* GET THE LENSE HERE - geni.us/ABTKYA * * OR HERE - bit.ly/480PZKl * [PLUS REQUIRED ADAPTER] SONY - geni.us/pYS5 FUJI X - geni.us/0swUx49 CAON RF - geni.us/If8J9 CANON EF-M - geni.us/yVXPWX L MOUNT - geni.us/nl2W NIKON Z - geni.us/JowZxc FUJI GFX - geni.us/1f3oB9
Thanks for sharing! I wanted to learn photography. So I got a used Sony A7s2. Then lens I got with it was damaged. I thought buying a zoom lens would help me practice diversely with different focal lengths. The thing is I don't keep my camera with me. I should have got a fixed focal length lens (which would have also been smaller) and a smaller camera so that I can keep this handy with me always. I need to practice more and more. The setup I have currently I just don't carry with me. Keeping in mind I want to click pictures in low light during evening and night after office, please share some suggestions for a body and lens to have with me everyday.
Thanks for sharing! I wanted to learn photography. So I got a used Sony A7s2. Then lens I got with it was damaged. I thought buying a zoom lens would help me practice diversely with different focal lengths. The thing is I don't keep my camera with me. I should have got a fixed focal length lens (which would have also been smaller) and a smaller camera so that I can keep this handy with me always. I need to practice more and more. The setup I have currently I just don't carry with me. Keeping in mind I want to click pictures in low light during evening and night after office, please share some suggestions for a body and lens to have with me everyday.
The MS-Optics Apoqualia is the original which is much lighter and is even faster at f/2.0. This lens has been around for many years and has gone through revisions already. It also has the same field curvature effect and the screw-in cap. The newest Apoqualia v3 has a f/1.7 opening. I do not own the said lenses because I can't use them on Bessa cameras. The ultimate M-mount bodycap lens is the Hipolion 19mm f/2.8 which is inspired by the Zeiss Hologon but with a soft-focus feature anywhere below f/8.0. This is definitely a different lens which has its design language pulled from MS-Optics but its an interesting effort nonetheless.
I have an Industar 50-2 for my Minolta X-500, and it’s the one travel lens I use for black and white street photography and some portraits too. 28mm is my go-to for landscape photography. I’m really intrigued by the Brighten Star.
It's a really neat lens. The field curvature could be an issue for landscape, but might also provide a "look" that could work, depending on the shot. I like the idea of 2 or 3 small lenses, that could fit in one pock, and do most everything. I just ordered one of the 50-2's and an adapter.
I have 50-2 Industar, but basically never use it. Cant get used to it. Both focus and aperture are concentric rings on same assembly, so when you change aperture it moves focus ring as well. Thats really undesirable especially when you want to focus wide open and then after focusing step down a bit. This one I would love to give a try as it doesnt have that problem.
At 8:20 you're saying due to the field curvature, corner subjects in the background are in focus ... that was surprising to me. I got some lenses with strong field curvature myself (e.g. 21mm Zeiss Milvus). In my case, the curvature always appears like a segment of a sphere surface, but seen from the center of the sphere, not from the outside. I hope that's understandable, I'm talking about the shape of the focus plane, and it being convex or concave. Is the field of this lens inverted?
Very interesting lens. Did you try it adapted to a Fuji Body? The crop sensor taking only the center portion of the image circle may eliminate some of the field curvature issues. Also 28mm on a Fuji body is a really nice focal length. Fuji actually makes an M mount adapter
I have the adapter and really need to try it. I saw a text based reviewer, that I really trust, say it’s great on aps-c. I will try and and do some testing and share the results.
@@markwiemelsawesome I would be interested in the results. I would think though at that price point I would rather buy the Fuji 27 2.8. if this lens were say $200 I would be more interested to buy it as a fun lens for Fuji
Nice review, I was looking at this lens few days ago. One thing to point out: M mount cameras were always mirrorless.. all rangefinders are mirrorless.
I considered this lens and the new Voigtlander 28 f2.8 but went for the Voigtlander 28mm f2ii in the end. Nice photos of Melbourne Mark. Thanks for the vid.
From an artistic standpoint this is an interesting lens. I do a lot of landscape photography and I focus stack a lot of my photos. I've recently got into street photography. Having two things, that apart from each other, in futures while everything else is a little out of focus intrigues me. So does having a corner in focus and the center out of focus. I bet I could find a way to use a lens like this for something different. I looked on their site and they have some other lenses that are very cheap I might want to try out. Thanks for the video.
Thanks for sharing! I wanted to learn photography. So I got a used Sony A7s2. Then lens I got with it was damaged. I thought buying a zoom lens would help me practice diversely with different focal lengths. The thing is I don't keep my camera with me. I should have got a fixed focal length lens (which would have also been smaller) and a smaller camera so that I can keep this handy with me always. I need to practice more and more. The setup I have currently I just don't carry with me. Keeping in mind I want to click pictures in low light during evening and night after office, please share some suggestions for a body and lens to have with me everyday.
I just ordered one! Thank you Mark for your review. It reminds me of the tiny pancake designer lens (SMC Pentax-DA 40mm f2.8) that came with my first mirrorless camera, the Pentax K-01.
