It really is!

This little Minolta surprised me with the quality of its images - really nice!

@@zenography7923 Hello... was wondering if you can still achieve quality bokeh with a standard APS-C sensor with a lens like this? I know it will become a 80mm lens.

Many thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

Hi Ralf, glad you enjoyed the video!

Many thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

I know exactly what you mean, older lenses and mirrorless cameras are incredible and immediate - a luxury we didn't have in the past. I'm constantly surprised by what these old lenses can do - many of them are quite humble and are not sought after, either by collectors or anyone else! Glad you enjoyed the video!

It's a great little lens - enjoy!

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

Thanks, glad you're enjoying it!

Don't worry, your English is fine! When you do eventually find a Zuiko I think you'll enjoy it!

Thanks Neil, glad you enjoyed it!

I've seen videos of old lenses that need a mm or 2 filing from the adaptor to focus on infinity, if that's any help?

Many thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

Those Rokkors do make incredible images!

If it's anything like the M version, it'll be a nice one...

Glad you enjoyed it!

Same here 😀

I'm a big fan of Minolta lenses - the later ones are sharper, but all have fantastic colour!

I compared the Nikon 85mm f2 with the Jupiter 9 85mm f2 and the Helios 40 85mm f1.5 a few episodes ago, the title is '85 is The New 50'

@Scott Fineshriber Ah, the good ole days! I have the 50/2 as well and like you, I'm very fond of it. I've heard that Minolta was one of only a handful of companies that manufactured their own glass hence the quality/character of their lenses. Even Leica was impressed so much that they contracted Minolta to produce certain lenses for them (Leica just re-branded them). In the early 80's (1982), I needed a 35mm camera for a college photography class I had signed up for. The 50/2 came bundled with the Minolta XG-1 body I bought from the Sears catalog. I have shot literally thousands of images with it. Still have both the lens and the XG-1 to this day, but now I primarily use the lens on a Sony Nex 7 (great combo). Yeah, this old gear has a way of bringing back good memories!

The Minolta gear seems somewhat forgotten these days, but the quality of the lenses is really incredible!

Zenography not to mention the fact that some chassis were shared with Leica DSLRs.

@Zenography Thank you so much for all your efforts in extolling the virtues of these wonderful, fantastic vintage lenses. Most modern gear lacks the “aesthetic” appeal of the vintage stuff. Not to mention a lot of the older lenses took really good images. The older lenses just seem to have more character than the newer stuff. I’m particularly fond of Minolta since it was my first “serious” foray into a good camera (XG-1 body with MD 50mm f/2). I later acquired an XD-11, and a few other lenses ie MC Rokkor-PF 55mm f/1.7 and MD 35-70mm f3.5 Macro). I can’t help getting a bit nostalgic about the old days particularly 1970’s and 80’s. Remember Minolta’s tag line - “Only from the mind of Minolta”? Minolta really was an innovator in the photography world. There’s a pretty good article about how Minolta pioneered several key things we take for granted today like auto focus, PASM and sensor stabilization. The article goes on to describe how Minolta still lives on through Sony today. (How The Death Of Minolta Gave Rise To Sony Cameras at www.lightwalker.com). I still have all of my old Minolta gear and thanks to Sony, I’m able to shoot with it digitally via an adapter coupled to my Nex7. Even though I’m a Minolta fanboy, I also really do appreciate most anything vintage. Another favorite I really enjoy shooting is my old Olympus OM-1 (MD) paired with the G. Zuiko Auto S 50mm f/1.4 (see.# 672xxx).True story, my wife’s Aunt Kitty’s husband passed away and she asked me if I wanted his old camera gear. I said sure, not expecting much. As I thought, most of it was non-functional . EXCEPT for the OM-1 and the 50/1.4. Cleaned them up and started enjoying them immediately! Built like a tank and the images I get with the 50/1.4 are SWEET indeed! I could ramble on all evening - there’s just something about all of this old photo gear that’s just so satisfying. From holding it in your hands to looking at all of the photographic memories they helped me capture. My pictures me everything to me and so does the gear that I shot them with! Again, thanks for all you do. You really are an inspiration to all of us older photography “geezers”!

One more thing. Sadly other Fujica lenses with the AX mount are pretty rare. But, as a hint, there are rebranded lenses with the Porst label and the same mount around, which are in fact Fujica lenses.

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it! That 1.6/50 sounds interesting, I haven't used many Fujica lenses but will keep a look out for them!

Many thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

You certainly got a bargain there!

@Mathias - fantastic little lens! I too have the Auto Chinon (PK mount) - lovely. But my favourite pentax manual is the SMC Pentax 50mm f1.4 - super sharp even wide open.

Thanks for the tip, I'll look out for them!

