5:17am and it was 80 degrees out, by 1pm it hit 95 ;) What lens do you think has the best value? The Pentacon 50 1.8, the SMC Takumar 50 1.4 or the Carl Zeiss 50 1.7? GO!
If i want a lens for Portaits, I always chose my Tokina AT-X f2.8 35-70mm, because it just more flexible and I find myself shooting at a tac sharp f4 anyway. But whenever I need a focus distance of
Since you asked, the fence comparison photos were not much help... at least on My screen. (small pics, lower contrast wood did not show up well, could not judge clarity) Am a new SUB, yesterday... you are very helpful in helping me buy cheap fun lenses... Cheers!!
It’s tricky, so many variables when comparing lenses. I don’t love it to be honest. It’s tricky to reproduce exact settings to make for scientific results, so many variables.
It really is, all biases aside ;). Thanks mate! I'm sorry to incite G.A.S. but at least it's $50 max ;) vs $2500. I just love shooting them, these old lenses macro photograph SO nicely, plus forces me to get my butt up early so I can get shots like that before the crowds .
I was looking on eBay today and that SMC Takumar is about $90-$100. There are other SMC Takumars with different barrel designs and lower prices. I'm guessing the different designs are different years they were made. I really enjoy your videos. Thanks. PS: I always watch the full adds.
Hi mate, please don't force yourself to watch those ads on my account ;). By all means SKIP, I'm doing this regardless, really just want to bring attention to these. What lenses were you looking at? The price can vary mostly based on condition of the lens. Make sure to look for "NO FUNGUS" in the item description. There SMC Takumar 50mm 1.4 has a few variations, the 8 element is the coveted one, I don't have that one and a friend of mine who does says the differences are small. The 50 I think was their most produced lens so there should be loads of them out there. You might also want to consider the Helios 44m-58mm F2 which is a great lens, also M42 mount but super cheap. Swirly Bokeh, pretty cool stuff.
Thanks Joseph, I'll check tomorrow first thing and reply back to this comment. It's a track from Epidemic sound, but i'll get you the actual track name.
I really like the Tak. I ended up grabbing one on eBay that was using a Spotmatic as it’s lens cap. The Spotmatic is mint, came in a just as mint leather Pentax case and had the leather camera strap, and the lens oh boy the lens was extremely minty fresh. All for $61. Looked like someone used the camera maybe a dozen times and packed it up and forgot about it for a few decades. Got super lucky with that purchase.
Mark Holtze probably my 50mm smc Pentax F1. 7 or my 135mm phase 2 cct f2. 8 not that the image quality is the best but there my favorite to have in my hands shooting
Mark Holtze I am a 17 year old cook by profession but my passion is bringing the old to the new. Vintage glass on modern cameras. old sound systems with music streaming. And classic gaming on obscure hardware
Years ago when it first hit store shelves about 2002 I believe because it was the year before I opened my portrait studio in 2003. I bought the Nikon 50mm 1.8D for $99. I still have that lens and it has been with me from Vietnam to Hawaii to the HOH Rainforest in Wa State and the White Sands of New Mexico. It went from film camera to Digital and now back to film. Best $99 I ever spent.
Another excellent video from the Vintage Glass Master. I found the SMC Takumar 50mm was the best 'all rounder' in that demo. The colours looked richer both closed and wide open. But maybe that's the screen I am watching on?!
I have the 55mm f2 smc takumar. They are beautiful lenses that perform exceptionally well for the price. But I have to say the close shots with that Pentacon look fantastic.
Out of the 3, the Takumar was my favorite. Not only do images look great and so was the bokeh, but it added a certain "personality" to the images. Second best was the Zeiss. Looks like it was able to let more light in overall and the images looked very bright and sharp.
Thanks for your comment Tony. Ya the Zeiss is sharp, good contrast levels as well. The Pentacon was quite washy but with a little editing can fix that up. The Tak, still my fav as well. :)
Sir, I saw a little tiny spec of dust on your video when you were filming the folk playing volleyball. It appears your sensor has a spec of dust at or around the two o’clock position.
Hi John, thanks so much! I have two, one of them (not shown here) was the silver lining one, it doesn't have the multicasting, I think it might be the one from the 60's as well. I choose the one I did only because all three of them have coating so I thought it would be a more "fair" comparison. Any other lenses in particular you like?
I’m also quite partial to my Minolta Rokkor 58mm 1.4 The only thing I don’t like is the aperture blades. Needs 8 but has 6. But I do believe the quality far out weigh that little issue. Color rendition on both the Takumar and Rokkor are superb. Build quality is top. I also have a. Canon 58mm 1.2 FD Mount. Quality build and optics but a little soft around the edges wide open. Color rendition is also good. Even trying out some old Tamron vintage glass too.
My Nifty Fiftie is my Vintage 1960 Nikon Nikkor 50mm F/2.0, this my third one as now I have 3 of these lenses as my first one was in 1975 along with my First Nikkormat that came with with it, as when shooting Kodachrome I was blown away with the sharpness, and the color saturation. Then my second 50th was for my DSLR still holds the sharpness, and contrast but the color rendition of the lens was not as yellow coated from my first one, and last is my 1960 model as it saids 5cm F2.0 in which I put it through the test with my digital model as it stills holds it's sharpness, and contrast. I did once own the 50mm 1.4 Nikkor, but I found that it was low in contrast, and soft in the edges.
I’ve got several of the Pentax SMC 50 that I was lucky to have purchased when you could get a Spotmatic with lens for about $50. Strange as it may seem I use the lenses to shoot film on one of the Spotmatics! I love to take out one of my vintage cameras for an early morning walk and shoot a few frames. It’s kind of like taking the dog out for a walk. The dog enjoys it and I think the camera does also. Thanks for the video.
Mark Holtze, do you remember to adjust the white balance to a certain kelvin with a modern lens before putting on a vintage lens ? modern lenses got very neutral white balance, - after adjusting the white balance, i keep that kelvin with vintage lenses, to get their wonderful different colors,,, if you use auto white balance, the camera try to compensate from any different colors from the lens coating, thats a shame
Ya I always balance on site. Auto is awful and shouldn’t ever be used. Rule number one in video taught at high school level and being an editor and knowing how it affects post I make sure to pay attention to that. Histograms and color info on mirrorless help for sure on site. I haven’t actually calibrated to a modern lens and switched over, that’s an interesting practice and will experiment with that! What a great suggestion mate thank you!
Hi Russell! 135 GO! The 5 or 6 element version you know? I’m testing those right now for my next video. The 50 gas radioactive elements yes. There might be a later version of the 50 that doesn’t 8 element? But I don’t know off hand.
I have just picked up a mint condition Pentacon 50mm f 1.8 the Praktica camera it was was mint condition too. Took a couple of shots as it was getting dark last night. Oh yes it’s superb. Focus ring turns smoothly. I have focus peaking on too on my Olympus. I think I’m going to love this lens. It only cost me AUD $20 what a bargain find.
Great video. Sorry that I’m just seeing it a year after you published. My first 50 was the Pentax M 1.7. Since then I’ve had the Pentax A 1.4, SMC Takumar 1.4, and the Zeiss c/y 1.4. The weakest was my copy of the A 1.4. Incredibly soft wide open. Best performers for me were the Takumar and Zeiss, the latter I kept. Hard to go wrong with either of them, but had to make room on the shelf so one had to go.
Comprei essa lente com sua ajuda e estou apaixonado. Vou aguardar os reviews da Zuiko Olympus-om 35,28,24mm. Gratidão! I bought this lens with your help and I'm in love. I will wait for the Zuiko Olympus-om 35,28,24mm reviews. Gratitude!
Thanks Tim! They are a fun lens for sure. A great gateway lens for both experienced and new photographers :) Stay cool yourself Tim! I’m loving it, never go away summer.
Mark Holtze We’re out on the east coast for a bit so it’s cooler but still hot. Nothing like what you’re getting though. If you ever find a Fujinon 55/1.8, I’m sure you’ll dig it.
The Pentacon, even if cheapest, has the most interesting bokeh. With foliage the SMC Takumar looks a bit busy with the foliage, it is more creamy and warmer. Maybe the Takumar is great for low contrast/summer vibe. The Zeiss seems the sharp and contrasty, more like a modern lens. At the end whatever you choose, content/composition matter most.
I have the Super Takumar 55mm 1.8 and have been quite partial of all my Takumar glass. If I can get a good deal on the 85mm I’ll round out my collection.
The term radioactive isn’t 1:1. I’ve flown with this lens multiple times and had my gear swabbed, no alarm bells went off. Airlines won’t let you fly with hand lotion, pretty sure dangerous levels of radiation on lenses would be flagged as well ;) Seriously though everybody has a different risk level. I did my research and concluded it’s not an immediate danger to my health. Everybody is different.
@@MarkHoltze true! Though I made the mistake to leave my takumar 50 1.4 on my a6000, and now it has hot pixels... Beware. But it's okay if you don't use it too much I guess.
Great video Mark.....I'd choose the S-M-C Takumar 50mm 1.4 (which I also own and use a lot) over the other two. But you already know I'm a Takumar freak!
