Blackmagic Forum

I own a BM mini 4.6k PL mount camera.
My concerns in regards to these lenses are the lack of sharpness? Being to soft? And there slow speeds. 3.5. 2.8. etc etc.
Any experiences with using these Russian lens in a narrative film and or especially using them in low light?

Any opinions etc would be wonderful to hear about.

Thank you all.

D.[/quote]

I have the Mir-1b 37mm f2.8, Helios 44-2 58mm f2, Jupiter-9 85mm f2, and incoming is the Jupiter-37A 135mm f3.5.
It's hard to describe the sharpness of these lenses, in a way. I am usually stopping them down a stop or two anyway, to try to get some sharpness, but i'll post a video tomorrow of some footage i took using the Ursa Mini Pro and the Mir-1b. I shot it almost completely wide open, using NDs.[/quote]


Thank you Adam for your experience with these lenses, I'm looking forward to seeing the sample footage ( 4k Res hopefully)

D.

Here's some stills at various stops with the Mir-1b...

Mir-1b @ f2.8 by Adam Langdon, on Flickr

Mir-1b @ f4 by Adam Langdon, on Flickr

Mir-1b @ f3.5 by Adam Langdon, on Flickr

This is just a single LUT (Kodak film thingy) and sharpness set to .47. Wide open, this lens still looks great.

Adam, Yes it does, perfect for your young subject, where an oversharp lens would look too hard.
Cheers

[quote="Adam Langdon]

This is just a single LUT (Kodak film thingy) and sharpness set to .47. Wide open, this lens still looks great.[/quote]

Cheers Adam for the examples, Yes I think I can work with these lenses for my needs, the last debate will be......

Go Anamorphic or not?

Example:

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&sourc ... OD4xbU2nov

Any views or experiences in regards to Russian Anamorphics?

DorisLondon wrote:I own a BM mini 4.6k PL mount camera.
My concerns in regards to these lenses are the lack of sharpness? Being to soft? And there slow speeds. 3.5. 2.8. etc etc.
Any experiences with using these Russian lens in a narrative film and or especially using them in low light?

Any opinions etc would be wonderful to hear about.

Thank you all.

D.

Update!

I have decided to buy a set of PL mount lenses from " Ironglass adapters "
I should receive them in 3-5weeks.
I will write a review here on the forum on my experiences with theses vintage lenses so as to hopefully help others who may decide to go down the " Russian Vintage Prime lens" route.

D.

A local thrift store find and modification success, Vivitar Tokina 28mm f2.5. This is a late 70's or 80's model made by Tokina that is in excellent shape. It had a M42 mount and I successfully converted over to PL mount with some work involved, but fairly easy. I removed the M42 mount and also removed the Auto mechanism layer and its outside ring. I added a center cover that closes off the aperture and then I attached the PL mount with a thin layer of epoxy to the prepared metal to metal lens to adapter. The PL adapter is seated perfectly into the the lens with it's beveled bottom and it focuses to infinity. The images from this look great at f4, f5.6 and is a tad bit softer at 2.5, but is very usable wide open if need be.

Does ,any one know about the Carl Zeiss jenna 180mm lens f/2.8 pl Mount mc(multi coated) sonar lens for using on my black magic Ursa pl Mount camera ,the lens made in Germany,and unused,for 444 USD,is it be in par or less when compared with VP2,expect a early reply regards dr asok

If its in good shape, it's an impressive lens. But you know its from former East, do you?
Unfortunately, sample variation is massive on these (as is the lens).
There was a counterpart from Zeiss Oberkochen (west) in C/Y mount, which I own and love. Very good close focus for such a focal length.

I shall give you the serial number of the lens,and it is stated that it is the latest version with mc(multiple coating),

That's not the point, they had multicoating, even if not as good as T*.

But they didn't have very good QC, plus many of these lenses have been messed with by people who didn't know better. So, just make sure that you can return it if it's decentered, scratched or anything like that.

QC,what u mean by that?