@@zenography7923 I own both of them. FANTASTIC lenses!

try the Zenitar-M 1.9/50. It is very sharp

If for some reason you don't use it anymore, I would like to inherit it! (also from chile c:)

@@alemholas jajajaj. Lo compré por ebay, venía con una cámara Minolta SRT201. Después, compré un 50mm 1.4, montura MD y encuentro que es mejor que el anterior ya a partir de apertura F2 (sin ser malo el otro, para nada,). Lo malo es que venía con hongo la lente, así que lo ocupo con extremo cuidado a mi criterio, hasta que lo pueda limpiar. El 50mm eEn este caso, queda a 100mm ¿cuál es tu cámara?. He visto algunas ofertas en estos meses por marketplace y yapo de ese lente, o del 50 mm f1.7

@@sebastianligueno jaja! Gracias por la ayuda c: Tengo una Fuji Xpro1 de ebay. Y el adaptador de Minolta a Fx (Con un Vivitar 1 70-210 f3.5), así que por eso estaba en busqueda de lentes SR. Tambien he estado revisando Marketplace y yapo por lo mismo, pero viendo lo que salen en eBay como que se me van las ganas de comprar acá u.u Seguire echando ojo en el mercado local! Ojala puedas limpiar el lente c: Saludos!

@@alemholas aún no lo he hecho la limpieza y depende de cuan instalado esté el hongo. Mi experiencia con lentes análogos en eBay no es muy buena: la mitad de los objetivos, aunque digan que no vienen con hongos, finalmente igual vienen con algún pequeño hongo y la devolución siempre es parcial. Por lo mismo, estoy optando por mirar lentes que pueda ver al momento de recibirla. He visto varios de los minoltas md MC, pero a menos que sea un 85mm o bajo 1.4, no pagaría más de 80 mil pesos por ellos. Son objetivos que quizás no tengan ese pelo de lente premium pero le dan su carácter a la imagen y me encanta ese perfil más "frío" que le dan a la imagen, pensando que los lentes en general tienden más a los colores cálidos

@@sebastianligueno Creo que seguire la misma guia de precios al revisar c: Gracias!

I haven't tried that one, but it's on my list!

The CZJ Pancolar is incredible, one of the nicest 50mm lenses. Later versions aren't radioactive either!

@@zenography7923 I would quite like a later non radioactive one. It would be better for colour. I quite often buy old lenses which I think are going to become harder to find. I bought a few of the thorium Pancolars and now they are sought after more simply because they are rarer. i have a few lenses that are now hard to find. The Pancolar is unusually sharp. Softness can be a problem with older lenses especially wide open. However, sharpness is not the only factor. As they try to fix lenses to eliminate so called problems, they also eliminate what can make them great. The older lenses have way less elements so what reaches the sensor is in fact purer even if it has various distortions. This gives the images more 3D quality. The shading or what people call micro contrast is better in primes and old lenses. I have some more modern Canon lenses left over from when I used a Canon camera and I find them quite boring even although one of them is a sharp lens. The images lack depth.

Helios 44 and 44-2, Industar 61, Jupiter 9, Fed 10, many of the early silver nose Zuiko lenses, Helios 40, Jupiter 8, any of these will do the trick! But the best lenses for this look are uncoated lenses, generally speaking anything before around 1940.

I think this website might be useful to you: www.dxomark.com/Lenses/

Check out my videos page - there's a pinhole video there somewhere!

You've got some very nice glass there - I hope to review more Minolta lenses in the future. Thanks for watching!

I know what you mean, I was surprised by how good they are!

I just bought one for my G85 on Ebay for $20. I hope it comes soon and that it comes damage free. :)

A very nice little lens, for sure!

I haven't used too many Minolta lenses, but those I have used have been very nice indeed! Glad you enjoyed the video!

@@zenography7923 Any thoughts on the differences/similarities between the Zuiko 50mm/1.4 and the f/1.8?

There's a video comparing them on this channel from a year or so ago - briefly, the 1.4 is slightly softer wide open (as we might expect) but has nicer bokeh - the 1.8 can get a little harsh occasionally.

@@zenography7923 Thank you for both your summary, and for directing me to the video. I just watched. Excellent synopsis. I have and very much enjoy the images I get from the f/1.4 version. I won't bother hunting down one of the f/1.8s.

It's at least as good in my experience, and possibly a little better!

Alright, I got myself this lens one week ago for just 35€ (adapter inclusive !) and have to say its phenomenal ! Its sharpness at f1.7 is good, round bokeh, however at f2.8 its already very sharp with hexagonal bokeh, which I very much like. At f8 it achieves exzellent sharpness all across the picture. So yeah I think this deal was a steal, impressive lens !

Thanks for the visit

Can't be done I'm afraid, Nikon cameras won't accept zuiko lenses - or any others that I know of, due to short flange distance.

