Your best lens.

[roteague]

4x5: Schneider Super Symmar XL 80mm F4.5
35mm: Nikkor 24-120mm F3.5-5.6D AF-S VR Zoom Lens

 

[MattKing]

For 35mm, it is a tie - 35mm f/2.0 Olympus Zuiko, or 85mm f/2.0 Olympus Zuiko - can you vote for a couple?

My 6x4.5 lenses are too new, but I lean toward the 55mm lens for my Mamiya 645.

I am afraid of offending any of my lenses for my Mamiya TLRs (6x6) but the 135mm is pretty special.

Give me more time to work on the seals on my Koni-Omegas, and I'll be able to decide about whether it is the 90mm, or the 58mm that is closest to my heart.

Matt

 

[HerrBremerhaven]

Just two lenses, any format . . . tough to choose when I have so many. After much consideration, I have decided that the 180mm f5.6 Nikkor-W is my best large format lens, though I can also use it on 6x7 with a rollfilm back. My next best lens is also one of the least expensive I have ever owned, a Nikon 50mm f2.0 AI (long barrel version), used only on 35mm.

It is really a coincidence that both lenses I mentioned are Nikon products. The look of each really is different, though there is sort of a family characteristic common to both, which is the overall colour rendition.

I know you only wanted to hear about two, though I need to mention an unexpected surprise. I have several old 6x9 folder cameras. One I rebuilt using various components, and ended up with a 105mm f4.5 lens in a Synchro Compur shutter. While only an AGFA Apotar three element lens, the results are simply amazing. Outstanding resolution, ultra smooth defocus areas when used wide open, and amazing micro contrast. Even more amazing was that all this was attainable for under $20.

Ciao!

Gordon Moat
Dead Link Removed

 

[Prospero]

Best 35mm - Zeiss Planar f2/45 (Contax G). Brilliantly sharp.
Best MF - Zeiss Planar f2.8/80 (Hasselblad). The cheapest of my Hasselblad lenses but has given the best results for sharpness.
Best LF - can't choose between Nikkor f5.6/150 and Schneider f8/90. Both are very impressive.

 

[JohnArs]

Hi my best lens is:
In 35mm Nikkor f 2 135mm DC lens very sharp full open and has defocus controll and I can make it to a SF lens to!
Bronica GS 1 50mm lens for it sharp and nice wide!
My sharpest lens in MF is on my Rolleiflex GX 6x6 the 80mm Planar!
4x5 the sharpes is the APO Symmar 210mm
for portraits is it the Universal Heliar very nice 3 D look
gets better on 8x10
8x10 all time fav is my 155 Grandagon sharp as a knife and 2. is my APO Ronar MC 360 mm sharp and small!
Armin

 

[dpurdy]

best:
210 Gold dot Dagor, extremely sharp and covers 8X10 well enough for me.
355 Red Dot Artar. In a good shutter. You can do anything with it.

favorite: 2.8 HFT Planar

 

[colrehogan]

35 mm: 105 mm Nikkor Micro (good for portraits), 35 mm (general use lens)
6x6: 60 mm (this is the only lens I own for the 'Blad)
6x7: 50 (good for wide angle/general use) & 150 (good for details/head & shoulder portraits)
4x5: 203 mm Kodak Ektar (it's a great lens!)
8x10: 420 mm Repro-Claron, 240 G-Claron (203 mm Kodak Ektar) - these lenses serve my vision in this format best at this time.
5x12: 450 mm Nikkor-M, 240 Germinar-W (203 mm Kodak Ektar) - these lenses serve my vision in this format best at this time.

I don't know about favorite lens for whole plate yet. I've only shot a couple of lenses so far and very few sheets. So far, I could say that my 240 Germinar-W works very well with this format. I haven't tried any lenses > 250 on this format.

 

[waynecrider]

Just two lenses, any format . . . tough to choose when I have so many. After much consideration, I have decided that the 180mm f5.6 Nikkor-W is my best large format lens, though I can also use it on 6x7 with a rollfilm back. My next best lens is also one of the least expensive I have ever owned, a Nikon 50mm f2.0 AI (long barrel version), used only on 35mm.


Ciao!

Gordon Moat
Dead Link Removed

Tell me what's so special about that 50mm F2 AI. I could possibly want to ditch my AF1.8 and stick one on my Nikkormat.

 

[Andrew Moxom]

For 35mm, my favorite lens was the 28mm Distagon for my Contax, and the 180 f2.8 was a close second.

For 120 I have tried the 50mm Distagon C zeiss lens for a 'blad, and the Mamiya 6 50mm. I am going to have to vote for the Mamiya 50mm as being sharper and more distortion free. Truly a spectacular lens.

