[Jimfear]

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I have a couple of questions:

1. If I have understood correctly the Cosina, Cosinon, Revuenon 55mm marked lenses are all the same?
2. How do they compare to Pentax 50mm 1.2 K or A version? Anyone got a good shootout?
3. What prices are appropriate for the Cosina, Cosinon and Revuenon? At the moment I am looking at two mint Cosina and Revuenon lenses that have a price tag of 295$ each.
4. From what I have read these three are supposed to be sharper than the Porst 55mm 1.2?


Also happy to get tips if you have seen one of these for sale somewhere.


And yes I have sniffed this forum clean on info about these lenses
//Jim

[Ratmagiclady]

*screeching.* You know where you are? You're in the jungle, baby!


Actually, I've heard you can still get the Pentax 1.2 by special request, and that could mean there's like this *one dude* there who's like, empowered to say, 'Imperfect! Melt it down!'

I could be inclined to keep that dude in a job.

Anyway, that's not really helpful.

[Jimfear]

What?!

Totally random post but it made me laugh

[jsherman999]

*screeching.* You know where you are? You're in the jungle, baby!


Actually, I've heard you can still get the Pentax 1.2 by special request, and that could mean there's like this *one dude* there who's like, empowered to say, 'Imperfect! Melt it down!'

I could be inclined to keep that dude in a job.

Anyway, that's not really helpful.

Well, I have it on good authority that Axl Rose shoots with the Cosina. (little known fact that that song was actually about his immersion into the 1.2 aperture torture/bliss cycle... But I digress.)

I got my new Cosina 55 1.2 for $200 last month, but the price has shot up since then. And I think the latest version of the Porst is also the same lens.

Now, here's the f/1.2 porn:





(<.....buy me..... buy me.......>)


.

[Jimfear]

Oh, now I'm with you. Don't listen to that kind of music so it just hit me that it was a song name...

Now regarding the lenses, that the latest Porst is ALSO the same as all the previous only brings more trees to this jungle...

Any of you masterminds think the price is going to go down any time soon?

Nice pic btw!

[jsherman999]

Oh, now I'm with you. Don't listen to that kind of music so it just hit me that it was a song name...

Now regarding the lenses, that the latest Porst is ALSO the same as all the previous only brings more trees to this jungle...

Any of you masterminds think the price is going to go down any time soon?

Nice pic btw!

I kinda doubt it, although you'll probably be able to find a less-than-perfect-cosmetically copy for less.

It was after duh-vinci, Kelly/PiRate and the rest started posting shots fom this lens that it kinda disappeared fast everywhere and the price went up. I (luckily) got in right before that started happening.

But I'd continue to check ebay - mine was new-old-stock, there may be a few more batches like that out there.

I've only tried the Cosina, and it's a very sweet lens.


.

[Ben_Edict]

Oh, now I'm with you. Don't listen to that kind of music so it just hit me that it was a song name...

Now regarding the lenses, that the latest Porst is ALSO the same as all the previous only brings more trees to this jungle...

Any of you masterminds think the price is going to go down any time soon?

Nice pic btw!

The price is sure not comming down. I would expect to the contrary as these 1.2 lenses will not re-appear on the production list. Apart from the Pentax A, which you can still buy brand new from sources in Japan (I guess, as long as there are some of those on the Pentax warehouse shelves and then it will be over), there are only the used ones and these get rarer.
Ben

[Ratmagiclady]

Oh, now I'm with you. Don't listen to that kind of music so it just hit me that it was a song name...

You know, I don't, either, I just grew up making fun of those who did.

(Actually a pretty good tune, though.)

[chse]

I have a couple of questions:

1. If I have understood correctly the Cosina, Cosinon, Revuenon 55mm marked lenses are all the same?
//Jim

The optical construction is the same but the number of aperture blades is different - Cosina has more

2. How do they compare to Pentax 50mm 1.2 K or A version? Anyone got a good shootout?//Jim

Look in the forum I remeber someone did


But seriously- sit back and relax- they are all not this great! You get nearly the same effect with a 50mm/1.4 and its a better (and cheaper) lens imo with much nicer bokeh. If you really want a longer bright lens try the Nokton 58mm/1.4.

