$50 lens .. 'Instamatic' movies.. at DVinfo.net

Jim Cancil · February 22nd, 2010, 08:42 AM

I half did not believe that some 15-20yr old, manual lens would be worth the time to mount...

Since I already had a Pentax-M 28 and 135mm lens' left over from about decade ago I got a 50mm 1.2 off Ebay for $50 ..and $12 mount that will fit all - if this actually worked, $62 was no hardship..

I say 'Instamatic' because I simply walked out on the porch and attempted to follow a young cat/s that conscripted my wife to cook for them. I walked back in - stuck the card in a reader and ran it thru iMovie '09 with no 'production' other than shortening it to 59mb just to see the result.

I perhaps impress too easily, but the minute the weather and my schedule breaks a bit, I will do a simple same/same comparison on a tripod with my 24-105L, but this $50 seems well spent. (ND on the way..)

59mb test .mov file: http://wetstuff.com/movie/7D_pentax50mm_test1.mov

Jim

Bill Pryor · February 22nd, 2010, 06:25 PM

My 35mm Nikkor lens was purchased in about 1973, and it's the sharpest lens I have. Most any decent prime lens is going to be better than most any zoom. Nice thing about the old Nikkors is that they have a longer focus throw for finer focusing than some of the newer lenses. Some of the old Pentax Takumar lenses are supposed to be quite sharp. If the lens was good when you bought it, age shouldn't be much of a factor.

Kin Lau · February 22nd, 2010, 07:47 PM

I have many many old MF lenses, and many are very good, but you do have to be aware of the limitations. Flare is a possible problem due to older coatings, dust and old lubricant vapors. Unfortunately, the wider and longer lenses aren't as good or even as available as the modern equiv's.

February 22nd, 2010, 08:42 AM	#1
Jim Cancil Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Salisbury Maryland Posts: 161	$50 lens .. 'Instamatic' movies.. I half did not believe that some 15-20yr old, manual lens would be worth the time to mount... Since I already had a Pentax-M 28 and 135mm lens' left over from about decade ago I got a 50mm 1.2 off Ebay for $50 ..and $12 mount that will fit all - if this actually worked, $62 was no hardship.. I say 'Instamatic' because I simply walked out on the porch and attempted to follow a young cat/s that conscripted my wife to cook for them. I walked back in - stuck the card in a reader and ran it thru iMovie '09 with no 'production' other than shortening it to 59mb just to see the result. I perhaps impress too easily, but the minute the weather and my schedule breaks a bit, I will do a simple same/same comparison on a tripod with my 24-105L, but this $50 seems well spent. (ND on the way..) 59mb test .mov file: http://wetstuff.com/movie/7D_pentax50mm_test1.mov Jim

February 22nd, 2010, 06:25 PM	#2
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	My 35mm Nikkor lens was purchased in about 1973, and it's the sharpest lens I have. Most any decent prime lens is going to be better than most any zoom. Nice thing about the old Nikkors is that they have a longer focus throw for finer focusing than some of the newer lenses. Some of the old Pentax Takumar lenses are supposed to be quite sharp. If the lens was good when you bought it, age shouldn't be much of a factor.

February 22nd, 2010, 07:47 PM	#3
Kin Lau Major Player Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ottawa, ON Posts: 385	I have many many old MF lenses, and many are very good, but you do have to be aware of the limitations. Flare is a possible problem due to older coatings, dust and old lubricant vapors. Unfortunately, the wider and longer lenses aren't as good or even as available as the modern equiv's.