Why I collect SOVIET lenses - And why you should too!
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- Опубликовано: 22 июл 2024
- I'm often asked - "Why do you collect Soviet lenses?" - and although my heritage could be an easy answer (my Grandfather was born in the USSR), the actual reasons are varied and many. I dive into them in today's video!
#photography #SovietLens #VintageLens
Social Media:
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Follow me on Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/1927346...
Gear I use:
Nikon Z6 - ebay.us/IRwhGF
Rode Wireless GO II: ebay.us/4vLGdG
Deity V-mic D3 Pro Microphone: ebay.us/f0LWmY
Falcon Eyes F7 Pocket light: ebay.us/TArvK7
Camera Vlogging mirror: ebay.us/MTXZR9
Search for Soviet Lenses on eBay: ebay.us/1SWpyh
FYI:
My eBay links usually are referral links! It means I get a tiny bit back from eBay if you purchase something from them, at no extra cost to you. All proceeds will go towards funding rare and exciting lenses for review!
Music in some of my videos comes from Antti Luode licenced under CC-BY-3.0 - thanks Antti! 
Кино
Agreed. It is an addictive hobby, and one doesn't stop at soviet lenses...
Great channel! I'm an addict too! I have a slew of vintage lenses that are well suited for the landscape and nature photography that I shoot. There is a unique patina to some of the older glass that definitely enhances my photography. Anyway, just subscribed, look forward to more of your videos. Cheers!
Wow - a whole channel dedicated to Soviet lenses. Like a support group for my "addiction". Seriously, love 'em, particularly the Zeiss rangefinder copies (sonars and biotars) which have -- all in all -- better character than the originals, are soft and sharp in all the right places with physical designs that are elegant and super compact.
I used to collect Soviet lenses too, got a pretty good collection going. What made me absolutely despise soviet lenses from that point on was a sudden realization, that my Mir 10a, which cost nearly 500 dollars at the time, was inferior to a 30 dollar Minolta MC 28mm F3.5 I had borrowed. Once I realized that I went about comparing my soviet lenses to alternatives from about the same era (manufacture year).
When I was searching for a Zenitar-ME1 50mm I went through 9 copies that all were defective in one way or another, some had wrong knurling, others were a little loose, one had a focus ring that would bind up if I shot it horizontally, but not vertically.
I now collect Minolta lenses.
That's impressive dedication to plow through 9 copies of a Zenitar ME-1! I think I'd lose patience much sooner than that, very justifiable to switch after that point.
Thankfully pretty much every one of my copies has been good (except for a Mir-24N and Mir-47k that was actually made in '96) - occasional stiff focusing ring here or there.
for the same reason I sold most of my soviet lenses, only kept Helios 44m converted to Nikon F. After initial excitement fades you realise all disadvantages that go in the way of actually doing photography.
and by the way 500$ is way too much overpriced!!! I can imagine this price for helios-40 (even though it's still overpriced), but not for any other soviet lens. Before the war in Ukraine you could buy a bucket of Helios-44s for 500 bucks.
Soviet lenses for me are mostly about unique vintage rendering and character when taking pictures of people or doing street photography. My favourite ones: Sonnars: Jupiter 9 (I fixed M42 version sharpness when wide open by a simple trick found on a forum - installing a ring made of 1mm wire in-between front glass and second glass element), Jupiter 3, Jupiter 11. Planars: Helios 77M-4, Zenitar - M. Tessars: Industar 50-2, Industar 26M.
Love using mine for street photography as well, it's hard to describe what makes the vintage rendering/character so special, but there's something to be said for it. Sounds like a great collection!
That is a cool tshirt really fits your vibe
Thanks Elfishdude
С приветом из России! Интересное видео, товарищ 🙂 Для коллекции ещё можно было бы найти "МС Гелиос 44М". У нас это довольно редкий объектив, но стоит при этом не дорого. Еще бы посоветовал "Юпитер 3" 1.5/. Хорошая светосила за небольшие деньги
You forget one last reason: they are cute)
As good a reason as any! 😁
While i'm new to your channel... looking at your history of posting, it made me wonder as to the why of your particular thang for Soviet glass. So, i've a better idea now - cool. One thing that interests me when reading through comments, is whether the troll thing has always been there - fuk em if they can't take a joke - or if you've seen an up-tick since the Ukraine thing kicked off? So, off for a further perusal of your titles. I wonder if a bit of binge-viewing will help answer some of my other, more photography related, questions. Cheers from across the ditch.
Cheers, thankfully haven't had seen much negativity at all, even after recent events. I think most of us here are just a bunch of photography nerds!
Last one thing is these lenses are essence or crystal of strrugle of Soviet lens engineers. I hope you cannot catch by MP.
I'll keep my Nikon ...
Lol a whole channel for JUST this specific topic. Lol Man you're in love.
I don't see the difference in image quality with these lenses.
I like how the lens will last longer than you and not like the BS market, where people are putting economics over item longevity.
Show me with examples How these things will fit future cameras or whatever, it's more interesting than watching you talk, But I know talking is easier. Instead of understanding based off trusting your words, I have another level of reality I can base my knowledge on.
For sure there are plenty of other vintage lenses which have great image quality, it's not something totally unique to Soviet lenses. Thanks for the feedback on showing a bit more over talking, makes sense!
@@SovietLensReviews Thanks for listening. I always try to be helpful. Most of the sci-tech entertainment channels have mostly visuals with a voiceover. There is more stimulus that way.
@@SovietLensReviews Diplomatic reply ... Of course there are, but -- with few exceptions -- they generally cost much much more if you purchase them used today (as I have). The Soviet mass produced amazing art lenses in vast quantities. Even today, many are still sitting (never used and referred to as new old stock) in warehouses across the FSR and can be had at very reasonable prices on eBay or wherever.
If you want great image quality (which many interpret as "sharpness") then get a modern lens or a Canon FD (which are fine lenses). There are some very sharp Soviet lenses (Zenitar 50mm f1.7, later versions of the Helios 40-2, Jupiter 37a), but sharpness alone is not generally what they are about. It is all about character and the utter artfulness of their "imperfections", in particular their distinctive bokeh and overall rendering.
By the way, his channel has plenty of examples and recommendations, this was an overview video.
@meta4101 Excellent response👍🏻
This some kind of sickness. Some people downgrade they pc and filling good. Same you do with lenses
I'd argue that collecting Soviet lenses is a much more practical hobby than a lot of other collections! These are lenses that still get used in multi-million dollar Hollywood blockbusters here and there, for their unique look.
@@SovietLensReviews look, strangling with old mf focus lense mounted on a modern camera, that cost for a second money, is abnormal.
If "sharpness" is the prime criteria for your photography then Soviet lenses will appear to be a downgrade and, indeed, are not for you.
Hi! I sent a message on Instagram,, love the channel!!!!