Blackmagic Forum

Hi all,

I would like to start a list of the Most Wanted vintage lenses which can be used with our BMCC EF.
I know that some lenses have specials bokeh or sharp image quality and fast aperture too so this could be nice to reference them here, sometime they are available on the web for decent price. Its a good alternative to the popular and expensive prime lenses or cine lenses.

Thx for any contribution,

Mapas

I cannot recommend the Nikon 28mm ais 2.8 lens enough. It focuses to 4" in front of the lens and is very sharp corner to corner with practically no distortion. Just put a Nikon to EF adapter on it and you're good to go.

I have a 58mm Helios and the Helios 85mm f/1.5" bokeh monster". Of course, in order to take full advantage of the swirling bokeh, the bigger the sensor the better.

I also own the 135mm f/3.5 Helios (terrible coating) but interesting as an "effect" lens, the super sharp Pentax 50mm f/1.2 and a very interesting 300mm f/4 Pentacon.
I have them in M42 and PK bayonet mounts adapted to EF.

All these lenses are very cheap for what they do but you must be aware of their limitations.
I mainly use my Zeiss ZF 25mm f/2 and my Zeiss ZF 85mm f/1.5 for best sharpness, coating and perfectly damp focus and aperture rings.

That nikon is like a $500 lens, is that really vintage?


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João Gomes wrote:I have a 58mm Helios and the Helios 85mm f/1.5" bokeh monster". Of course, in order to take full advantage of the swirling bokeh, the bigger the sensor the better.

I also own the 135mm f/3.5 Helios (terrible coating) but interesting as an "effect" lens, the super sharp Pentax 50mm f/1.2 and a very interesting 300mm f/4 Pentacon.
I have them in M42 and PK bayonet mounts adapted to EF.

All these lenses are very cheap for what they do but you must be aware of their limitations.
I mainly use my Zeiss ZF 25mm f/2 and my Zeiss ZF 85mm f/1.5 for best sharpness, coating and perfectly damp focus and aperture rings.

Thankx Joao,

Great short list of nice lenses, of course the Helios have some very nice bokeh. Do you have some DNG or example to share ? The sensor size give you a beautiful bokeh on the BMCC ?
I agree that the Zeiss ZF serie is a nice set for the BMCC, more expensive than many vintage glasses but "its zeiss" and for decent price.

For me the mineral glass make the difference.

Mapas Depique wrote:

João Gomes wrote:I have a 58mm Helios and the Helios 85mm f/1.5" bokeh monster". Of course, in order to take full advantage of the swirling bokeh, the bigger the sensor the better.

I also own the 135mm f/3.5 Helios (terrible coating) but interesting as an "effect" lens, the super sharp Pentax 50mm f/1.2 and a very interesting 300mm f/4 Pentacon.
I have them in M42 and PK bayonet mounts adapted to EF.

All these lenses are very cheap for what they do but you must be aware of their limitations.
I mainly use my Zeiss ZF 25mm f/2 and my Zeiss ZF 85mm f/1.5 for best sharpness, coating and perfectly damp focus and aperture rings.

Thankx Joao,

Great short list of nice lenses, of course the Helios have some very nice bokeh. Do you have some DNG or example to share ? The sensor size give you a beautiful bokeh on the BMCC ?
I agree that the Zeiss ZF serie is a nice set for the BMCC, more expensive than many vintage glasses but "its zeiss" and for decent price.

For me the mineral glass make the difference.

I actually don't have any example of those lenses on my BMCC because i changed to the MFT version and only use my Zeiss lenses with the speedbooster. It's a shame but i´m holding on to them for my 7D and maybe get a chance to use them in a future S35 Ef camera...

