Vintage Auto Chinons Street Reportage

Episode 116 - Out and about with a pair of Vintage Auto Chinon, manual focus lenses from the 1960's. 28mm f2.8 adapted to a Canon EOS 6Dmk2, and 35mm f2.8 adapted for a mirrorless Canon EOS M50. All I can say is that I'm loving everything about these lenses, size, weight, image, build quality, and most of all the price.
I've always kind of scoffed at the idea of using manual focus lenses, I don't have the best eyesight, and this has kept me from trying them since moving to digital. That said, you can always shoot with a deeper dof, (f8) and anyway, modern camera bodies have "focus peaking" to assist…

[@mr.b6789]

I have 2 50mm ones, a 1.7 and a 1.9, and a 55mm 1.7, they are great!

[@walterarroyo5220]

I just purchased a CHINON CS with a CHINON 55mm f/1.7, CHINON 135mm f/2.8 & CHINON 35mm f/2.8 for $58 U.S. I plan on shooting on my M42 camera bodies with film and get the M42 to Eos M adapter for my M50.

[@Shiznaft1]

I can't believe I never knew about the focus scale. I guess I have been too incurious. I shot tons of Minolta film 20 years ago, but I loved autofocus. Its all about the manual with vintage glass and I am trying to sharpen my skills. Thanks for the tips.

[@ohjajohh]

I really think Auto Chinon lenses deserve some more love! They're great

[@makis2105]

All pentacon M42 lenses I came across. 50mm f/1.8 29mm f/2.8 135mm f/2.8 200mm f/4 were excellent for the money and were really cheap before 10 years. Unfortunately now their prices are going up because people understood that East German glass is excellent. Excellent colors and excellent sharpness at f/5.6. The Chinons are sharp but they do not produce the excellent colors of pentacon. I own the 28mm and the 55mm M42 Chinon. These must be tomioka lenses and used to go for peanuts. Anyway east german glass is unbeatable for the money.

[@robertlayne8180]

Really enjoyed the manual focus feature. I too preset the focus to about 10 feet. It's only a quarter turn to focus in or out. Very fast. Now I shoot at F4.0 because-- I can see better with the lens stopped down. LOL, getting old.

[@lifetimesofamultiplemediam1003]

Yep... the old age eyesight isn't what it was… 🤓

[@robertlayne8180]

@@lifetimesofamultiplemediam1003 Well they have a focus assist for the M42 adaptor that beeps--- can't hear very well these days.

[@ianhand5006]

Totally agree, vintage lenses may not be as sharp as modern glass, but they certainly have loads of character!

[@_H_2023]

The 28mm is easy to take apart and re grease, I've also got the 135mm and that's also a nice lens.

[@haenzelv6287]

You're eye sight might be a bit off, but you do have a good eye! Nice pictures, pleasant video...

[@lifetimesofamultiplemediam1003]

Thanks a million :0)

[@robertlayne8180]

One of my favorite lens is the 58 Helios. Got it for 4.00 us on ebay. It rattles and has a little oil on the blades, but produces great images.

[@lifetimesofamultiplemediam1003]

Yes, it appears to have some real cult status pedigree. Gonna have to take it for a spin soon... 🤔

[@robertlayne8180]

@@lifetimesofamultiplemediam1003 Don't forget the 85mm Jupiter. fantastic.

[@lifetimesofamultiplemediam1003]

@@robertlayne8180 Deffo wanna try the Jupiter at some point. 85 being my fav focal length… ✊🏿

[@gilhooleypaul]

I hoped you were out with a Chinon SLR - my first camera fond memories -

[@lifetimesofamultiplemediam1003]

WHA!… You mean Chynon makes cameras too!… 😳

[@robertlayne8180]

@@lifetimesofamultiplemediam1003 Oohh yes, I remember those. How about the Seagull an inexpensive medium format (China) believe they are still on ebay.

[@ZeroBudgetDevelopments]

Hmmm interesting man :)