I had a lot of Pentax and Takumar lenses. Sold some because was not satisfied and the 50mm f1,4 Tak (7 elements) was one of them. Too soft wide open until f2,8 , something I can not accept from a f1,4 lens. In the contrary, the Tak 35mm and 200mm (both f3,5) are real gems and their performance is excellent wide open. For sure, would like to use the Carl Zeiss 50mm f1,7 and compare it with my current 50mm lenses.
I actually think the Tak at 1.4 does a pretty great job. Back when these lenses were made 1.4 wasn't being peeped the same way we peep images now (film much more forgiving in many ways). The problem with lenses at f-stops in the 1.4 area is that the sharpness will almost always suffer vs a more forgiving F-stop like 3.5 or even 2.8. It's all a matter of comparison, but a 1.4 lens won't perform as good wide open as a 3.5 lens simply because of the physics of light and the lenses from the time. Also depends on the system, I can get WAY sharper results on my mirrorless vs a DSLR body with these lenses. Especially closer to min focusing distance. What are some good vintage fast 50's you'd recommend?
Hi Mark, in my opinion everything is relative and nothing is absolute. For that reason I try to make always comparative lens tests. Well, when I compared MY smc Tak 50mm f1,4 with MY Minolta MC 50mm f2, the latter outperformed the Tak at all apertures (from f2 to f11). But also my Rikenon XR 50mm f1,4 gave better results.
I actually haven't used one myself. I've seen a bunch of stuff online with it and it doesn't seem to rate as high as the 50 1.4 variant. Probably because people are nostalgic for the older lens or how it renders the image. I have to say the older takumar's feel AMAZING, there's just something about how the older ones were made that is just so great.
I must say, I still have a weak spot for my beloved Canon FD 50mm, f/1.4. On my Sony a7 mirror less with a full frame 35mm sensor, this little beauty performs like genuine glass always does. With all the advances in focus peaking/magnify, live-view etc...shooting manual is child's play. Love that Takumar.Nice review, thx for sharing.
Totally, shooting manual on a mirrorless with all the bells and whistles is fantastic. Doesn't take long to get really quick with it either. The FD 50mm 1.4...I tested out an FD L 50 1.2 that was ...unbelievable, I showcase it in my top 3 ways to buy vintage (it was at a vintage camera sale). The thing was mint condition, guy wanted $500 CND for it which was a bit too much for my vintage budget, but I was contemplating it hard.
Great Video as usual Mark. Interesting with the Pentacon 50mm. Like you I inherited one of the Pentacons from my father, the one with the frustrating push button aperture closure on the side of the lens. Frustrating because on the K-1 and adaptor ring, it wont automatically close down (as you know). But the results! My word the close focusing and the contrast and bokeh are something special. I was given a second Pentacon without the push button, just like yours, and it was merely "meh" in its performance. If you can cope with the stupid push button thing, it is possible that these versions have a better image quality. But we are talking Eastern Europe of the era, and quality varied, even in batches. Now to find an eight element Tak 50mm F1.4 at a good price........
Need to give a video some soul where possible. Take advantage of a beautiful morning as well. I can’t describe to you how hot it was even at 5:30 am lol. Thanks mate.
Hey Mark, now you have me interested in that Tak lens. And I'm jealous that you can hop out of your home and into the beach at 5 a.m. Closest I have is the East River in Manhattan--blech!!!
The East River makes up for it in world class city association lol. Tomorrow’s weather looks good, testing out the X-T30 with vintage exclusive, might be a 5am wake up call again to catch that sun rise ;). I do think Tak’s are the best value, dollar for image quality and handling. Zero compromise, except maybe the M42 mount (screw mount)
@@MarkHoltze the xt30 is nice. I was looking at that before I finally went with the Lumix g85. One of the real perks of going with all of these vintage lenses is that if I ever decide to hop over to Fuji, I can easily take all the lenses I've been buying lately with me. Another advantage to going vintage.
Well, on the cheap 50, currently... my heart will go with : Yashica Yashinon 50mm f. 1.7 : love the close up rendering full open. Nikkor 50mm f.2 : love to use it on the street with scenery loaded with color And I struggle with the third one, between Pentax 50mm f1.7 and Takkumar 55mm f2 (I Know, almost 50...) I also have some sort of vintage lenses addiction... :)! It's not a definitive list, my mind change with the weather :)!
Mine to my friend. Im addicted as well. I love shooting with them and shoot them. Shoot vintage lenses with vintage lenses lol. Thanks for the favs mate. Good way to learn about possible glass I’ve missed :)
Mark, I agree, the Super Multi-Coated Takumar is amazing. I have both the 7 and 8 element version and they are both nice. I do not like plastic lenses, no matter what name is on the front!
Ya totally! What you don't see me me hustling my arse to dry off and skate over to where I shot the lens stuff to catch the morning light. It was manic as hell. I got back before everyone woke up and enjoyed a nice deck coffee though ;)
The Zeiss is more colour accurate for sure given the yellowing on the tak. 1.4 is nice for some stuff as well. The tak price is also less so ya it’s tough. I’ve been shooting the Zeiss a lot more lately. Starting to appreciate it more. I just got the Zeiss 85 1.4 and that is probably my favourite lens right now.
The MC Pentacon 50 1.8 was my first adapted lens on the A7 too and really loved it, it was also my grandpa's lens which came with the Praktica TLT. He bought it in Germany from the factory itself. he told Zeiss was in the same building producing lenses, So I have a big feeling it has Zeiss glass in it. (I guess the glass sheets that not passed the Quality Tests). Many others say it's just another zeiss lens in another shell. But these camera's and lenses were just sold in your local drug or grocery store lol at least in germany and the netherlands!
Yes, Zeiss was WEST and Pentacon was actually EAST during the Iron curtain days. They just split while they battled to control who got to keep the ZEISS name. It's pretty interesting, early stages of dev still on my Zeiss lens review to which I'm going to address this stuff. The deeper you go the cooler stuff gets! :)
There were two state-owned "Kombinat" in east Germany producing lenses. There was Pentacon and Carl Zeiss Jena, the east sibling of Zeiss. Pentacon lenses were built by a branch of this huge Kombinat that was a result of a merger of diverse bodies manufacturers and lenses manufacturers. For Pentacon lenses, they originate from the old manufacturer Meyer Optik Görlitz. Görlitz is a Saxony town near the Polish border. East German Zeiss lenses were built in Jena, in Thuringe region. Both brands were widely available in communist block, but they should not be mistaken.
I would probably go with the Takumar but personally have been really enjoying the Minolta 50mm Rokkor 1.7. I am looking at Pentax SMC 50mm 1.2 for low light though.
I use the C/Y system but I've never used the 50mm. I've yet to buy the Takumar. But I've got several practica and several Pentagon's which I've been content with.
That is close to where my seasonal site for the RV is, Lafontaine on Georgian Bay. We are so lucky to have the best sand beaches and the best sun set at Balm Beach. Just have a Sony 3n but now have a large vintage collection. Midland Ontario was once the home for Leica. So the history of Leica and all these old lenses is fascinating. Keep up the good work.
Crazy that Midland was home of Leica. I saw all those Leica Canada signage and meant to look into the history of it. Ya it’s a nice area up there; my mother in law is at Wasega and it was a nice long weekend get away given the heat.
That would be amazing Dennis thanks! I got your email I would suggest editing to remove it or some spammers may use it against you . Hope you guys are having a nice weekend!
There is a lot of love for that 55 1.8. Some say it's better than the 50 1.4. I never really understood why there is a 50 and 55. They're so close, but what was the real advantage to one over the other. Might have to explore this.
@@MarkHoltze after watching your video there was one where a guy compares a bunch of Takumar 50ish lenses and the differences are pretty minimal. All seem really great
@@churchaudiolife Ya, individual ones get a bit of a reputation. I compared the 5 element 135 2.5 vs the coveted 6 element and found very minor optical differences. Mostly CA control. Not really enough to develop a major reputation over, but I kind of like how the markets naturally gravitate toward certain attributes of a lens.
@@MarkHoltze takumar 55/1.8 is the castrated version of 50/1.4 But takumar 55/1.8 does not have the problem of "becoming yellow", so there are some supporters.
I have a Canon M3 and would like to try a vintage lens. I would like to get a mount adapter to EF or EF-S mount. I haven’t done extensive research yet, but found out that a lot of mounts of vintage lenses need extra optics, to work with Eos mounts ? I tend to shoot my pictures mostly at wider angles, so would love something in the 24, 28, 35 or maybe 50mm. Could you help me and recommend a lens (or lens mount) ?
M3 is a mirrorless crop frame so you won’t have any of the focus issues you get wit DSLR cameras. M3 is an asp-c crop so take the vintage focal length and multiply by 1.6 and you will get the crop frame focal length. 24mm x 1.6 = roughly 38mm. It’s tougher to get the wider angles given the crop. Your need an x mount (x being the vintage mount) to an EOS adapter. You won’t have any auto features but the metering should be good for exposure.
Mark Holtze, thanks for your reply ! The thing is: I’m planning on getting/creating a 0.71x focus reducer, for EF mounts on my M3 :) That’s why I would be interested in a EF mount adapter.
