Cold War Colour King! Carl Zeiss Jena Pancolar 50mm f1.8 - First Impressions
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ส.ค. 2024
- A review, test and discussion, with sample images, of an iconic East German lens, with some surprising results!
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I should like to thank you for brining this lens to my attention, I got myself one (MC version, same as shown here) after watching your video, and it's truly amazing! Very sharp, beautiful colors and magical bokeh. This is so far the best vintage lens that I got. I would place it next to Canon FD 50/1.4 S.S.C. which is also very good. :)
It's quite extraordinary - the nicest vintage 50mm I've shot by a long way, and definitely the king of the 1.8s!
@@zenography7923 even better (bokeh-wise) than the 8-element Super takumar 50mm 1.8?
agreed !
my favourites on film cameras are the Pancolar 50mm f1.8, the Canon FD 50mm f1.4 ( prefer the nFD ) and the Minolta MD II Rokkor 50mm f1.4.
I use the Pancolar on different Praktica cameras and on Contax RTS.
I try all sorts of 50's, old and new, but I always find myself back with the Pancolar...its a fabulous bit of kit.
I have two early versions one radioactive and yellow, which is great for BW, and one nice clear version which is great for everything!
agreed !
the early, small yellowish Pancolar is a dream with b&w film 👍
I think I've watched about 5+ reviews from you now. They are all great and thanks for taking the time to focus on these vintage lenses :)
Glad you like them!
I have and adore this lens.
There was an easy-going party some weeks ago...went there to take some shots with my 5D MKIII + Tokina AF 10-17 fisheye combo, also took the Pancolar with me, just in case.
After getting bored with the Tokina's constant fisheye look, took some shots of a friend and his companions with the Zeiss.
On the next day, I sent them to him and he immediately asked for full resolution ones, and even my permission to use it in a project of his.
Fun fact: the dude works in the movie industry, has many Canon L lenses and expensive photo gear, and was still awed by the performance and "3D/microcontrast" of the Pancolar.
That's really interesting - I've heard of more than one film maker who loves CZJ lenses - I've never found a sharper, nicer 50mm vintage lens in the hundreds I've shot!
@@zenography7923 Not even the SMC Takumar?
@@gaborkiss1425 I have the Takumar 50mm f4 Macro lens which is the sharpest vintage lens I've tried. I'm looking at getting a Pancolar now too.
Have I stumbled on an ASMR camera gear channel?
I think you might have - you're not the only one to say this!
my english is not so good .. that's why i always comment ☕️👍 Thank you for your work ... very interesting... I wish you success
It's actually pronounced Tseiss Yayna. The modern company now has its own football team! Very enjoyable video and a lens to look out for.
Apologies for my anglicised pronunciation - glad you enjoyed the video!
About 40 days past I placed a order for the CZ Jena Red MC Pancolar 1.8/50mm from Kiev Ukraine… it arrives today!! Because of this video it inspired me to get one! Just in Time for the Fall Colors
Awesome video, I enjoy your content very much. It calms me down after a long, busy day. I have this lens and I love using it on my A7s, the flares can lead to some creative photos and the characteristic bokeh is just wonderful. Lovely piece of glass.
This is an excellent review - hits the spot! Plus, you have a wonderful reminiscence of Eastern Germany here....it's the "Karl Marx Walking Tour" sticker on that red container at 6:25....this Pancolar is indeed a spectacular lens, especially when stopped down. The built quality lacks the refinement of Japanese lenses of that era....I have taken apart some of them (there are actually three different versions), the mechanical design is fairly laborious....but overall it's a very fine lens with amazing colour rendering and great sharpness!
Glad you enjoyed the video!
I thought the black and white rendition and was quite beautiful. And to have such beautiful color rendition as well, what a fantastic lens.
It's quite extraordinary, one of my favourites!
I got a 'zebra' version after watching this. Images didn't look too great on the viewfinder or back screen on my Sony A7 but are amazing once on the Desktop. I'll have to give it a thorough test but I'm very pleased so far. As you say, it's very sharp. It also has that lovely '3D pop' which you get from vintage lenses. I remember the camera club snobbery about Eastern Bloc cameras and lenses, based on reading adverts. It was clearly nonsense.
Some the zebra were the radioactive ones, but just a few
Great job on this review I've owned this lens before and sadly accidentally dropped it when I was unscrewing it. I have since gotten the voigtlander color Ultron which is probably the exact same look but a little more refined and civilized and review that on my channel as well.I think these lenses definitely have a new life when used on digital sensors because you see their little nuances even more clearly than film can render
Ray get another, did you get the zebra version or black and white, I got both voiglander and zebra pancolar the pop is more 3d on the pancolar..
@@burstongreye7090 hello I got the all black version with automatic manual switch. Thanks for the tip
Thank you so much. I got myself one of these for very cheap on ebay, because of your recommendation of it in almost every video. I'm using it on a Mft camera combined with a x0.71 focal reducer which brings it to around 70mm effective focal length.
I haven't done more than a few test shots with it yet, but man is it beautiful, you didn't exaggerate. Mine is a thorium zebra version with 8 blades and I was really surprised how cheap I was able to get it, as that one seems to be one of the rarer variants.
I hope you're enjoying that little lens - it's quite something!
@@zenography7923 Yup I do. I've already produced a really nice portrait of our family cat using it, a fine art print of which (photo rag, matte) will be a Christmas present for my sister.
It produces great sharpness, even wide open, but somehow at the same time seems extremely smooth and silky. I don't know if it is because it is uncoated, but I have no other lens that can produce this effect of sharp and soft at the same time.
