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Archive 2017What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
p.156 #1What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
Sceptic, much appreciated.
Your description of the less-successful lens-buying experience is spot on. Luckily the Sigma is definitely usable from my viewpoint, so I'll take the fungal Konicas as a valuable lesson and reminder of what can happen (although I am reminded of it every time I shoot the Sigma with its characteristic pungent smell of mold... I hope it wears off eventually).
I will surely post my findings when I find time to tackle the Konicas.
Jaakko
Your description of the less-successful lens-buying experience is spot on. Luckily the Sigma is definitely usable from my viewpoint, so I'll take the fungal Konicas as a valuable lesson and reminder of what can happen (although I am reminded of it every time I shoot the Sigma with its characteristic pungent smell of mold... I hope it wears off eventually).
I will surely post my findings when I find time to tackle the Konicas.
Jaakko
Jan 28, 2014 at 08:15 AM
p.156 #2What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
sceptic wrote:
I have also had to deal with dishonest/ignorant sellers and know first hand the joy of buying a lens changing to anger once the thing arrives... I´ve learned that an item described as "not tested" can just as well mean "I can´t be bothered to remove the caps and take a look" or, more probably, "I know it´s garbage, but claim ignorance".
I've learned this the hard way, too... the nice thing about dealing with people on this forum is, most people care about their reputation here.
I have also had to deal with dishonest/ignorant sellers and know first hand the joy of buying a lens changing to anger once the thing arrives... I´ve learned that an item described as "not tested" can just as well mean "I can´t be bothered to remove the caps and take a look" or, more probably, "I know it´s garbage, but claim ignorance".
I've learned this the hard way, too... the nice thing about dealing with people on this forum is, most people care about their reputation here.
Jan 28, 2014 at 08:34 AM
p.156 #3What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
Back on topic; a Vivitar Series 1 70-210 f/3.5 (Kiron) just arrived. Best 17$ I've spent, from the looks of it. I was going to clean some internal dust between the front elements, but found that the thread locker applied to the retaining ring was tougher than I thought. Built to last, I suppose...
Jan 28, 2014 at 01:41 PM
p.156 #4What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
I just received a mint Zuiko 50mm f1.2... now I just need a 50mm f1.8 to complete my collection of OM "standard" lenses. 
Jan 30, 2014 at 03:32 PM
p.156 #5What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
Hartblei Super Rotator 65mm f/3.5
Nikon F mount
8 degrees of tilt and shift ability
I also scored a really nice Zork Pro-Shift adapter. This model lets you put Pentax 67 lenses on a Pentax 645 body (or on DSLRs with adapters) and shift away.
Nikon F mount
8 degrees of tilt and shift ability
I also scored a really nice Zork Pro-Shift adapter. This model lets you put Pentax 67 lenses on a Pentax 645 body (or on DSLRs with adapters) and shift away.
Jan 30, 2014 at 07:14 PM
p.156 #6What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
Hope the adapter arrives soon... 
Jan 31, 2014 at 06:18 PM
p.156 #7What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
Ah, you did indeed bring a 645 FA 35mm into the fold. It's a good performer, for sure.
Feb 01, 2014 at 02:25 AM
p.156 #8What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
My two lenses came in this week. I'm pumped to try them out this weekend! 
Leica 35mm Summicron-R (rom)
Leica 35mm Summicron-R ROM by Alpha Geist, on Flickr
Leica 90mm Summicron-M Pre-ASPH
Leica 90mm Summicron-M Pre-ASPH by Alpha Geist, on Flickr
Leica 35mm Summicron-R (rom)
Leica 35mm Summicron-R ROM by Alpha Geist, on Flickr
Leica 90mm Summicron-M Pre-ASPH
Leica 90mm Summicron-M Pre-ASPH by Alpha Geist, on Flickr
Feb 01, 2014 at 03:05 AM
p.156 #9What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
jcolwell wrote:
Hope the adapter arrives soon...
Nice Jim, I took mine out for a spin on my D800 last weekend..
Hope the adapter arrives soon...
Nice Jim, I took mine out for a spin on my D800 last weekend..
Feb 01, 2014 at 03:53 AM
p.156 #10What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
just found at a local dealer
konica 57mm 1,4
pentax SP1000 with SMC taumar 55mm 2,0
and a like new oly auto-s 50mm 1,8
konica 57mm 1,4
pentax SP1000 with SMC taumar 55mm 2,0
and a like new oly auto-s 50mm 1,8
Feb 02, 2014 at 05:16 AM
p.156 #12What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
Canon FD 2.8/35 TS
Edited on Feb 05, 2014 at 03:23 AM · View previous versions
Edited on Feb 05, 2014 at 03:23 AM · View previous versions
Feb 05, 2014 at 03:22 AM
p.156 #13What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
I recently bought a Contax G 45 and am shocked how well it competes with my FE 55. Initially, it was actually beating the 55 (to my consternation) till I tighten up my testing procedure. Even then, the 55 is only slightly sharper. Maybe I got a good 45.
Feb 05, 2014 at 03:22 AM
p.156 #14What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
The G lenses are really good. Where they fall down is in focusing feel (with the adapters) and sometimes in boke.
