIR for sale somewhere over here, but it's like $250.

roentarre · 05-20-2008, 03:37 PM

I will ask Voe how he got this lens ... He is always fond of talking about russian lenses with every meet up.

They do seem to perform well.

Voe · 05-20-2008, 04:35 PM

Originally posted by roentarre

I will ask Voe how he got this lens ... He is always fond of talking about russian lenses with every meet up.

They do seem to perform well.

I won the Tair-3S on eBay auction from an Australian seller.

The reason I like to try these old USSR lenses is not to have a great lens, but to have a lens with a different rendering and character, that gives me this old nostalgic feeling of the past

For such a low price I think it is worth to have more variety in my lens lineup.
Oh and they are all made of metal.
Tthe funny thing is that I am no longer happy with the plastic on my lenses

and I guess the only solution for me is to acquire more Pentax Limiteds

I found myself not using my Pentax DA zoom lenses anymore, and always going for the metal made primes in my collection.

Cheers,

Voe.

Damn Brit · 05-20-2008, 06:08 PM

Seeing those encourages me to get my Tair onto my K10d. Thanks Voe.
Gary

Voe · 05-20-2008, 11:12 PM

No worries. Glad you like them.

k100d · 05-21-2008, 04:43 PM

thanks for bringing this up ... if i need a telephoto, i'll definitely consider this one
always enjoy your tests Voe

Voe · 05-21-2008, 10:05 PM

Thanks, I will keep them coming

Voe
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05-20-2008, 04:35 PM	#6
Voe Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Sydney Photos: Gallery Posts: 719 Original Poster	Originally posted by roentarre I will ask Voe how he got this lens ... He is always fond of talking about russian lenses with every meet up. They do seem to perform well. I won the Tair-3S on eBay auction from an Australian seller. The reason I like to try these old USSR lenses is not to have a great lens, but to have a lens with a different rendering and character, that gives me this old nostalgic feeling of the past For such a low price I think it is worth to have more variety in my lens lineup. Oh and they are all made of metal. Tthe funny thing is that I am no longer happy with the plastic on my lenses and I guess the only solution for me is to acquire more Pentax Limiteds I found myself not using my Pentax DA zoom lenses anymore, and always going for the metal made primes in my collection. Cheers, Voe. Last edited by Voe; 05-20-2008 at 06:27 PM.

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05-20-2008, 08:30 AM	#2
TaoMaas Pentaxian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Oklahoma City Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,574	I was going to comment on the lower contrast, but that was before I read the bottom part of your post. I think that lower contrast is making the colors seem slightly washed out. Not horribly so...just a touch. The sharpness seems good, though.

05-20-2008, 08:43 AM	#3
Voe Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Sydney Photos: Gallery Posts: 719 Original Poster	I agree I forgot to mention that I got this lens and the Helios-44M-4 together with the Photosniper kit for $50AUD about a year ago. I think it was a good bargain

05-20-2008, 09:08 AM	#4
ftpaddict Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Yurp Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,666	oh. my. GOD! I forgot how good my Russian lenses were. I know there's a TAIR for sale somewhere over here, but it's like $250.

05-20-2008, 03:37 PM	#5
roentarre Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 11,783	I will ask Voe how he got this lens ... He is always fond of talking about russian lenses with every meet up. They do seem to perform well.

05-20-2008, 06:08 PM	#7
Damn Brit Guest	Seeing those encourages me to get my Tair onto my K10d. Thanks Voe. Gary

05-20-2008, 11:12 PM	#8
Voe Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Sydney Photos: Gallery Posts: 719 Original Poster	No worries. Glad you like them.

05-21-2008, 04:43 PM	#9
k100d Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,911	thanks for bringing this up ... if i need a telephoto, i'll definitely consider this one always enjoy your tests Voe

05-21-2008, 10:05 PM	#10
Voe Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Sydney Photos: Gallery Posts: 719 Original Poster	Thanks, I will keep them coming