I think EF mount adapter is the same no? Damn I wish I was at home I could check quick. I have a EOS to Nex adapter and can mount all my canon lenses to my sony
Mark Holtze, yes, that’s what I mean. The M3 itself is an EF-M mount, and has a 1.6 crop. The focal reducer I’m planning on has an EF mount and a 0.71 reduction on that 1.6, so will end up being about 1.1 crop. And I would love to try some vintage glass on there, so that’s I was curious about :)
WHat camera are you using? Full frame? APS-C? If full frame a 35mm/50/85 are all great. 135 work okay as well but less versatile. If you have a crop frame I would go 35/50 max because you take that focal length and x 1.6 and it gives you the cropped focal length. So and 85 in that case would be too close I think. Fast aperture is good as well, gives good subject and background separation. Hope that helps, any follow ups I’m here.
Dig. Slightly off-topic... opening music choice was spot-on for this summer heated version. You listen to any Katchafire or Fat Freddy's Drop? :) Gets me missin' NZ summers. K... now i'm paying attn to the fiddy vid.
At first glance and having never shot that particular Pentacon or Zeiss, I'd say the Tak over all. I love the Pentacon rendering, as well as the Zeiss and Tak really seems to be right in the middle of both of them. (Also, back to tunes, check out "Salmonella Dub" - nothing beats NZ dub for summertime) :)
The Zeiss is good, one thing you don't get with these videos watching them is the physical ergonomics of the lens. The CZ has a noticeably different build than the tank (taK) even the pentacon. The Pentacon with it's 33 cm focal distance is amazing at a 50 focal length, getting THAT Much closer to your subject puts it in semi macro range. It's generally slightly soft though which works with certain looks, but not all. The CZ's big draw back is it's price though, plastic parts, painted numbers vs the engraved are it's only draw backs for me. The CZ 50 1.4 is the better version of the 50, but also goes for more. NZ DUB GO! Thanks for the tunes list, can't wait to check these guys out.
Hi Edward. If you're new start cheap, the Pentacon is a good option. You just need an M42 to EOS adapter. Fotodiox Adapters are the ones I use personally. Lots of brands so just amazon search "fotodiox adapter M42 to EOS. DSLR's sometimes have an issue with infinity focus which I don't think are a problem with these lenses. If that doesn't answer your question let me know. Happy to go with any follow up questions you my have mate.
Ya the adapters are cheap and the lenses are good and fast (pay a huge premium for modern fast primes) so as far as dabbling or just being cost sauvy there really is no going wrong. You can always sell the lens back to open market if you're done with it as well at almost no loss at all (if you take care of it). Focusing and metering can be a bit tricky on DSLR's...something mirrorless options don't have to worry about. That mirror and the way the camera reads light are very different between the two bodies, but it will connect you more to your camera and the lens and after some experimentation it will all track and land for you. Good luck!
A bunch of lenses, all vintage except the talking head part which is a canon EF 24 1.4 L. Macro stuff all done with the super Takumar 100mm F4. Everything from a Takumar 35 to 85 was used to shoot this.
@@dareckmaurice9435 Contax Carl Zeiss and split the difference ;). The 50 1.4 is better than this one, i don't particularly like the F1.7, doesn't have the same build quality as the other contax zeiss lenses do.
I love the SMC Takumar so much I bought 2 of them back in 2006 for shooting on my Konica Minolta 7D. The prices have risen a lot since then. Payed about 40 - $45 and now it's almost doubled. I also bought a 35 and 135 Tak back then.
I paid £15 for my Super Tak from a flea market here in UK, the guy selling it said "Dunno what that is, I think it's a teleconverter" ...I didn't correct him ;-) BTW it is in immacualte condition, the focus bezel was hanging off, but I found some grub screws. Now it's fully funtional and as good as these lenses always are.
Great video once again for us vintage lens freaks, really enjoying this. Btw, a lenstip for you : Yashinon DX 50mm f/1.7, you HAVE to review this lens for the fans, and for urself, UL love it I assure you my friend. I have this lens and it's simply amazing.
I don't get all the craze about vintage lenses. I have Canon cameras. If I want something cheap I can get any old EF 50mm 1.8 or 1.4 and the price is near the same as a manual vintage lens maybe 10 to 20usd more for the EF. But I have autofocus or manual option and the aperture is controlled with the camera. From image quality perspective I think with the right settings and post processing they are not so different. I have EF lenses even from 1987 that still works great. Only I think is understandable is when the manual vintage lens is dirt cheap or have something special, like the 13 blades aperture Helios one, or a 135mm bokeh monster.
I would like to add the classic Canon FD 50mm 1.4 to this list. Sharpness is acceptable at f1.4 and good from f2 on. Also, it has a nice long focusing throw, great build quality and is nice and compact. It's on my a7s whenever I want to bring my camera to just casually shoot photos. 😊
Hi Daniel! Ya Canon FD's are fantastic and the 1.4 is a beauty! I had a 1.7 that was modded I gave away awhile back and it was pretty fantastic. Metal locking ring version, pretty great lens. Also FD's are reasonably priced so it could be a contender for sure. I'd almost rather have the Canon than the CZ. As much as I like Zeiss stuff, this lens is priced too high for what you get IMHO. Still happy with it, but it's like 2x more than the other two.
Well done, Mark - like the book-end water scenes in vid. Too short to evaluate lenses from on-line images. Too many factors to consider (edge/edge sharpness, CA, IQ wide open, etc. ) All the lenses can produce good images when used properly. Too bad brands like Practica faded from the market - as I recall, that particular brand was not exactly stellar, though. At one time the nifty fifty used to be the “kit” lens (usually an f/3.5 or 2.8) before modest zooms became the “norm” - no pun intended. No?
Hi Paul, thanks! Ya I would have liked to have kept it up longer but I find when you make these videos TOO long people don't bother watching the whole way through. I ran out of time last night but when I get some time I'll package the shots together in an organized way so people can evaluate them if they want (link to a download). Definitely something I want to include moving forward if I do more of these. Use the video as an intro and leave the elements available to full review for those who want more. Ya both my dad and grandfather had pratica stuff, I've got my dad's working 35mm i'm dying to go out and shoot with. Definitely something I want to get back into. All these M42 lenses work with the body to so that's nice. Thanks for your comment and take on thing Paul. Really do appreciate it.
Totally is! It's the YELLOWING from the thorium. It's easy to fix in LR, I just left the images unedited for authenticity. You can blast it with UV light to reverse the effects, but I haven't gotten to that point yet. I kind of like it ;)
Love the format of your videos, i love the way u explain things so that new photographers have a full understanding of what ur talking about, this is the second video i watched 1st was ur takumar 85mm
Hi Aaron, thanks for the comment! A big part of why I started covering these lenses is I fundamentally believe they are the BEST option for new photographers, especially if mirrorless is the camera of choice. dSLR's are great as well, but a bit more complicated given the mirror makes things a little tricky for some lenses. Not only are these lenses affordable, but also using them really makes how changing settings for example impacts the image. When you have one hand on the lens and watch how changing settings affects the exposure, composition etc it really sticks. Not to mention modern fast primes cost more than the camera body themselves half the time, these give you that access, but also make you work for whatever shot you do get. Not to mention they're charming and offer a little something extra to your photo's vs some store bought lens that everybody else is shooting with. Also RUclips is the best place to learn, so I try to approach every video with a tried tested and true basis of experience so that whoever clicks on the video walks away hopefully learning something. If only I had youtube back in high school algebra, I would have taken WAY less time to figure out how to break down quadratic equations than I did nothing the teacher and my parents time and time again lol.
I really like the Meyer Gorlitz Orestor 135mm f/2.8 (15-blade model). I don;t have any vintage 50mm lenses but, I do have a Sears Auto 55mm f/1.4 made by Tomioka and a Helios 44-4 f/2.0...
It's a 23.98 project, I shot the 60p stuff (slow motion) just cause it's more graceful for the macro stuff and hand held steadies (which i slowed down to 40%). 120p with the volleyball. My on camera and another other regular motion stuff was all captured native 23.98.
I liked the colour of the Zeiss the most, and the SMC the least. Evertying is just too yellow with I am one for being to get up close and I love me some bokeh so getting up close is VERY important so for me I think I would have to go with the Penticon even though it was not remarkable in any one way. I think I would get the most useful pictures with it, and I could tweak to taste in post.
The Zeiss colours are fully natural, image clarity helps as well and is why they're often chosen and adapted by commercial DP's for CINE use. I know a few big award winning guys who shoot with modded Contax Carl Zeiss lenses on big national spots. On the front of an Alexa/Red etc...perfect.
0:49 Probably good that you didn't do that with your tak... If it's like many of its kind, the rear element is likely radioactive from the thorium oxide doping...not to mention that the eyes are one of the most radiosensitive organs of the body.
I take it $150 USD - You can buy any manual 1.4 that is in a regular SLR mount just about, certainly anything easily enough to not be a trouble tracking one down.