Feb 05, 2014 at 02:00 PM
p.156 #15What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
sflxn wrote:
I recently bought a Contax G 45 and am shocked how well it competes with my FE 55. Initially, it was actually beating the 55 (to my consternation) till I tighten up my testing procedure. Even then, the 55 is only slightly sharper. Maybe I got a good 45.
it seems they're all that good (or at least the vast majority of them). bokeh on the 55/1.8 is a lot better imo though.
Feb 05, 2014 at 06:26 PM
p.156 #16What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
It was a package deal. G45 and G90. I was buying it for the G90 as a possible small replacement for my 85/1.4. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with the G45 yet. It's so sharp, but I doubt I will use it much. However, it's so sharp, it's worth holding onto it. I'm still evaluating it, but the center is pretty sharp. It does seem a little more contrasty than the 55 FE. They must have changed the T* formula.
Feb 05, 2014 at 07:49 PM
p.156 #17What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
Phillip Reeve wrote:
Canon FD 2.8/35 TS
It's a beautiful lens, possibly the best FD lens(IMO), can't wait to see what you can do with it.
I just paid for an early Canon LTM 28/2.8 in beautiful condition.
BTW I'm looking for 2 lenses right now, Canon FD SSC 55/1.2 & 85/1.2 Aspherical, have money in PayPal ready to go.
Canon FD 2.8/35 TS
It's a beautiful lens, possibly the best FD lens(IMO), can't wait to see what you can do with it.
I just paid for an early Canon LTM 28/2.8 in beautiful condition.
BTW I'm looking for 2 lenses right now, Canon FD SSC 55/1.2 & 85/1.2 Aspherical, have money in PayPal ready to go.
Feb 06, 2014 at 02:06 AM
p.156 #18What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
My new FD 35/2.8 TS, like new in original box, bought here in Tromsø at very reasonable price, around a fourth of what the previous owner paid twenty years ago
http://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/41926915/Tester/DSC02412.jpg
I have to get a better adapter, the cheap Fotga one that I have fixes the lens in a slightly rotated position.
Edited on Feb 06, 2014 at 04:56 PM · View previous versions
http://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/41926915/Tester/DSC02412.jpg
I have to get a better adapter, the cheap Fotga one that I have fixes the lens in a slightly rotated position.
Edited on Feb 06, 2014 at 04:56 PM · View previous versions
Feb 06, 2014 at 06:10 AM
p.156 #19What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
Twoeye I have that lens and just ordered a Metabones speed booster to attach it to my Fuji X mount cameras. I found I wanted a bit wider perspective than what is available on a APS-C sensor. I bet it is wonderful on a FF sensor. The speed booster should get it back close to 35mm on my Fuji. I am interested to see what you will be shooting with this combo.
I have a few Rainbow adapters that seem to work pretty well as far as lining things up and a few Metabones straight adapters(not speed boosters) and they are a bit better quality than the Rainbows.
I have a few Rainbow adapters that seem to work pretty well as far as lining things up and a few Metabones straight adapters(not speed boosters) and they are a bit better quality than the Rainbows.
Feb 06, 2014 at 04:50 PM
p.156 #20What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
sflxn wrote:
I recently bought a Contax G 45 and am shocked how well it competes with my FE 55. Initially, it was actually beating the 55 (to my consternation) till I tighten up my testing procedure. Even then, the 55 is only slightly sharper. Maybe I got a good 45.
I'm actually shocked by this. I just sold my ZM 50 Planar, which is a close relative of the G45 (I've never had the G45). The ZM 50/2 was very sharp to the edges on a crop sensor, but had progressively weak midfield and poor corners at f/4 and wider on my a7. The center was always sharp and contrasty, but the overall frame sharpness didn't come close to the FE 55 until f/5.6 or f/8, and even then wasn't as sharp and contrasty as the FE 55. The FE 55 OTOH, is shockingly sharp across most of the frame at f/1.8, has very good corners at f/1.8, and only gets better from there. From f/2.8 on it's just amazing. I've never seen such performance at all apertures from any largish aperture lens, and throw in a very smooth bokeh with great Zeiss rendering and it's in pretty rarified territory.
I'd love to see an aperture comparison of the G45 and FE 55. I wish I had some ZM 50 side by sides to post, but it's gone now
I recently bought a Contax G 45 and am shocked how well it competes with my FE 55. Initially, it was actually beating the 55 (to my consternation) till I tighten up my testing procedure. Even then, the 55 is only slightly sharper. Maybe I got a good 45.
I'm actually shocked by this. I just sold my ZM 50 Planar, which is a close relative of the G45 (I've never had the G45). The ZM 50/2 was very sharp to the edges on a crop sensor, but had progressively weak midfield and poor corners at f/4 and wider on my a7. The center was always sharp and contrasty, but the overall frame sharpness didn't come close to the FE 55 until f/5.6 or f/8, and even then wasn't as sharp and contrasty as the FE 55. The FE 55 OTOH, is shockingly sharp across most of the frame at f/1.8, has very good corners at f/1.8, and only gets better from there. From f/2.8 on it's just amazing. I've never seen such performance at all apertures from any largish aperture lens, and throw in a very smooth bokeh with great Zeiss rendering and it's in pretty rarified territory.
I'd love to see an aperture comparison of the G45 and FE 55. I wish I had some ZM 50 side by sides to post, but it's gone now
Feb 06, 2014 at 05:10 PM