Sunday, October 11, 2015

I Have A Small Problem

Last time I did a count on my f1.4 “standard” lenses, I found 13 (actually 14 as one eluded the tally). I had a day off last week, so I decided to do a more comprehensive inventory of all my lenses with focal length between 40mm and 58mm.  The result astonished me.  Before that, I estimated I had about 40 to 50 of them.  I was way off, by a large margin.  All the lenses, including the projection, enlarging, and lenses from rangefinder/folder cameras, totalled 123, or thereabouts; just between the focal length of 40-58mm.

I felt really, really bad, and guilty.  Perhaps I purposely underestimated my collection, so that I could continue buying them without too much guilt.  In any case, I broke down the lenses by groups and found that the most duplicated lens was the Pentacon 50mm f1.8, with 5 copies (6 if includes the Meyer-Optik Orestor, essentially the same lens).  Perhaps, reviewing and writing this would help me stop and think the next time I see another normal lens.

The German Origin -- 45 count:

     Row one, from left to right:
  • Pentacon Multi Coated 50mm f1.8 -- M42
  • Pentacon Multi Coated 50mm f1.8 -- M42
  • Pentacon Multi Coated 50mm f1.8 -- M42
  • Pentacon Multi Coated 50mm f1.8 -- M42
  • Meyer-Optik Gorlitz Orestor 50mm f1.8 -- M42
  • Pentacon 50mm f1.8 -- M42
  • Schneider-Kreuznach Exida-Xenar 50mm f2.8 -- M42
  • Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 58mm f2 -- M42  

    Row two, from left to right:

  • Domiplan 50mm f2.8 -- M42
  • Domiplan 50mm f2.8 -- M42
  • Domiplan 50mm f2.8 -- M42
  • Meyer-Optik Gorlitz Primotar 50mm f3.5 -- EXA
  • Carl Zeiss Jena Pancolar 50mm f2 -- EXA
  • Carl Zeiss Jena Pancolar 50mm f2 -- EXA
  • Kilfitt Makro Kilar D 40mm f2.8 - EXA
    Row Three, from left to right:
  • Carl Zeiss Planar 50mm f1.4 HFT -- QBM
  • Rollei Planar 50mm f1.8 HFT -- QBM
  • Rollei Planar 50mm f1.8 -- QBM
  • Schneider-Kreuznach Retina-Xenon 50mm f1.9 -- DKL
  • Schneider-Kreuznach Xenon 50mm f1.9 -- DKL
  • Contax Carl Zeiss Tessar 45mm f2.8 -- CY
  • Voigtlander Nokton 40mm f1.4 -- Leica-M
    Row four, from left to right:
  • Meyer-Optik Gorlitz Primoplan 58mm f1.9 -- M42
  • Meyer-Optik Gorlitz Primoplan 58mm f1.9 -- M42
  • Carl Zeiss Tessar 50mm f2.8 -- M42
  • Carl Zeiss Tessar 5cm f3.5 -- EXA
  • Carl Zeiss Tessar 5cm f3.5 -- EXA
  • Carl Zeiss Tessar 45mm f2.8 -- Fixed from Contaflex
  • Staeble-Kata 45mm f2.8 -- L39 (non-standard)
  • Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 5cm f2 -- EXA
    Row five, from left to right:
  • Schneider-Kreuznach Retina-Xenon 50mm f2 -- Fixed from Kodak Retina
  • Schneider-Kreuznach Retina-Xenon 50mm f2 -- Fixed from Kodak Retina
  • Schneider-Kreuznach Xenon 50mm f2 -- From Diax IIb
  • Rodenstock Heligon 50mm f2 -- From Balda folder camera
  • Leidolf Weztlar Triplon 5cm f2.8 -- Fixed from folder camera
  • Steinheil Munich Cassar VL 50mm f2.8 -- From folder camera
  • Schneider-Kreuznach Radionar 5cm f2.9 -- From folder camera
  • Rodenstock Trinar 45mm f2.8 -- From folder camera
    Row six, from left to right:
  • Voitlander Color-Lanthar 42mm f2.8 -- Fixed from Voigtlander rangerfinder camera
  • Voitlander Lanthar 50mm f2.8 -- Fixed from Voigtlander rangerfinder camera
  • Voitlander Color-Skopar 50mm f2.8 -- DKL
  • Schneider-Kreuznach 50mm f4.5 -- Enlarging Lens
  • Rodenstock Omegaron 50mm f3.5 -- Enlarging Lens
  • Rodenstock 50mm f2.8 -- Enlarging Lens
  • Schneider-Kreuznach Componar 50mm f4.5 -- Enlarging Lens
  • Leitz Wetzlar 5cm f3.5 -- Enlarging Lens
The Fast and the Curious -- 9 count:

    Row one, from left to right:
  • Canon EF 50mm f1.2L -- EF
  • Canon nFD 50mm f1.2L -- nFD
  • Canon FD 55mm f1.2 S.S.C -- FD
  • Canon FL 55mm f1.2 -- FL
    Row two, from left to right:
  • JML TV Lens 50mm f0.95 -- C-Mount converted to E-Mount
  • Canon FL 58mm f1.2 -- FL
  • Kowa 50mm f1.2 -- Projection Lens
  • Kodak Ektagraphic 50mm f1.2 -- Projection Lens
  • Lomo 50mm f1.2 -- Projection Lens
The Russian Connection -- 11 count:

Row one, from left to right:
  • Zenith Helios-44M-4 58mm f2 -- M42
  • Helios-44M 58mm f2 -- M42
  • Helios-44M 58mm f2 -- M42
  • Helios-44-2 58mm f2 -- M42
Row two, from left to right:
  • Arsat 50mm f2 -- Nikon F
  • Helios-103 53mm f1.8 -- Kiev/Contax 
  • Helios-103 53mm f1.8 -- Kiev/Contax 
  • Jupiter-3 5cm f1.5 -- L39
Row three, from left to right:
  • Jupiter-8M 5mm f2 -- Kiev/Contax
  • Jupiter-8M 5mm f2 -- Kiev/Contax
  • Industar-2 50mm f3.5 -- M42
Canon Legacy -- 8 count:

Row one, from left to right:
  • Canon FD 50mm f1.4 S.S.C -- FD
  • Canon FD 50mm f1.4 S.S.C -- FD
  • Canon nFD 50mm f1.4 -- nFD
  • Canon FL 50mm f1.4 -- FL
Row two, from left to right:
  • Canon FD 50mm f1.8 -- FD
  • Canon FD 50mm f1.8 -- FD
  • canon FL 50mm f1.8 -- FL
  • Canon EF STM 40mm f2.8 -- EF

Pentax Love -- 7 count:

Row one, from left to right:
  • Macro-Takumar S-M-C 50mm f4 (1:2) -- M42
  • Macro-Takumar 50mm f4 (1:1) -- M42
  • SMC Pentax-A 50mm f2 -- K-Mount
Row two, from left to right:
  • SMC Takumar 55mm f1.8 -- M42
  • SMC Takumar 55mm f1.8 -- M42
  • Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 55mm f1.8 -- M42
Row three:
  • SMC Pentax-M 45mm f2.8 Pancake -- K-Mount

The [Mostly] Japanese Club -- 15 count:

Row one, from left to right:
  • Auto Chinon Multi-Coated 55mm f1.4 -- M42
  • GAF 55mm f1.4 -- M42
  • Auto Chinon 55mm f1.4 -- M42
  • Auto Chinon 55mm f1.7 -- M42
  • Auto Chinon 55mm f1.7 -- M42
Row two, from left to right:
  • Vivitar 50mm f1.9 -- M42
  • Vivitar VMC 50mm f1.7 -- M42
  • Olympus F.Zuiko 50mm f1.8 -- M42
  • Mamiya-Sekor 55mm f1.4 -- M42
  • Sony 50mm f1.8 -- E-Mount
Row three, from left to right:
  • Yashica Yashinon 50mm f1.9 -- M42
  • Yashica ML 50mm f1.9 -- CY
  • Nikon Series E 50mm f1.8 -- F-Mount
  • Auto Topcor 5.8cm f1.8 -- Topcor/EXA
  • Haiou-64 (Seagull) 58mm f2 -- MD
The Minoltas -- 8 count:

Row one, from left to right:
  • Minolta Rokkor-X PG 50mm f1.4 -- MC/MD
  • Minolta Rokkor-PG 58mm f1.4 -- MC/MD
  • Minolta Rokkor-X 50mm f1.4 -- MD
Row two, from left to right:
  • Minolta Rokkor-PF 55mm f1.7 -- MC/MD
  • Minolta Rokkor-PF 55mm f1.7 -- MC/MD
  • Minolta Rokkor-PF 55mm f1.7 -- MC/MD
Row three, from left to right:
  • Minolta Rokkor-QF 50mm f3.5 macro -- MC/MD
  • Minolta Rokkor-X 45mm f2 -- MD
The Family Portrait -- 123 count:
This picture includes some of the lenses not in any of the group pictures above.  This does not include 2 Xenar 45mm f2.8 DKL and a Leica-R 50mm f2 which I couldn't find (and possibly others as well).  Also some 50mm lenses still mounted to the cameras.

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24 comments:

  1. Mike AubreyOctober 11, 2015 at 4:04 PM

    Only one Olympus?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lens BubbleOctober 11, 2015 at 4:15 PM

      Strange, isn't it? I thought I had at least two. I also only have one Nikon.

      Delete
  2. mikeOctober 11, 2015 at 8:42 PM

    Impressive collection, Yu-Lin!

    ...and if you really feel so bad about your GAS I#ll be glad to take some of those off your hands *lol*

    Keep on rockin'!

    all the best
    mike

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lens BubbleOctober 11, 2015 at 9:21 PM

      Mike, it really was a shock. I am going to stop buying more lenses in the 50mm range, unless it's something unique, but then again, I always feel every lens is unique, hence the collection :)

      Delete
    2. mikeOctober 12, 2015 at 1:35 AM

      he he, yes Yu-Lin, those 6 Meyer/Pentacon 50s are quite unique indeed :-)

      Delete
    3. Lens BubbleOctober 12, 2015 at 1:14 PM

      Mike, if I had to measure the minute differences in their rendering, I can safely say they are different :)

      Delete
  3. gnarlydogOctober 11, 2015 at 9:15 PM

    You make me feel so less guilty :-)
    interestingly I have a much smaller collection of vintage 50s (only 8) but the one that I think is really distinctively different and missing is the Meyer Optik Trioplan 50mm f2.9 (although you do have the Oreston, Primotar and Primoplan). It's a very small lens but packs a punch in bokeh effect: bubbles.

    Are your acquisitions mainly done in person? like local swaps/fairs/shops?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lens BubbleOctober 11, 2015 at 9:23 PM

      Thanks for the tip on the Triopan 50/2.9. All triplets exhibit the bubble effect. I have a quite a few of them, so I don't miss it too much.

      All of my lenses you see here were acquired locally. I NEVER bought a lens from eBay, but occasionally buy one or two from shops not in Toronto.