Ya I’d like to see a comparison. I have a CZ 1.4 50mm I’m comparing to the tak 50...big price difference between the two. Results don’t really justify that as I’m seeing. The Carl Zeiss is a really nice lens though ;)
Ya, they’re expensive. The Tak’s historically set out to challenge their throne. Offer a more cost effective yet equal quality to Zeiss. I guess it cost them too much ;)
The Super Multi Coated Takumar and the SMC Takumar are different series of lenses, you have the 8 blade Sumer Multi Coated Takumar and not e=the 7 bladed SMC Takumar. Both are great lenses, maybe the SMC Takumar is a wee bit sharpeer than the Super Multi Coated Takumar, but the 8 blade version is a little more of a collector's item. I have the Super Multi Coated Takumar 50mmf1.4 and love it on both digital cameras and my Spotmatic
Hi Mark ...Good Evening .. this is your second video I have watched to getting something Know about Pentacon 50mm 1.8. I am a Nikon D7100 (Crop Sensor User), mostly using my stuff of Photography. in a video by someone, it was stated that Pentacon 50mm 1.8 is not suitable for Nikon Bodies, especially at distances of Infinity. I could not understand the phenomena, Can you help me please to decide should i but it for Nikon or NOT Regards Bilal , Pakistan
ooh the old Pentacon was one of my first lenses and it really did a wonderful job. . I just had some Takumars for testing with adapter for my GH5 and for photo i was not so impressed but then again the GH5 is not really impressing me with photos, but for video they were quite nice... but i have a speed booster for my nikon, so have a bunch of Nikon lenses and i think having a hole set of Takumars on the side seems a bit overkill. But if my camera was full frame like my nikon then it would make a lot more sense.. but the GH5 is micro four thirds so every lens is like twice the mm so the 50 becomes like a 100mm .. so finding a good wide angle is hard.
I store in it a leather case. The radiation levels aren’t enough to cause health issues. Unless you break the lens and ingest the glass elements which contain small amounts of thorium. It’s otherwise safe. Look for the 50 1.4 8 element of you want one that’s not radioactive.
Hi mark! yes the 50 one i have. i got it just 2 weeks ago and i have tried it last nigth. im very happy about this lens i took an amazing pic at carnaby street i would like to show you that picture. i got the other takumar you shown as well the 100 mm
Mark Holtze Its a blast. I like it a lot. It has a macro feature however, which in my opinion, is the most valuable part of the lens. For all these years, my mom never knew it had it either. btw, if you would like to keep talking, my instagram is @gregjoblove. (not trying to shamelessly plug myself)
No shame man. Requested. I have the 70-210 Canon FD, going to do my next lens review on it. It also has a macro feature which I agree is so valuable. Makes it so versatile.
Hi Mark, nice review. I use for many years the Pentacon 1.8 50mm and the Praktica . He is based on the Meyer-Optik Görlitz 50mm 1.8 Oreston and was produced in the millions and is still widely available today. And was the standard lens on the Praktica camera's. Al lot of people had in the early days a Praktica camera. It was a good price and well made camera and lenses as well. My father as well. In Europe it is very easy to get one.
What.......do you play football with your Takumar? Good God man! Actually I also love the Meyer Optik 58 1.9. So yummy. But the lens that lives on my camera is the superbly radioactive Mamiya 50 f2. Delicious micro contrast! Yes.........delicious!
I just arrived in Kenya and I have to admit......I went a little Takumar nuts before I left. Bought the 85 1.7 for $425. Then turned around and bought the 135 f4 the 150 and the 200mm! What the heck is wrong with me???? Locked and loaded for my first day in Kenya. We’ll see which ones osev
from that trio I vote for the east German lens, don't use the Takumars because of their coating (and don't like the yellowish tone), and the Zeiss lenses of that era have nothing special in our day & age. To the list of special 50's (or close) I'd add the Helios 44-2 58mm f2 & the Meyer-Optik Gorlitz Trioplan 50mm f2.9, among my faves.
Personally I love the takumar. Its rendering is very special. I have different versions of the pentacon - one w a kind of bubble bokeh. its also a lovely lens. The zeiss was a little disappointing. I have the yashica ml 1.7 & 1.4 and both are special. Both supposed to be the poor person's zeiss but who knows
i own diffent versions of pentacon,, and the pentacon prakticar lenses are way sharpen than the pentacon m42, because i own several of them, i dont believe i just got a bad copy of an extra good pentacon prakticar lense.... i guess, they are produced in different factories / countries, at the optic lenses are different
5:17am and it was 80 degrees out, by 1pm it hit 95 ;)
What lens do you think has the best value? The Pentacon 50 1.8, the SMC Takumar 50 1.4 or the Carl Zeiss 50 1.7?
GO!
YUCK! It was 85 yesterday. Tomorrow it is going to be 110 here in SOCAL. :O
If i want a lens for Portaits, I always chose my Tokina AT-X f2.8 35-70mm, because it just more flexible and I find myself shooting at a tac sharp f4 anyway.
But whenever I need a focus distance of
Since you asked, the fence comparison photos were not much help... at least on My screen.
(small pics, lower contrast wood did not show up well, could not judge clarity)
Am a new SUB, yesterday... you are very helpful in helping me buy cheap fun lenses... Cheers!!
It’s tricky, so many variables when comparing lenses. I don’t love it to
be honest. It’s tricky to reproduce exact settings to make for scientific results, so many variables.
@@MarkHoltze I appreciate your 'show' and channel, man!!! Thx!
Oh the Takumar 1.4 is beautiful. Honestly Mark, every time you do one of these vintage lens videos it makes me want to go shopping 😮 loved it dude 🙌🙌
It really is, all biases aside ;). Thanks mate! I'm sorry to incite G.A.S. but at least it's $50 max ;) vs $2500. I just love shooting them, these old lenses macro photograph SO nicely, plus forces me to get my butt up early so I can get shots like that before the crowds .
Too bad it's radioactive...
Yes, Mark has a great enthusiasm that is contagious.
Radioactivity doesn’t penetrate skin. Is harmless on the lens.
I’ve got “toys in the attic” there I said it lol. ;)
Love your videos! Great production value.
Thank you! Love your products! Connecting worlds :)
I was looking on eBay today and that SMC Takumar is about $90-$100. There are other SMC Takumars with different barrel designs and lower prices.
I'm guessing the different designs are different years they were made.
I really enjoy your videos. Thanks.
PS: I always watch the full adds.
Hi mate, please don't force yourself to watch those ads on my account ;). By all means SKIP, I'm doing this regardless, really just want to bring attention to these.
What lenses were you looking at? The price can vary mostly based on condition of the lens. Make sure to look for "NO FUNGUS" in the item description. There SMC Takumar 50mm 1.4 has a few variations, the 8 element is the coveted one, I don't have that one and a friend of mine who does says the differences are small. The 50 I think was their most produced lens so there should be loads of them out there. You might also want to consider the Helios 44m-58mm F2 which is a great lens, also M42 mount but super cheap. Swirly Bokeh, pretty cool stuff.
Great video Mark! Does anyone know the name of the beat at 0:55? Greatly appreciated.
Thanks Joseph, I'll check tomorrow first thing and reply back to this comment. It's a track from Epidemic sound, but i'll get you the actual track name.
@@MarkHoltze Oh! Great!! Thanks for the reply!
@@j.j.linden7269 My pleasure here it is: ES_Miami Work - DJ Denz The Rooster.mp3
GO!
@@MarkHoltze Great, thanks!
I really like the Tak. I ended up grabbing one on eBay that was using a Spotmatic as it’s lens cap.
The Spotmatic is mint, came in a just as mint leather Pentax case and had the leather camera strap, and the lens oh boy the lens was extremely minty fresh.
All for $61. Looked like someone used the camera maybe a dozen times and packed it up and forgot about it for a few decades. Got super lucky with that purchase.
It's always nice to see a fellow Canadian shooting vintage glass on modern cameras
Do you have a fav vintage lens you shoot with?
Mark Holtze probably my 50mm smc Pentax F1. 7 or my 135mm phase 2 cct f2. 8 not that the image quality is the best but there my favorite to have in my hands shooting
Aweome! It’s not always about image quality I agree. Sometimes a lens just has a look or a feel that really contribute to that feeling.
Mark Holtze I am a 17 year old cook by profession but my passion is bringing the old to the new. Vintage glass on modern cameras. old sound systems with music streaming. And classic gaming on obscure hardware
been watching more of your vids these two days than other channels - glad you like them too
Years ago when it first hit store shelves about 2002 I believe because it was the year before I opened my portrait studio in 2003. I bought the Nikon 50mm 1.8D for $99. I still have that lens and it has been with me from Vietnam to Hawaii to the HOH Rainforest in Wa State and the White Sands of New Mexico. It went from film camera to Digital and now back to film. Best $99 I ever spent.
Mark, you should check sound with video, cause at the end of video it is not properly sinchronized
Hi mate, it looks good on my end mate. Strange. Thanks for the heads up regardless. Appreciate it.
Another excellent video from the Vintage Glass Master. I found the SMC Takumar 50mm was the best 'all rounder' in that demo. The colours looked richer both closed and wide open. But maybe that's the screen I am watching on?!
Thanks Roddrico! Ya the tak stands out for me the best as well.
I have the 55mm f2 smc takumar. They are beautiful lenses that perform exceptionally well for the price. But I have to say the close shots with that Pentacon look fantastic.
Ya, it's got a dreamy look and a really close MIN focusing distance so that always helps.
Kinda glad this video only came out just now. Choosing my olympus 50mm 1.8 wouldve been a much more confusing process
How do you like it?
Out of the 3, the Takumar was my favorite. Not only do images look great and so was the bokeh, but it added a certain "personality" to the images.
Second best was the Zeiss. Looks like it was able to let more light in overall and the images looked very bright and sharp.
