Air Ministry 5 Inch f4 Shoots Distillery District

One of the nice things about working downtown Toronto is that there are lots of interesting places within a few minutes of biking. The Distillery District is one of the more interesting places, which I visit once in a while. I rode my bike there this afternoon during lunch time and had lots of fun shooting with one of my favourite lenses: Air Ministry 5 Inch f4 on the Sony A7. This lens was used on the 5D Mark II a couple of times, but it was such a hassle focusing through the optical viewfinder, and the Live-View wasn't as easy to use as mirrorless cameras so I gave up on the 5D II.

The lens works great on the Sony A7. I simply adore how it renders the pictures. Amazing for a lens that's more than half a century old and without coating on the glass. The pictures look smooth as silk and none of the harshness of most modern lenses. The bokeh is simply delicious and pleasing.

If you find one cheap, take it and you won't regret it.

All pictures below were shot using the Sony A7 and A.M 5 Inch f4:

Another Look at the Air Ministry 5 Inch f4 Lens

The Air Ministry 5 inch f4 lens is one of the more enjoyable lens to use, partly because it shows no haze or white spot in the picture, often associated with old lenses that are uncoated. Of course the lens needs the proper shade (all lenses should have proper shades). This is quite amazing because the lens itself shows some haze when look through it.

More interesting is the optical characters of the lens. I don't know if it's due to the design, or glass, or other reasons, the rendering of the pictures look markedly different the modern lenses, especially when it comes to out of focus area. Maybe this is part of the allure of old lenses that I enjoy so much.

Can't wait to shoot this lens again.

Tulips - Canon 5D Mark II & Air Ministry 5 inch f4. Click for larger.

Columbine - Canon 5D Mark II & Air Ministry 5 inch f4. Click for larger.

Bokeh- Canon 5D Mark II & Air Ministry 5 inch f4.

Black & White Pictures from Old Lenses

I have noticed that most old, uncoated lenses have very nice tones, especially when converted to black and white, there are just so much details. These old lenses were designed for black and white film, so it kind of makes sense.  The lower contrast of these lenses gives the pictures smoother tonal transitions. If you are a lover of black and white pictures, you may want to give these old lenses a try.

Relaxing by the lake - NEX-6 & AM 8 Inch f5.6 @ f5.6. Click for larger.

Willow - NEX-6 & AM 5 Inch f4 @ f4.