      Delete
  4. GaryBOctober 12, 2015 at 2:32 AM

    I have a very similar "problem".
    Enough to say that I have more Pentacon 50's than you!
    Where I live it seems nobody else has the same affliction so I have most of what comes up to myself. Whenever I walk past a charity shop I have to have a quick look, just in case. Car boot sales and auction houses are also regular haunts too.
    Even though I have many Pentacon lenses already, how can you refuse another on a camera for £5 or less. It's a steal, I always justify multiple purchases by saying to myself that I'll test them all, keep the best one and offload the rest on ebay. But it just never seems to happen. I am great at finding and buying lenses but just crap at selling them.
    I have a spreadsheet but not many pictures of my lenses. My spreadsheet shows that my purchases have cost me money. If I could only sell the ones I don't need I'd be in profit with a collection of free lenses. What's not to like.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lens BubbleOctober 12, 2015 at 12:59 PM

      Yes, I bought a lot of these because they are so cheap. The Pentacons, especially, seems to get no love from anyone, though it's a decent lens, can be had for $10 to $15, or less.

      Delete
  5. obakesanOctober 12, 2015 at 8:01 AM

    Buy yourself some Olympuses for your birthday :-)

    Happy Birthday btw

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lens BubbleOctober 12, 2015 at 1:00 PM

      Now how's that helping me :) Seriously, I would like to add a OM MC 50/1.4 to my list.

      Thanks for the B-Day wish!

      Delete
    2. mikeOctober 12, 2015 at 1:08 PM

      b'day? wow!

      Happy birthday my friend - and may the light always be with you!

      Delete
    3. Lens BubbleOctober 12, 2015 at 1:16 PM

      Thanks Mike! The same to you!

      Delete
  6. Emmanuel DiazOctober 13, 2015 at 1:37 AM

    used to keep a database of your lenses... now with your discoveries the database's accuracy is way off. best regards.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Emmanuel DiazOctober 13, 2015 at 1:37 AM

    used to keep a database of your lenses... now with your discoveries the database's accuracy is way off. best regards.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lens BubbleOctober 14, 2015 at 8:26 PM

      Thanks Emmanuel. I have more lenses I write about them in my blog.

      Delete
  8. JohnOctober 18, 2015 at 4:07 PM

    Very nice collection! I was surprised to see that the 50mm f1.4 Takumar is missing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lens BubbleOctober 18, 2015 at 9:43 PM

      Had all versions of the Tak 50mm f1.4, but didn't keep them. Not that they are bad lenses, just didn't seem to warm to them.

      Delete
  9. gnarlydogOctober 28, 2015 at 9:22 PM

    I see in your collection several Helios 44 lenses but there seems be none in M39 mount.
    I know that early versions were made in M39 and had 13 blades apertures.
    However, since you are a vintage lens expert, my question to you: are the Helios 44 smaller in body size when in M39 than in M42 mount?
    And I understand that a M39 registers closer than the M42, so an adapter to a mirrorless camera would be shorter?
    I have a Helios 44-2 but the bulk of the lens and the adapter put me off. I am more interested in compact lenses (combo).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lens BubbleOctober 28, 2015 at 11:28 PM

      I have few M mount, or L39/M39 mount lenses and don't have the M39 version of the Helio-44. But, in general, M/L39 mount lenses are smaller and have much shorter flange, so the adapter is quite a bit thinner at around 7mm for the E and FE mount. The M42-mount Helio-44 is considered pretty small lens :)

      Delete
  10. gnarlydogOctober 29, 2015 at 6:25 PM

    Thank you for confirming my findings. I am more interested in small lenses as I often have to schlep my gear on multi-days backpacking trips to the mountains where weight is very important to me.
    I love the size of a Jupiter-8 over the Helios :-)

    ReplyDelete
  11. gnarlydogOctober 29, 2015 at 11:38 PM

    update.
    Further search reveals that Helios-44 in M39 mount has same register as M42 (45.46mm). The only difference is the thread diameter. So, it seems that a Helios-44 in M39 mount would utilize the same very adapter with a thin ring on the M39 thread to make it fit the M42.
    Hmmm, not what I want. I might look at the Jupiter-8 instead, different lens but more compact.

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousMarch 29, 2016 at 1:37 PM

    Hi Yu-Lin,
    My lens collection is 3 to 4 times of yours. So, no worry, keep buying!
    :-)

    ReplyDelete

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