As someone with about 150 of junk cheap lenses, I agree with this video HOWEVER. If I were to do it again, I would just have spent my money on better vintage lenses. The ones I have paid hundreds for, I use all the time.

28mm F2 Vivitar 135mm F2.8 Vivitar 18-28mm F4-4.5 Sirius 90mm F2.8 Sigma Macro 50mm F2 Miranda 24mm F2.8 Miranda Macro 70-210mm F4-5.6 Miranda Macro 35-70mm F3.5-4.8 Miranda Macro 50mm F1.9 Chinon 135mm F2.8 Hanimex (he really love this one 20:47) Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I did not know most of them!! My recommendation: 28mm F2.8 Miranda M42. If you get one, you can unscrew the cover surrounding the front element by hand to be able to remove the 3 or 4 screws that hold the exterior part which rotates to focus. Inside the piece you extract, you will see a screw that, if removed, (when reassembled) will allow focusing to infinity on a Nikon F and also to unreasonably close distances without risk of hitting the mirror . Tested with Nikon Full Frame.

Vivitar lenses were made by a wide range of manufacturers. There's a list of them by serial number (first two digits for lenses made from 1970-1990 or so). You first Vivitar was a Kino/Kiron build. I have a couple of them and they both had issues with oil on the aperture blades. This is a common occurrence for Kino lenses. But, they cleaned up nicely and are very good lenses. The Komine builds are generally regarded as superior but I think that the Tokina built lenses are very good too. I couldn't see the serial number on the Vivitar 135mm f/2.8, so I can't tell you the manufacturer. The Series 1 line was also very good.

I’m basically a prime shooter but I recently picked up two Vivitar zooms. A 70-150 for £10 and a week later a 75-205 for £6 as it has a bit of fungus in the front element. Both have a close focus facility which is far better than the usual “macro” on most zooms. Made in the late 70s, heavy old beasts, built to last and wonderful vibrant colour rendition. I’ve fallen in love with them. Also have two Chinons - one of which seems to be a fairly rare model 28mm f2.8 which is an incredibly well built and has lots of character. You can’t beat old glass.

I don't recall you talking about Tamron SP lenes, is Tamron a manufacture you avoid. I like them, they are reasonable quality and reasonable prices. They do a good range of primes and zooms from 17mm to 600mm, extreme wide angle, macro and mirror. The swappable mounts make them very versatile for a wide range of camera' makes, meaning you can use the same lens on virtually any camera. Would be interested in your take on them, maybe a future video.

Great coverage video. My only critique is that it would be nice to have the lens description and in the the video notes so one does not have to scrub though the video .

Thanks for all your insight into lenses. I also have several third party lenses. My favorite being a Vivitar F3.5 55-135 Tele-zoom. Very heavy lens. Nearly one and 3/4 pounds. This lens also has an adaptal mount system similar to what Tamron used. Take care now and keep up the nice work.

I own the Vivitar 28mm f/2 and I love this lens in FD mount. Very well built and it gives me a 39mm with a speedbooster mounted on a M43 body. However, it flares alot, I recommend lens hood.

Great video, I was just talking to a local dealer last week about some of the third party sleepers that go unnoticed because of the attention all of the fashionable classics get on social media, there are some of the familiar players that aren't quite surprising when you discover how nice they are but some just never occurred to me until tripping over them, 1 lens that caught me off guard was the ; Makinon MC Auto Zoom 28-80mm F3.5. If you can find one in any mount and toss it on your sony I will guarantee you are pleasantly surprised. I had never heard of it before getting one in a kit of special lenses, I was surprised to see it in the mix, it seems well built and it was in Konica AR mount which I do shoot regularly and have an adapter for. If I had searched online and found the dismal reviews for it I mig9ht never have tried it, I am glad I never heard of it before shooting with it.

@zenography7923

23 күн бұрын

That sounds like a nice lens, enjoy!

I love my Vivitar glass.

Nothing wrong with Vivitars. I've got 2. Lot of press photographers used them as they got bashed about in their job and the end result was printed on newspaper.

@hazard3020

22 күн бұрын

Agreed. I still use a 19-35mm and it's great.