The Industar 50mm has somewhat of the same aperture ring. I like the style. This seems like an amazing lens, I might have to pull the plug and purchase this. Thanks for the review. 🙌
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7:35 the object in corner is not necessarily the same distance from the camera as the center object but i get what you mean. if we would shoot a big sphere from the inside so absolutely every point on the sphere is the same distance from the camera the center would be sharp but the corner would still be blurry (right?)
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8:25 interesting, it really shows here 9:17. would be interesting to visualize the focus curvature in 3D
Interesting idea, I suspect it has flat-ish focus area in the middle, then falls away hard at the edge. Like a flat bottom shallow bowl. See 08:06 you can kind of see it.
11:16 "Who is this lens for?" Well, I'll tell you: It's for people who use a Pixii, the French-made, M-mount, 26-megapixel digital rangefinder camera. I realize that Pixii owners on this channel probably consist of me and exactly zero other people... but this lens is GREAT on a Pixii. The Pixii uses a Super 35/APS-C sensor, so the field curvature thing is never an issue because the out-of-focus corners are outside the frame. The Pixii has a 28mm finder frame that shows the lens' field of view very accurately, and the rangefinder couples smoothly. And between the lens' compact size and the Pixii's body shape, it makes a package I can easily shove into a pocket of my messenger bag and take anywhere. (Just don't lose that silly bottle-cap-size lens cap, because the front element is *very* exposed without it.) Two optical observations: (1) At f/2.8, highlights have a slight halo around them, which is imperfect but which I happen to think is pretty. (2) With the sun in or near the frame you definitely will get round yellow or purple flare spots; again, imperfect but it doesn't bother me. I'm thinking this lens plus the very small Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 would make an ideal walking-around outfit.
Back in the day Minolta produced a 24mm lens with a variable field curvature (VFC) which allowed to change from concave over plane to convex field curvature. Today it is rare and a collectors item.
You could in editing, but it would be a hassle and and extra setup. Still, if I had a great image and that was the only flaw, I would just slap a blur over it.
Quick note: if you want a M mount to E/Z/R/X mount adapter that looks a lot more consistent with the appearance of this lens, TTArtisans makes a line of M mount adapters with a pleasant taper all in black and metal. While a matte black rather than the gloss of the lens, the adapter doesn’t have the chunky appearance or sudden silver color other M mount adapters tend to have.
Hi Mark If I use this lens on the Leica m8, does the crop factor from the m8 sensor mitigate some of the field curvature issue you mention in this video? Thanks! and I love the way you present in this video
Im wondering how this will be on a crop sensor. I’m guessing the most undesirable parts of the image would be cropped leaving the sharp center of the frame to shine 🤔
Olympus xa series. Its unreal how everything had a full frame lens back in the film days and size was not an issue. Pocket full frame, no problem. Quality wasnt awesome, but the options were there.
Pretty cool lens. The look and position of the controls reminds me of simple, old school film cameras like the Kodak 35. The images kinda look like it too.
Beautiful little lens indeed but not as small/thin once you add an adapter for a mirrorless camera body. Nikon Z 26mm F2.8 is a smaller lens (thinner from front to rear, 0.9" or 23.5mm, native Z len, no adapter is required) with AF and much better optical performance but does not look as nice as this Brightin lens 🙂
I bought this for my M6 (yes, film camera) and was disappointed to learn it won’t fit on the fujifilm M to X mount adapter. I can use all my Leica M mount lenses on my Fuji XE3 via the Fujifim adapter.
Industar 50-2 is a similar size, but probably bigger. In regards to a historic lens mount that's still being produced... The M42 mount is still being manufactured today.
Not a great idea because of the sensor glass cover differences between M cameras (thin) and mirrorless cameras (thick). A lens designed for M cameras usually doesn't sharpen up at the edge of the image on a mirrorless camera - even the midfield is affected by the astigmatism and aberrations caused by the thicker sensor cover and the angle of the light rays coming from the lens. Look at written reviews on Phillip Reeve and Fred Miranda sites. This funny little Brightin Star lens isn't affected, though - it has basically the same performance on either style camera.
Thanx for your great videos. I am running an old Canon 550D and I am about to switch to Sony ZV-E10. Is it worth getting an adapter for the EF lenses or just buy new ones?
One potential gotcha if you want to use it on an M-mount rangefinder camera: I've got a Voigtlander Bessa R3m and a digital Epson R-D1 (both use the same Cosina chassis.) Both of these have a shield around the rangefinder coupling arm, and on both of them, the large rear protrusion of the Brighten Star lens rubs against this shield as you focus toward infinity. It's not a hard block and you can make the lens focus to infinity if you need to, but I don't like to force it because I figure the rubbing would deface something eventually. I also use it on a Pixii A2572 and there's no problem with that. As for M-mount cameras made by L****, I don't know because don't have one!
I think what you’re referring to, they call coupling? Not sure how it works, but this lens is coupled, as confirmed by some owners of the lens, that have watched the video.
With the size of this lens, the grip of the camera is the only thing stopping you from pocketing the whole thing. We need a durable, folding camera grip which snaps to the front or side depending on if you're holding it or putting it away.
You can screw ones into the tripod mount. All my cameras have them. Thrid party grips are never a problem so long as the grip isn't the battery housing also.
