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03-19-2014, 11:15 PM   #31
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CZJ Tessar 2.8/50 (one of the silver preset models):




I find that I have to fight to get a good photo out of this lens, likely largely due to some issues with my copy, but when it does hit that sweet spot...


Last edited by g026r; 03-19-2014 at 11:22 PM.
03-27-2014, 09:25 PM   #32
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The much-maligned E. Lidwig Meritar:



Don't recall what aperture this was, but definitely stopped down quite a bit given the dust specks I had to clone out of the sky.

Last edited by g026r; 06-25-2014 at 07:34 PM.
04-20-2014, 09:45 AM - 1 Like   #33
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CZJ Flektogon 35mm 2,4


https://www.flickr.com/photos/serpentineminer/11016815036/

---------- Post added 20-04-14 at 19:21 ----------

And another one from the Flek


https://www.flickr.com/photos/serpentineminer/13337411795/
04-20-2014, 10:58 AM   #34
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Very nice! I've been trying to get my hands on one of those, but the prices on eBay seem to be skyrocketing these days.

04-20-2014, 01:01 PM   #35
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They're definitely too expensive. My copy isn't the best either, it's very good for close subjects but gets worse when you focus to infitity. But I love it for the colours!
04-20-2014, 01:11 PM   #36
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QuoteOriginally posted by pinholecam Quote
CZJ 75/1.5 Biotar
How do you manage to get so many awesome lenses ?
05-05-2014, 11:10 PM   #37
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CZJ Flektogon 35 2.4 wide open.

05-07-2014, 06:41 PM   #38
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E. Ludwig Meritar 50mm, fully open at f/2.9.
It's fun to experiment with these triplets, as they're so versatile.
Here it's showing its painterly side.

05-15-2014, 01:26 AM   #39
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Just found you all and this thread ... some old tests with the CZJ Sonnar 135/3.5 ... need to get it out again, "fix" it again and shoot again ... J







05-15-2014, 07:42 AM   #40
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jenkwang, on Flickr
CZJ Biotar 75/1.5
05-18-2014, 05:41 AM   #41
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CZJ 75/1.4 Biotar
06-25-2014, 06:20 PM   #42
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A shot from the Meritar. Probably stopped down to f8 or so, as the softness isn't too bad. (Seriously: this is one soft lens.)



In addition to the low contrast by default, it definitely seems like you have to do a lot of colour correction to get a rendering that's not completely terrible. I wouldn't recommend picking this one up unless you find it very cheap.

Last edited by g026r; 09-25-2014 at 01:58 PM.
06-26-2014, 05:47 AM   #43
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QuoteOriginally posted by g026r Quote
A shot from the Meritar. Probably stopped down to f8 or so, as the softness isn't too bad. (Seriously: this is one soft lens.)
In addition to the low contrast by default, it definitely seems like you have to do a lot of colour correction to get a rendering that's not completely terrible. I wouldn't recommend picking this one up unless you find it very cheap.
Sounds like you're really expecting a DA 50/1.8.
I don't think that the point of using these old lenses on a DSLR
is to try to reproduce what a modern lens will give you.
Rather, it's all about using the special characteristics of the old lens,
like the effect of the shot in my earlier post:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/122-lens-clubs/250453-east-german-lens-cl...ml#post2806373
07-07-2014, 06:06 AM   #44
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Going through my old stuff found this:
Zeiss 2.8 Tessar from my old Practica days - about 1955. Had completely forgotten about it for the last 50 years or so.

Dusted it off and used it on the K5.
Looking at this shot I've got to wonder just how much improvement has really been done in the last 50 years considering this is a 112 year old design.

Quick hand held shot out in the garden. It was a pretty low light shot in deep shadows.
Note this is after quite a bit of PP but that's fair considering I always do PP no matter what lens I use. Mostly color balance was off to my eye. Taken at f/8 IS0 320.1/60 sec in TAv mode.
Full frame.

Last edited by wildman; 07-25-2014 at 08:37 AM.
07-16-2014, 05:17 PM   #45
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QuoteOriginally posted by wildman Quote
Looking at this shot I've got to wonder just how much improvement has really been done in the last 50 years considering this is a 112 year old design.
I think that what speaks for the older designs, is their simplicity. The Tessar has four bits of glass in three groups. Less reflective surfaces make for better light transmission. Even the triplets can be stunning if one is not obsessive about corner sharpness or minor aberrations, which seldom show in average pictures. Modern coatings have encouraged an explosion in the number of glass elements that can be used for correction of aberrations, or zoom lenses, all at great cost. As your picture shows, those old lenses will still allow good photography if one is prepared to do manual settings.
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