Hi Don, do you encounter an ISO banding problem when use this lens with Olympus body? Try shoot it with Olympus bodies on ISO above 6400, because I have that problem when shooting it with Olympus bodies (in my case, i shot it with EP-5).
I choose voightlander for Sony FE mount. Manual focus with full electronic contact. Fantastic Quality as good as Leica for less. Extremely well made too. But i also use Sony GM super fast autofocus lenses, for other purposes.
Nice to watch the tests like this. I have bought a Voigtländer from the year 2026 (9x12 film size in cm) and a Mentor 5x7”, maybe after the WW2. So fun to take a photo that takes sometimes one hour to complete the whole process. I have photographed since 1967.
The good examples of this lens ( without the dreaded haze, fungus or the very common coating marks and scratches ) are quite rare and therefore not so affordable. You have probably got very lucky with your find. An MFT sensor only occupies just over a quarter of the size of a full sensor or 35mm film that these lenses were designed for, and therefore the lens has to illuminate the very center of the sensor. It is not surprising that they perform well, although I have a couple of 35mm F2.8 Summarons with M mount that are mainly used on my M2, M3 and M6, but it also does very well on my M Typ240. The jaw dropping moment for me was when I used my 75mm F2 Apo-Summicron on my Olympus EM1 MKII. Wide open @ F2 the performance of the lens was nothing short of stellar. Yes, Leica gets a bad rap because of its pricing, and the recent over exposure and marketing, but the performance of their lenses are nothing short of spectacular, at a price.
@lensman5762 mine had some haze when I got it, but it was pretty easy to clean. Still, good examples of this lens are a fraction of the price of the 2.8 version. Leitz lenses are indeed the standard against which all others are measured. This Summaron I have now resides on a Canon L2 or a Canon 7 or 7s which it works nicely with. Even on full frame film, it performs very well. I had one of the Summaron 35 f3.5 with eyes I used on an M3 for many years and loved it as well.
@@dongummphotography I know of one that is said to have some light haze on the rear element, but it is still no give away, about £380.00 in the UK. I might conside it for my Leica III c. Indeed my own Elmar 5cm F3.5 LTM has some haze on the rear of the front group. Doesn't seem to have any adverse effect on the photos that I could detect.
Hi Don, I stick to Minolta lenses, obviously have the correct adaptor for my Oly camera,s. I like the un digital look, modern lenses can be to clinical in some situation,s. The result,s look similar to Kodachrome 64 I used many years ago!
hi Don, thank you for your insight. Spot on I have just started out on my MFT journey. I always had a point and shoot and then the phones came with cameras and used that. I always wanted to learn photography and get a real camera. I tried X-E2 Fujifilm, Nikon Z30, Canon M6, Lumix GX85 a great camera that got me hooked on MFT. My thumb is a bit big for the buttons on the GX85 so swapped it for a Panasonic Lumix G95. I love it and the images it gives me for half the price of Fuji or Nikon setups. Also the small compact size for travel. We are retiring and are going to travel all around New Zealand in our converted Bus. So with my search over and a camera that is light years ahead of me your video has been reassuring with very good advice on my way forward, learning journey. Cheers
@@dougmeyer5715 Wow, your retirement plans sound amazing! I bet you will capture wonderful images! I am glad you found a camera that really works for you. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Some people measure the the resolution on these and they are actually way higher than the kit lenses, and in some cases, equal to the brand primes. Their problem are behavior against flare and well the autofocus. They are really good for covering focal length range, thank for bringing attention to them. I am actually worried they get expensive now that they are making them with autofocus.
@cameraprepper7938 my father, who was a commercial photographer, was a big Canon F-1 user. Great cameras. I have an EF I am repairing and will cover at some point.
@@dongummphotography Those cameras feel like they were made by a blacksmith, really robustly built quality made Cameras. I also used to be a professional commercial photographer, as a pro I nearly never used the 35mm format, only for color slides, the Cameras I used was (some times Hasselblad 6x6), Mamiya RB67, Sinar 4x5" and 5x7". For hobby photography I used for a short time Nikon FE, FM and F3, later Hasselblad 2000 FC, followed by Canon New F-1.