@@-grey I meant do you can flatten out the whole camera, can't do that when the grip is part of the camera's housing. At least I think they are, don't own a mirrorless.
@@lidge1994 some have flat grips like Leica. They are a bit pinchy. You need an accessory grip most of the time. Which is cool that is can be taken off to flat pack. That's what I'm saying.
Chroma camera makes a 24mm f11 “sharp” focus free full frame in leica screw mount that is smaller. Fixed focus so 2ft to infinity is in focus but bright day only street lens
Much more like deep seated lens like what you see in Bronica such as S2A, with Nikkor-P 75mm f2.8 which makes it more compact and possible due to the mirror will flip-down instead of the traditional SLR flip-up style.
The best reason to purchase this in Leica M mount is for autofocus. I could mount this on my A7IV or Z8 via my Techart manual lens autofocus adapters. I'm glad they made it in the M mount for this reason. The tech works so marvelous that the world switched to AF by the 90's, so don't avoid or scoff. Anyone who buys this in the Sony E mount or Nikon Z has a less-functional lens on their hands, get this with the AF adapter.
The lighter the lens, the better it works it seems, although these Tehcart adapters are always functional up to the weight limit. I had a heavier Mr. Ding f/1.1 lens on yesterday (410g) and it was no problem. I love all of these exciting new lenses! th-cam.com/video/gZQJZmV_UXc/w-d-xo.html @@markwiemels
No lens hood, flare resistance is ok, for a lens of this type. The focus peaking works, but you may notice the corners light up, when they are in-focus due to the curvature, but this really isn't an issue.
I may have missed this in the video....I know it is in "M" mount.... But is it also rangefinder coupled so you could use it on the Leica M mount cameras? I have a M10M, would it work on my rangefinder camera or, am I going to have to put on the Visioflex viewfinder to use it? Thank you in advance, CC
Minor nit pick: you said the edges aren't as sharp despite being the same distance away, but if you're shooting a flat plane like that wall, the further you go to the edge the further away it is. You'd have to be shooting a concave curved surface for everything to be the same distance from the lens.
Another great vid! I might have to snag one for my M6Mk2. and I was just thinking the other day, "I wonder when Mark's going to make another video?" Hope you're doing well! Also wanted to thank you for inspiring me to pursue photography, it's been so fulfilling plus it's great being able to knock out a couple bills here and there, which nowadays is huge. My first wedding is this weekend, wish me luck! 🤞(p.s. Any tips for a first-timer?😅)
That’s awesome too hear. If it’s a low light event, make sure you have a f1.8-f1.4 lens. Over-shoot, and pay attention to how your subject relates to the background, try and move and give them a clean background or at least good contrast. Ie don’t have a brown object right behind someone with brown hair, if you can avoid it. Also, if you short a little wider, you will have lots or cropping options. Shoot raw, or raw and jpg, Lightroom auto-levels is your friend in editing, it’s great.
@@markwiemels I finally got one. I'm currently using it with an adapter on my Sony a6400. Really impressive so far. I'm currently thinking about buying a digital rangefinder camera, but I'm not sure which one.
To me it looks to give a similar effect to my vintage Helios_44_M 58mm F2 and also the modern Lens Baby Burnside 35mm with a kind of swirl look to the out of focus area in the corners. Just my opinion from images I have seen.
I wonder if the lens designers thought of the lenses used on the Zenza Bronica cameras. They, too, were very short because most of the elements protruded into the camera body.
Possibly Bronica, but also a lot of lenses in M-Mount have protruding elements, especially in wider lens. Check out the rear element on this soviet Jupiter-12 (35mm focal length) phillipreeve.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/jupiter-12_35mm_2.8_sony_a7_rear.jpg
Since the first leica of the 1920's, rangefinder lenses have mostly always been designed to fit or collapse inside the camera body's unused space. As this lens is made for Leica M, the inspiration is quite typical of old wide angle designs such as Russar, Hektor, orion 15... Bronica's design was mostly a stunt to work around the mirror space.
Hi Mark, THANK YOU for showing images straight out of camera with no post processing! I was just yesterday wondering when your next video would drop. It's not a crime of course, but I do not like those "this lens is awesome" videos from others that show those very edited or LUTs-enhanced pics. I can't recall if you already did a video about vintage lenses (I think you did) but I would like to see good and cheap alternatives like this for modern bodies. Or in other words, modern lenses that do emulate vintage lenses, so something like a purposefully imperfect lens with electronic connectors so EXIF data can be saved.
Yes, I have the vintage lens video on the list. I bought about 30 well regarded lenses, all under $100, and am working though what I will recommend. Too many ideas and too little time.
@@markwiemels I have an Industar 5cm f3.5 which is a clone of the Elmar lens (same specs) - similar f stop/focusing rings to the Brigten lens. VERY common design for early to mid Leica L39 lens (the old Leica screw mount lenses). PS L39 is NOT the same as M39 (the pitch is slightly different). I bought a Leica IIIf around 4 months ago and did a lot of research. I even managed to get the wonderful 3 volume Leica set (James Lager, A Leica history) for a very GOOD price. If you have never owned a Leica, I suggest you consider One of the older screw mounts (a Leica IIIG would be the best bet as it was the last in the lineup to be released in 1955 from memory). Build quality is superb. There's a reason why Leica is revered. I still need to get my IIIG SLA'd (Serviced, Lubricated, Adjusted - it's a Leica term).
