whats the nicest lens you have ( read more )

removed account4 · Apr 1, 2016

my favorites are no name or names i don't know a lot about, like morrison, or laverne or beat on
brass lenses that i got for less than 30$ but they give such a nice rendering. soft and fluid, but definition and contrast as needed.
they are barrels so i use them on speed or graflex slrs or they are big enough to let me use a coffee cup as a lens cap

RalphLambrecht · Apr 1, 2016

jnanian said:
whats the nicest lens you have, no, not the most expensive lens you have that is nice
but the nicest lens that you bought for very little money not knowing if it was going to be
good or bad, and you stuck it on whatever camera you use and it ended up being a lens
you use for "special" stuff because it gives a look you can't get with anything else.

have one, or is it a secret ?

My Micro Nikkor55mmf/3.5;I can't believe how sharp it is

dpurdy · Apr 1, 2016

HiHoSilver said:
Chip j - Your Nikkor zoom - how is it on sharpness? I ask, 'cause I used a 28-70 alot & the focal length worked fine, but almost all my other lens were noticeably more sharp. I'm leery of Nikkor zooms now.

Must be some sample variation because I bought that Nikkor 28-105 new and after using it a week I was so disappointed in the lack of sharpness that I returned it. I then bought the Tamron 28-105 and it is the sharpest lens I have for the Nikon.

HiHoSilver · Apr 1, 2016

RalphLambrecht said:
My Micro Nikkor55mmf/3.5;I can't believe how sharp it is

Thanks for weighing in, Ralph. I'm paying alot of attention to which Nikkors are the stars.

HiHoSilver · Apr 1, 2016

dpurdy - Thank You! 'Sure makes me skiddish on trying another nikkor zoom. Getting a good one would have to be a real joy.

emjo · Apr 1, 2016

Above all is the Voigtlander Ultron 40/2 SL II for EOS. It is small, it is manual and it is 40!! My all time favourite.

John_Nikon_F · Apr 2, 2016

Of my current arsenal, probably the $125 85/1.8 K-type Nikkor that I picked up in late 2013/early 2014. AI'd it using the aperture ring from a much more well-worn example I already had lying around. I like the fact that I can have both eyes open when shooting it and not feel like I'm seeing a wider view in the viewfinder.

Other lenses I've really liked in the past have been the old 50/1.4 Nikkor-S (better bokeh than the AI/AIS versions, but similar contrast - for some reason the SC copies I've owned have had lower contrast than the single coated S versions), the 50/2 H (all versions from the old chrome barrel/filter ring single coat through the AI version), 20/3.5 UD, 35/2 O (again, like the 50/2, all versions from the original on up to the last manual focus version - ghosting, yes, but with a hood, and not purposely pointing it toward the sun, it's fine), 180/2.8 ED AIS, 135/3.5 Q/QC, every version of the 200/4 I've tried (yes, including the old Q version), the 300/4.5 (H and newer versions, including the ED and IF-ED versions)

-J

guangong · Apr 2, 2016

My Kilfit 90mm lens that I have had since 1980. I use it on my Hassy fcm, leicaflex, Nikon f, Nikormat and, when I want to travel light but with reflex option, on a visoflex. Lens has ability to focus from extreme close up to infinity. Lens came with factory quality check report.

Two23 · Apr 2, 2016

My favorite lens is probably my 1845 Ross Petzval. I think of myself just the current owner, and often wonder what it has photo'd down through the centuries.

Kent in SD

ME Super · Apr 2, 2016

The lens that I use the most is a Promaster 28-200 f/4-5.6 lens in Pentax KAF mount. It's the most versatile, But the best quality lens I have is an old Pentax K-mount SMC-M 50mm f/2. It's actually the lens that came with the ME Super (my first SLR) I bought back in 1988. I shot Christmas pictures with it in 2015, pushing Portra 400 to 3200 and no flash under daylight balanced LED bulbs. I was able to handhold the camera at f/2 at EI 3200.

MattKing · Apr 2, 2016

All my lenses are in Canada.

So naturally, they are all very nice.

Sorry about that John.

scheimfluger_77 · Apr 2, 2016

mdarnton said:
I have a couple of favorites, but they weren't necessarily cheap. In particular, I'm fond of my collapsible Summicron on 35mm, and on 5x7, a 300mm/6.3 Ilex Paragon that's supremely sharp and creamy at the same time. Now that I think of it, that's what the Summicron does that I like, too, towards wide open: sharp plus creamy.