@@dongummphotography Yes, I think that they will miss out on a lot. I do not use my "vintage" Lenses any more, because I cannot remember which Lens that I have used, if there comes an adapter where you can do custom EXIF files, then I will use those "vintage" Lenses again. Now I use Zeiss Loxia and Voigtländer APO-Lanthar Lenses.
@@dongummphotography Yes, they are really nice, I can highly recommend the Zeiss Loxia 21mm Distagon T* and the Voigtländer APO-Lanthar 35mm 2.0 Aspherical.
purchased my first Nikon (Nikkormat) in 1972. Used that camera until the Digital Age. I still have it and it works like new. One CLA. Sinse I have purchased an F2 and just to have it, an F. Love all of them. F2 is my favorite.
Another major benefit of the modern 3rd party MF lenses vs vintage MF lenses is that you can typically get the modern lens in your native lens mount. With the vintage lenses you likely have to purchase a separate adapter that adds bulk and weight.
I have one and I love it. If it had a way to calibrate/set highlight and shadow button ranges instead of 2.3 and -2.7 stops (that generally work well for slide) it would be perfect. For B&W or color negs that is a bit narrow range (especially in highlights). I like getting a shadow/highlight point (or mid gray) and checking the latitude. You see the difference in viewfinder when you've set it. I like my Pentax digital spotmeter too, but it displays EV-values that need a bit of thinking (like oh, 14, that's +2 to my selected 12ev mid gray). Nothing beats the "analog computer" it has though, just see the rings for any exposure combination you want. As a still shooter, I tend to select aperture for needed depth and time is what it is. Yes, I do have a more modern Sekonic too but I prefer my Minolta or my Pentax. They are more intuitive I think. I still carry often my Sekonic to get incident reading when I like it or want it for a reference. I never have a surprise with anything important with spot meter, when I check them. Measures far away too unlike incident meters if you're into landscapes.
MPB or KEH is the best way to get vintage lenses. I have a few manual focus lenses. I have a Kamlan 50mm f/1.1 that I learned how to get my manual focus right. I still mostly use my autofocus lenses when I need perfect shots.
Mine is an Exacta mount also but doesn't have the cocking lever. I didn't realise that the front ring could move in and out to lock the aperture until another RU-vidr mentioned it and what it was for! Mine also has a 'ding' in the front of the lens which was why I was able to buy it at a reasonable price. I have one of those screw clamp tools from eBay but it seems to be difficult to push it out. Is that what you used on yours? Would like to be able to use a lens hood as we do get sun here in Ireland. Occasionally.🤨 I use it on my a7rii and think its qualities would make a great portrait lens. Soft, but subtle.
@johndwilliams those screw expanding tools work, but you have to be careful not to go too far or to egg shape the front ring. Some dents can be hard to iron out.
I'm an addict for these manual lenses for some years now. Bought a Takumar 50mm f1.4 for £10 (12 dollars) which came with a 35mm Pentax film camera attached! Then there's my Zeiss Jena Biotar 58mm f2 that's plated brass from 1953. Important to remember that the depth of field scales aren't accurate when using an old lens with an adapter. Manual focus using focus peaking is so satisfying, especially if the focus plane is very shallow. Recently bought the TTArtisan 50mm f2 for my Sony a7rii as I wanted a compact lens for walking about. As long as you know the limitations you get great results. Impossible to get anything so small and light in a modern lens with auto focus.
The biggest, biggest problem with this camera is the dial problems. The copy i got have this problem. Apparently it is sooo widespread that a lot of people from different countries are talking about it at forums. Such a shame that this is the last ep camera besides the pen f to be made with metal.
@@dongummphotography honestly it is very frustrating, if this wouldn't happen i would be happy to use the ep5 until it explodes or whatever 😂 such a neat little camera, just hope om system release a pen series that is metal built, if possible weather sealed too
I've only recently started using m4/3 and quite getting into it. Got an OM-D EM-1 and pair of the Panasonic kit lenses, 14-45 and 45-150, with OIS, in case I pick up a Lumix body at some point. Also got an adapter from SRB-Griturn for EOS to m4/3, so that I can use some of the drawerfuls of classic glass I have. So far, it's working out well, the only thing I'm not a fan of is the small battery, but a battery grip goes some way to curing that, at the cost of losing the very thing that makes the system so nice - it's small size.
