This is one of my favorite legacy lenses. I shoot with legacy lenses to achieve the special renditions of which they are capable. However, the 135mm Pentagon, also provides a technically excellent image along with a beautiful rendition. BTW: I have about five 135mm legacy lenses and they are all fun to use but, the Pentagon 135mm f/2.8 is at the top; I convert the Pentagon to my Sony crop cameras with a Kipon Focal Reducer which results in an equivalent of about 135mm f/2.0...
The story is not entirely true as these lenses were made by Meyer Optik Görlitz, East-Germany. They've built lenses under their own name until they dissolved in the Pentacon company and they resided for some time under Zeiss Jena.The majority of the Praktica cameras were equipped with Meyer lenses, some of which were made in Romania (the pancake triplet).The Zeiss factory in Jena was partially dismantled when the allied forces realized the excellent quality of the German optics in WW2 and the factory was further dismantled by the Russians after the occupation, together with the engineers that were left. The engineers returned to East Germany in the fifties and had practically to start over again. The same happened with Meyer Optik Görlitz: they too had to start from scratch.The Meyer lenses became famous for their vintage style photos and their awesome bokeh largely due to the circular aperture that was created by the many blades (some up to 19).After the German Reunification, Meyer was disentagled from the Pentacon company but couldn't survive. It is resurrected recently reissueing the famous trioplans and the Lydith. Prices are steep, though...Regarding name issues: there was a huge debate going on between Zeiss Jena (east) and Zeiss Oberkochen (west) about the name rights with several court sessions that went on and on untill it was agreed upon that -and this I'm not entirely sure- the name "Carl Zeiss Jena" was allowed for the eastern market and "aus JENA" for export versions.After reunification, both Zeiss factories merged.The radio active lens from German Democratic Republic (GDR) I know of is the Carl Zeiss Jena Pancolar 50/1.2 with the Thorium coating. It's easily recognized by its yellowish color (saves you a filter).A lot of east-German companies sadly disappeared. Partially because of their obsolete production processes, partially because of the potential commercial threat to western companies. Not many people know that the early Prakticas were highly innovative and patented ideas and solutions found their way into the Japanese cameras.
Sorry, don't know where you heard or read this false info. Meyer Optic is a separate company and has nothing to do with Carl Zeiss. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Zeiss_AG
Thank you for your work It Is a plesure watching your videos hope that you will make others about these great vintage lenses that renders so much character and beauty and they are still afordable
Here's my dumb question. People shoot fast lenses wide open for more separation and background blur. But if you're wide open, there's no aperature blades at the edge coming to create ball bokeh. So, what am I missing?
I own two copies of the same lens, bought second mint condition as the previous was bent little at the hood. It is excellent lens for portraits the bokeh is creamy and artistic
Recently I bought this lens from local Craig's list. Unfortunately, in the hurry to get it cheap (some $25) I overlooked the fact that the lens is filled with dust and god knows what not, so I'll have to take it apart and clean it...
Chapeau!! This was a great review, you kept on talking and delivering tons of information without even getting boring.👍🏽 Would all of this allso be applicable for the 135/2.8 Zebra version? Thx for your feedback.
Anyone know of a good solution for Nikon mounts? The 'no glass' mount doesnt allow more anywhere near infinity (only close focus). And the glass ones to correct this lose quality.
@Alexi Alexiev And Mathieu is wrong about that. But it's your own choice. The is no safe amount of ionising radiation. So, don't freak out, but treat these lenses with a healthy dose of respect, instead of stupidity.
'Open up to f22'. Maybe you misspoke, and maybe it's not that big a deal, but as soon as I hear some kind of nonsensical comment like this, I stop listening and move on the to next video.
This is one of my favorite legacy lenses. I shoot with legacy lenses to achieve the special renditions of which they are capable. However, the 135mm Pentagon, also provides a technically excellent image along with a beautiful rendition.
