11-17-2016, 07:38 AM
In the early days EF lenses, especially 3rd party ones, sucked. They were made of plastic, had noisy motors. The apertures would get stuck, some times the plastic mount would just break off. The focusing parts (the slots, and bearings and grooves) were made of plastic, and parts would just break. You'd hear them rattling around in the lens.
And then there were the all metal manual focus lenses...that never broke. Looked like works of art...Were fast and compact.
I have one thing in common with Klaus: I am a lens tester! But in my case, all I can say is almost any lens exceeds my skill as a photographer. I've tried currency, I've tried peacock feathers, I've tried birds and flowers. If you are careful and you compensate for exposure and color balance and motion. Almost any lens (at least that I would buy) can come close to matching any other lens.
There is not much gamble in a $10 Asahi 50/1.4. But the truth is it's really not that much better than EF 50/1.8. I fell into the trap of wanting to find the ultimate 50mm. That is a bit pointless, since they are all good. But I have a lot of them so I, of course tried. What can I say? It keeps me out of trouble. But if you want the verdict? Every time I test them I rate them in a different order. It comes down to me, not the lens! Plus I don't shell out for the really expensive ones. Add to that that I like character (flaws) that certain lenses have. I think Dave said the Jupiter 8 renders harsh. But that is perfect for old broken down buildings. I have a Meyer-Gorlitz that is the same.
@ Dave: Heh, heh, heh...would you believe I have a Helios 103 on the way from Russia? 53/1.8 if I recall. Hey! Russia needs hard currency. Consider it international friendship!
Back to Toni-a. I bagged a Canon XT with memory card and EF 28-105 IS USM for $40. I only wanted the lens, but the 8 MP camera is still better than any MILC. (Sorry, I couldn't resist).
And then there were the all metal manual focus lenses...that never broke. Looked like works of art...Were fast and compact.
I have one thing in common with Klaus: I am a lens tester! But in my case, all I can say is almost any lens exceeds my skill as a photographer. I've tried currency, I've tried peacock feathers, I've tried birds and flowers. If you are careful and you compensate for exposure and color balance and motion. Almost any lens (at least that I would buy) can come close to matching any other lens.
There is not much gamble in a $10 Asahi 50/1.4. But the truth is it's really not that much better than EF 50/1.8. I fell into the trap of wanting to find the ultimate 50mm. That is a bit pointless, since they are all good. But I have a lot of them so I, of course tried. What can I say? It keeps me out of trouble. But if you want the verdict? Every time I test them I rate them in a different order. It comes down to me, not the lens! Plus I don't shell out for the really expensive ones. Add to that that I like character (flaws) that certain lenses have. I think Dave said the Jupiter 8 renders harsh. But that is perfect for old broken down buildings. I have a Meyer-Gorlitz that is the same.
@ Dave: Heh, heh, heh...would you believe I have a Helios 103 on the way from Russia? 53/1.8 if I recall. Hey! Russia needs hard currency. Consider it international friendship!
Back to Toni-a. I bagged a Canon XT with memory card and EF 28-105 IS USM for $40. I only wanted the lens, but the 8 MP camera is still better than any MILC. (Sorry, I couldn't resist).