Diffraction
Member
Hi all,
I found myself wondering about something that I thought might be fun to discuss: which lenses had the best build quality (NOT optical quality)?
From my own experience, I remember picking up a Pentax SV with a bunch of Takumars and being really impressed by their build. Metal construction, smooth focusing, reassuring weight. Also radioactive, partly, of course, but that's a separate matter.
I then switched to a Pentax K1000 followed by an MX and remember being disappointed by the K-mount lens I had for it (I think it was the 50/1.7?). Sure the build wasn't terrible but it was definitely a step down compared to the Takumars.
Right now I have a Minolta XE-7 with a MD Rokkor-X 50/1.7. The Rokkor is quite nice, almost as good as the Takumar, but the focusing isn't quite as smooth and some parts of it (like the aperture ring) feel just a little bit imperfect.
I'd be curious how you think other manufacturers compare. I've heard good things about FD-mount Canon glass, especially the earlier versions. I'm also really curious how Nikon AI lenses handle. In general, it seems build took a nosedive in the autofocus era, moving to using much more plastic. But the decline probably started earlier than that, e.g. the K-mount lens I was using probably came out in the 80s.
I'd love to hear your experience. I suspect some answers won't be surprising -- presumably some of the pricey Leica/Carl Zeiss lenses have build quality to match -- but I'd be especially interested in lenses that were surprisingly well built given their price.
I found myself wondering about something that I thought might be fun to discuss: which lenses had the best build quality (NOT optical quality)?
From my own experience, I remember picking up a Pentax SV with a bunch of Takumars and being really impressed by their build. Metal construction, smooth focusing, reassuring weight. Also radioactive, partly, of course, but that's a separate matter.
I then switched to a Pentax K1000 followed by an MX and remember being disappointed by the K-mount lens I had for it (I think it was the 50/1.7?). Sure the build wasn't terrible but it was definitely a step down compared to the Takumars.
Right now I have a Minolta XE-7 with a MD Rokkor-X 50/1.7. The Rokkor is quite nice, almost as good as the Takumar, but the focusing isn't quite as smooth and some parts of it (like the aperture ring) feel just a little bit imperfect.
I'd be curious how you think other manufacturers compare. I've heard good things about FD-mount Canon glass, especially the earlier versions. I'm also really curious how Nikon AI lenses handle. In general, it seems build took a nosedive in the autofocus era, moving to using much more plastic. But the decline probably started earlier than that, e.g. the K-mount lens I was using probably came out in the 80s.
I'd love to hear your experience. I suspect some answers won't be surprising -- presumably some of the pricey Leica/Carl Zeiss lenses have build quality to match -- but I'd be especially interested in lenses that were surprisingly well built given their price.