What's the best cheap lens you've bought?

[John Earley]

Last year I bought a Leotax Merit range finder with a very nice Topcor 50mm/f2 LTM Lens. This year I sold the Leotax, minus the lens, for $40 more than I paid for it. So I ended up with the Topcor lens to use on my Canon P and Nicca 3S and the $40.

 

[Kodachromeguy]

Last year I bought a Leotax Merit range finder with a very nice Topcor 50mm/f2 LTM Lens. This year I sold the Leotax, minus the lens, for $40 more than I paid for it. So I ended up with the Topcor lens to use on my Canon P and Nicca 3S and the $40.

How has the Topcor worked out? How does it compare to whatever 50 you were using before?

 

[John Earley]

It compares very well to the Nikon 50/f2 ltm (without the close focus ability) and is more contrasty and has smoother bokeh than my Canon 50/f1.8.

May 2021 Flowers with Topcor 50/f2 by JOHN EARLEY, on Flickr

 

[titrisol]

Pentax FA 50/1.4
Paid $20 for a camera and lens at goodwill

 

[gone]

Forgot to mention the Mitakon Zhongyi Creator 85 2 lens I recently got from KEH in Nikon F mount. $100, and like brand new. It's imaging is almost on par w/ my Leica R 90 Elmarit (no 3D though), but different, especially the bokeh, which can look sorta like a Helios at times. It's small for a fast 85, and made of metal and glass. It's heavy, but not as heavy as the Elmarit, and focuses relatively close w/ a long focus throw.

Took this w/ it, using Foma 400. It handles Petra's hair much better than the non ai H Nikkor 85 1.8 it replaced, and the bokeh is nicer. Can't complain about the IQ except for the sharpness on the edge of her face, which is a little sharper than I would like. Still, a very good lens for portraits.

 

[darkosaric]

How has the Topcor worked out? How does it compare to whatever 50 you were using before?

Let me answer this . I got Topocor S 50mm f2 LTM some time ago, and it is optically excellent, equals Leitz lenses from the same age. It is big and heavy, but beautiful lens indeed.

 

[ciniframe]

Quality for price, the best lens I’ve bought is a 135mm f3.5 Zuiko For $15. Very pleasant to use with good resolution. This is the older, silver nosed version.

 

[DMJ]

Paid $40 for an open box Yongnuo 50mm f1.8.