BTW: I have about five 135mm legacy lenses and they are all fun to use but, the Pentagon 135mm f/2.8 is at the top;
I convert the Pentagon to my Sony crop cameras with a Kipon Focal Reducer which results in an equivalent of about 135mm f/2.0...
The story is not entirely true as these lenses were made by Meyer Optik Görlitz, East-Germany. They've built lenses under their own name until they dissolved in the Pentacon company and they resided for some time under Zeiss Jena.The majority of the Praktica cameras were equipped with Meyer lenses, some of which were made in Romania (the pancake triplet).The Zeiss factory in Jena was partially dismantled when the allied forces realized the excellent quality of the German optics in WW2 and the factory was further dismantled by the Russians after the occupation, together with the engineers that were left. The engineers returned to East Germany in the fifties and had practically to start over again. The same happened with Meyer Optik Görlitz: they too had to start from scratch.The Meyer lenses became famous for their vintage style photos and their awesome bokeh largely due to the circular aperture that was created by the many blades (some up to 19).After the German Reunification, Meyer was disentagled from the Pentacon company but couldn't survive. It is resurrected recently reissueing the famous trioplans and the Lydith. Prices are steep, though...Regarding name issues: there was a huge debate going on between Zeiss Jena (east) and Zeiss Oberkochen (west) about the name rights with several court sessions that went on and on untill it was agreed upon that -and this I'm not entirely sure- the name "Carl Zeiss Jena" was allowed for the eastern market and "aus JENA" for export versions.After reunification, both Zeiss factories merged.The radio active lens from German Democratic Republic (GDR) I know of is the Carl Zeiss Jena Pancolar 50/1.2 with the Thorium coating. It's easily recognized by its yellowish color (saves you a filter).A lot of east-German companies sadly disappeared. Partially because of their obsolete production processes, partially because of the potential commercial threat to western companies. Not many people know that the early Prakticas were highly innovative and patented ideas and solutions found their way into the Japanese cameras.
Sorry, don't know where you heard or read this false info. Meyer Optic is a separate company and has nothing to do with Carl Zeiss. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Zeiss_AG
Thank you for your work It Is a plesure watching your videos hope that you will make others about these great vintage lenses that renders so much character and beauty and they are still afordable
Very impressed with this lens Oz, especially the many real world photos. I did not know the history of pentacon before. Respect
Here's my dumb question. People shoot fast lenses wide open for more separation and background blur. But if you're wide open, there's no aperature blades at the edge coming to create ball bokeh. So, what am I missing?
I own two copies of the same lens, bought second mint condition as the previous was bent little at the hood. It is excellent lens for portraits the bokeh is creamy and artistic
Super job explaining and demonstrating the truth brother. I love this video.
Recently I bought this lens from local Craig's list. Unfortunately, in the hurry to get it cheap (some $25) I overlooked the fact that the lens is filled with dust and god knows what not, so I'll have to take it apart and clean it...
Chapeau!!
This was a great review, you kept on talking and delivering tons of information without even getting boring.👍🏽
Would all of this allso be applicable for the 135/2.8 Zebra version?
Thx for your feedback.
Anyone know of a good solution for Nikon mounts? The 'no glass' mount doesnt allow more anywhere near infinity (only close focus). And the glass ones to correct this lose quality.
nice channel
Is this the 15 blade version?
Just brought one on eBay.
would I need an adaptor to use this on a Pentax?
Yes... Here is what you need..
www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/995319-REG/fotodiox_m42_pk_p_m42_screw_mount_to.html/BI/20599/KBID/15706
Thanks. Are the Pentacon series radioactive?
They are not..
Thanks for the reply. Good to know.
@Alexi Alexiev And Mathieu is wrong about that. But it's your own choice. The is no safe amount of ionising radiation.
So, don't freak out, but treat these lenses with a healthy dose of respect, instead of stupidity.
your white balance is off
'Open up to f22'. Maybe you misspoke, and maybe it's not that big a deal, but as soon as I hear some kind of nonsensical comment like this, I stop listening and move on the to next video.
stop down to the next video ;-)