Thanks for your comment Tony. Ya the Zeiss is sharp, good contrast levels as well. The Pentacon was quite washy but with a little editing can fix that up. The Tak, still my fav as well. :)
Sir, I saw a little tiny spec of dust on your video when you were filming the folk playing volleyball. It appears your sensor has a spec of dust at or around the two o’clock position.
I saw that too lol. Problems of being at a beach on a windy day swapping lenses.
I also love the Pentax 50mm M42 mount. I have three. First one was purchased in 1966 and is still great fun. Love your videos.
Hi John, thanks so much! I have two, one of them (not shown here) was the silver lining one, it doesn't have the multicasting, I think it might be the one from the 60's as well. I choose the one I did only because all three of them have coating so I thought it would be a more "fair" comparison.
Any other lenses in particular you like?
I’m also quite partial to my Minolta Rokkor 58mm 1.4 The only thing I don’t like is the aperture blades. Needs 8 but has 6. But I do believe the quality far out weigh that little issue. Color rendition on both the Takumar and Rokkor are superb. Build quality is top. I also have a. Canon 58mm 1.2 FD Mount. Quality build and optics but a little soft around the edges wide open. Color rendition is also good. Even trying out some old Tamron vintage glass too.
Minolta Rokkor; heard some good thing about that brand particularly the 85. Hopefully get a chance to test one at an upcoming vintage camera sale.
My Nifty Fiftie is my Vintage 1960 Nikon Nikkor 50mm F/2.0, this my third one as now I have 3 of these lenses as my first one was in 1975 along with my First Nikkormat that came with with it, as when shooting Kodachrome I was blown away with the sharpness, and the color saturation. Then my second 50th was for my DSLR still holds the sharpness, and contrast but the color rendition of the lens was not as yellow coated from my first one, and last is my 1960 model as it saids 5cm F2.0 in which I put it through the test with my digital model as it stills holds it's sharpness, and contrast. I did once own the 50mm 1.4 Nikkor, but I found that it was low in contrast, and soft in the edges.
I’ve got several of the Pentax SMC 50 that I was lucky to have purchased when you could get a Spotmatic with lens for about $50. Strange as it may seem I use the lenses to shoot film on one of the Spotmatics! I love to take out one of my vintage cameras for an early morning walk and shoot a few frames. It’s kind of like taking the dog out for a walk. The dog enjoys it and I think the camera does also. Thanks for the video.
Totally feel you here Martin! It's totally like taking the dog out for a walk! Thanks for the great post mate!
Mark Holtze, do you remember to adjust the white balance to a certain kelvin with a modern lens before putting on a vintage lens ? modern lenses got very neutral white balance, - after adjusting the white balance, i keep that kelvin with vintage lenses, to get their wonderful different colors,,, if you use auto white balance, the camera try to compensate from any different colors from the lens coating, thats a shame
Ya I always balance on site. Auto is awful and shouldn’t ever be used. Rule number one in video taught at high school level and being an editor and knowing how it affects post I make sure to pay attention to that.
Histograms and color info on mirrorless help for sure on site.
I haven’t actually calibrated to a modern lens and switched over, that’s an interesting practice and will experiment with that! What a great suggestion mate thank you!
any test and comparison for the Planar 50mm 1.4 ?
You need to clean your sensor stop the video at 5:48 and the spot is right above the birds wing .
Yup! Problem with shooting at a beach with blowing sand and lens swapping. Didn’t see it until blown up on screen.
Mark I currently have a PENTAX 135 SMC and love it, I’m considering a 50, but want to know if it has any radioactive elements to your knowledge?
Hi Russell! 135 GO! The 5 or 6 element version you know?
I’m testing those right now for my next video.
The 50 gas radioactive elements yes. There might be a later version of the 50 that doesn’t 8 element? But I don’t know off hand.
Mark Holtze It’s the 5 element version. The portraits from it are outstanding, both the 2.5 and 3.5 versions. I’ll look forward to your video...
Mark Holtze Oh yeah, thanks for the info about the radioactive elements of the 50. What are your thoughts on using them?
It’s a great lens! The 6 is slightly better, like very small. Based on my results. I need to study them more though. It’s so subtle
I’ve read enough to convince me they’re generally safe to use. But understandable if people want to avoid them.
I have just picked up a mint condition Pentacon 50mm f 1.8 the Praktica camera it was was mint condition too. Took a couple of shots as it was getting dark last night. Oh yes it’s superb. Focus ring turns smoothly. I have focus peaking on too on my Olympus. I think I’m going to love this lens. It only cost me AUD $20 what a bargain find.
Great video. Sorry that I’m just seeing it a year after you published. My first 50 was the Pentax M 1.7. Since then I’ve had the Pentax A 1.4, SMC Takumar 1.4, and the Zeiss c/y 1.4. The weakest was my copy of the A 1.4. Incredibly soft wide open. Best performers for me were the Takumar and Zeiss, the latter I kept. Hard to go wrong with either of them, but had to make room on the shelf so one had to go.
Comprei essa lente com sua ajuda e estou apaixonado. Vou aguardar os reviews da Zuiko Olympus-om 35,28,24mm. Gratidão!
I bought this lens with your help and I'm in love. I will wait for the Zuiko Olympus-om 35,28,24mm reviews. Gratitude!
please Pentacon lens get sharped image ? i read on forum that it not sharp lens
I really like the beginning of the video Mark ;) By the way, the whole video has a nice summer feeling.
Thanks! Believe me it felt like it :)
Super fun video Mark. I don’t have the Pentacon but I see lots of people get stellar results with them. Stay cool. :)
Thanks Tim! They are a fun lens for sure. A great gateway lens for both experienced and new photographers :)
Stay cool yourself Tim! I’m loving it, never go away summer.
Mark Holtze We’re out on the east coast for a bit so it’s cooler but still hot. Nothing like what you’re getting though. If you ever find a Fujinon 55/1.8, I’m sure you’ll dig it.
The Pentacon, even if cheapest, has the most interesting bokeh. With foliage the SMC Takumar looks a bit busy with the foliage, it is more creamy and warmer. Maybe the Takumar is great for low contrast/summer vibe. The Zeiss seems the sharp and contrasty, more like a modern lens. At the end whatever you choose, content/composition matter most.
Nicely said mate! I agree!
People are sleep on the Pentacon, that's an art lens
can you video between the pentax 1.4 and the canon 50mm 1.8 stm please
I have the Super Takumar 55mm 1.8 and have been quite partial of all my Takumar glass. If I can get a good deal on the 85mm I’ll round out my collection.
They’re a bit addictive aren’t they ;). The 85 is a sound piece for sure, but ya hard to find a good price on.
Doesn't thz fact that they are radioactive put you off? :)
The term radioactive isn’t 1:1. I’ve flown with this lens multiple times and had my gear swabbed, no alarm bells went off. Airlines won’t let you fly with hand lotion, pretty sure dangerous levels of radiation on lenses would be flagged as well ;)
Seriously though everybody has a different risk level. I did my research and concluded it’s not an immediate danger to my health.
Everybody is different.
@@MarkHoltze true! Though I made the mistake to leave my takumar 50 1.4 on my a6000, and now it has hot pixels... Beware. But it's okay if you don't use it too much I guess.
Oh ya? Interesting. Thanks for the heads up.
Great video Mark.....I'd choose the S-M-C Takumar 50mm 1.4 (which I also own and use a lot) over the other two. But you already know I'm a Takumar freak!
Hi Jim thanks! I concur, once you go Tak, you don’t go back ;)
I had a lot of Pentax and Takumar lenses. Sold some because was not satisfied and the 50mm f1,4 Tak (7 elements) was one of them. Too soft wide open until f2,8 , something I can not accept from a f1,4 lens. In the contrary, the Tak 35mm and 200mm (both f3,5) are real gems and their performance is excellent wide open. For sure, would like to use the Carl Zeiss 50mm f1,7 and compare it with my current 50mm lenses.
I actually think the Tak at 1.4 does a pretty great job. Back when these lenses were made 1.4 wasn't being peeped the same way we peep images now (film much more forgiving in many ways). The problem with lenses at f-stops in the 1.4 area is that the sharpness will almost always suffer vs a more forgiving F-stop like 3.5 or even 2.8.
It's all a matter of comparison, but a 1.4 lens won't perform as good wide open as a 3.5 lens simply because of the physics of light and the lenses from the time.
Also depends on the system, I can get WAY sharper results on my mirrorless vs a DSLR body with these lenses. Especially closer to min focusing distance.
What are some good vintage fast 50's you'd recommend?
Hi Mark, in my opinion everything is relative and nothing is absolute. For that reason I try to make always comparative lens tests. Well, when I compared MY smc Tak 50mm f1,4 with MY Minolta MC 50mm f2, the latter outperformed the Tak at all apertures (from f2 to f11). But also my Rikenon XR 50mm f1,4 gave better results.
Never thought about "vintage" lenses. Pentacon for the win **new sub**
Thanks! Yes vintage bring a whole new level of value and accessibility to both photography and videography.
So what is your take on the Takumar 50 F1.7?
I actually haven't used one myself. I've seen a bunch of stuff online with it and it doesn't seem to rate as high as the 50 1.4 variant. Probably because people are nostalgic for the older lens or how it renders the image.
