Which vintage lens for plants with dreamy bokeh?

Davidsu · Aug 3, 2016

Greetings all!

I mainly take pictures of plants (flowers, trees, botanical gardens, etc) and am really interested in adapting some vintage lenses to my Fuji X-T1.

What I'm looking for is a lens that can give me that beautiful, dreamy bokeh that is associated with many of the vintage lenses. After doing some investigating I'm leaning towards a Carl Zeiss Jena Flektogon 35 mm f2.4, which can allow for close-up pictures while still having attractive bokeh.

Does anyone have any other recommendations for lenses I should consider? I realize this is a subjective question, but I always like reading/seeing people's experiences.

Many thanks!

David

Laagwater · Aug 3, 2016

Hi David,

I'm also very pleased with my flektogon, but i'm using it on a Sony A7.

For flowers etc. i also really like my Tamron SP 90mm f2.5 macro. A Tokina (bokina) or Vivitar 90mm will be as good or maybe even better.

More lenses i like for flowers: - Minolta MD 35-70 f3.5 macro ; -Minolta 58mm f1.2 ; -Tamron 135mm/2.5 close focus ; Vivitar 28mm 2.8 close focus ; - Konica 135mm f3.2 ; - Takumar 50mm f1.4 ; - Nikon 28mm f2.8 ais ; - Nikon 20mm f3.5 + K1 ring

Here 2 examples:

Regards,

Edwin

Focus Breather · Aug 4, 2016

From my experience:

- CZJ Pancolar 1.8/50 - close focusing, great contrast / micro contrast, sharp, lovely bokeh. Just get tubes for more magnification if needed.

- Vivitar S1 2.5/90 (Tokina) Macro - Exceptionally sharp, almost unmatched bokeh (hence nickname Bokina), contrast wide open is on lover side, build like tank and heavy as one. You may search for Tokina branded lens (optically the same?), it is lighter and with better multicoating.

Ching-Kuang Shene · Aug 4, 2016

Davidsu said:
Greetings all!

I mainly take pictures of plants (flowers, trees, botanical gardens, etc) and am really interested in adapting some vintage lenses to my Fuji X-T1.

What I'm looking for is a lens that can give me that beautiful, dreamy bokeh that is associated with many of the vintage lenses. After doing some investigating I'm leaning towards a Carl Zeiss Jena Flektogon 35 mm f2.4, which can allow for close-up pictures while still having attractive bokeh.

Does anyone have any other recommendations for lenses I should consider? I realize this is a subjective question, but I always like reading/seeing people's experiences.

Many thanks!

David

In fact, buying a soft focus lens (for dreamy bokeh) and closing down aperture (for sharper center) may be easier, although it may cost you more for a good one.

CK

ZomZom · Aug 4, 2016

So many choices, but my favorite is my 1959 Trioplan 100.

--

Michael Mangold

Explore Michael Mangold’s 2,654 photos on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

coase · Aug 4, 2016

I don't know what qualities you're looking for but I have no problems getting painterly backgrounds with my 55mm Vivitar (Komine built) macro lens handheld.

55mm macro lens

jacketpotato · Aug 4, 2016

There are sure more favoured coveted lenses however my personal favourite

Meyer 135 F2.8 Zebra 15 blades m42 on my Sigma SD9

Sigma SD9 sensor magical could make almost any lens something else.

whisky · Aug 4, 2016

Davidsu said:
Greetings all!

I mainly take pictures of plants (flowers, trees, botanical gardens, etc) and am really interested in adapting some vintage lenses to my Fuji X-T1.

What I'm looking for is a lens that can give me that beautiful, dreamy bokeh that is associated with many of the vintage lenses. After doing some investigating I'm leaning towards a Carl Zeiss Jena Flektogon 35 mm f2.4, which can allow for close-up pictures while still having attractive bokeh.

Does anyone have any other recommendations for lenses I should consider? I realize this is a subjective question, but I always like reading/seeing people's experiences.

Many thanks!

David

Hi David,

Interesting topic and as you say subjective. I enjoy similar things to photograph and as I also have a liking for vintage glass I have picked a few shots off my gallery as examples.

There is no great need to spend a wad of cash to get fair returns.

Lens used should be shown on pics and I like all these lenses, just depends what you want yourself.

Tamron. 35-80.

Tamron

Pentax

Tamron 72b Macro f2.8 90mm

Sigma 17-70 f2.8 'C' new lens.

These are all kind of 'Bokeh' shots and the last one is off the current Sigma lens.

Hope you find something to suite.

Cheers.

Davidsu · Aug 4, 2016

All,

Thank you for your input! I also appreciate the sample photos, all of which are superb!

Would anyone that uses the CZJ Flektogon 35mm 2.4 be willing to post some example shots? Similar goes out to those using a Super Takumar 50mm 1.4? I have spent a lot of time on Flickr, but it would be nice to see shots from those who like to shoot similar subjects.

Thanks again!

jacketpotato · Aug 4, 2016

Davidsu said:
Super Takumar 50mm 1.4?

Im sory i dont have Super Takumar captures. Here are Zuiko Silver Nose 50mm F1.4 I'm a little partial to.

