Old/alternate lenses, adapters, and lens mount conversions.

[nsng]

A few weeks ago, I finally got my Leica M240. I have several R lenses that have not been converted to alpha mount. One of these is the 70-210 Angenieux. I recalled I bought this lens back in 1985. At f3.5, it was considered a fast zoom during those days. Angenieux is an old French company whose fame is the development of the retrofocus wide angle lenses. It became famous as a supplier of top quality optics to the movie industry. Later it supplied high quality zoom lenses to the TV industry as well. Back in the early '80s it released a series of zooms and fast telephoto lenses in various mounts, Canon, Nikon, Leica, Minolta. etc. I recalled I paid about $1,500 and that was from a dealer who was closing down in Bras Basah. It came in a very nice box, the lens sealed in a plastic bag with nitrogen and a MTF chart! However, Angeniex could not compete with its pricing and left the consumer business. It was bought over by Thales and now make military and industrial optics. So how does it perform given the fact it is a 28 year old lens? Here are 2 images,

Here is the M240 with the Angenieux,

[/URL][/IMG]


I am still amazed with overall performance of this lens. The centre is sharp and the edges and corners at max aperture are just slightly soft and practically free from CA. Contrast is just slightly lower than the modern Leica lenses.


N S Ng

 

[pinholecam]

Here is the M240 with the Angenieux,

[/URL][/IMG]


I am still amazed with overall performance of this lens. The centre is sharp and the edges and corners at max aperture are just slightly soft and practically free from CA. Contrast is just slightly lower than the modern Leica lenses.


N S Ng

Thanks for sharing the images and the info.

 

[pinholecam]

Enna Munchen Tele Ennalyt 400mm f4.5

I seldom use this lens, since its constructed like a tank and weighs a ton.
M42 mount.
It always seem too long on APS-C, but on FF, I think the working distance is more acceptable.

This lens is from Enna Werk, a small lens manufacturer in Germany (which still exist today)

 

[pinholecam]

Another from the Enna 400/4.5

 

[nsalman]

Speechless

 

[pinholecam]

The Enna Tele-Ennalydt has a old style 14 aperture blade aperture to give circular bokeh when stopped down.

 

[jtsky]

Another from the Enna 400/2.5

Very clear and sharp!

 

[JacePhoto]

Impressive!

 

[pinholecam]

Speechless

Very clear and sharp!

Impressive!

Thanks.
Its hard to use this lens because its MF and heavy (2kg)
Best results with a tripod


Another shot from the same lens.

I like its rendering, but carrying a club around to take children shots in the neighborhood really a bit odd...

 

[Thoth]

Thanks.
Its hard to use this lens because its MF and heavy (2kg)
Best results with a tripod


Another shot from the same lens.

I like its rendering, but carrying a club around to take children shots in the neighborhood really a bit odd...

One common issue wif such legacy lenses are the CA, which could be removed easily in PP. But its a sharp lens wif nice Bokeh nonetheless... Pretty similar to my Contax Zeiss 50/1.7...

 

[oceanpriest]

One common issue wif such legacy lenses are the CA, which could be removed easily in PP. But its a sharp lens wif nice Bokeh nonetheless... Pretty similar to my Contax Zeiss 50/1.7...

I really can't see the similarity

 

[Kardis]

Hi all,

I have a copy of Konica Hexanon 50mm F1.4 mounted on M43 camera.

As like everyone else with the same lens or other legacy lens, there will be a soft glowing/halo effect when shooting wide open e.g. @F1.4.

Many have suggested to add a baffle in the adapter, mount a step-down ring on the front or simply step-down the aperture in exchange of some bokeh just to eliminate the soft glow.

I wonder whether adding a ND filter is a viable solution as many have pointed out that the soft glow is due to excessive lights? Any Ideas or has anyone tried it before?

 

[nsalman]

Interesting. I used to have a 40mm 1.8 and I did not noticed any glow. Maybe that is one of the characteristic of the lens that you may grow fond of over time. I not add or modify the lens to get rid of the glow. If stopping will do the work then I think that would be sufficient.

