kevistopheles
TalkEmount Hall of Famer
I have been a huge fan of legacy glass for quite a while now. I've used it on m43 and NEX and prior to that I used compact RF cameras (could never afford the big guns) and my trusty OM1n and Konica T2. I have been through a LOT of legacyy glass and my love of it eventually brought me to NEX. So far so good. I have used Konica, Olympus OM, Super Takumars (SMC and not), Pen-F, Canon FD, various FSU lenses (Jupiter-8, Helios 44 and a smattering of Industars). Lately I have become taken with some Rokkors I got in a trade.
I spend a lot of time trying to figure out the "best" lens for myself and I have come to the conclusion that there is no such thing. In some ways they're all pretty good. Like cameras they each have their quirks and strengths. Some lenses have punchy color, others are sharp wide open, some have beautiful bokeh, some have amazing build quality and others are a terrific bargain. Very few of them are bad. In fact very few are just good. Most are better than good, a lot better. In my attempt to build the perfect set of lenses for myself I have realized that it is impossible. I have yet to find a lens that gives me everything. I haven't tried something like a Summilux or Distagon but I can't afford those so it's really immaterial. I have however found that out a few things I'd like to share.
1. I like lenses that have a close focus distance.
2. I like that 40-50 equivalent FL so in legacy land WA lenses are good (24's and 28's)
3. Speed is nice but I tend to shoot mostly at f4 or f5.6
4. I don't need more than one fast 50
5. I want a macro lens because I like to shoot closeup a lot and it can double as a portrait length (my all time favorite m43 lens was the PL45/2.8)
6. As much as I would like to convince myself that I NEED telephoto lenses (like my SMC 100/2.8) I rarely use them
7. I do however use my Konica 200/3.5 sometimes but I'd probably be happier with a Vivitar 70-210 Macro (Komine version)...see number 5
Finally, I have realized that IQ is not really the determining factor in whether or not I like a lens. It matters, but things like how does it feel in the hand, is it easy to use and does it focus peak well on the NEX matter as much if not more because IQ is going to be reliably good most of the time. So of all my lenses my favorites (and some were a surprise to me) are...
Vivitar 28/2 Close Fous
I like it better than my Hexanon 24/2.8 despite the Hexanon being a good deal more expensive. They're about equal in IQ but the Vivitar is smoother to operate,
the aperture dial is in a location more to my liking and the equivalent FL of 42 works better for me. Favorite photos:
The Hangover by dixeyk, on Flickr
Intent by dixeyk, on Flickr
Rokkor MC 50/1.4
The color is lovely and the lens is big, easy to hold and even nicer to use. It's sharp enough and has really nice bokeh. This lens also has a 3D look
that at least to my eyes looks different than any other lens I have. It also peaks better than any of my other 50's. Favorite photos (so far):
Sheltered by dixeyk, on Flickr
All Hallows Eve by dixeyk, on Flickr
Rokkor MC 50/3.5 Macro
I like having the ability to get really close. The Rokkor is color matched to the 50/1.4 (or so I understand) and I have all the accessories so while it
won't see a lot of use I feel like it's an important part of my kit. Favorite photo:
Wither by dixeyk, on Flickr
Honorable Mention:
The Olympus Pen-F 40/1.4 and Hexanon 40/1.8
To be honest these lenses are both really similar. I really doubt you'd see much difference between them IQ wise (although I think I prefer the Hexanon) but the
Pen-F focus has a 13 inch MFD AND peaks a whole lot better than the HEX. I might keep both. Favorite photos:
Hexanon 40
Wassup? by dixeyk, on Flickr
Pen-F 40
Bone by dixeyk, on Flickr
Finally, if what you're looking for is ultimate sharpness in a lens that you can afford. The Sigma 30/2.8 is it. It is THE sharpest lens I have used m43 or NEX and for $200 (or around $150 mint) you can't beat it. Like the P20/1.7 on m43 it's a lens everyone with a NEX should have. Even someone like me that is all MF...it's a nice to have a compact sharp AF lens that I can throw on if my wife wants pictures of my son or her parents or what-have-you.