Thank you for the video. If Canon, Sony, Fuji, or any other brand had released this lens, wouldn't we all say it's crap? Even if it's from a different brand, for the price they're asking, it's a crappy lens. The Tartisans are definitely much better and cheaper.
Quite possibly. It’s a very “street” type lens, and that’s how I do a lot of my street photography. The focus lever is surprisingly good though, much better they you would think. The aperture is clearly designed to be set and forget, it is much less intuitive.
Buy a industar 22. Get an m39 mount adapter and have fun for under 100 Dollar ;) This is a zeiss tessar copy, small vintage and you always get questions and a good conversation😅 i bought mine with a zorki 1 for about 60 Euro. Now a have a crazy lens with a realy nice Leica for the small man 😇
If this is interesting to you, you need to look at the MS Optics lenses made by a guy named Miyazaki Optics in Japan. My Leica lenses have been collecting dust.
the problems your review suggests I don't get on my M8 or my GXR , the only issue I've had is the front element collects fingerprints as it sits quite close to the front , if image soft that's the issue
I once had a smaller lens: Serenar (Canon) 25mm 3.5. It was a Leica screw mount lens, made for the old Canon rangefinders vintage mid 1950's. An incredibly sharp lens and I wish I still had it.
* GET THE LENSE HERE - geni.us/ABTKYA *
* OR HERE - bit.ly/480PZKl *
[PLUS REQUIRED ADAPTER]
SONY - geni.us/pYS5
FUJI X - geni.us/0swUx49
CAON RF - geni.us/If8J9
CANON EF-M - geni.us/yVXPWX
L MOUNT - geni.us/nl2W
NIKON Z - geni.us/JowZxc
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Thanks for sharing!
I wanted to learn photography. So I got a used Sony A7s2. Then lens I got with it was damaged. I thought buying a zoom lens would help me practice diversely with different focal lengths. The thing is I don't keep my camera with me. I should have got a fixed focal length lens (which would have also been smaller) and a smaller camera so that I can keep this handy with me always. I need to practice more and more. The setup I have currently I just don't carry with me.
Keeping in mind I want to click pictures in low light during evening and night after office, please share some suggestions for a body and lens to have with me everyday.
That’s the pancakiest pancake lens I have ever seen
I know, if you got served a pancake this size, you’d want your money back!
Crepe lens?
Flattest is the word you were looking for...
Agreed
@@dominiclester3232Flat earth society, all around the globe....
Never thought the dentist from Hangover movie had such knowledge in photography
Really?
@@ryanchoovlogreally
This lens design looks like ancient mystery lock and I like it.
It totally is.
Thanks for sharing!
I wanted to learn photography. So I got a used Sony A7s2. Then lens I got with it was damaged. I thought buying a zoom lens would help me practice diversely with different focal lengths. The thing is I don't keep my camera with me. I should have got a fixed focal length lens (which would have also been smaller) and a smaller camera so that I can keep this handy with me always. I need to practice more and more. The setup I have currently I just don't carry with me.
Keeping in mind I want to click pictures in low light during evening and night after office, please share some suggestions for a body and lens to have with me everyday.
The MS-Optics Apoqualia is the original which is much lighter and is even faster at f/2.0. This lens has been around for many years and has gone through revisions already. It also has the same field curvature effect and the screw-in cap. The newest Apoqualia v3 has a f/1.7 opening. I do not own the said lenses because I can't use them on Bessa cameras. The ultimate M-mount bodycap lens is the Hipolion 19mm f/2.8 which is inspired by the Zeiss Hologon but with a soft-focus feature anywhere below f/8.0.
This is definitely a different lens which has its design language pulled from MS-Optics but its an interesting effort nonetheless.
Yes, I believe this is the case as well.
"...with a soft-focus feature"... that's a nice euphemism!
Just checked the price, apoqualia seems to be at least twice as expensive. I guess if it let in twice the amount of light!
I have an Industar 50-2 for my Minolta X-500, and it’s the one travel lens I use for black and white street photography and some portraits too. 28mm is my go-to for landscape photography. I’m really intrigued by the Brighten Star.
It's a really neat lens. The field curvature could be an issue for landscape, but might also provide a "look" that could work, depending on the shot. I like the idea of 2 or 3 small lenses, that could fit in one pock, and do most everything. I just ordered one of the 50-2's and an adapter.
I have 50-2 Industar, but basically never use it. Cant get used to it. Both focus and aperture are concentric rings on same assembly, so when you change aperture it moves focus ring as well. Thats really undesirable especially when you want to focus wide open and then after focusing step down a bit. This one I would love to give a try as it doesnt have that problem.
I also have an Industar 50-2 and I love it. It is quite sharp and such a fun lens to play with : )
At 8:20 you're saying due to the field curvature, corner subjects in the background are in focus ... that was surprising to me. I got some lenses with strong field curvature myself (e.g. 21mm Zeiss Milvus). In my case, the curvature always appears like a segment of a sphere surface, but seen from the center of the sphere, not from the outside. I hope that's understandable, I'm talking about the shape of the focus plane, and it being convex or concave. Is the field of this lens inverted?
