After searching a camera from my hometown Dresden to own while living overseas since 10 years (see thread https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/which-camera-from-dresden-to-get.197562 ), I have settled on a Praktina. Not for practical reasons, but because it sounds like an interesting professional camera from a time when Dresden was the centre of camera development (before everything was going to Japan. And of course, there were a few other "hotspots" in Germany, but this was about my hometown...). It could have been another model (e.g. an Exakta), but somehow this spoke to me the most. So I bought a CLA'd Praktina FX from Slovakia, which should be on the way soon.
It comes with a Tessar 50/2.8, and while this is enough to shoot and figure out if I like the Praktina, I know there are other great lenses for this system. I dived already into http://www.praktina.com/ (and especially the Zeiss Jena section http://www.praktina.com/pulen02.htm ). I don't need a full system since my main SLR system is Minolta SR (but have also a tiny bit Minolta A-mount, quite a bit Pentax 645, and an Agfa Ambi Silette with 3 lenses...), just to try what is interesting. I guess something like 3 lenses without going super tele and without going into the crazy expensive range (I just saw someone offering the Zeiss Fernobjektiv 500mm f/8 in Praktina mount... While certainly interesting, I cannot imagine using a lens this long, dragging it around or paying the price...). So, normal / wide / short tele. What do you recommend?
It is an FX with SB aperture control, so ASB versions are out (unless I fall so much in love with the system that I get a Praktina IIa as well).
I guess for the normal, the Biotar 58/2 is the one to try, and easy to get. The Flexon/Pancolor 50/2 comes only in ASB for the Praktina IIa (but independently of this: How does it compare?). There is also a Tessar 40/2.8, but I assume this isn't a step up from the Tessar 50/2.8.
Wide: I guess I should the Flektogon 35/2.8 is set and with some waiting findable. I read it is actually more 37mm, but with the Biotar 58mm this isn't too bad. The Flektogon 25/4 comes only in ASB, and I assume it is quite a bit more rare and expensive, right?
Tele: Usually, 135mm are a bit too long for me and I prefer 85-100mm for portraits. In this range, I see a few choices though:
Biotar 75/1.5: seems super expensive (?) and great, with a strong swirl. I doubt I find it for a justifiable price, but who knows.
Biometar 80/2.8: this might be a good option? (I see one to sell with completely scrambled aperture, not just sticky, is something like this repairable by a specialist without parts? I guess I'll wait for one in better shape)
Biometar 120/2.8: only ASB version
Sonnar and Triotar 135/4: I assume the Sonnar is better? A bit long for my taste, but I see a reasonably priced Sonnar to sell, and they seem to pop up for low prices often enough... It might be the cheapest option out of these above?
Sonnar 180/2.8: On the long side and probably quite a bit heavier?
I am in absolutely no rush, just want to get some ideas since I am not so much familar with Zeiss lenses (and others from the 50s).
Are there any non-Zeiss lenses I should look out for? (I see right now also a Tele-Ennalyt 400/4.5 to sell, but that's way too long)
It comes with a Tessar 50/2.8, and while this is enough to shoot and figure out if I like the Praktina, I know there are other great lenses for this system. I dived already into http://www.praktina.com/ (and especially the Zeiss Jena section http://www.praktina.com/pulen02.htm ). I don't need a full system since my main SLR system is Minolta SR (but have also a tiny bit Minolta A-mount, quite a bit Pentax 645, and an Agfa Ambi Silette with 3 lenses...), just to try what is interesting. I guess something like 3 lenses without going super tele and without going into the crazy expensive range (I just saw someone offering the Zeiss Fernobjektiv 500mm f/8 in Praktina mount... While certainly interesting, I cannot imagine using a lens this long, dragging it around or paying the price...). So, normal / wide / short tele. What do you recommend?
It is an FX with SB aperture control, so ASB versions are out (unless I fall so much in love with the system that I get a Praktina IIa as well).
I guess for the normal, the Biotar 58/2 is the one to try, and easy to get. The Flexon/Pancolor 50/2 comes only in ASB for the Praktina IIa (but independently of this: How does it compare?). There is also a Tessar 40/2.8, but I assume this isn't a step up from the Tessar 50/2.8.
Wide: I guess I should the Flektogon 35/2.8 is set and with some waiting findable. I read it is actually more 37mm, but with the Biotar 58mm this isn't too bad. The Flektogon 25/4 comes only in ASB, and I assume it is quite a bit more rare and expensive, right?
Tele: Usually, 135mm are a bit too long for me and I prefer 85-100mm for portraits. In this range, I see a few choices though:
Biotar 75/1.5: seems super expensive (?) and great, with a strong swirl. I doubt I find it for a justifiable price, but who knows.
Biometar 80/2.8: this might be a good option? (I see one to sell with completely scrambled aperture, not just sticky, is something like this repairable by a specialist without parts? I guess I'll wait for one in better shape)
Biometar 120/2.8: only ASB version
Sonnar and Triotar 135/4: I assume the Sonnar is better? A bit long for my taste, but I see a reasonably priced Sonnar to sell, and they seem to pop up for low prices often enough... It might be the cheapest option out of these above?
Sonnar 180/2.8: On the long side and probably quite a bit heavier?
I am in absolutely no rush, just want to get some ideas since I am not so much familar with Zeiss lenses (and others from the 50s).
Are there any non-Zeiss lenses I should look out for? (I see right now also a Tele-Ennalyt 400/4.5 to sell, but that's way too long)