amateur dirt farmer Registered: December, 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Posts: 41,780 1 user found this helpful | Review Date: January 1, 2019 | Recommended | Price: $64.99
| Rating: 9 |
Pros: | build quality, color rendition, bokeh | Cons: | lack of modern coatings | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-5 IIs
| | end of the month review: Cosina Cosinon 55mm f1.4
what a month (for me); my first SIC with an M42 lens, first SIC with the K-5 IIs body....
obviously, I bought a used copy of the Cosina (from eBay - $65) with the expectation that this Tomioka-design should provide excellent shots.....
the Cosina 55/1.4 is a joy of a lens to use - sharp and crisp when you want it, beautiful dreamy bokeh when you want it...
super color rendition (mine tends to oversaturate blues, but once I learned that, I could compensate in post), superior build quality (built as well as any of my Takumars); the only downside to using this lens all month was it's lack of modern coatings on the glass - I tried a couple of sunset shots with it and the direct blast of light into the lens creates an amazing reflection and you can see the aperture-shape in the image...
additionally, my copy's aperture ring, while still 'clicky', tends to turn easily if I don't pay attention to my finger on the lens - if I drag my fingers during focusing, I'll catch the aperture and turn it also...
but there is so much Art in the captures, I didn't mind these two issues....
some shots with the Cosina: cloisonne' hearts by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr post & barbed wire by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr cold front, pushing rain... by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr Stormy Grace by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr sunset, tall grass by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
overall - highly recommended if you are looking to add to your M42 collection
my flickr album for this lens: https://www.flickr.com/photos/pepperberryfarm/albums/72157703800887004/page1 | |