Very interesting lens. Did you try it adapted to a Fuji Body? The crop sensor taking only the center portion of the image circle may eliminate some of the field curvature issues. Also 28mm on a Fuji body is a really nice focal length. Fuji actually makes an M mount adapter
I have the adapter and really need to try it. I saw a text based reviewer, that I really trust, say it’s great on aps-c. I will try and and do some testing and share the results.
I’d be grateful too for a video about using this lens on Fuji. Thanks!
I was wondering if this could be used in a Fuji X mount too.
@@markwiemelsawesome I would be interested in the results. I would think though at that price point I would rather buy the Fuji 27 2.8. if this lens were say $200 I would be more interested to buy it as a fun lens for Fuji
Likewise. I’d be very interested in that.
Nice review, I was looking at this lens few days ago.
One thing to point out: M mount cameras were always mirrorless.. all rangefinders are mirrorless.
great video again Mark! Love your videos as your personality and the way you present things are very unique. Keep it up :)
So kind of you to say, I appreciate that. I have been so close to quitting of late, so it means a lot to hear that.
I considered this lens and the new Voigtlander 28 f2.8 but went for the Voigtlander 28mm f2ii in the end. Nice photos of Melbourne Mark. Thanks for the vid.
Hard to go wrong with that Voigtlander.
From an artistic standpoint this is an interesting lens. I do a lot of landscape photography and I focus stack a lot of my photos. I've recently got into street photography. Having two things, that apart from each other, in futures while everything else is a little out of focus intrigues me. So does having a corner in focus and the center out of focus. I bet I could find a way to use a lens like this for something different. I looked on their site and they have some other lenses that are very cheap I might want to try out. Thanks for the video.
Yes, they seem to focus on unique lenses. Which is pretty cool.
Thanks for sharing!
I wanted to learn photography. So I got a used Sony A7s2. Then lens I got with it was damaged. I thought buying a zoom lens would help me practice diversely with different focal lengths. The thing is I don't keep my camera with me. I should have got a fixed focal length lens (which would have also been smaller) and a smaller camera so that I can keep this handy with me always. I need to practice more and more. The setup I have currently I just don't carry with me.
Keeping in mind I want to click pictures in low light during evening and night after office, please share some suggestions for a body and lens to have with me everyday.
Uhh nice one. Will work great on my Sigma FPL, Sony A7C and of course my old Ricoh GXR with M mount module!
I can’t see any reason that it wouldn’t.
I just ordered one! Thank you Mark for your review. It reminds me of the tiny pancake designer lens (SMC Pentax-DA 40mm f2.8) that came with my first mirrorless camera, the Pentax K-01.
Cool! I will be keen to hear what you think!
Please try it with the Fuji. Been wanting to see what this lens is like on a crop sensor
It's amazing to see a lens this small that works well.
The Industar 50mm has somewhat of the same aperture ring. I like the style. This seems like an amazing lens, I might have to pull the plug and purchase this. Thanks for the review. 🙌
7:35 the object in corner is not necessarily the same distance from the camera as the center object but i get what you mean. if we would shoot a big sphere from the inside so absolutely every point on the sphere is the same distance from the camera the center would be sharp but the corner would still be blurry (right?)
8:25 interesting, it really shows here 9:17. would be interesting to visualize the focus curvature in 3D
Interesting idea, I suspect it has flat-ish focus area in the middle, then falls away hard at the edge. Like a flat bottom shallow bowl. See 08:06 you can kind of see it.
11:16 "Who is this lens for?" Well, I'll tell you: It's for people who use a Pixii, the French-made, M-mount, 26-megapixel digital rangefinder camera. I realize that Pixii owners on this channel probably consist of me and exactly zero other people... but this lens is GREAT on a Pixii. The Pixii uses a Super 35/APS-C sensor, so the field curvature thing is never an issue because the out-of-focus corners are outside the frame. The Pixii has a 28mm finder frame that shows the lens' field of view very accurately, and the rangefinder couples smoothly. And between the lens' compact size and the Pixii's body shape, it makes a package I can easily shove into a pocket of my messenger bag and take anywhere. (Just don't lose that silly bottle-cap-size lens cap, because the front element is *very* exposed without it.) Two optical observations: (1) At f/2.8, highlights have a slight halo around them, which is imperfect but which I happen to think is pretty. (2) With the sun in or near the frame you definitely will get round yellow or purple flare spots; again, imperfect but it doesn't bother me. I'm thinking this lens plus the very small Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 would make an ideal walking-around outfit.
Reminds me a bit of the Lensbaby stuff, but less gimmicky. This actually seems usable in comparison when going for that vintage/retro vibe
Mark, i think this is going to be a total bangerz with Nikon ZF
Back in the day Minolta produced a 24mm lens with a variable field curvature (VFC) which allowed to change from concave over plane to convex field curvature. Today it is rare and a collectors item.
You should check out the older version of the Voigtlander 20mm lens for Nikon. Very small as well!
The focus effect made the image very interesting, and I was instantly looking at areas away from the focal point.