Zuiko Silver Nose 50mm F1.4 @ 1.8 Olympus Pen E-P1

Zuiko Silver Nose 50mm F1.4 @ 1.4 Olympus Pen E-P1

Zuiko Silver Nose 50mm F1.4 @ 1.4 Sony Nex-5

Laagwater · Aug 4, 2016

Davidsu said:
All,

Thank you for your input! I also appreciate the sample photos, all of which are superb!

Would anyone that uses the CZJ Flektogon 35mm 2.4 be willing to post some example shots? Similar goes out to those using a Super Takumar 50mm 1.4? I have spent a lot of time on Flickr, but it would be nice to see shots from those who like to shoot similar subjects.

Thanks again!

Hi David , here are some examples from both lenses shot on a Sony A7

http://www.laagwater.com/pagina's/MF/tak50-I.htm

http://www.laagwater.com/pagina's/MF/tak50-I.htm

(sorry, can't get the links working right, you'll have to copy and past...)

Cheers

PW M43 · Aug 5, 2016

Don't forget the 'humble' Helios 44-2 58mm f/2.

lunartown · Aug 5, 2016

Davidsu said:
Greetings all!

I mainly take pictures of plants (flowers, trees, botanical gardens, etc) and am really interested in adapting some vintage lenses to my Fuji X-T1.

What I'm looking for is a lens that can give me that beautiful, dreamy bokeh that is associated with many of the vintage lenses. After doing some investigating I'm leaning towards a Carl Zeiss Jena Flektogon 35 mm f2.4, which can allow for close-up pictures while still having attractive bokeh.

Does anyone have any other recommendations for lenses I should consider? I realize this is a subjective question, but I always like reading/seeing people's experiences.

I like the Konica UC Hexanon AR28mm/1.8 http://www.buhla.de/Foto/Konica/Objektive/e28_18.html

AR28/1.8

AR28/1.8

More here and fullsize linked: http://foto.tgm.dk/ar28/

Davidsu said:
Many thanks!

David

--
.... really, matter of fact it's all dark.

Namur · Aug 5, 2016

Davidsu said:
What I'm looking for is a lens that can give me that beautiful, dreamy bokeh that is associated with many of the vintage lenses. After doing some investigating I'm leaning towards a Carl Zeiss Jena Flektogon 35 mm f2.4, which can allow for close-up pictures while still having attractive bokeh.

Does anyone have any other recommendations for lenses I should consider? I realize this is a subjective question, but I always like reading/seeing people's experiences.

Many thanks!

David

Maybe consider the Tak 50 / 1.4 (as others have indicated) - the 55 / 1.7 is no slouch, either. I think the colour rendering from the Taks is nice. Prices are nice, as well -

50 / 1.4

55 / 1.7

Cheers,

Namur

whisky · Aug 5, 2016

PW M43 said:
Don't forget the 'humble' Helios 44-2 58mm f/2.

More Helios .

Cheers.

whisky · Aug 5, 2016

Davidsu said:
All,

Thank you for your input! I also appreciate the sample photos, all of which are superb!

Would anyone that uses the CZJ Flektogon 35mm 2.4 be willing to post some example shots? Similar goes out to those using a Super Takumar 50mm 1.4? I have spent a lot of time on Flickr, but it would be nice to see shots from those who like to shoot similar subjects.

Thanks again!

More Takumar SMC f1.4.

Cheers.

Arseniy Shapurov · Aug 5, 2016

Philips 100mm f1.5

Davidsu · Aug 5, 2016

Thank you all for the wonderful pictures! All are exceptional.

I went to my local camera shop and was able to pick up an inexpensive super takumar 50 1.4. I'd still very much like to purchase a Flektogon 35mm 2.4, and may also pick up a helios 40-2 or 44-2. Can anyone say GAS???

Thank you all again!

Arseniy Shapurov · Aug 5, 2016

Davidsu said:
Thank you all for the wonderful pictures! All are exceptional.

I went to my local camera shop and was able to pick up an inexpensive super takumar 50 1.4. I'd still very much like to purchase a Flektogon 35mm 2.4, and may also pick up a helios 40-2 or 44-2. Can anyone say GAS???

Thank you all again!

40-2 or just 40 (m39 version) definitely better than 44-2

whisky · Aug 5, 2016

Davidsu said:
Thank you all for the wonderful pictures! All are exceptional.

I went to my local camera shop and was able to pick up an inexpensive super takumar 50 1.4. I'd still very much like to purchase a Flektogon 35mm 2.4, and may also pick up a helios 40-2 or 44-2. Can anyone say GAS???

Thank you all again!

I think you will be well satisfied with your Takumar lens and wish you good pictures from it.

Don't know much about the Flektogons other than I always got outbid any time I tried to get one. :-( However, although they are reckoned to be good, they are bit of a cult thing and probably fetch a lot higher prices than they are worth?

I prefer my Takumar to my Helios and reckon it is a better lens altogether, it's all just what like for yourself.

Have fun,

Cheers.

Which vintage lens for plants with dreamy bokeh?

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