Actually, i found these screengrabs from the Helios 85mm f/1.5 on my BMCC EF.
The footage is not very clean because it a blown up screen grab. Anyway, not much "swirling" going on...


https://www.dropbox.com/sc/b7n0r6779zh7o8d/is5KwyjkuY
https://www.dropbox.com/sc/mpfl4hm08g8eibg/2XUx7BpCsC

https://www.dropbox.com/sc/k3hld5ce0hv1kdq/BY8govrxo8
https://www.dropbox.com/sc/iekgu51vsbqvwig/HYjcAaK5H5

João Gomes wrote:Actually, i found these screengrabs from the Helios 85mm f/1.5 on my BMCC EF.
The footage is not very clean because it a blown up screen grab. Anyway, not much "swirling" going on...


https://www.dropbox.com/sc/b7n0r6779zh7o8d/is5KwyjkuY
https://www.dropbox.com/sc/mpfl4hm08g8eibg/2XUx7BpCsC

https://www.dropbox.com/sc/k3hld5ce0hv1kdq/BY8govrxo8
https://www.dropbox.com/sc/iekgu51vsbqvwig/HYjcAaK5H5

Thx, the bokeh seems to be affected by the sensor size, good to know that !

I'm currently using a set of Vintage Nikkors (except for a Sigma XQ 18mm f3.2 because finding a 18mm nikkor in good condition is pretty rare).

If they are in good condition (Focus is smooth, no oil on aperture blades, aperture is smooth, no scratches, no fungus on the elements) the image they provide is excellent, and make for a great start to a lens kit (since Nikon has kept essentially the same mount since the 60s) since down the line they can be mounted to most anything with the right adapter/mount change since they are fully mechanical & were made for 35mm film.

On the overall I'd avoid the Canon FD lenses (great glass but mounting them for infinity focus can be difficult).

My Current Kit:
18mm Sigma XQ f3.2 (also sold as "Spiratone")
24mm Nikkor N.C. f2.8
28mm Nikkor H. f3.5
35mm Nikkor S. f2.8
50mm Nikkor S. f1.4

You can check this link for the vintage nikkors to see some of the differences between them/years made:
[url]
http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/serialno.html[/url]

My Personal favorites of these are the 18mm, 28mm, and 50mm (especially the 50mm with a speedbooster, F0.8 is quite cool to shoot at - just a bit slower than Kubricks NASA lenses ).

You can get most of these for next to nothing on Ebay, I paid about $450 for all 5 (the 18mm was the most expensive of them at $150, in scale though a Nikon branded 18mm f3.5 is at $450-$600 buyout right now), with the 28mm (still in its original box, with a Hoya UV filter & caps included) was only $50.

I've also seen good things come out of some of the soviet lenses out there but haven't been able to try any of them out.

That being said, I love my lenses.

I also love my vintage glass but i'm completely sold on my BMCC mft + Speedbooster + Zeiss zf combo.
I plan to buy the 50mm f/2 makro further down the year.

It's a shame that Zeiss doesn´t have something like a 18mm f/1.8 instead of the 15mm f/2.8 (like the Sigma) i would be all over that!

The Nikon 28mm AIS 2.8 is a 33 year old lens design. Not an antique, but definitely vintage. It is so successful that the same lens design that was made in 1981 is still being made today and selling new at B&H for $500. You can usually find them on eBay between $200-$300.

Does anybody have experience with JUPITER Lenses like the Jupiter9, 11A or 21M ?

I've heard good things about the Jupiter Lenses, haven't tried them myself though.

I think the Jupiter 11 is a Zeiss Sonnar design.

I'd like to get my hands on a 13mm f1.5 Elgeet first though.

zombies8mypi wrote:I'm currently using a set of Vintage Nikkors (except for a Sigma XQ 18mm f3.2 because finding a 18mm nikkor in good condition is pretty rare).

If they are in good condition (Focus is smooth, no oil on aperture blades, aperture is smooth, no scratches, no fungus on the elements) the image they provide is excellent, and make for a great start to a lens kit (since Nikon has kept essentially the same mount since the 60s) since down the line they can be mounted to most anything with the right adapter/mount change since they are fully mechanical & were made for 35mm film.

On the overall I'd avoid the Canon FD lenses (great glass but mounting them for infinity focus can be difficult).