QC= Quality control, meaning there's the possibility of large variation in quality between different lenses of this model.

Thanks,does. Any clue to find its made in good factory ???

There are some great lenses to be had for little money. I think the concern around sharpness comes largely from stills photography, and probably from days gone by. Most of us are shooting with cameras that capture plenty of detail and then delivering at 1080p. I find myself trying to get away from any obvious image 'sharpness' these days.

Not all Russian, but I have the Helios 44-2 (58mm), Jupiter 9 (85mm), Pentacon 135mm/2.8, Takumar 200mm/3.5 and 35mm/2.3. I also have two Tair 11a (135mm) which I loved, but both have knarled aperture blades. It looks like a design issue, so I would avoid and choose the Pentacon instead. I got a gigantic Tair 300mm bazooka, mainly for the comedy of attaching it to a BMPCC... All M42 mount.

There are lots of reviews on Pentax forums, although this has increased the price of the most popular lenses.

The preset lenses, with clickless apertures, make a good 'poor man's cine lens'. Make sure the filter thread isn't dented.

Also worth considering are converted Canon FD mount lenses. I have a 50mm/1.4 from a guy in Scotland calling himself The Lens Doctor. £150, beautiful, use it all the time.

Thanks,I already have helios 44(58 mm,f/2),which I brought from iron glass adaptor,which is good,any way i ordered for the German(?East) sonar 180 mm f/2.8 mc lens,it can be returned if any faults within14days,its a unused lens,the seller has100percentage rating,brought for444 USD

Asok Kumar wrote:Thanks,does. Any clue to find its made in good factory ???

Well, it was a pretty small country, they had only one factory. But the offer and conditions you describe sound good for me.
BTW, both versions (Zeiss East or West), are derived from the optical formula of the famous lens developed for the infamous Olympic Games in nazi Germany.

Thanks

Thanks,one more doubt,all these vintage German still lens produce beautiful images that is nice for still photography,but my doubts is what would be the result when using on movie camera like red,Alexa,Ursa,for shooting feature film on these vintage still lens,please comment on this sir

Well, no still lens is really perfect for movies if you compare their features. But vintage lenses, well, anything before we got fly-by-wire, are much better than modern still lenses.

True movie lenses have less breathing, more focus throw, identical positions for focus gear and front diameters (in one line or brand), perfect centering and parfocality, if zooms. Because of that (and smaller numbers) true movie lenses are far more expensive.

Finally, you'll need a pretty good tripod for that lens…

THANKS,what about Russian lomo 37-140 f/4 lens,was it used for shooting feature film?is it a cine lens?how is it picture quality?any site to buy it,price?please give me ur valuable opinion,regards asok in

???

Seems, the LOMO FOTON zoom lens F 37-140 mm, f4 Lens was a Russian professional 35 mm movie camera Konvas, and came with the OCT-18 mount. So I would assume, it would be a safe bet it was used in the Russian and East Europe Cinema industry.
Cheers

THANKS,I'm interested in buying the Russian lomo 37-140 mm f/3.5 lens,with excellent optics and mechanical performance,any having it to sell it,please reply,my email asok20Kumar@gmail.com

I use a Russian mirror lens (Matsukov design).
The MTO 1000AM (1100mm f/10.5). It comes also with a 2x converter so I can have 2200mm f/21

I quickly tested it with my micro cinema camera

1100mm f/10.5


I also tried to shoot the moon in 2200mm f/21 but I had a mix of microshaking movements, atmospheric distortion, and noise.


It's hard to focus and point on this lens. Each micro movement is severely amplified. But I'm sure that once it is mastered, it can achieve some incredible results.

DorisLondon wrote:

Thomas Koveleskie wrote:

Stephen Press wrote:I have 3 vintage Russians from Ironglass Adapters. I'm very happy with them. They give a lovely image.
http://ironglassadapters.com/shop/

Ironglass Adapters are really great to deal with if you are looking for M42 PL adapters and Russian lenses. I've bought several items from them and they are super with responses and customer service. They accidentally shipped me the wrong adapter and they immediately sent me the correct adapter along with two more adapters free; and they paid the shipping from Ukraine to the US. Highly recommended. Anyone venturing into obtaining Russian PL mount lenses these are the guys to start with.