The image at 9:16 shows that corner focus feature where the tree is a bit too in focus and looks weird. I wonder if you could fix that in post?
You could in editing, but it would be a hassle and and extra setup. Still, if I had a great image and that was the only flaw, I would just slap a blur over it.
Quick note: if you want a M mount to E/Z/R/X mount adapter that looks a lot more consistent with the appearance of this lens, TTArtisans makes a line of M mount adapters with a pleasant taper all in black and metal. While a matte black rather than the gloss of the lens, the adapter doesn’t have the chunky appearance or sudden silver color other M mount adapters tend to have.
Good tip, yes, those are great.
I look forward to the curvature focus! I take it that focus peaking will still indicate what is in focus, right?
Yes.
This lens create so cinematic effect to the photos!
That lens is pretty wild! Great stuff, Mark.
It’s pretty neat. I’m a fan of these unusual lenses.
Hi Mark
If I use this lens on the Leica m8, does the crop factor from the m8 sensor mitigate some of the field curvature issue you mention in this video?
Thanks! and I love the way you present in this video
Yes, it will. I have had people report that it's much better, but I have not tested it.
@@markwiemels thanks Mark! Now the only issue left is where could I find an uv/ir cut filter for 25.5mm size thread? 😂
I actually like this out of focus edge artifact. Kind of like the character of it. And wide enough to crop out if needed
Im wondering how this will be on a crop sensor. I’m guessing the most undesirable parts of the image would be cropped leaving the sharp center of the frame to shine 🤔
From my reading, it's great, but have yet to test it.
Very interesting lens. Do you know if this lens lens can be adapted to EF mount?
Has pentax not made a mirrorless entry yet for their K mount?
Olympus xa series. Its unreal how everything had a full frame lens back in the film days and size was not an issue. Pocket full frame, no problem. Quality wasnt awesome, but the options were there.
Pretty cool lens. The look and position of the controls reminds me of simple, old school film cameras like the Kodak 35. The images kinda look like it too.
Beautiful little lens indeed but not as small/thin once you add an adapter for a mirrorless camera body.
Nikon Z 26mm F2.8 is a smaller lens (thinner from front to rear, 0.9" or 23.5mm, native Z len, no adapter is required) with AF and much better optical performance but does not look as nice as this Brightin lens 🙂
Just buy a Leica what it’s meant for
Does stopping down to 5,6 or even 8 help with the field curvature problem?
How about Lomography LC-A Minitar-1 32mm f2.8 ?
I bought this for my M6 (yes, film camera) and was disappointed to learn it won’t fit on the fujifilm M to X mount adapter.
I can use all my Leica M mount lenses on my Fuji XE3 via the Fujifim adapter.
i got new tiny voigie 28/2.8, its very tiny too, and spectacular performance
Are you sure that the field curvature is not due to using an M-mount lens on a thicker Sony sensor stack?
Industar 50-2 is a similar size, but probably bigger.
In regards to a historic lens mount that's still being produced...
The M42 mount is still being manufactured today.
Great tip on buying the M mount if you have different brands and models, cameras and formats.
Not a great idea because of the sensor glass cover differences between M cameras (thin) and mirrorless cameras (thick). A lens designed for M cameras usually doesn't sharpen up at the edge of the image on a mirrorless camera - even the midfield is affected by the astigmatism and aberrations caused by the thicker sensor cover and the angle of the light rays coming from the lens. Look at written reviews on Phillip Reeve and Fred Miranda sites. This funny little Brightin Star lens isn't affected, though - it has basically the same performance on either style camera.
Thanx for your great videos. I am running an old Canon 550D and I am about to switch to Sony ZV-E10. Is it worth getting an adapter for the EF lenses or just buy new ones?
Get the adapter, save the money
It reminds me of my beloved Contax G Carl Zeiss 16mm Hologon, but without the image quality.
Is there a bright star lens that lens itself to star flare?
Ever tried on an APSC sensor ?
Its so contrasty and cool
Really interesting video! Is the lens, in the M Mount, rangefinder compatible? I dont expect to see frame lines - just an area of focus!
Yes, it is
One potential gotcha if you want to use it on an M-mount rangefinder camera: I've got a Voigtlander Bessa R3m and a digital Epson R-D1 (both use the same Cosina chassis.) Both of these have a shield around the rangefinder coupling arm, and on both of them, the large rear protrusion of the Brighten Star lens rubs against this shield as you focus toward infinity. It's not a hard block and you can make the lens focus to infinity if you need to, but I don't like to force it because I figure the rubbing would deface something eventually. I also use it on a Pixii A2572 and there's no problem with that. As for M-mount cameras made by L****, I don't know because don't have one!
That’s a fun lens! Good review. Looks a bit like the Laowa 10mm f/4 “cookie lens”. Different mount, though.
Erm... I'm trying to remember... doesn't a fully functional M mount lens have a lever to control the viewfinder focusing mechanism?
I think what you’re referring to, they call coupling? Not sure how it works, but this lens is coupled, as confirmed by some owners of the lens, that have watched the video.
Been looking for something like this!! Thank you!
Are those photos taken in Melbourne. Looks very familiar.
Yes.