For 4x5, my most favorite lens is the 90mm f8 Super Angulon.

 

[HerrBremerhaven]

Why this 50mm from Nikon?

Tell me what's so special about that 50mm F2 AI. I could possibly want to ditch my AF1.8 and stick one on my Nikkormat.

Good morning Wayne Crider,

I should start by mentioning that I have probably used more 50mm examples than many people would even want to attempt. Part of that was due to sample variation, like going through four 50mm f1.4 AIS examples before finding one I kept. So it might be you find a good deal on an f2.0 AI long barrel, and discover it is a dud, or less than you expected.

Anyway, I have used the f1.8 AF in a few samples, and also the somewhat highly rated Series E f1.8 (three of those), and a couple short barrel f2.0 and f1.8 Nikon 50mm lenses. Add to that two different Leica Summicron 50mm lenses as a comparison, one Zeiss Contax SLR 50mm, and at least one other 50mm from each major manufacturer. While not scientific, I could reasonably state that I have tried many 50mm lenses.

So why the 50mm f2.0 AI long barrel from Nikon? I like the short falloff of focus when wide open, especially at camera to subject distances that I like to use. Some might call this a 3D effect. I also like the defocus area rendition. Another fun aspect is that stopping down a little, with lights in the shot (night shots), gives an unusual starburst effect; this is a six bladed aperture, which I think is the cause of that. Anyway, I have one example image at:

Dead Link Removed

That is on Kodak 100UC colour negative. Probably very subtle, and I know it is tough to tell much through a JPEG on the internet. There is also a nice article on this lens at:

http://www.nikon.co.jp/main/eng/portfolio/about/history/nikkor/n02_e.htm

There is a nice night image showing what I mean about the aperture blades creating star shapes. Rather nice article on this simple lens. Enjoy.

Ciao!

Gordon Moat
Dead Link Removed

 

[Christopher Walrath]

My Rokkor-X MD mount 50mm f1.4 prime lens for my Minolta 35mm slr XG-M. Then my 45mm Sekor-C for my Mamiya M645J MF slr.

 

[Roger Hicks]

For 'sparkle', 38/4.5 Biogon on Alpa 44x66mm and 75/2 Summicron on 35mm.

For 'roundness' and 3-dimensionality, 75/2 Summicron and 150/6,3 Tessar on 4x5, and possibly the 120/6.8 Angulon on 4x5 (though the new 50/1,5 Sonnar-C may be joining this select group).

For colour and bokeh, 150/4,5 Apo-Lanthar on 4x5.

For soft focus, 90/2.2 Thambar on 35mm.

For 8x10 portraits, 21 inch (533mm) f/7.7 Ross.

For overall usefulness (the way I see), 35/1.4 pre-aspheric Summilux on 35mm, which just goes to show that technical excellence ain't everything.

Cheers,

Roger

 

[f1.4]

Choosing only two lenses seems difficult, so here are my favourite four for 35mm film.
1) Summicron-M 35mm,f/2 ASPH
Everyday rangefinder workhorse.
For its combination of sharpness and exact spacial rendering.
The bokeh is such that you might think it was an older pre-ASPH lens, only sharper. Contrast is very good for low-light photography.
2) Super-Angulon-R 21mm,f/4.(for Leica R.)
For its overall capacity to tell dramatic stories.
Very good shadow detail from mid grey towards pitch black.
(Probably an un-scientific statement, but that's how it looks in the final print.)
It has many of the faults people like to go on about today; - obvious vignetting wide open, lack of microdetail etc., but the overall picture it produces appeals to viewers.
Both may need some over-exposure and under-development (because of the high contrast) to make the negatives easier to scan.
3) AF-Nikkor 50mm,f/1,4D.
Autofocus workhorse when things move fast.
Decent sharpness and nice bokeh.
4) AF Nikkor 85mm,f/1,4D.
Nice bokeh for outdoor portraits. Again the autofocus makes it as winner.
Both these produce slightly lower contrast negatives. Again easier for the scanner.

Although these are the true favourites for days when you have the time and can carry the weight, you still may wonder how important this is in practice. When I look in my photo/computer bag that I carry every day, the no.1 above (the 35mm ASPH) is accompagnied by a Summicron-M 50mm f/2 and (quite recently) the Color Skopar 21mm. These are very good lenses as well, but the main reasons for carrying them are simply size and weight. This means that those are the lenses that brings home most of the pictures.

 

[jordanstarr]

35mm - any zeiss (28 f2, 35 f1.4, 50 f1.4 and 100 f2)
120 - 50mm f4 hasselblad

 

[Curt]

55 Micro Nikkor, used it for Biomedical photography.

 

[Vaughn]

My best lens was a Computar Symmertron (or something like that) 210mm f/6.3 on my 5x7.