Great insight gentlemen.
I own a BM mini 4.6k PL mount camera.
Due to my low budget and creative needs I'm seriously considering a set of Russian PL primes from IronGlass or a similar supplier?
My concerns in regards to these lenses are the lack of sharpness? Being to soft? And there slow speeds. 3.5. 2.8. etc etc.
Any experiences with using these Russian lens in a narrative film and or especially using them in low light?

Any opinions etc would be wonderful to hear about.

Thank you all.

D.

I get my kit of Russian lens from Ironglassadapters.com on Monday. I will test and get back to you on here.

Yes, please tell us and add some stills!

@Theodore: You may need a tripod made of armed concrete to keep that one quiet!
I have used a 500mm Rokkor mirror lens (great glass!) on a tripod and head rated for 20+ kilograms and hardly dared to breathe close to the camera

I brought helios 44 58 mm f/2 lens from iron glass adapters,they r very prompt company,buetifully made,marvelous result,i always recoment to buy from iron glass adaptors,asok

Does any one knows about on lomo oct -1 150mm f/2.8 cine pl lens? How is it optical quality when compared to carl zeiss jenna 180 mm f/2.8 lens? Lomo cost 945 usd in ebay,pls reply,asok

???

Lomo OKS1-150-1 Cine lens

Basic technical data
Focal length, mm - 150.09
The relative aperture is 1: 2.8
Angular field of view, gr - 10
Working distance, mm - 101,85
Front focal length, mm - 184.05
Rear focal length, mm - 88.15
Light transmittance - 0.72
Resolution, l / mm
in the center - 47
at the edge of the field - 34
Number of lenses - 4 (lens)
The light diameter of the last surface, mm - 29.7

Constructive elements
The largest diameter of the frame, mm - 80
Length of the frame with lids, mm - 106
Connecting thread - СпМ 56х0,75
Planting dimensions for attachments:
smooth (diameter), mm - 73
Weight, g - 620







ps without Pl mount (original m42) should cost much less (intermal market)

Thanks,how is its picture quality when compared to carl zeiss jenna 180 mm f/2.8,regards asok

Hi Asok,
I wouldn't expect it to be as good as a uncompromised sample of the 180mm f2.8 (BTW, it's Jena, name of a city).

I've never tested this Lomo, but quite a few others. They are all a bit soft WO and have pretty strong flaring (which can be desired, depending on style). Anyway, a whole bunch of great classic movies have been shot with these.

The 180mm Sonnar was developed for the 1936 Olympics and can be seen in all tele shots in Nazi propaganda with sports like the films from Leni Riefenstahl (her work at the time, she is a great photographer and didn't only shoot Nazi films). The basic Sonnar design never changed much after the war, only the coatings got better.

There is a Western counterpart, the Zeiss Contax 180mm f2.8, which I love dearly. Still not too expensive, you can find it well under 300,- € from Germany or Japan. Perfect mechanics and a very short close focus for a tele that long. Only disadvantage: it's a bit heavy.

Asok Kumar wrote:Thanks,how is its picture quality when compared to carl zeiss jenna 180 mm f/2.8,regards asok

What I know this lens is anastigmat type according to tech.data Zeiss (I think) should be Sonnar(? not sure). This lens should have good cinematic look image (no modern video clinical sharpness). l/mm data calculated according to USSR GOST standard (mesured on 100ed film in standart developer). Real on sensor sharpness should be (let say) sufficient. I use a lot of oks fixed pro cine lenses from 60-70th from 16mm film cameras on my bmpcc with the same tech data. Simply - good.
(Ones tested Zeiss VarioSonnar 10-100mm T3 from 70th at "Illumina" (cine lens) factory here in Petersburg. And it gives arround 120l/mm corner opened at T3 (direct resolution target) (modern Illumina S16 10-100mm zoom data has arround 130-140l/mm corner)

Sonnar type is a litle bit different lens. Great out of focus image, excellent sharpness. Both lenses will have good cinematic vintage look.