With the size of this lens, the grip of the camera is the only thing stopping you from pocketing the whole thing. We need a durable, folding camera grip which snaps to the front or side depending on if you're holding it or putting it away.
You can screw ones into the tripod mount. All my cameras have them. Thrid party grips are never a problem so long as the grip isn't the battery housing also.
@@-grey I meant do you can flatten out the whole camera, can't do that when the grip is part of the camera's housing. At least I think they are, don't own a mirrorless.
@@lidge1994 some have flat grips like Leica. They are a bit pinchy. You need an accessory grip most of the time. Which is cool that is can be taken off to flat pack. That's what I'm saying.
Chroma camera makes a 24mm f11 “sharp” focus free full frame in leica screw mount that is smaller. Fixed focus so 2ft to infinity is in focus but bright day only street lens
That sounds really cool.
what’s about the minitar 1?
Much more like deep seated lens like what you see in Bronica such as S2A, with Nikkor-P 75mm f2.8 which makes it more compact and possible due to the mirror will flip-down instead of the traditional SLR flip-up style.
The best reason to purchase this in Leica M mount is for autofocus. I could mount this on my A7IV or Z8 via my Techart manual lens autofocus adapters. I'm glad they made it in the M mount for this reason. The tech works so marvelous that the world switched to AF by the 90's, so don't avoid or scoff. Anyone who buys this in the Sony E mount or Nikon Z has a less-functional lens on their hands, get this with the AF adapter.
Fantastic perspective! Thanks for sharing it!
The lighter the lens, the better it works it seems, although these Tehcart adapters are always functional up to the weight limit. I had a heavier Mr. Ding f/1.1 lens on yesterday (410g) and it was no problem. I love all of these exciting new lenses!
th-cam.com/video/gZQJZmV_UXc/w-d-xo.html @@markwiemels
Is there a lens hood? Does curvature issue confound focus peaking?
No lens hood, flare resistance is ok, for a lens of this type. The focus peaking works, but you may notice the corners light up, when they are in-focus due to the curvature, but this really isn't an issue.
I may have missed this in the video....I know it is in "M" mount....
But is it also rangefinder coupled so you could use it on the Leica M mount cameras? I have a M10M, would it work on my rangefinder camera or, am I going to have to put on the Visioflex viewfinder to use it?
Thank you in advance,
CC
It’s a good question. I read that it is coupled, but don’t have an M mount camera to test that functionality.
Works on my M6!!
Is it RF coupled on a Leica M camera body?
Yes.
the characteristics are very unique
It is strange... My first camera with LOMO 4/40 had no issue with the plane of focus and has quite smaller lens than this one...
Does that corner issue show up when shooting on APS-C?
No, seems fine on APS-C. Lots of Fuji Shooters are using it.
@@markwiemels perfect, thank you.
I want to try this on a Sony A6000. Could make an amazing super cheap pocket ish camera!
Mark your info says you are based in the US but those shots are in Melbourne. Visiting or living here ?
I’m in Melbourne most of the time now.
Interesting lens. Nice video, Mark!
Thanks, yeah, it’s really unique.
Will it work on my Canon 90 D?
Minor nit pick: you said the edges aren't as sharp despite being the same distance away, but if you're shooting a flat plane like that wall, the further you go to the edge the further away it is. You'd have to be shooting a concave curved surface for everything to be the same distance from the lens.
Yes! Actually the lenses are supposed to be designed to do just that, it's a funny thing I know.
Hi Mark - I think it's 'Brightin' not 'Brigtin' (Video title)
OMG. Not only did I type in wrong, I have been saying it wrong! Thank You!
Kind of looks like an anamorphic in how it blurs the corner. Do you still this at f/8?
I used f5.6 and f8 a lot, but used it from 2.8 to 11
probably would be great on an apsc camera
Another great vid! I might have to snag one for my M6Mk2. and I was just thinking the other day, "I wonder when Mark's going to make another video?" Hope you're doing well! Also wanted to thank you for inspiring me to pursue photography, it's been so fulfilling plus it's great being able to knock out a couple bills here and there, which nowadays is huge. My first wedding is this weekend, wish me luck! 🤞(p.s. Any tips for a first-timer?😅)
That’s awesome too hear. If it’s a low light event, make sure you have a f1.8-f1.4 lens. Over-shoot, and pay attention to how your subject relates to the background, try and move and give them a clean background or at least good contrast. Ie don’t have a brown object right behind someone with brown hair, if you can avoid it. Also, if you short a little wider, you will have lots or cropping options. Shoot raw, or raw and jpg, Lightroom auto-levels is your friend in editing, it’s great.
The first thing I want to hear is the optical scheme. Then availability for various systems. Then - contrast, then - sample photos '
they surely took inspiration from the MS-Optics lenses
I would have thought! I suspect MS Optics may have taken inspiration from some historic/vintage lens too.
I wonder how it would perform on the Pixii rangefinder
Is that an M-mount camera? I am so curios about that camera.
@@markwiemels Yes it is. I think the Brightin Star would be a perfect match for street photography.
@@markwiemels Do you think that the Pixii's APS-C Sensor would negate the Brightin Star's field curvature?
@@markwiemels I finally got one. I'm currently using it with an adapter on my Sony a6400. Really impressive so far.
