Best Vintage MF lenses

My Zeiss Planar 1.7/50 T* arrived today and I'm amazed with it's quality. This lens is smaller than a "nifty fifty" and the images are just fantastic even wide open. Maybe it's just the "honeymoon" phase coloring my objectivity but this lens appears to be as good or better than my Sigma 50mm f/1.4 (my Sigma is dead on... no AF issues). The size difference between the Sigma and the Ziess really makes this an easy choice as far as which one will be in my bag going forward. Since I don't use 50mm a lot having one that is so small and has such superb IQ means I can carry it all the time without taking up much space or add much weight is a real luxery. And best of all it was only $125... I probably keep the Sigma just for the times when AF is a must but even that isn't that big a deal since the Zeiss has such a smooth, just right, throw to the focus ring it's really quite easy to get it in focus quickly.

baj2k wrote in post #15962104
My Zeiss Planar 1.7/50 T* arrived today and I'm amazed with it's quality. This lens is smaller than a "nifty fifty" and the images are just fantastic even wide open. Maybe it's just the "honeymoon" phase coloring my objectivity but this lens appears to be as good or better than my Sigma 50mm f/1.4 (my Sigma is dead on... no AF issues). The size difference between the Sigma and the Ziess really makes this an easy choice as far as which one will be in my bag going forward. Since I don't use 50mm a lot having one that is so small and has such superb IQ means I can carry it all the time without taking up much space or add much weight is a real luxery. And best of all it was only $125... I probably keep the Sigma just for the times when AF is a must but even that isn't that big a deal since the Zeiss has such a smooth, just right, throw to the focus ring it's really quite easy to get it in focus quickly.

Sounds like a great deal to me. And yes, for some reason a lot of us are quite fund of the old manual lenses. I have been playing with a old Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 Ai-S with a FotoDiox mount that has a focus-chip, and am really enjoying learning how to use it with my 5DII.

I realized that to get the best from it I have to expose to the right or left depending on light conditions, or to increase or decrease ISO speed accordingly. Works quite well on Av mode so far, as I get the hang of it.

Quick samples with my Super Takumar 135mm f/3.5.

Just tried my Carl Zeiss 50mm f1.7 on a second C/Y adapter fitted on a EOS 6D body.
After the first exposure, the viewfinder goed dark, so the mirror doesn't flip back.

Only after moving either the lense or the adapter, the mirror slaps back. Does anyone have any pointers on how to proceed?
On a 550D body both adapters work fine.

svmnb wrote in post #15963537
Just tried my Carl Zeiss 50mm f1.7 on a second C/Y adapter fitted on a EOS 6D body.
After the first exposure, the viewfinder goed dark, so the mirror doesn't flip back.

Only after moving either the lense or the adapter, the mirror slaps back. Does anyone have any pointers on how to proceed?
On a 550D body both adapters work fine.

It could be either the lens element itself interfering with the mirror (usually only happens at infinity) or one of the levers or metal protrusions on the back of the lens. If there are any metal bits poking out of the back of the lens, break or bend them off and it should work fine. If it's only hitting at infinity you can usually shave some of the metal around the rear element to keep it from hitting the mirror. Otherwise, just shoot in LV and the mirror will remain locked up, thus keeping it from hitting the lens.

Wonderful color rendition from your Takumar, Brain Mechanic!

It looks like you have a real nice lens, too. Great photos.

^^Thank you, sir!

The Beauty of Simplicity

Just a couple messing about in the garden super tak 55mm f2.0 all wide open.

Nice, Dave and Brain.

Pestering my wife as she tries to take a nap on her favorite chair (Nikon 50mm f/1.4 Ai-S):

super takumar multi coated 50mm 1.4

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/pkilla617/88598​60980/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/pkilla617/88592​21075/

Beautiful, pkilla!

Lovely shots, I really wanted the 50 1.4 super tak but it rattles the mirror on 5D11

spookyspike wrote in post #15973198
Lovely shots, I really wanted the 50 1.4 super tak but it rattles the mirror on 5D11

I'd recommend looking into the Yashica 50/1.4 if you want a nice 50mm 1.4 that won't touch your mirror. I have an ML 50/1.4 and it's my favorite lens for my 6D

EverydayGetaway wrote in post #15973260
I'd recommend looking into the Yashica 50/1.4 if you want a nice 50mm 1.4 that won't touch your mirror. I have an ML 50/1.4 and it's my favorite lens for my 6D

Thanks for the heads up. I'm also toying ,with getting the Helios 135 2.8 to try.