[jsherman999]

The optical construction is the same but the number of aperture blades is different - Cosina has more



Look in the forum I remeber someone did


But seriously- sit back and relax- they are all not this great! You get nearly the same effect with a 50mm/1.4 and its a better (and cheaper) lens imo with much nicer bokeh. If you really want a longer bright lens try the Nokton 58mm/1.4.

I have both the Cosina and the Nokton (Who's got LBA? This guy! --->me<---) and
the Nokton is the better lens - 'better' bokeh, definitely, and sharper at f/4+.

One of the main reasons to get a 1.2 lens is the crazy-beautiful bokeh that
it can give you - but the Nokton is known for bokeh. You should consider it
as an alternative, yes.

But the Cosina (incidentally, Voigtlanders and some Zeiss are now made by Cosina) is
a superb lens, also - and up until about 45 days ago, the Cosina 55 1.2 could be
had for about 1/2 of the Nokton. Now it seems to be $290 (Cosina) vs. $380 (Nokton)

Nokton bokeh examples:








Few more Cosina examples:





But stop it down just 1, and the Cosina starts getting very sharp:



Here's the culprit:






I think Kelly (Pirate) and Duh_Vinci have better examples, and I know a few
other folks have the Cosina, but can't remember who right now.




.

[chse]

The optical construction is the same but the number of aperture blades is different - Cosina has more

Nice pictures indeed jsherman999.

I have to correct myself on the number of blades, at least some of them seem to have 8 blades, so there might be differences within the series. If you really want one check ebay germany (ebay.de) and look for revue/revuenon or porst. Porst is a shop (and brand) which sold them in the 80s, they are quite common in Germany. Many sellers ship to the US, but make sure they have paypal- in germany direct bank transfer is considered normal. There is one at the moment bin US$200 plus shipping.

[jsherman999]

Nice pictures indeed jsherman999.

I have to correct myself on the number of blades, at least some of them seem to have 8 blades, so there might be differences within the series. If you really want one check ebay germany (ebay.de) and look for revue/revuenon or porst. Porst is a shop (and brand) which sold them in the 80s, they are quite common in Germany. Many sellers ship to the US, but make sure they have paypal- in germany direct bank transfer is considered normal. There is one at the moment bin US$200 plus shipping.

oooohh! --> Ebay evilness. Don't look.

$40 shipping puts this at $250, but there is a 'make offer' option also.



.

[Miserere]

At one point I had the following lenses:

Cosina 55mm f/1.2
Pentax-K 50mm f/1.2
Pentax-A 50mm f/1.2
Pentax-A 50mm f/1.4
Pentax FA 50mm f/1.4

Take that, Jay!

Jim, in the last months of 2008 I sold some Cosinas for $225, which people bought with 20-25% Live.com discounts. I suspect many of those people are now selling them for $300. Is the lens worth that? Only you can decide.

What I can tell you is this: It's solidly made, has great IQ, and f/1.2 is a bitch to focus. I use mine for low-light shooting in bars and such, and I cannot complain. When I'm not afraid of people spilling beer on my lens, I'll use the Pentax-A 50mm f/1.2. I've never actually done any head-to-head comparisons, but the fact that I'm keeping my Cosina despite having the Pentax-A should tell you something about what I think of it.

If you do want it, this is my advice: Don't pay more than $250 shipped for a like-new unit.

[Jimfear]

Thanks for all the replies!

It's the DOF of 1.2 that I want. Although I'm sure the Nokton is a very nice lens I have already got a 50/1.4, so it does not qualify.

I could do with a Porst if it would be somewhat sharp at wide open, but from the pics I have seen and what I have read it is soft and dreamy (which is fine if you are looking for dreamy shots but I would like it to be sharp in focus).

Now if I really want a longer bright lens I should get a job and buy the A85/1.4... but that just isn't going to happen

300$ is definitely to much for a single lens for me. Don't want to live on macaroni for too long after I have bought something...

jsherman: love the pic with the leaf and blue background, and the one with the small lights! (LBA-LBA-LBA-LBA-LBA...)

Things are getting a little clearer in the jungle, keep it coming!

[jsherman999]

Jim, have you perused This Club Thread?