You know, that may be a good description for my Super Takumar 50/1.4. For years that was the only camera and lens I owned, then finally found a few more S.T.'s but find myself still leaning toward the 50. For LF it may be the Velostigmat Series III 4-1/4" f/6.8. I only have 3 or 4 paper negs with it so far (almost unscannable) but what I see looks nice.

Kyle M. · Apr 2, 2016

mdarnton said:
I have a couple of favorites, but they weren't necessarily cheap. In particular, I'm fond of my collapsible Summicron on 35mm, and on 5x7, a 300mm/6.3 Ilex Paragon that's supremely sharp and creamy at the same time. Now that I think of it, that's what the Summicron does that I like, too, towards wide open: sharp plus creamy.

Sharp and creamy thats the same look I get from my 15" Wollensak and I really like it.

HiHoSilver · Apr 3, 2016

MattKing said:
All my lenses are in Canada.

So naturally, they are all very nice.

Sorry about that John.

'Gave me a good chuckle, Matt. - but then the line came from Canada, so no surprise.

removed account4 · Apr 3, 2016

MattKing said:
All my lenses are in Canada.

So naturally, they are all very nice.

Sorry about that John.

thanks !

Ko.Fe. · Apr 3, 2016

Unfortunately, been Leica RF fan I went through cheappo lenses and can't find any to keep.
I just have cheapest NiB Leica RF lens and this one was made for person like me to keep.

Chadinko · Apr 22, 2016

I have a couple -- a Zeiss 200mm f4 lens for my Rolleiflex SL35 bodies. The Zeiss lenses are the only reason I keep the bodies, MAN the quality control was poor on those. The second I would have to say is an Optar 165mm lens in an Ilex #3 shutter on one of my Speed Graphics. That lens is stupid sharp.

I have that Wollensak 15-inch lens as well but I've never used it in anger. Must do that. Maybe this weekend.

TheFlyingCamera · Apr 22, 2016

Probably the Seneca-branded Wollensak Vesta whole plate (read 14"-ish) f5 lens. The second lens in that category would be my Hermagis Eidoscope, also an f5, but around 11" FL.

Andrew O'Neill · Apr 22, 2016

I don't have a favourite lens... I loves them all!

baachitraka · Apr 22, 2016

Triotar in my Rolleicord.

ColColt · Apr 22, 2016

50 f2 DR Summicron. Got it for a decent price, sent it to Youxin Ye to get a little CLA and now it stays on the Leicas all the time. Pittied it against the Zeiss 50f2 Planar and while a tad more contrasty it's no more sharp than the Summicron. Lovely lens.

miha · Apr 23, 2016

The Zeiss Jena Cardinar 100mm that came with one of my Werras! Unfortunately both cameras have been broken for quite some time now.

Kyle M. · Apr 23, 2016

I was real impressed with my 15" Wollensak. But now I'm really growing to like the 210mm F4.5 G.Leitmeyr barrel lens on my Pre-Anniversary Speed Graphic. It's a bit of a mystery lens but it is sharp and quite contrasty for an uncoated lens. Not much seems to be known about the history of these lenses though and there doesn't seem to be any info on the lens construction either.

Laurent · Apr 24, 2016

In MF this would be my Rolleiflex's Tessar. After a bit more thinking, it is indeed my all times favourite and the one which took almost all my keepers.

In 35mm, the Zeiss Planar (50/2) would be the last one I'd keep, should I need to reduce my kit (but I'm down to 4 lenses, from 35 to 90, and the only "duplicate" is the 35mm FL, as I have a 1.4 Nokton, and a 2.8Biogon)

Svenedin · Apr 24, 2016

My favourite lens is the 50mm OM Zuiko f1.8 that came on my OM4-Ti in 1993. If I could have only one lens this is the one I would have. I damaged the original and managed to acquire a mint one for little money only a few months ago. I have a lot of lenses but I don't know why really -sometimes less is more.

rwreich · Apr 25, 2016

My Nikkor 135mm f/2.8 Series E is a really great surprise. It was a gift from a friend (came with an FM2n) and I've used it for special occasions often.

whats the nicest lens you have ( read more )

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