Carl Zeiss Jena 80mm Vintage Lens - Worth it on Fuji GFX? 

Bokina

Thank you for the comment. The bokeh is really nice, and the lens is a great example of that "medium format look" we talk about and enjoy. As for the 120 mm, is it a very nice lens as well.

Thank you for the comment. I really like using these vintage lenses on the GFX. It's a great way to get a look that is just a little different from the GF lenses. It's fun to experiment.

Nice! Hasselblad is nice glass and that 110 is superb. Enjoy that adventure!

Thank you. Glad you found it inspirational.

@@marshalljvanderhoofphoto 🙌

Thank you for the comment! The Mamiya lenses are amazing. I don't have access to any currently but I used them shooting film in the past. Your experience with the Helios 44 is super interesting. They are such unique lenses. I have a Sony EF mount art lens, I'll have to give it a try on the GFX. Thank you.

@@marshalljvanderhoofphoto Hi! After purchasing the Canon R5C, I started experimenting with vintage lenses when shooting stills and video. At first the Helios 44 did not impress me. There was something clearly wrong in the color reproduction, some kind of shroud, the swirling bokeh was puzzling. Then I saw that using a HOYA polarizing light filter partially removes these problems, the contrast becomes good, but at the same time the picture is much softer than with Canon lenses. Thus, I have been shooting a lot of natural wonders lately, mostly plants. The first time I saw the Helios 44 dismissing around with colours was when I photographed my car. Instead of black metallic, the photo was something dark purple. There is indeed such a tint in the paint if you shine a stadium spotlight on it) (black sapphire on Opel). When I use CPL filter, the paint in the photo becomes quite black, shadows and colors of the Helios 44 are quite faithful.

@@Male_Code Thank you for the information!

Thank you for the comment and kind words. There were only a few focal lengths in the Jena Pentacon 6 mount. A 50mm, 65mm, 80mm, 120mm, 180, 300mm and a very rare 1000mm. The 65mm is a little rare because it was not produced as long as the other lenses. I have not personally used the 50mm or 65mm or the 1000mm, but have the others. The 300mm is a great lens, but it is heavy and I mean heavy. There is also a whole world of other lenses that were made for the Pentacon 6 mount as well that aren't CZ. Pentacon, Zeiv, Arax, Jupiter, and Meyer-Optik Görlitz to name a few. I've used a few of the Pentacon lenses with mixed results, but they are generally very affordable and fun to experiment with. For 35mm lenses, some cover the GFX sensor and some don't. I tend to stay away from using 35mm lenses on the GFX sensor, but I have experimented there, but only with lenses that I have. I've never gone out specifically to buy a vintage 35mm format lens for the Fuji. Some of my favorites have actually been to use Canon EF lenses adapted, but again some cover the image circle and some don't. Sounds like the making of a future video. Enjoy the 120mm lens, I really enjoy my copy. Hope this answers your questions.

Thank you for the tip. I have looked at that lens in the past, but never had the chance to shoot images with it. Sounds like I will have to try it.

@@marshalljvanderhoofphoto it's a beast! Also both of those lenses can be tilted/swung/shifted on your GFX since they cover a much bigger image circle. a DIY flexible adapter could be an interesting experience opening a world of strange subject separation :)

@@KNURKonesur You are correct that the image circle on the lenses is much larger and they cover the sensor and then some. A DIY Tilt/Shift adapter could be amazing.

Thank you for the kind words! I have not used the Contax Carl Zeiss Planar T* 85mm f/1.4 on the GFX camera, but it is a legendary lens. i have seen images with this lens on the GFX system and they are absolutely amazing shallow depth of field personality images. You have given me a reason to find an 85 and shoot some images with it.

Thank you for the question. I use the Kipon adapter. It seats well and seems very well constructed.

Thank you for the kind words. I use a Kipon adapter, but there are a few companies that make adapters for this mount.

@@marshalljvanderhoofphoto Thank you so much for the information. Your review has helped convince me of the merits of both the camera and the vintage lenses, of which I have many, especially from the CZ Jena and Carl Zeiss Oberkochen range for Hasselblad. Since the Fuji has a focal plane shutter, I could use these vintage lenses on the camera without having to resort to the electronic shutter I'd be forced to use on a similar Hasselblad. Great review, Marshall, and thanks again!

@@Xingqiwu387 The focal plane shutter on the Fuji was one of my big determining factors to purchase the GFX camera over the Hasselblad. I do really like the Hasselbad but the flexibility to use the vintage lenses easily mad the Fuji more appealing.

@@marshalljvanderhoofphoto I'm now completely on board with your final decision. The Fuji it is for me as well :)

Thank you for the comment and constructive criticism.