If there is one lens I'd like right now.....

[Dan Cattermole]

It's the Carl Zeiss Biotar 75mm f/1.5....

Producing results like this is certainly a winner for me.


IMG_1637 by siswono, on Flickr

There's a pool on Flickr with loads of examples
Flickr: The Carl Zeiss Biotar 75mm F1.5 Pool

Contax Carl Zeiss 80mm (8cm) focal length lenses - Part IV of Image Library

What a marvellous lens! Pricey too.

Here's one on eBay
http://item.mobileweb.ebay.co.uk/viewitem?index=0&sbk=1&nav=SEARCH&itemId=141001450829

Be saving a long time for that. Lol.

Anyway, bit of banter..... What's your ultimate choice manual of lens?

 

[Rob MacKillop]

That's beautiful.

 

[Hamish Gill]

I'd like one too! Lovely swirly Oof ... My Summarit does similar.
The Helios 40 is a Russian copy of the biotar Dan, little cheaper...
The Helios 44 is a Russian copy of another Biotar, the 58 f/2 version ... Slightly different beasts though, smoother in its oof ... Still a little swirly though!
You could get quite close with an early jupiter-9 - 85 f2 some swirlyness.

That shot you have posted is nice but doesn't do the lens justice, it's been over sharpened which has hardened the edges of the highlights in the oof a little too much ... I expect much more softness, and it doesn't really show off the swirls!

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You can get the swirls and background separation with a lubitel 166 or a fraction of the price ...
not a photo of mine, but look at this http://www.flickr.com/photos/ktos333/5414085300/

 

[Dan Cattermole]

Nice!!!
I'm down with the swirlyness! I'll look into those other lenses H, cheers matey.

 

[Hamish Gill]

You can borrow the lubitel if you like?

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Lenses on my list

For m/ltm
28mm color-skopar 3.5 ltm - for its smallness ... Or
28mm ms-optical Perar - not gonna happen basically ... Also for smallness or
avenon/kobalux 28mm - also, smallness or
canon 28mm 3.5 or 2.8 ltm ... I ain't fussy ... Smallness again

For Nikon
28mm voigtlander slii for Nikon - for it's smallness ... Or
28mm f2 ais - because I don't have a 28mm manual Nikon lens ... Or
28mm zeiss zf.2 distagon - all the shots I've seen taken with it look amazing

smell the trend?

 

[Steve Dormer]

You guys are so knowledgable, looks a terrific, properly not in the league of the ones you mention but I think me Fuji x pro lenses a pretty good.

 

[Hamish Gill]

From what I have seen, the xpro lenses are very very good!

 

[Dan Cattermole]

Oh yes please Hamish, that'll awesome

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Agree with Hamish - the Lubitel 166 gives lots of budget swirlyness

 

[Hamish Gill]

let me know when you want that 50mm lens Dan and ill take it to work

 

[Peter McCullough]

WoW that's a beautiful image, the tones ( and swirlyness stuff ) from that lens are simply stunning! ! ! ! !

 

[Hamish Gill]

I'll get the triplan to you this week mate ... Very similar when shot open

 

[Dan Cattermole]

You spoil me Hamish, would love to

 

[Peter McCullough]

I'd love a mint condition Meyer Trioplan 100 f/2.8, seen a lot of images of what this lens can produce and it's utterly magical.

 

[Hamish Gill]

I'm lending it to Peter, but yeah, once it's back you can have a crack

 

[Dan Cattermole]

Ha! Sorry, me being selfish then. Lol