Bright and sharp...I cut myself on those negatives.

Both lens and camera got ripped off. I hope another LF'er got that lens eventually -- and that the thief(s) didn't think, "What the hell is this stuff?" and dumpster it all.

One use to be able to buy them cheap -- I almost got one off of ebay, but they don't really cover 8x10 (which I had bought with the insurance money from the 5x7, lens, Rolleiflex, pod, and assorted stuff that got ripped off.)

Vaughn

 

[Ray Heath]

i think you guys are kidding yourselves that you can 'see' subtle differences, most lenses will give a good image, though they may not be 'perfect' for every situation

 

[patrickjames]

I don't think I can qualify the best, so I will say that the one lens I would go kicking and screaming into the grave with would be my uncoated pre-war Zeiss Sonnar 50mm f/1.5 that sits on an M3 with an adapter right now. It is an amazing lens.

Patrick

 

[Ian Grant]

Vaughn, it's very difficult t say which is a best lens.

On large format it's impossible to see the difference on the negatives and prints between my 90mm Grandagon, and 150 & 210 Symmars.

On the other hand on my 35mm cameras a judgement if far easier. Surprisingly the choice pf best is betwen an f2 50mm Summicron,, from the early 60's and an f1.4 50 mm Chinon from the late 70's or early 80's.

The Summicron has the edge, these lenses are extremely tonal and sharp, they don't have the wirey sharpness of a Japanese lens, which give a more apparent sharpness at the expense of tonality, but images shot with the Summicron have a quality that lift them apart from other brands.

Ian

 

[Vaughn]

Vaughn, it's very difficult t say which is a best lens. Ian

True, but I have a Caltar II 5.6/150mm for 4x5, and for my 8x10 a Fuji 5.6/300, RD Artar 19", and a couple wide angles. Without a doubt, judging by contact prints I have made with all these lenses, the Computar overall has been my sharpest lens, and it was easy to use/focus in its Copol 1 shutter and bright view at f6.3.

Since I like and want sharp, I can say, no matter how difficult it may be, that the Computar has been my best lens. It may not be someone else's best lens, but it sure was mine.

Plus one tends to like best what one can no longer have...

Vaughn

 

[Steve Smith]

My best lens is usually the one which I left at home.

At the moment my best lens is the 180mm which I bought for my Mamiya RB67. I have only had it for a week but it seems very impressive.


Steve.

 

[gr82bart]

OK, I'll be the smarta$$ and say the best lens is the one that does the job ... ahem ... nevermind ... my favourite lens is the Zeiss 40mm f4 CFE followed by the 120mm f4 CFE for my Hassey, but the one I have been using the most recently (don't hate me) is the Nikkor DX18-55mm AF-S f2.8G.

Regards, Art.

 

[Steve Smith]

OK, I'll be the smarta$$ and say the best lens is the one that does the job.

Actually, that's exactly why the 180mm has become my 'best' lens. When I got back into photography it was with a renewed interest in landscapes (or so I thought) so I concentrated on wideangle views. As time went on I realised that I was actually concentrating more on details within the landscape rather than the wider scene itself. I found myself using my RB67 standard 90mm lens instead and sometimes wishing I had something a bit longer. Having received the 180mm I realised that this is more suitable for me than what I had been using before.

It is the focal length which makes it my best lens, rather than its sharpness or results from lens test charts (although I expect those are quite good too!).


Steve.

 

[Tom Stanworth]

No favourite so to speak as so many are so equally good at their thing, but a great standby is my Nikkor 90mm SW f8. Extremely sharp pleasing images, small, light, reliable. I use it a fair bit and am pleased to have it.

V pleased with almost all of my lenses and unhappy with none.

In MF I own little now, but RF645 65mm lens is a cracker...but then again so is the 45mm....

In 35mm my Zeiss ZMs are increbible, but so are some of my Canon Primes...and my 70-200 f4L zoom come to think of it.

I get more excited about bodies than lenses, generally as the handling somehow makes more difference (to me) to the result than splitting hairs over great lenses. I guess this means i dont have any lenses with a particular character that floors me. maybe I am boring!

 

[panastasia]

OK, I'll be the smarta$$ and say the best lens is the one that does the job ... ahem ... nevermind ... my favourite lens is the Zeiss 40mm f4 CFE followed by the 120mm f4 CFE for my Hassey, but the one I have been using the most recently (don't hate me) is the Nikkor DX18-55mm AF-S f2.8G.

Regards, Art.

It's that same as a fisherman having a favorite lure in his tackle box - it's most likely the one that caught the most fish, usually because it's the one the fisherman uses the most (because it's his best/favorite) and that's why it caught the most fish.