I have to say the older takumar's feel AMAZING, there's just something about how the older ones were made that is just so great.
I must say, I still have a weak spot for my beloved Canon FD 50mm, f/1.4. On my Sony a7 mirror less with a full frame 35mm sensor, this little beauty performs like genuine glass always does. With all the advances in focus peaking/magnify, live-view etc...shooting manual is child's play. Love that Takumar.Nice review, thx for sharing.
Totally, shooting manual on a mirrorless with all the bells and whistles is fantastic. Doesn't take long to get really quick with it either. The FD 50mm 1.4...I tested out an FD L 50 1.2 that was ...unbelievable, I showcase it in my top 3 ways to buy vintage (it was at a vintage camera sale). The thing was mint condition, guy wanted $500 CND for it which was a bit too much for my vintage budget, but I was contemplating it hard.
@@MarkHoltze It's not a sin to long for Legacy glass. I dream of it every night. When you're married, dreaming is a sin. :)
@@cybrunel1016 lol...true!
Great Video as usual Mark. Interesting with the Pentacon 50mm. Like you I inherited one of the Pentacons from my father, the one with the frustrating push button aperture closure on the side of the lens. Frustrating because on the K-1 and adaptor ring, it wont automatically close down (as you know). But the results! My word the close focusing and the contrast and bokeh are something special. I was given a second Pentacon without the push button, just like yours, and it was merely "meh" in its performance. If you can cope with the stupid push button thing, it is possible that these versions have a better image quality. But we are talking Eastern Europe of the era, and quality varied, even in batches. Now to find an eight element Tak 50mm F1.4 at a good price........
I wanted to hate the clip (longboard on the beach, with a helmet) but was actually quite nice. I like the heartfelt conclusion upvoted
Need to give a video some soul where possible. Take advantage of a beautiful morning as well. I can’t describe to you how hot it was even at 5:30 am lol.
Thanks mate.
Hey Mark, now you have me interested in that Tak lens. And I'm jealous that you can hop out of your home and into the beach at 5 a.m. Closest I have is the East River in Manhattan--blech!!!
The East River makes up for it in world class city association lol. Tomorrow’s weather looks good, testing out the X-T30 with vintage exclusive, might be a 5am wake up call again to catch that sun rise ;).
I do think Tak’s are the best value, dollar for image quality and handling. Zero compromise, except maybe the M42 mount (screw mount)
@@MarkHoltze the xt30 is nice. I was looking at that before I finally went with the Lumix g85. One of the real perks of going with all of these vintage lenses is that if I ever decide to hop over to Fuji, I can easily take all the lenses I've been buying lately with me. Another advantage to going vintage.
Definitely!
Well, on the cheap 50, currently... my heart will go with :
Yashica Yashinon 50mm f. 1.7 : love the close up rendering full open.
Nikkor 50mm f.2 : love to use it on the street with scenery loaded with color
And I struggle with the third one, between Pentax 50mm f1.7 and Takkumar 55mm f2 (I Know, almost 50...)
I also have some sort of vintage lenses addiction... :)!
It's not a definitive list, my mind change with the weather :)!
Mine to my friend. Im addicted as well. I love shooting with them and shoot them. Shoot vintage lenses with vintage lenses lol.
Thanks for the favs mate. Good way to learn about possible glass I’ve missed :)
The Pentacon + the Takumar are just so buttery
You can butter toast with them ;)...i’ll See myself out.
what do you think of pentax A110
Haven't used it myself, have you?
@@MarkHoltze not yet i just bought one
You should check out the takumar 55mm 1.8, its sharp wide open i think you'll like it.
Thanks don’t the suggestion! Bigncamera sale comig up on the 14 of October so I will keep my eye out! Appreciate it!
If I get it I will for sure! Love comparison videos ;)
Mark, I agree, the Super Multi-Coated Takumar is amazing. I have both the 7 and 8 element version and they are both nice. I do not like plastic lenses, no matter what name is on the front!
Me either! lol.
All you need to do is toss in a nice espresso at the end of your swim and 10/10 would start my day like this every day.
Ya totally! What you don't see me me hustling my arse to dry off and skate over to where I shot the lens stuff to catch the morning light. It was manic as hell. I got back before everyone woke up and enjoyed a nice deck coffee though ;)
It's a tough call for me between the Zeiss and the Tak. I love the rendering of the Contax line but the Takumar is also so excellent.
The Zeiss is more colour accurate for sure given the yellowing on the tak. 1.4 is nice for some stuff as well. The tak price is also less so ya it’s tough.
I’ve been shooting the Zeiss a lot more lately. Starting to appreciate it more. I just got the Zeiss 85 1.4 and that is probably my favourite lens right now.
Loved the channel. Nice content
Thank you for the kind comment my friend. I appreciate it.
The MC Pentacon 50 1.8 was my first adapted lens on the A7 too and really loved it, it was also my grandpa's lens which came with the Praktica TLT. He bought it in Germany from the factory itself. he told Zeiss was in the same building producing lenses, So I have a big feeling it has Zeiss glass in it. (I guess the glass sheets that not passed the Quality Tests). Many others say it's just another zeiss lens in another shell. But these camera's and lenses were just sold in your local drug or grocery store lol at least in germany and the netherlands!
Yes, Zeiss was WEST and Pentacon was actually EAST during the Iron curtain days. They just split while they battled to control who got to keep the ZEISS name. It's pretty interesting, early stages of dev still on my Zeiss lens review to which I'm going to address this stuff.
The deeper you go the cooler stuff gets! :)
There were two state-owned "Kombinat" in east Germany producing lenses. There was Pentacon and Carl Zeiss Jena, the east sibling of Zeiss. Pentacon lenses were built by a branch of this huge Kombinat that was a result of a merger of diverse bodies manufacturers and lenses manufacturers. For Pentacon lenses, they originate from the old manufacturer Meyer Optik Görlitz. Görlitz is a Saxony town near the Polish border. East German Zeiss lenses were built in Jena, in Thuringe region. Both brands were widely available in communist block, but they should not be mistaken.
I would probably go with the Takumar but personally have been really enjoying the Minolta 50mm Rokkor 1.7. I am looking at Pentax SMC 50mm 1.2 for low light though.
I've heard great things about Minolta, I haven't played with any as of yet. Thanks for the comment Edward!
I use the C/Y system but I've never used the 50mm. I've yet to buy the Takumar. But I've got several practica and several Pentagon's which I've been content with.
Good video, information clear and to the point. I too love the Tak. What lake is that?
Thanks Dennis. Simcoe in the early AM and Georgian Bay at the beach (Wasega). It was an OUT OF TOWN long weekend :)
That is close to where my seasonal site for the RV is, Lafontaine on Georgian Bay. We are so lucky to have the best sand beaches and the best sun set at Balm Beach. Just have a Sony 3n but now have a large vintage collection. Midland Ontario was once the home for Leica. So the history of Leica and all these old lenses is fascinating. Keep up the good work.
Crazy that Midland was home of Leica. I saw all those Leica Canada signage and meant to look into the history of it.
Ya it’s a nice area up there; my mother in law is at Wasega and it was a nice long weekend get away given the heat.
M
That would be amazing Dennis thanks! I got your email I would suggest editing to remove it or some spammers may use it against you .
Hope you guys are having a nice weekend!
Pentax for me too, I'd like to have seen the Zuiko f/1.4 or f/1.8 in the contest too. Nice comparison though, thanks Mark!
Thanks mate, this is an older one for sure, hope there wasn't too much "dust" in here when you stopped by lol.
I just got the super-tak 55mm 1.8 and love it. the 1.4 seems even better yet.
There is a lot of love for that 55 1.8. Some say it's better than the 50 1.4. I never really understood why there is a 50 and 55. They're so close, but what was the real advantage to one over the other.
Might have to explore this.
@@MarkHoltze after watching your video there was one where a guy compares a bunch of Takumar 50ish lenses and the differences are pretty minimal. All seem really great
@@churchaudiolife Ya, individual ones get a bit of a reputation. I compared the 5 element 135 2.5 vs the coveted 6 element and found very minor optical differences. Mostly CA control. Not really enough to develop a major reputation over, but I kind of like how the markets naturally gravitate toward certain attributes of a lens.
@@MarkHoltze takumar 55/1.8 is the castrated version of 50/1.4
But takumar 55/1.8 does not have the problem of "becoming yellow", so there are some supporters.
I have a Canon M3 and would like to try a vintage lens. I would like to get a mount adapter to EF or EF-S mount. I haven’t done extensive research yet, but found out that a lot of mounts of vintage lenses need extra optics, to work with Eos mounts ?
I tend to shoot my pictures mostly at wider angles, so would love something in the 24, 28, 35 or maybe 50mm.
Could you help me and recommend a lens (or lens mount) ?
M3 is a mirrorless crop frame so you won’t have any of the focus issues you get wit DSLR cameras. M3 is an asp-c crop so take the vintage focal length and multiply by 1.6 and you will get the crop frame focal length. 24mm x 1.6 = roughly 38mm.
It’s tougher to get the wider angles given the crop. Your need an x mount (x being the vintage mount) to an EOS adapter.
You won’t have any auto features but the metering should be good for exposure.