@@zenography7923 ok thanks for letting me know 👍

Yes, that's correct. If you mount the lens on an OM body and close the aperture to f16, then fire the shutter, you'll see the aperture close down as the shutter fires. Or, if you're using the lens on a digital body with an adaptor, the aperture should close and open as you turn the ring. Hope that helps!

A small amount of dust is inevitable in any vintage lens, but unless it's really bad (which it usually isn't) it won't affect image quality.

Many thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

It's a great little piece of glass for sure!

I can't much info on this question I'm afraid, sorry I can't be of more help!

@@zenography7923 Cheers anyway. It is a bit esoteric I guess. But I'll try chase it down.

The P version has support for Program mode and Shutter priority automatic. The most common Ricoh cameras at the time, i e. the XR7 and the KR-10, only has Aperture priority automatic, and the KR-5 is fully manual and mechanical. As only the XR-P, the XR-20sp and the XR-X (??) use the automatic aperture setting, the P-version is kind of uncommon

Not sure I'm afraid, I've never used the Minolta 1.7. It shouldn't be washed out though - sounds like your lens might need cleaning - hold it up to a strong light source and look through it, and you'll see any dust or fungus within.

I'd love to - if only I had some!

You're right - I've tried to add a note to the video to explain the error, but there doesn't seem to be a way to do it. You were unlucky with those Industars, but there are plenty more out there!

I think you'll like it!

@@zenography7923 I used it today doing a shoot for my cousins family and I can't believe how flawless it was and even in the dark I'm amazed

Thanks for the tip, I'll look out for one!

I only ever use cheap, so called 'dumb' adaptors with no electronics - a simple metal tube with a sony e-mount at one end, and the correct vintage mount at the other, eg 'Canon fd to e-mount'. Hope that helps!

I don't have a lot of experience with Canon bodies, but as far as I'm aware, most vintage lenses should mount. You'll need the correct adaptor for each type of lens you use, eg Nikon to Canon EF, Pentax K to Canon EF, etc. Hope that helps!

@@zenography7923 Thank you good sir! You are a treasure. I appreciate your time! I have just been asking the lens sellers on ebay if it would fit my camera. Apparently (and sadly) the Jupiter 8 and, I think, the Industar lenses don't work with my camera. Super bummed. Thank you again! Keep making amazing videos. You could narrate your experience with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and we'd be enthralled.

Thank you!

That's fine, you can contact me at zenography11@gmail.com

I always use cheap so-called 'dumb' adaptors, with no electronics - the one you need is OM to e-mount.

@@zenography7923 thanks for the tip. I'll look up. I'm getting a OM10 with zuiko arriving soon and I want to test it in my A6000! Great videos!

That's a lens I'd love to shoot - not sure I'd get one for peanuts though!

The 1.4 is, in my experience, a rather better behaved lens than the 1.8, at least as far as background blur goes. It's not quite as sharp wide open but that doesn't bother me too much, and it renders colours just as nicely. Worth trying if you get the chance!

I didn't know that, thanks for the tip!

My advice when it comes to ebay is never to pay (usually inflated) buy it now prices. Many sellers have got it into their heads that all old photo gear is now 'worth something' - but stick to auctions and things will find their actual worth.

@@zenography7923 aww. Thanks for the tip!! Yes, I totally agree that people are picking up on the vintage lenses and I am being patient at biddings 😅 New subbie here! ♥️

Amazon sells countless "dumb" adapters for vintage lens mounts for $10-$40. Or you could 3d-print one

As above!

@keith grey . Look for an Olympus OM to Sony NEX adapter. I have two. A novoflex and a metabones, for all my old Olympus Zuiko OM lenses. And I have a lot 😃 You can use the A7 in M mode or in A mode. With or without auto ISO.

Sorry, you're quite right - my mistake! I've been trying to find a way to add a title to the video explaining the error but there doesn't seem to be a way to do this. It is, as you correctly point out, a Minolta MD mount.

@@zenography7923 You could pin a reply to the top. I've seen that often.

Oh gosh, hope you weren't too scared!

Would love to - when I find one!

@@zenography7923 I made some video with this lens, just example of focus.

I've tried it - it's very sharp indeed!

Gosh, there are some really nice shots in those albums, some of the portraits are lovely! Those little lenses may have flaws but they certainly come up with the goods!

@@zenography7923 Thank you! I totally agree with you here: these are fun to use and fully capable of delivering great pictures.

Geralt?

Gosh, i'll have to save up a bit for that one!

Well, sharpness is a relative term of course, but in the context of inexpensive consumer lenses from the 1970s, I still think these are pretty sharp!

Well, they may not be the fanciest lenses in the world, but the images they make seem pretty nice to me!

The images he produced in this video looked stunning to me. Maybe your standards are too high?

Name any 50mm lenses in this price range that are better. Go ahead.