from the Sigma
The Opening by dixeyk, on Flickr
I spend a lot of time trying to figure out the "best" lens for myself and I have come to the conclusion that there is no such thing. In some ways they're all pretty good. Like cameras they each have their quirks and strengths. Some lenses have punchy color, others are sharp wide open, some have beautiful bokeh, some have amazing build quality and others are a terrific bargain. Very few of them are bad. In fact very few are just good. Most are better than good, a lot better. In my attempt to build the perfect set of lenses for myself I have realized that it is impossible. I have yet to find a lens that gives me everything. I haven't tried something like a Summilux or Distagon but I can't afford those so it's really immaterial. I have however found that out a few things I'd like to share.
1. I like lenses that have a close focus distance.
2. I like that 40-50 equivalent FL so in legacy land WA lenses are good (24's and 28's)
3. Speed is nice but I tend to shoot mostly at f4 or f5.6
4. I don't need more than one fast 50
5. I want a macro lens because I like to shoot closeup a lot and it can double as a portrait length (my all time favorite m43 lens was the PL45/2.8)
6. As much as I would like to convince myself that I NEED telephoto lenses (like my SMC 100/2.8) I rarely use them
7. I do however use my Konica 200/3.5 sometimes but I'd probably be happier with a Vivitar 70-210 Macro (Komine version)...see number 5
Finally, I have realized that IQ is not really the determining factor in whether or not I like a lens. It matters, but things like how does it feel in the hand, is it easy to use and does it focus peak well on the NEX matter as much if not more because IQ is going to be reliably good most of the time. So of all my lenses my favorites (and some were a surprise to me) are...
Vivitar 28/2 Close Fous
I like it better than my Hexanon 24/2.8 despite the Hexanon being a good deal more expensive. They're about equal in IQ but the Vivitar is smoother to operate,
the aperture dial is in a location more to my liking and the equivalent FL of 42 works better for me. Favorite photos:
---
The Hangover by dixeyk, on Flickr
---
Intent by dixeyk, on Flickr
Rokkor MC 50/1.4
The color is lovely and the lens is big, easy to hold and even nicer to use. It's sharp enough and has really nice bokeh. This lens also has a 3D look
that at least to my eyes looks different than any other lens I have. It also peaks better than any of my other 50's. Favorite photos (so far):
---
Sheltered by dixeyk, on Flickr
---
All Hallows Eve by dixeyk, on Flickr
Rokkor MC 50/3.5 Macro
I like having the ability to get really close. The Rokkor is color matched to the 50/1.4 (or so I understand) and I have all the accessories so while it
won't see a lot of use I feel like it's an important part of my kit. Favorite photo:
---
Wither by dixeyk, on Flickr
Honorable Mention:
The Olympus Pen-F 40/1.4 and Hexanon 40/1.8
To be honest these lenses are both really similar. I really doubt you'd see much difference between them IQ wise (although I think I prefer the Hexanon) but the
Pen-F focus has a 13 inch MFD AND peaks a whole lot better than the HEX. I might keep both. Favorite photos:
Hexanon 40
---
Wassup? by dixeyk, on Flickr
Pen-F 40
---
Bone by dixeyk, on Flickr
Finally, if what you're looking for is ultimate sharpness in a lens that you can afford. The Sigma 30/2.8 is it. It is THE sharpest lens I have used m43 or NEX and for $200 (or around $150 mint) you can't beat it. Like the P20/1.7 on m43 it's a lens everyone with a NEX should have. Even someone like me that is all MF...it's a nice to have a compact sharp AF lens that I can throw on if my wife wants pictures of my son or her parents or what-have-you.
from the Sigma
---
The Opening by dixeyk, on Flickr