My Current Kit:
18mm Sigma XQ f3.2 (also sold as "Spiratone")
24mm Nikkor N.C. f2.8
28mm Nikkor H. f3.5
35mm Nikkor S. f2.8
50mm Nikkor S. f1.4

You can check this link for the vintage nikkors to see some of the differences between them/years made:
[url]
http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/serialno.html[/url]

My Personal favorites of these are the 18mm, 28mm, and 50mm (especially the 50mm with a speedbooster, F0.8 is quite cool to shoot at - just a bit slower than Kubricks NASA lenses ).

You can get most of these for next to nothing on Ebay, I paid about $450 for all 5 (the 18mm was the most expensive of them at $150, in scale though a Nikon branded 18mm f3.5 is at $450-$600 buyout right now), with the 28mm (still in its original box, with a Hoya UV filter & caps included) was only $50.

I've also seen good things come out of some of the soviet lenses out there but haven't been able to try any of them out.

That being said, I love my lenses.

I have been putting together an almost identical set of lenses for my BMCC. I just got a STEAL on the 50mm for $38.00 on Ebay. The 20mm Nikkor was my most expensive as I purchased it from B&H. I use this instead of the 18mm Sigma you are talking about here. I got the 28mm on ebay for $60 including shipping.

I am thinking about the 10mm or 12mm that Rokinon just announced as being my "extreme" wide.

I have found that as much as I want to spend my life savings on lenses, I will be able to eventually upgrade to the URSA or something of that nature with minimal investment loss.

I have to credit you for this as this post really opened me up to the vintage nikkor look.

I bought today the Helios 85mm 1.5 with EF Mount straight from a store in Russia...

First time I read about that lens was on this post and I loved how it feels. I cant wait to put my hands on it

Jonny G. wrote:I bought today the Helios 85mm 1.5 with EF Mount straight from a store in Russia...

First time I read about that lens was on this post and I loved how it feels. I cant wait to put my hands on it

Good to hear that ! Don't forget when you will have time to put some Dng's here to show us how its look

Jonny G. wrote:I bought today the Helios 85mm 1.5 with EF Mount straight from a store in Russia...

First time I read about that lens was on this post and I loved how it feels. I cant wait to put my hands on it

You will love it, especially if you get a full frame SLR!

Just found a frame grab from a video shot on my 7D:

In reference to the Helios lens can they be used on the EF mount using an m/42 adapter?

pringleman wrote:In reference to the Helios lens can they be used on the EF mount using an m/42 adapter?

Yes, that's how i use mine although i had to open the lens to remove the screw that was blocking the end stop of the focus ring so it would turn 2 millimeters more to achieve infinity focus.

Ok thanks, so I guess the question is now what lenses cannot be used with their respective adapter on a EF camera. I was under the impression that for the most part not many lens except native EF could be used.

pringleman wrote:Ok thanks, so I guess the question is now what lenses cannot be used with their respective adapter on a EF camera. I was under the impression that for the most part not many lens except native EF could be used.

You can use non-EF lenses on the EF mount with an adapter, however the major limitation is whether or not the lens covers the sensor or will focus to infinity. However no other lenses will the use EF Mount's electronic controls.

I have m42, pk and zf lenses adapted to my Canon 7D and they all work perfectly.

My Helios arrived today....what a beauty!

You gotta love the solid body of this lens. I quickly mounted the lens on my BMCC it looks really nice but I want to run a test shot at night to fully enjoy the f1.5!

I also have a Canon 80-200mm f2.8 "Magic Drainpipe" which is really beautiful....I found a bargain for 300£ in mint condition I couldnt let it go....dont know if it can be considered vintage I believe is from 95?
Anyone tryied it? Really good construction, smooth focus/zoom and lovely depth of field!

I have a couple of Nikon lenses I'm selling if you're interested. I'll throw in a Nikon F to Canon EF adapter and Canon back cap for each lens.

Here is what I have for sale:

Nikon 20mm AI F3.5 = $125 + free shipping within the US.
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/2035.htm

Nikon 28mm F2.8 E Series = $100 + free shipping within the US.
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/emfgfg20/eserieslenses/htmls/283550mm.htm

Or $200 for both + free shipping within the US.