@macmij I haven't found a model on it, but it is part of their Digital Series. It is a small bag as you saw in the video. I found a similar one on Ebay for 10 dollars so they can be found used but the one I have is no longer made
I spent a few months in Italy and brought my OM 5 mark III with the 15-45 pro lens and an EP7 as backup with the kit pancake lens. The OM5 ended up staying in the bag and I took all the pics with the pen, and totally happy about it.
Whoa! How can you get a gazillion clicks on RU-vid without touting the latest most expensive gear with some controversy? Actually, by video like this, instead, I hope. I am just getting in to Micro 4/3 and this was the video I really needed to see - thanks! And subscribed - I really like the look of your photos, and am looking forward to learning to take awesome pics with my new Olympus when it arrives.
@FreedomToRoam86 thank you! I have greatly enjoyed Micro 4/3 cameras. They have performed great and have been a lot of fun. I hope you have great success with your new camera!
I refer to these as "Dumb" lenses, meaning they do not communicate with the camera. 16 out of my 40 lenses are Dumb lenses. I used to avoid them, but since moving to a mirrorless camera (Canon R7) I have found them not too bad to work with for subjects that I can take my time with (landscape, architecture, street, urban, some macro, portrait, still lifes). On my R7 I have a custom mode saved just for these lenses that automatically gives me Focus Peaking /Confirmation / magnification, manual exposure with auto ISO, IBS (I have to manually enter the lens focal length), and shows the actual image brightness). Whenever possible I prefer to get such lenses in the old 42mm screw mount so that I can easily and cheaply convert them to almost any other mount. Also, since the R7 is a crop sensor camera I like to get these lenses in the Full Frame EF mount so then I can adapt them to the R7's RF mount by using my SpeedBooster, standard, or drop-in filter adapter.
I have a new Canon RP camera body only. I do not find a menu setting for fire shutter without a lens. I have not had the dealer update the firmware yet which may include that. I do use manual lenses on my 3 DSLR's at times.
I had a person tell me one time that" they would not put any lens on there camera that wasn't made by there camera manifacturer" and I asked are you a Professional?. He said no. I think that a crazy way of thinking. You are right about what you are saying about vintage lenes and the 3rd party lens makers. They are producing some good stuff. Good Video.
I have 5 manual lenses from different manufacturers (Laowa, TTArtisan, 7Artisans, Pergear and Meike). They are all fun to use although not as sharp as my Olympus Pro lenses. They can certainly get good results for someone on a tight budget.
@brugj03 no question that vintage glass is often amazing, but the Chinese lenses are available in focal lengths and maximum apertures that vintage lenses aren't. They also have improved coatings and no worries about getting a lens that turns out to need repair or is optically deficient due to haze or fungus that often can't be removed. The Chinese lenses offer interesting and affordable options for a photographer on a budget looking for unique lens options. Everyone would love to be able to afford more expensive options like the Voigtlander lenses, but not everyone can.
I still photograph with a DSLR and I have been collecting Pentax Takumar M42 screw mount lenses I have a 35mm3.5, 50mm1.4 & a 135mm 3.5 the lenses came with original metal hoods and filters . I also collect the later Pentax M series manuel focus K mount lenses 28mm2.8 50mm 2.0 , 55mm2.8, 100mm2.8, 135mm 3.5 and 150mm 3.5 all great manuel focus lenses
With camera bags you have sort of the same problem as with clothes; when they wear out you can't buy your favourite bag because it's out of fashion and replaced with a more trendy model. I had an almost perfect (for me) Cullmann camera bag. It was very compact and very shallow so it was easy to carry. I was able to cram in about two bodies and four or five SLR lenses. The only downside was that I had to lay it flat on it's back to open in order to minimise the chance of the camera gear falling out.
Hi Thanks for the great video. I have this lens but have not used it yet. I also have the PK-13, PK12, PK11A which I have never used as of yet. They were given to me a few years ago. What I do not have is the camera adapter you mentioned. I am very new to this and was hoping you could share with me what camera adapter you would use with a Nikon D750 or D850? Thank you so much!