Mark Holtze, thanks for your reply ! The thing is: I’m planning on getting/creating a 0.71x focus reducer, for EF mounts on my M3 :)
That’s why I would be interested in a EF mount adapter.
I think EF mount adapter is the same no? Damn I wish I was at home I could check quick. I have a EOS to Nex adapter and can mount all my canon lenses to my sony
Mark Holtze, yes, that’s what I mean. The M3 itself is an EF-M mount, and has a 1.6 crop. The focal reducer I’m planning on has an EF mount and a 0.71 reduction on that 1.6, so will end up being about 1.1 crop. And I would love to try some vintage glass on there, so that’s I was curious about :)
Awesome! Well good luck. Let me know if you have any further questions.
Can you help me with vintage lens list I can search for, which can be used for taking portraits.
WHat camera are you using? Full frame? APS-C? If full frame a 35mm/50/85 are all great. 135 work okay as well but less versatile.
If you have a crop frame I would go 35/50 max because you take that focal length and x 1.6 and it gives you the cropped focal length. So and 85 in that case would be too close I think.
Fast aperture is good as well, gives good subject and background separation.
Hope that helps, any follow ups I’m here.
Dig. Slightly off-topic... opening music choice was spot-on for this summer heated version. You listen to any Katchafire or Fat Freddy's Drop? :) Gets me missin' NZ summers. K... now i'm paying attn to the fiddy vid.
Lol! Ya I heard it and was like GO! Perfect intro beat. Haven’t heard either of those but will check out! Thanks! Fiddy gO! Let me know your fav
At first glance and having never shot that particular Pentacon or Zeiss, I'd say the Tak over all. I love the Pentacon rendering, as well as the Zeiss and Tak really seems to be right in the middle of both of them.
(Also, back to tunes, check out "Salmonella Dub" - nothing beats NZ dub for summertime) :)
The Zeiss is good, one thing you don't get with these videos watching them is the physical ergonomics of the lens. The CZ has a noticeably different build than the tank (taK) even the pentacon. The Pentacon with it's 33 cm focal distance is amazing at a 50 focal length, getting THAT Much closer to your subject puts it in semi macro range. It's generally slightly soft though which works with certain looks, but not all.
The CZ's big draw back is it's price though, plastic parts, painted numbers vs the engraved are it's only draw backs for me. The CZ 50 1.4 is the better version of the 50, but also goes for more.
NZ DUB GO! Thanks for the tunes list, can't wait to check these guys out.
Takumar 50mm f1.4 is the best, in my opinion. It's got beautiful bokeh and sharpness. Because of this lens I want to own more Takumars . Great Video.
Are you using a speed booster or just an m42 adapter here? Thanks :D
No booster, just adapter. FF sensor so no need to modify the optical results with boosters. :)
It looks as if you don't have enough 50's yet, you should check out the Olympus OM 50mm 1.8 if you get a chance, its a beautiful lens.
Never enough 😂. Thanks for the suggestion Matthew! Appreciate it!
uns to google
I have a Canon Rebel T6, what works best? i'm new to this
Hi Edward. If you're new start cheap, the Pentacon is a good option. You just need an M42 to EOS adapter. Fotodiox Adapters are the ones I use personally. Lots of brands so just amazon search "fotodiox adapter M42 to EOS. DSLR's sometimes have an issue with infinity focus which I don't think are a problem with these lenses.
If that doesn't answer your question let me know. Happy to go with any follow up questions you my have mate.
wow, so if i'm reading right adapter and lens for $10.48 Thankyou
Ya the adapters are cheap and the lenses are good and fast (pay a huge premium for modern fast primes) so as far as dabbling or just being cost sauvy there really is no going wrong. You can always sell the lens back to open market if you're done with it as well at almost no loss at all (if you take care of it).
Focusing and metering can be a bit tricky on DSLR's...something mirrorless options don't have to worry about. That mirror and the way the camera reads light are very different between the two bodies, but it will connect you more to your camera and the lens and after some experimentation it will all track and land for you.
Good luck!
Thankyou
My pleasure Edward! Best of luck to you (i'm here if you need anything else).
great video,
what is the brand and specs of the adaptor for those lenses ?
I use Fotodiox, the Zeiss is C/Y mount to NEX and the takumar and pentagon are M42 mounts, so for Sony: M42 to NEX
marfan ricketts
K&F adaptors high quality
Never tried those, thanks for the info mate!
I have the SMC Takumar. It is a great lens. Great video, btw.
Thanks mate! Was fun to do, I kind of miss that summer heat ;)
What lens did you use to shoot this video?
A bunch of lenses, all vintage except the talking head part which is a canon EF 24 1.4 L.
Macro stuff all done with the super Takumar 100mm F4. Everything from a Takumar 35 to 85 was used to shoot this.
Amazing, great work! im on the fence between Vintage and Zeiss Contax lenses
@@dareckmaurice9435 Contax Carl Zeiss and split the difference ;). The 50 1.4 is better than this one, i don't particularly like the F1.7, doesn't have the same build quality as the other contax zeiss lenses do.
Gotta love that 60p motion 👌
180 degree rule...plus it's cheat as it allows me to use more of a x second shot if I want to slow it down.
I love the SMC Takumar so much I bought 2 of them back in 2006 for shooting on my Konica Minolta 7D. The prices have risen a lot since then. Payed about 40 - $45 and now it's almost doubled. I also bought a 35 and 135 Tak back then.
2006! Nice Way ahead of the game! Definitely the time to get into these!
And now prices have almost tripled since your purchase back in 2006 hehe
I paid £15 for my Super Tak from a flea market here in UK, the guy selling it said "Dunno what that is, I think it's a teleconverter" ...I didn't correct him ;-) BTW it is in immacualte condition, the focus bezel was hanging off, but I found some grub screws. Now it's fully funtional and as good as these lenses always are.
Flea markets are the BEST!!! When you find a deal...it's always the BEST ONE!! That or estate sales. Congrats mate! That's perfect!
Great video once again for us vintage lens freaks, really enjoying this.
Btw, a lenstip for you : Yashinon DX 50mm f/1.7, you HAVE to review this lens for the fans, and for urself, UL love it I assure you my friend.
I have this lens and it's simply amazing.
Thanks mate! Will keep an eye for one at the next vintage lens sale!
I don't get all the craze about vintage lenses. I have Canon cameras. If I want something cheap I can get any old EF 50mm 1.8 or 1.4 and the price is near the same as a manual vintage lens maybe 10 to 20usd more for the EF. But I have autofocus or manual option and the aperture is controlled with the camera. From image quality perspective I think with the right settings and post processing they are not so different. I have EF lenses even from 1987 that still works great.
Only I think is understandable is when the manual vintage lens is dirt cheap or have something special, like the 13 blades aperture Helios one, or a 135mm bokeh monster.
Would macro tubes work with these vintage lenses.
They do actually. I haven’t used any personally, but I’ve seen it lots.
I would like to add the classic Canon FD 50mm 1.4 to this list. Sharpness is acceptable at f1.4 and good from f2 on. Also, it has a nice long focusing throw, great build quality and is nice and compact. It's on my a7s whenever I want to bring my camera to just casually shoot photos. 😊
Hi Daniel! Ya Canon FD's are fantastic and the 1.4 is a beauty! I had a 1.7 that was modded I gave away awhile back and it was pretty fantastic. Metal locking ring version, pretty great lens. Also FD's are reasonably priced so it could be a contender for sure. I'd almost rather have the Canon than the CZ. As much as I like Zeiss stuff, this lens is priced too high for what you get IMHO. Still happy with it, but it's like 2x more than the other two.
I have two of them and each for unter 30 euros. :) This lens is incredible.
TWO!? Tradesies? ;) I'll keep my eyes peeled for one! Thanks!
The Takumar......thanks for reminding me why I'm shooting with Pentax and Pentax lenses.
They’re so good. Thanks for watching mate
Well done, Mark - like the book-end water scenes in vid. Too short to evaluate lenses from on-line images. Too many factors to consider (edge/edge sharpness, CA, IQ wide open, etc. ) All the lenses can produce good images when used properly. Too bad brands like Practica faded from the market - as I recall, that particular brand was not exactly stellar, though. At one time the nifty fifty used to be the “kit” lens (usually an f/3.5 or 2.8) before modest zooms became the “norm” - no pun intended. No?
Hi Paul, thanks! Ya I would have liked to have kept it up longer but I find when you make these videos TOO long people don't bother watching the whole way through. I ran out of time last night but when I get some time I'll package the shots together in an organized way so people can evaluate them if they want (link to a download). Definitely something I want to include moving forward if I do more of these. Use the video as an intro and leave the elements available to full review for those who want more.
Ya both my dad and grandfather had pratica stuff, I've got my dad's working 35mm i'm dying to go out and shoot with. Definitely something I want to get back into. All these M42 lenses work with the body to so that's nice.
Thanks for your comment and take on thing Paul. Really do appreciate it.
Is it just me or the Pentax is slightly warmer in tones?
Totally is! It's the YELLOWING from the thorium. It's easy to fix in LR, I just left the images unedited for authenticity. You can blast it with UV light to reverse the effects, but I haven't gotten to that point yet. I kind of like it ;)
Yeah, I like it too!
Really, what's not to like with that lens? ;) I'm so bias.