 

[pinholecam]

One common issue wif such legacy lenses are the CA, which could be removed easily in PP. But its a sharp lens wif nice Bokeh nonetheless... Pretty similar to my Contax Zeiss 50/1.7...

Different people will have different reasons for using old lenses.

To me manual lenses is about 'heart' and not that much about empirical info.
If I wanted only sharp, little CA, etc, I'd just use modern lenses.
Often, I find that its this poorer control of abberations that give a lens a unique very bold drawing style in the right conditions.

Think of it as drawing with a pencil, the modern lens is a 0.5mm mechanical pencil with a lead of 2H, capable of fineness, but the outline produced is not bold enough.
Some old lenses have the character of a old 2B pencil, dark and bold lines, but maybe not as capable in drawing fineness as the modern counterpart.

There are other interesting characteristics as well (eg. interesting bokeh, less control of flare resulting in a glowly effect, etc)

Its also the engagement of doing the focus, setting the aperture, the feel of a build quality of old and the appreciation of the labor to build them.
Then there are the unique qualities that each lens maker strives for which I find is not like the "trying to be the best in a lens test/spec sheet" that lens makers are forced to do nowadays or get poor empirical reviews that would result in poor sales.
Else, I'd be using modern lenses instead.

Thats my few cents of using these old stuff.

Of course I also like the fact that 'these lenses still take pictures'

 

[pinholecam]

Hi all,

I have a copy of Konica Hexanon 50mm F1.4 mounted on M43 camera.

As like everyone else with the same lens or other legacy lens, there will be a soft glowing/halo effect when shooting wide open e.g. @F1.4.

Many have suggested to add a baffle in the adapter, mount a step-down ring on the front or simply step-down the aperture in exchange of some bokeh just to eliminate the soft glow.

I wonder whether adding a ND filter is a viable solution as many have pointed out that the soft glow is due to excessive lights? Any Ideas or has anyone tried it before?

The usual stuff would be to use a deep enough hood, and maybe flocking the inside of your adapter if you suspect its shinny enough to bounce light around.
If its a lens problem, then check for oil on the lens or haze.
Beyond that, some old lenses are just like that

 

[Kardis]

Interesting. I used to have a 40mm 1.8 and I did not noticed any glow. Maybe that is one of the characteristic of the lens that you may grow fond of over time. I not add or modify the lens to get rid of the glow. If stopping will do the work then I think that would be sufficient.

The usual stuff would be to use a deep enough hood, and maybe flocking the inside of your adapter if you suspect its shinny enough to bounce light around.
If its a lens problem, then check for oil on the lens or haze.
Beyond that, some old lenses are just like that

Ok after searching the net, the glow effect is due to Spherical Aberration. It is not really a lens problem rather some people may see it as a characteristic, and also it is still sharp and glowless when stop-down. The glow is same as what others have called "Lecia" Glow that appear on old lecia lens when wide open too.

Hence, ND filter is out of the question actually.

 

[Thoth]

Ok after searching the net, the glow effect is due to Spherical Aberration. It is not really a lens problem rather some people may see it as a characteristic, and also it is still sharp and glowless when stop-down. The glow is same as what others have called "Lecia" Glow that appear on old lecia lens when wide open too. Hence, ND filter is out of the question actually.

Yupz. Loads of these on mine lux 35 preA.

 

[oceanpriest]

Bump this thread

Jupiter 9 85mm f2​

 

[oceanpriest]

Voigtlander 35mm f1.4 Nokton Classic SC​

 

[pinholecam]

Bump this thread

Jupiter 9 85mm f2​

You know what?
I actually looked for this thread today and it was again no longer on the 1st page.

I'm certainly envious of your copy of the J9.
Its soft drop off between in to out of focus areas and soft light treatment of the subjects is certainly unique and nice.

Voigtlander 35mm f1.4 Nokton Classic SC​

Another nice one, OOF highlights seem less controlled like the Cosina 55/1.2

BTW, I'm curious why you chose a NX10 to use this lens.