Arsat C 2.8/80 mm--any good?

Hi,

I'm contemplating getting above-mentioned lens for my Pentacon Six. Judging by sets on flickr taken with the Arsat, it seems impressively sharp, with a nice bokeh.

Does anybody have any personal experience with this lens to share? Are there any drawbacks to it?


Thanks a lot in advance for any helpful hints!


Michael

I think like all ex Eastern Bloc countries the quality control was, should we say less than thorough. You may get a 'good un' on the other hand you may have the misfortune to get one that is 'not so good'. Carl Zeiss lenses from East Germany can be Generally relied upon, but those made in the old USSR (Like Arsat) must always have a question mark over their quality. About 20 years ago I had an Arsat 20mm F2.8 wide angle for my Nikons and it was an absolute cracker. On my recommendation a friend bought one and to be honest it was embarrassingly as bad as any poor lens I have ever seen seen. The serial numbers were only about 200 apart as well.

If there is one thing the Russians are good at, its making optics. I've owned about 5 Soviet Cameras, and have always been very, very pleased.

You can believe the flickr but I never be able to match the pictures at there with same cameras which bought referencing them. If you do know what you are doing , invest time and Money to quality , why not.

I invest 10 minutes to photographing and 10 hours to follow the forum.

You must do the reverse.

Yes , Pentacon and Arsat is amazing but if anybody did not want to rip you off.

Buy your lens from APUG.

I sold my Arsat and kept a CZJ MC Biometar because my copy was noticably sharper and had better W/O contrast. YMMV. This is used on a Arax branded Kiev 88 MLU. Neither are as sharp as an old Pre-T* chrome Hasselblad Zeiss planar I have. It is a little better than my CF planar as long as you keep the light off it.

I prefer my Arsat C and I have a B (look the same) over my SINGLE coated Biometar. Some of these kiev lenes look very good I'll use my rolleiflex 2.8f and kiev and I see little visible difference.