@ameliasphotography3406 I believe that the D750 and D850 both use a Nikon F mount that the 55mm Micro Nikkor will fit directly on without an adapter. They are both DSLR cameras, whereas the cameras I use are mirrorless cameras that would require an adapter.
@@dongummphotography Yes I believe you are correct. But If I want to use one of my other lens like my !00mm or a different one what camera adapter would I use? Thank you for responding also! Very kind of you :)
@ameliasphotography3406 If those other lenses are also Nikon F mount lenses like the 55mm Micro Nikkor, then no adapter would be needed. If they are another brand, they may not work on your Nikon DSLR.
You have inspired me to take out my exp1 again. The image stabiliser gave up the ghost some time ago but I guess that will make it look even more like a film camera! Cheers.
@terrynoon8467 my EP1 has fallen to the same fate. The sensor is still centered well enough for me to use it at this point but I may have to open it up and secure the sensor in a centered position if it moves.
I've got two F2s, an AS with a 55mm f1.2 lens and another (the one with the pyramid style finder, can't remember the designation) but I rarely use them now because of the weight. I'm 63 and have osteoarthritis so either one is very cumbersome to carry. For this reason I mostly use my Olympus OM2n cameras which are half the weight, perform most of the same functions and are easier to carry while using my walking stick. For strong, healthy people the F2 range is beyond legendary, virtually un-destroyable and silky smooth in use. Absolutely recommended.
@sputumtube I understand the weight issue, I am a couple years ahead of you. That is why I use some rangefinder cameras and the Olympus digital. Gotta love those F2s though.
Nice vid! I'll definitely try this one out. Also, there's a "pin hole" in your video. I noticed it around 2:05, when it was in the middle between your shirt buttons.
Sorry that you forgot to mention the autamatic aperture control unit which were available as AS-1, AS-11 and AS-12. I have got one and will tell you my experiences on it.
Great video! In 1975, I was 19 yrs old when I bought my first Nikon camera it was a black Nikon F2, and being a nature photographer, I got the 55mm f3.5 Micro Nikkor with it, although I wanted the 105mm 2.8 Micro Nikkor. I used my Nikon F2, for about 20 years until the light meter died. I now use the Nikon D850, arguably one of the best DSLR's ever made.
Great video, this lens brings back a lot of memories. In 1975 I bought my first Nikon, the camera was a sexy black Nikon F2, and being a nature photographer, I paired it with the 55mm f3.5 Micro Nikkor, only because I couldn't afford the 105mm 2.8 Micro Nikkor. At the time I had heard the 55mm f3.5 Micro Nikkor's optics of the lens were near-perfect, and it was one of the sharpest lenses on the market, and possibly ever made. I used it for about fifteen years until I traded it for a different lens, which I shortly after regretted. I got back into my macro photography, but now I am using a Nikon D850 and my dream lens, the Micro Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 D, and loving it.
Lovely lens ♥ looks similar if not slightly larger than my Jupiter 9 85mm f2 from early 60's in M39 mount. The Jupiter 9 and Helios 44-2 are my go to if i want that lovely vintage look they render so nicely
Fascinating to see the second beauty ring applied to get around the export issues and in-fighting between C.Z. Jena and Carl Zeiss in W.Germany. Makes the history of the lens come alive. Nice work 👍
Image quality is not the same as a quality image. An image can be technically perfect but lack impact. A boring shot is boring no matter what sensor size you have. If an image has a compelling subject, a sense of emotion and a strong story it doesn't matter if there's a bit of noise. Embrace the imperfections. There's too much bull about depth of field and noise surrounding micro four thirds. You don't see people pixel peeping galleries standing next to a picture saying the corners are soft and there's image noise. The compact size is enabling but it is a pity that Panasonic have produced almost full frame size bodies for their latest micro four thirds. That trend of big heavy micro four thirds really defeats the essence of what micro four thirds should be - lightweight, compact and fun.
I recently acquired this identical Zeiss Ikonta camera with a Tessar 105 mm 3,5 lens. Your video review was very helpful and well done. Surprisingly, when you introduced the second Zeiss I recognized I also have a similar model Contessa. I share your admiration of the quality and design of these cameras. The shutter on mine is stuck and there is no film size stamped on the pressure plate. I don't intend to take photos with it at this time. Thank you.