Love the format of your videos, i love the way u explain things so that new photographers have a full understanding of what ur talking about, this is the second video i watched 1st was ur takumar 85mm
Hi Aaron, thanks for the comment! A big part of why I started covering these lenses is I fundamentally believe they are the BEST option for new photographers, especially if mirrorless is the camera of choice. dSLR's are great as well, but a bit more complicated given the mirror makes things a little tricky for some lenses.
Not only are these lenses affordable, but also using them really makes how changing settings for example impacts the image. When you have one hand on the lens and watch how changing settings affects the exposure, composition etc it really sticks.
Not to mention modern fast primes cost more than the camera body themselves half the time, these give you that access, but also make you work for whatever shot you do get. Not to mention they're charming and offer a little something extra to your photo's vs some store bought lens that everybody else is shooting with.
Also RUclips is the best place to learn, so I try to approach every video with a tried tested and true basis of experience so that whoever clicks on the video walks away hopefully learning something.
If only I had youtube back in high school algebra, I would have taken WAY less time to figure out how to break down quadratic equations than I did nothing the teacher and my parents time and time again lol.
I really like the Meyer Gorlitz Orestor 135mm f/2.8 (15-blade model). I don;t have any vintage 50mm lenses but, I do have a Sears Auto 55mm f/1.4 made by Tomioka and a Helios 44-4 f/2.0...
15 blades wow!! The specular highlights fully circular through the aperture range on that lens?
@@MarkHoltze I have one too, it's also found as a Pentacon. It's one of a number of lenses that is often nick-named "bokeh monster".
nice video mate
🙏 🙏 🙏 thank you my dude.
love the Takumar most
Same!
Great vid Mark! I think 50mm is my fav focal length.
Is there any reason you did this project in 60 fps?
It's a 23.98 project, I shot the 60p stuff (slow motion) just cause it's more graceful for the macro stuff and hand held steadies (which i slowed down to 40%). 120p with the volleyball. My on camera and another other regular motion stuff was all captured native 23.98.
I liked the colour of the Zeiss the most, and the SMC the least. Evertying is just too yellow with I am one for being to get up close and I love me some bokeh so getting up close is VERY important so for me I think I would have to go with the Penticon even though it was not remarkable in any one way. I think I would get the most useful pictures with it, and I could tweak to taste in post.
The Zeiss colours are fully natural, image clarity helps as well and is why they're often chosen and adapted by commercial DP's for CINE use. I know a few big award winning guys who shoot with modded Contax Carl Zeiss lenses on big national spots. On the front of an Alexa/Red etc...perfect.
0:49 Probably good that you didn't do that with your tak... If it's like many of its kind, the rear element is likely radioactive from the thorium oxide doping...not to mention that the eyes are one of the most radiosensitive organs of the body.
I’ve been assured it’s not strong enough to do any damage, but ya I still wouldn’t for that very reason lol.
I take it $150 USD - You can buy any manual 1.4 that is in a regular SLR mount just about, certainly anything easily enough to not be a trouble tracking one down.
my favourite 50mm is pentax smc 50mm f1.4. I believe it has better bokeh compare to takumar. but never really compare them side byside.
Ya I’d like to see a comparison. I have a CZ 1.4 50mm I’m comparing to the tak 50...big price difference between the two. Results don’t really justify that as I’m seeing. The Carl Zeiss is a really nice lens though ;)
always wanted to pun a hand on CZ, but never really have a chance( too costly)@@MarkHoltze
Ya, they’re expensive. The Tak’s historically set out to challenge their throne. Offer a more cost effective yet equal quality to Zeiss. I guess it cost them too much ;)
The Super Multi Coated Takumar and the SMC Takumar are different series of lenses, you have the 8 blade Sumer Multi Coated Takumar and not e=the 7 bladed SMC Takumar. Both are great lenses, maybe the SMC Takumar is a wee bit sharpeer than the Super Multi Coated Takumar, but the 8 blade version is a little more of a collector's item. I have the Super Multi Coated Takumar 50mmf1.4 and love it on both digital cameras and my Spotmatic
Ive got the nikkor 55mm macro if you want it, stupid sharp
Hi Mark ...Good Evening .. this is your second video I have watched to getting something Know about Pentacon 50mm 1.8.
I am a Nikon D7100 (Crop Sensor User), mostly using my stuff of Photography. in a video by someone, it was stated that Pentacon 50mm 1.8 is not suitable for Nikon Bodies, especially at distances of Infinity. I could not understand the phenomena,
Can you help me please to decide should i but it for Nikon or NOT
Regards
Bilal , Pakistan
ooh the old Pentacon was one of my first lenses and it really did a wonderful job. . I just had some Takumars for testing with adapter for my GH5 and for photo i was not so impressed but then again the GH5 is not really impressing me with photos, but for video they were quite nice... but i have a speed booster for my nikon, so have a bunch of Nikon lenses and i think having a hole set of Takumars on the side seems a bit overkill. But if my camera was full frame like my nikon then it would make a lot more sense.. but the GH5 is micro four thirds so every lens is like twice the mm so the 50 becomes like a 100mm .. so finding a good wide angle is hard.
Ya, you need some C mount lenses to match that sensor ;) (GH5) ;)
Super takumar 55mmf2 m42
Lovely bokeh .. sharp as heck
The most of used AF lens 50mm 1.8 cost under 150$.
Canon, Nikon, Pentax only Sony is a little bit expensive.
So how do you store the tak since it’s a radiated lens? I’ve been wanting that lens, but the rads are my concern.
I store in it a leather case. The radiation levels aren’t enough to cause health issues. Unless you break the lens and ingest the glass elements which contain small amounts of thorium. It’s otherwise safe. Look for the 50 1.4 8 element of you want one that’s not radioactive.
i got the super takumar lens and this is fantastic
Hi Claudio, thanks! Is the 50 your only one?
Hi mark! yes the 50 one i have. i got it just 2 weeks ago and i have tried it last nigth. im very happy about this lens i took an amazing pic at carnaby street i would like to show you that picture. i got the other takumar you shown as well the 100 mm
@@claudiopianetto2815 Be cool to see it, are you on instagram? Send me a link to it. The 100m Macro? I love that lens.
just in fbk as claudio pianetto facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10161319946655651&set=a.10150706451845651&type=3&theater im using a sony A7I
I have that last lens and love it on my sony a 6000!
Which one? The Pentacon, Takumar or Zeiss?
Mark Holtze the Zeiss, it was my moms. She had a Contax camera, and gave me the 50 and the 35-70 f3.4.
Fantastic! How do you like the 35-70?
Mark Holtze Its a blast. I like it a lot. It has a macro feature however, which in my opinion, is the most valuable part of the lens. For all these years, my mom never knew it had it either. btw, if you would like to keep talking, my instagram is @gregjoblove. (not trying to shamelessly plug myself)
No shame man. Requested. I have the 70-210 Canon FD, going to do my next lens review on it. It also has a macro feature which I agree is so valuable. Makes it so versatile.
Hi Mark, nice review. I use for many years the Pentacon 1.8 50mm and the Praktica . He is based on the Meyer-Optik Görlitz 50mm 1.8 Oreston and was produced in the millions and is still widely available today. And was the standard lens on the Praktica camera's. Al lot of people had in the early days a Praktica camera. It was a good price and well made camera and lenses as well. My father as well. In Europe it is very easy to get one.
We had them in our family as well! Great lens, I did a dedicated video on the 1.8 a few months ago. Great little lens!
Some days ago a bought 3 lenses for 9€ each, one of them was a Canomatic 50mm F1.8 👌
Hi Max! That's a HECK of a deal! Wow! Where about was this?
Mark Holtze I bought them in Konstanz where a Camerastore had a little flea market for there old lenses
New here 😁 Very informative video and great editing 💖💖
I have a Olympus Zuiko 50mm f3.5 it's advantage is its a macro :)
What.......do you play football with your Takumar? Good God man! Actually I also love the Meyer Optik 58 1.9. So yummy. But the lens that lives on my camera is the superbly radioactive Mamiya 50 f2. Delicious micro contrast! Yes.........delicious!
That one has seen better days for sure lol. I love it all the same ;). Micro micro-contrast Go!
I just arrived in Kenya and I have to admit......I went a little Takumar nuts before I left. Bought the 85 1.7 for $425. Then turned around and bought the 135 f4 the 150 and the 200mm! What the heck is wrong with me???? Locked and loaded for my first day in Kenya. We’ll see which ones osev
from that trio I vote for the east German lens, don't use the Takumars because of their coating (and don't like the yellowish tone), and the Zeiss lenses of that era have nothing special in our day & age. To the list of special 50's (or close) I'd add the Helios 44-2 58mm f2 & the Meyer-Optik Gorlitz Trioplan 50mm f2.9, among my faves.
Personally I love the takumar. Its rendering is very special. I have different versions of the pentacon - one w a kind of bubble bokeh. its also a lovely lens. The zeiss was a little disappointing. I have the yashica ml 1.7 & 1.4 and both are special. Both supposed to be the poor person's zeiss but who knows
Agreed! Tak is magic.
i own diffent versions of pentacon,, and the pentacon prakticar lenses are way sharpen than the pentacon m42, because i own several of them, i dont believe i just got a bad copy of an extra good pentacon prakticar lense.... i guess, they are produced in different factories / countries, at the optic lenses are different