PayPal only

Still frame grab from BMCC using a Super Takumar 50mm with EOS adapter.

http://www.ebay.com/bhp/super-takumar-50mm

Just spent some time today with my BMCC 2.5k and my Helios 85mm f/1.5 here's a couple of still from my Raw footage. I havent touched the image with nothing, this is how it comes straight off the camera.

Beautiful lens, I just ordered the 58mm version...

Those are stills from my Canon 80-200mm f/2.8 Magic Drainpipe

ORAS wrote:

Dear lord, I think you just sold me this lens! how old is the Helios? the silver one?

also, what fps/shutter speed did you use? it looks cinematic, yet sharp.

ThunderShepherd wrote:

ORAS wrote:

Dear lord, I think you just sold me this lens! how old is the Helios? the silver one?

also, what fps/shutter speed did you use? it looks cinematic, yet sharp.

The One I Used in this video was one of the early ones I've got for a while, my first Helios 44m 58mm, I think it was from the 70's (The Black One), But I also have a very older Silver Copy (From the late 50's) that has a very strong blue coating and lovely 13 iris blades, Its even sharper than the one I've shot this with.

Frame rate was 23.976, Shutter 180°

Graded in Sony Vegas

The video looks really nice Im looking forward to get my lens.

I saw the silver 58mm but for whatever reason I bought the black one...is there any major differences between the 2?
I paid 20£ for the lens btw...the hell of a bargain!

ORAS wrote:

ThunderShepherd wrote:

ORAS wrote:

Dear lord, I think you just sold me this lens! how old is the Helios? the silver one?

also, what fps/shutter speed did you use? it looks cinematic, yet sharp.

The One I Used in this video was one of the early ones I've got for a while, my first Helios 44m 58mm, I think it was from the 70's (The Black One), But I also have a very older Silver Copy (From the late 50's) that has a very strong blue coating and lovely 13 iris blades, Its even sharper than the one I've shot this with.

Frame rate was 23.976, Shutter 180°

Graded in Sony Vegas

are you using a speedbooster?

Little test with my lenses on a gloomy day

ThunderShepherd wrote:
are you using a speedbooster?

No At All, straight from lens to the cropped sensor

Jonny G. wrote:Little test with my lenses on a gloomy day

The Helios shots are winning for me, Specially @0:26

Jonny G. wrote:is there any major differences between the 2?

Way Different flare characteristics & the silver to tend to have a warmer color rendition, sharper, also the bokeh is the best of all, the silver one I have (Helios 44) has 13 Iris blades, very rare one to find, unlike the Black Helios 44m with 8 blades

ORAS, know anywhere I can get some good m42 and m39 to EF adapters?

Any advice on some vintage wide lenses?

I saw online the Kern Switar 16mm f/1.8 and also 10mm f/1.6 but I was wondering if there is any alternatives....

The Kern doesn't cover at 10mm, but the larger of the two Schneider 10mm (55mm front thread) does.

The Zeiss Jena Tevidons cover too in 10mm, but need some machining of the mount.

But all of these can only be used on MFT, no C-Mount lens will ever fit EF (neither do M39).

Jonny G. wrote:Any advice on some vintage wide lenses?

I saw online the Kern Switar 16mm f/1.8 and also 10mm f/1.6 but I was wondering if there is any alternatives....

The Spiratone/Sigma 18mm I have is quite good. Wide lenses may not be fast, but they and quite nice.

I use these:

Nikon 28mm f/2.8 AI-S
Nikon 50mm f/1.2 AI-S
Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S

Beautiful design and incredible build quality. A pleasure to use.

Hi there! I've made a "quick" test with this pretty Super-Takumar 1:35/35 1962 version (I guess). Love the cinematographic look that gives this vintage lens, nice and sharp even at infinity focus, works good enough. This is my first post and I'm not allowed to post urls yet. But googleit like "BMCC EF and Super-Takumar 1:3.5/35 - Sunday Suntime"

Hi there! Anyone has tried with the pentacon prakticar 28mm f2.8 ? I Can't find anything with the BMCC EF