Yes, both the Zeiss' are Sonnar.
The OP was asking to use them on his 4K camera. He might be a bit disappointed by a 16mm lens made for film, while I like those on my BMPCC, which has only HD. An then, most 16mm lenses will not cover S-35 at all.

Uli Plank wrote:Yes, both the Zeiss' are Sonnar.
The OP was asking to use them on his 4K camera. He might be a bit disappointed by a 16mm lens made for film, while I like those on my BMPCC, which has only HD. An then, most 16mm lenses will not cover S-35 at all.

OKS1-150-1 is for S35 format (what I know it will cover up to middle format on still camera). I comment on resolution data only to understand what it is really mean according to local standart of 60-70th. That it is a supperposition of lens and standart film only (significant for use film as media). The same situation is for data of 16mm line of pro cine lenses I use on bmpcc.

ps What i see in my computer, let say, that 16mm Zeiss Variosonnar T3 will cover 4K standart.

Thanks for the clarification.

Here's a pair of stills using an Ursa Mini Pro w/ Helios 44-2 58mm

bride&father1 by Adam Langdon, on Flickr

Bride2 by Adam Langdon, on Flickr

It's crazy how close i can get the 4.6K sensor into Arri Alexa territory.

This is a very interesting thread.

Has anybody tried an Iron Glass modified with "anamorphic flare" and "orange painting"?

OK, I just ordered a set of six non-anamorphic PL lenses from IronGlassAdaptors. Will report back when I receive them.

I will order anamorphic adaptor from iron glass adaptor for my lomo 37-140 t/ 4.4 lens,asok

Adam what strength ND’s did you use on those shots for both indoor and outdoor? Thanks

Stephen Press wrote:2 x Russian vintage lenses. 58mm and a 37mm from Ironglass adapters.
4 x redheads, 2 x soft lights, a smoke machine and crazy "vintage" LUT (original footage a lot cleaner)... flare intentional

Fantastic - thanks for sharing. Love the music too!

Donnell Henry wrote:Adam what strength ND’s did you use on those shots for both indoor and outdoor? Thanks

i believe it was ND2

Thank you Adam so it was a 0.6ND from the internal mini pro ND. I just ordered the same lenses you have, based of your still shots which looks amazing. I'm shooting my next short film with them. I just ordered the “anamorfake” mod from Ironglass. The mir 37mm and the Helios 58mm. One more question, can you remember what ISO you used. Was it 400or 800? I bought 2 Hoya IRND Solas 0.9nd filters. They're 1 stop darker than what you used. I'm not using the Nd's in my pro because I have the 4.6k mini as well and I want to keep the Nd's consistent. So I'm trying to figure out if setting both lens at F2.8 using the 0.9ND'S would give me something similar to your photo still shot at setting F4 at an ISO of 800

Here’s a new video from ironglass adapters. Set it to 720p if watching on phone or iPad

https://m.youtube.com/watch?bx_sender_c ... edium=mail

Thanks Done, what is your valuable opinion on using Russian Lomo 37-142 mm T/4.4 PL mount lens for shooting feature film though it's a vintage lens made during 80s,do you know any movies shot on this lens, please tell me it's pross and cons , regards Ashok

Donnell hentry,ur valuable opinion,asok

Hi asok. I just ordered the mir-1b 37mm and Helios 58mm the anamorphic mod versions. I will be shooting a film with these next month when they arrive. I’ll post what I think along with some screen shots sometime in December after I finish the project. I haven’t used the lomo’s yet ..so I don’t have an opinion as yet.

Thanks,u r shooting feature film on those lens ( mir and Helios),ok please send me some shots on that lens after completing ur shooting, regards Ashok

Yes I will be shooting a feature on those lenses. I will definitely post the pics here.