I'm currently thinking about buying a digital rangefinder camera, but I'm not sure which one.
@@-_vh_- Great to hear!
To me it looks to give a similar effect to my vintage Helios_44_M 58mm F2 and also the modern Lens Baby Burnside 35mm with a kind of swirl look to the out of focus area in the corners. Just my opinion from images I have seen.
Yes, I think it has some of that look/effect too. As a side note, Lens Baby makes such great products.
I wonder if the lens designers thought of the lenses used on the Zenza Bronica cameras. They, too, were very short because most of the elements protruded into the camera body.
Possibly Bronica, but also a lot of lenses in M-Mount have protruding elements, especially in wider lens. Check out the rear element on this soviet Jupiter-12 (35mm focal length)
phillipreeve.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/jupiter-12_35mm_2.8_sony_a7_rear.jpg
Since the first leica of the 1920's, rangefinder lenses have mostly always been designed to fit or collapse inside the camera body's unused space. As this lens is made for Leica M, the inspiration is quite typical of old wide angle designs such as Russar, Hektor, orion 15...
Bronica's design was mostly a stunt to work around the mirror space.
Great video 👍
Thanks 👍
Hi Mark, THANK YOU for showing images straight out of camera with no post processing! I was just yesterday wondering when your next video would drop.
It's not a crime of course, but I do not like those "this lens is awesome" videos from others that show those very edited or LUTs-enhanced pics.
I can't recall if you already did a video about vintage lenses (I think you did) but I would like to see good and cheap alternatives like this for modern bodies. Or in other words, modern lenses that do emulate vintage lenses, so something like a purposefully imperfect lens with electronic connectors so EXIF data can be saved.
Yes, I have the vintage lens video on the list. I bought about 30 well regarded lenses, all under $100, and am working though what I will recommend. Too many ideas and too little time.
@@markwiemels take your time! I will patiently wait. Thank you for the great work.
Will this work with the m50 with speedbooster EF?
No. You need an M to EF-M adapter.
An Industar 50mm f/3.5 lens may be smaller.
I wish I had one to compare, from memory it wouldn’t be far off.
@@markwiemelsi could messure mine ;)
Focus and aperture rings are similar to Leica lenses from the 30s/40s/50s
I suspect that’s the idea, although I have no personal experience with Leica lenses. That’s the vibe I’m getting.
@@markwiemels I have an Industar 5cm f3.5 which is a clone of the Elmar lens (same specs) - similar f stop/focusing rings to the Brigten lens. VERY common design for early to mid Leica L39 lens (the old Leica screw mount lenses). PS L39 is NOT the same as M39 (the pitch is slightly different). I bought a Leica IIIf around 4 months ago and did a lot of research. I even managed to get the wonderful 3 volume Leica set (James Lager, A Leica history) for a very GOOD price. If you have never owned a Leica, I suggest you consider One of the older screw mounts (a Leica IIIG would be the best bet as it was the last in the lineup to be released in 1955 from memory). Build quality is superb. There's a reason why Leica is revered. I still need to get my IIIG SLA'd (Serviced, Lubricated, Adjusted - it's a Leica term).
@@davepastern thanks for the inspiration! This is really great info.
@@markwiemels you’re welcome mate!
It looks very much like those lovely lenses from MS Optics.
This + a7c the most compact full frame setup possible
No k mount😢
I think the MS OPTICS APOQUALIA 28MM 1.7 MC is smller
Thank you for the video. If Canon, Sony, Fuji, or any other brand had released this lens, wouldn't we all say it's crap? Even if it's from a different brand, for the price they're asking, it's a crappy lens. The Tartisans are definitely much better and cheaper.
U havent seen anything smaller? Check our MS Optic lenses of which this lens is based out of
no one gonna mention the massive patrick star poppers spraypaint at 9:02
I feel like the idea behind this lens is that it is a zone focus primary use.
Quite possibly. It’s a very “street” type lens, and that’s how I do a lot of my street photography. The focus lever is surprisingly good though, much better they you would think. The aperture is clearly designed to be set and forget, it is much less intuitive.
Buy a industar 22. Get an m39 mount adapter and have fun for under 100 Dollar ;)
This is a zeiss tessar copy, small vintage and you always get questions and a good conversation😅 i bought mine with a zorki 1 for about 60 Euro. Now a have a crazy lens with a realy nice Leica for the small man 😇
I will start looking for a good one! Thanks for the tip!
Melbourne hello!
5:44 Well, yeah, Pentax K is not mainstream enough.
If this is interesting to you, you need to look at the MS Optics lenses made by a guy named Miyazaki Optics in Japan. My Leica lenses have been collecting dust.
Looks almost exactly like the Lomo LCA Minitar-1 32mm f/2.8 lens.
hmm.. I'd still take the 28mm Apoqualia over the Brightin Star 28mm
Had this lens for a month , worth the money
Great to hear.
the problems your review suggests I don't get on my M8 or my GXR , the only issue I've had is the front element collects fingerprints as it sits quite close to the front , if image soft that's the issue
I once had a smaller lens: Serenar (Canon) 25mm 3.5. It was a Leica screw mount lens, made for the old Canon rangefinders vintage mid 1950's. An incredibly sharp lens and I wish I still had it.