Playing With Lenses

Tuesday, 29 August 2023

Finally a ZE Mount Lens: Mamiya -Sekor Zoom E 80-200mm 1:3.8

Cost: $50.00 (average cost around $60)

I was looking for a while for a ZE-mount lens when I found this nice example. The ZE-Mount is able to drive automatic aperture (via the camera) and pass on information such as focal length. It is however not an auto-focus lens. To set the aperture when using my Sony camera, you need a ZE-adapter that can manually set the aperture on the adapter. I purchased the Photodiox Pro ZE-NEX (not to many adapters available for this mount), and not only does it come with the ability to set the aperture, it also has a nice graphic scale showing you aperture size.

The main reason to find me a ZE lens, was their good reputation in lens quality. And to be honest, for an early zoom lens, it handled very good and provides great quality. Good colors, sharp, easy to focus. Solid metal build, but as a two-touch zoom lens is is very large and heavy compared to todays lenses.

Nice to play around with for a day, but a little heavy for every day use, or to carry around in your camera bag. But the image quality and nice looks is making me keep this lens. One more for the collection.

I will for sure try to find more Mamiya ZE-mount lenses.

Lens Specification:

Focal Length: 80-200mm
Maximum Aperture: F3.8
Minimum Aperture: F32
Image Format: 35mm
Lens Mount: Mamiya ZE
Optics: 14 elements, 10 groups
Blades: 8
Focus: Manual
Minimum Focus: 13cm
Filter Size: 58mm
Weight: 765g
Length: 154-158mm
Production: 1980 - Discontinued
Serial Number: 20877
Made in: Japan

More information on Mamiya

Samples:

1/160 sec - ISO-2500

1/160 sec - ISO-1000

1/160 sec - ISO-320

1/500 sec - ISO-100

1/160 sec - ISO-1250

1/160 sec - ISO-400

1/320 sec - ISO-12800

1/320 sec - ISO-2000

1/320 sec - ISO-12800

Sources:
Wikipedia - Mamiya

Lens-DB.com

Friday, 2 December 2022

Just another kit lens: Canon Zoom Lens FD 35-70mm 1:3.5-4.5

Cost: $12.00 (average cost around $15)

This lens was sold as a two-touch kit lens for the Canon body at that time. It was a cheaper and lighter replacement of the 35-70mm 1:4. It does feel light and is nice lens to combine with a lightweight camera. But the plastic also makes it feel a little brittle and if you shake the lens, the front glass rattles. Not a high-quality feel. I think there are some nicer options out there, like an early Pentax zoom lens.

FD lenses are typically of high quality and have a good reputation. I would recommend any FD prime lens, but I think they dropped the ball on this zoom lens. Colors are really nice, but sharpness is often lacking, and the Bokeh is dirty. It does seem to work best with pictures in the 5-to-20-foot range, making it suitable as an easy to carry street photography lens.

I do have better lenses that are similar, so I will not be keeping this lens.

Lens Specification:

Focal Length: 35mm
Maximum Aperture: F3.5
Minimum Aperture: F22
Image Format: 35mm
Lens Mount: Canon FD
Optics: 9 elements, 8 groups
Blades: 8
Focussing: Manual
Minimum Focus: 50cm
Filter Size: 52mm
Weight: 214g
Length: 63-77mm
Production: 1983
Serial Number: 66039
Made in: Japan

More information on Canon Inc.

Samples:

1/2500 sec - ISO400 - Handheld

1/8000 sec - ISO400 - Handheld

1/1250 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/160 sec - ISO800 - Handheld

1/160 sec - ISO1250 - Handheld

1/160 sec - ISO500 - Handheld

1/1000 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

References:

https://global.canon/en/c-museum

https://jonathangazeley.com

Wednesday, 30 November 2022

Finally The Beercan: Minolta Maxxum AF Zoom 70-210mm f4(22)

Cost: $26 (average cost: $30)

As this lens was launched at the same time as the Minolta Maxxum lince of camera's, I understand this is one of the first Minolta lenses with the AF (Auto-Focus) mount. the lens was previously available as a manual focus lens. This lens is large and heavy and mostly made from metal. A good solid build quality that will last for a long time. Not for nothing that many of these lenses are still used by Sony users (either Sony α users, or Sony users with a the right converter adapters).

This lens is favorably nicknamed the "Beercan", due to its size, and well respected by its users. Image quality is good with a constant maximum aperture and decent sharpness across the range. I did see some color aberration in the higher focal lengths, and I thought the bokeh effect was "too busy", but it's actually one of go-to lenses if I need a little bit of range, and a lot of light.

Pictures are taking in the Vancouver Zoo, and on the Maplewood Flats Bird Sanctuary in North Vancouver.

Lens Specification:

Focal Length: 70-210mm
Maximum Aperture: F4
Minimum Aperture: F32
Image Format: 35mm
Lens Mount: Minolta AF
Optics: 12 elements, 9 groups
Blades: 7
Focusing: Auto (+ Manual)
Minimum Focus: 110m
Filter Size: 55mm
Weight: 735g
Length: 148-155mm
Production: 1985
Serial Number: 1074093
Made in: Japan

More information on Minolta
More sample pictures at DYXUM.com

Samples:

1/400 sec. f/4 208mm ISO250 - Handheld

1/320 sec. f/4 208mm ISO100 - Handheld

1/320 sec. f/4 104mm ISO100 - Handheld

1/320 sec. f/4.5 208mm ISO100 - Handheld

1/250 sec. f/4 208mm ISO160 - Handheld

1/320 sec. f/4 208mm ISO400 - Handheld

1/320 sec. f/4 208mm ISO250 - Handheld

1/320 sec. f/4 208mm ISO100 - Handheld

1/320 sec. f/4 208mm ISO400 - Handheld

1/250 sec. f/4 208mm ISO250 - Handheld

1/320 sec. f/5.6 208mm ISO100 - Handheld

1/320 sec. f/4 208mm ISO160 - Handheld

References:

https://www.dyxum.com/

http://kurtmunger.com

Tuesday, 31 May 2022

Heavy equals quality? Minolta Maxxum AF Zoom 28-85mm 1:3.5-4.5

Cost: $26 (average cost: $30)

I understand this is one of the first Minolta lenses with the AF (Auto-Focus) mount. The is very heavy for it's size and range, as it is mostly made from metal. Good sturdy build quality that will last for ever...

The zoom uses a lot of range and is therefore a little slower to average to auto focus. Aside from the weight, it's OK to use, but I wasn't blown away. This might have been an age issue (of the lens, not me), and it could have been smoother originally.

Image quality is average. Sharp in the middle stops, not to much aberration, and mostly rich colors. It just did not excite me as much as some other Minolta Maxxum lenses.

Pictures are taking on the Indian Arm Forest Service Road in Squamish, and on the Spirit Trail in North Vancouver.

It's a welcome addition to the collection, but I don't think I will get a lot of use as there other Minolta lenses I prefer.

Lens Specification:

Focal Length: 28-85mm
Maximum Aperture: F3.5-4.5
Minimum Aperture: F22-27
Image Format: 35mm
Lens Mount: Minolta AF
Optics: 13 elements, 10 groups
Blades: 7
Focusing: Auto (+ Manual)
Minimum Focus: 0.80m
Filter Size: 55mm
Weight: 499g
Length: 85-110mm
Production: 1985
Serial Number: 31204494
Made in: Japan

More information on Minolta
More sample pictures at DYXUM.com