I love my chinon's! I have a 50mm F1.9 on a pk mount and a 200mm F3.3 on a m42 mount

I have a Tokina, a Haminex and a Miranda I'm waiting on an adapter for to try on a fujifilm x-t10 i just purchased. It's a great option as i can't afford extra stock lenses atm and i had these from my k1000 days just collecting dust so can still have some vintage fun whilst i save some more pennies. And like you say even if you don't have any at all there are always bargains waiting to be found:)

Thanks for the pointer on Thrift and Charity shops, kind of obvious and yet didn't think of that as a possible hunting ground for a bargain.

@sclogse1

23 күн бұрын

You won't be alone. You have to drop in once a week.

@mikesmith-po8nd

23 күн бұрын

Here in the States, a lot of these kinds of shops (especially the big ones like Goodwill) have noticed the rising prices from all the hipsters buying vintage gear, and are pricing accordingly. Most of the Mom and Pop thrift stores are still pretty reasonable.

@stephentalas1940

23 күн бұрын

@@mikesmith-po8nd That unfortunately is the risk with these things. people get wind of a 'good idea' and prices adjust accordingly.

Congratulations on 40k good sir!!! you still remind me of the Father from Shawn of the dead! That 28mm F2 is nice

I found 3 nikon f fitting 3rd party lenses on ebay about a year ago listed at a starting price of £10.00 each , I bid on all three and was the only bidder . They are a 28mm 2.8 Hoya , a 135mm 2.8 Vivitar and a Bell&Howell 200mm 4 all are like new and give good images , the seller had not listed or did not know the mount but the photos on the listings were good enough to identify the mount , all have the makers front lens caps.

This video was truly breathtaking

@zenography7923

23 күн бұрын

I'm glad you enjoyed it!

Thanks!

My current line up (as of this post) Vivitar 50mm f1.8 Vivitar 70-210 Vivitar 135mm f3.5 Vivitar 28mm f2.8 Sigma 19-35mm Makinon 200mm f3.3 Chinon 200mm f3.5 Miranda 35-70mm Carl Ziess Jena 70-210mm Carl Ziess Jena 80-200mm Prinz Galaxy 300mm f5.6 The local cash converters start rubbing their hands each time I walk in

@zenography7923

23 күн бұрын

I can imagine!

Another great video ty so much

@zenography7923

23 күн бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it

@jesuschrist2284

22 күн бұрын

@@zenography7923 im just happy you make your videos

That Vivitar is a Kiron I believe and I have the Kiron version of it and WOW what a beautiful lens especially when you want flare. How do you like it for flare?

@zenography7923

23 күн бұрын

I must say I haven't noticed what it does with flares - I'll definitely give it a go though - that is, if we ever get any sunshine again!

ebay is a gamble figuring out if something will have an adapter and still be able to focus to infinite and all of that. a thrift store for a few bucks, sure why not. i might win the lottery after happening to find one too.

The Chinon 50mm f1.9 is definitely a nice lens, as is the Chinon 135mm f2.8 .

Picked up 2 Vivitars at an antiques shop last week, a 28mm f2.5 and 135mm f2.8 for £14 each and they have given excellent results. I had the Sirius 18-28 and don't know if it was a bad copy but it was total piece of junk.

@kevinsylvester770

23 күн бұрын

I also had the Sirius 18-28 and found you do get what you pay for . Not that sharp , low contrast and the aperture range was 2/3 stop slower than indicated , f5 - f5.6 , not f4 - f4.5 !

Looking for a cheap yashica 120 camera, any tips you have .

I enjoy most of my vintage lenses. One or two are meh, but The vivitar series 1 lenses I own are very nice.

Are you interested in selling you Hanimax it’s impossible to find with the aluminum rings

Any vintage lenses close to a 70-200 2.8 you might recommend? I have a Nikon so looking for f mount. I am trying to up my concert photography game.

@paularger2841

20 күн бұрын

RMC Tokina 80-200 f4 is good one. Fairly light for its class. Quite easy to disassemble for dust removal too. Ok - it’s not as fast as a f2.8 but if you’re shooting concerts should still be good.

Just bought an unusual 75-200 f4.5-5.3 Miranda lens, which looks like it’s in great condition. Another £20 bargain (hopefully)!

@zenography7923

23 күн бұрын

Sounds like a bargain - enjoy!

The Chinon multi coated 50mm 1.7 is better then f1.9

@paularger2841

23 күн бұрын

I have a copy I got as part of a spares/repair job lot. The second element from the front has some serious coating degradation yet no apparent loss of image quality. A beautiful little lens.

Thanks!

@zenography7923

23 күн бұрын

And thank you!