It has a slight yellow tint due to the radiation doing it's work, which I could remove via UV light, but I'm actually going to keep it that way. In my opinion it gives some additional character and if I don't need or want it, well, there is color correction for that.
Just got my first roll back…so pleased it really is an excellent lens !
One of my favourite lenses - I prefer the early radioactive ones, so much so I ended up buying two of them!. I tried the late MC lens, sent it back due to mechanical issues but tried it side by side with the early version and found the radioactive copy even better at resolving detail. Weirdly, the lens appears to turn a lemon yellow colour rather than the brown/yellow normally associated with thoriated glass. Cleans up well with UV treatment though. The early version has the advantage of 8 aperture blades whereas later versions have 6; I've never been a fan of hexagonal bokeh but that's just a personal prejudice!
It's actually a lanthanum coating. Thinking of picking up a 8 bladed version. Do you think $200.00 is a good deal for one?
@@princeharbinger It's not uncommon to read that the rare earth elements used in some lenses are in the coatings. This is incorrect and regularly debunked in forum topics; the elements are included in the glass formula to produce a higher refractive index and low dispersal (ED) optics.
$200 is on the expensive side but not unusual for a 'Buy it Now' type sale. If you are patient and learn to recognise the early lenses which do not specifically mention '8-blade' or 'radioactive' you can find them for less. These early lenses are a bit more compact than the later models due to the high refractive index glass and usually have a serial number starting with 85.... or earlier.
the radioactive Pancolar is awesome indeed.
I found some years ago a very late MC Pancolar 50mmf1.8, all black, with white labeling, a bit smaller than the common late Pancolars, only three rows of fine little knobs on the focus ring.
The item number has only four numbers.
This type creates similar awesome pics like the early yellow 8-bladed Zebra Pancolar.
Thanks for the test, I'll buy that one to complete my test comparison of more than 30 lenses.
My choice so far ?
Auto chinon multi-coated 50mm 1.7.
Unknow gem, and quite cheap.
The chinon is definitely a great secret gem, you'll really like the pancolar it's another level, unless you can't stand flare. Which is plentiful wide open but awesomely characteristic..
@@burstongreye7090 Glad we come to the same conclusion.
The chinon is absolutely the King of low Light, just incredible, sharp, sharp, sharp.
It's funny how reputations are such that there's inflation on the prices of some lenses, whereas others like that chinon MC are left aside because their branding name sounds cheap and low quality.
It took me time though to discover that gem, but I'm glad I did. What a treasure trove.
Concerning flare with strong front lighting, that does not bother me. What must be avoided are glow because of internal dust, haze or degraded front coating because of stupid strong cleaning with whatever fabric was at hand.
Further more, lens sensitive to flare may be very good for B&W because I think modern coating tend to reduce micro contrast.
I am really enjoying your videos. Based off of your recommendations, I purchased this lens.
I finally found a newer one from the 80's, the MC version. What a great lens. Shooting at f5.6 gives a sharp result.
Now look what you’ve done again! Another sleepless night for me till I find and buy one of these! Lens manufacturers should be headhunting you for their chief marketing officer 😍👍 I’m sure this is a good lens and your praises for it are genuine, but you have a way of crafting and delivering the review that creates a deep desire in the viewer to go and get one right away. 👍👍✅
The only way to overcome temptation is to give in to it.
I encourage you to seek out the Argus Coated Cintar from an Argus C2/C3/Matchmatic. It's one of the best Tessar/Elmar clones out there and it has a very pleasing, very life-like color response that's much less retro, ironically, than far newer lenses. It can be sharp, it can be soft, and it's often in working condition after 70 or 80 years, whereas Leitz lenses of the same time often need refurbishing. It's *the* American lens. I know I'm not making this sound good but this lens is a real legend.
It mounts easily on mirrorless with an adaptor, and the camera it comes on is fun to shoot too--some are now 80 years old and a lot of them work perfectly.
I've got half a roll of unscanned C3 shots. I think I was testing it on expired film. The negatives were clean and crisp enough for me to sign off on selling the brick.
Argus Matchmatics are incredible cameras for the price but you need a manual to know how to use them.
@@johnrflinn I have an original C3 in need of slight repairs and a colormatic C3 that's sort of a predecessor to the matchmatic. They're really great.
@@georgeparkins777 Advance Camera in Portland CLA'd all of mine and put on leather that I bought on Ebay that was cut to fit the Matchmatic. The earlier C3 has a slightly different pattern for its leather. They come in different colors and textures as well. The series V filter adapter screws right onto the old C3's I believe.
@@johnrflinn Thanks for the rec. I like to repair my own stuff. I recently restored the back shutter on a 1947 Pacemaker Speed Graphic 4x5.
I hope to get my hands on Pancolar one day, but until then I purchased its brother - *Pentacon 50m f/1.8* (there are 3 versions, I own the latest, which is believed to be the best). I far as I understand Pentacon and Zeiss were quite mixed within G.D.R. and so are of arguably close build and optical quality. Some 50mm f/1.8 models even look like having the same body for Zeiss Jena and Pentacon! Concerning picture quality, my copy is quite sharp, but "dreamy" (ghosty) at f/1.8 and really sharp enough for 20+ Mpx DSLR right from only one aperture click away (it's between 1.8 and 2.8, so I assume it's 2.2). I also own *Zeiss Jena 50mm and Pentacons 100m and 135mm (all there f/2.8)* - very good and sharp lenses even on modern cameras! Also very cheap! I use Canon bodies, so please view my video on *how to easily handle manual focusing* : th-cam.com/video/SgWTUUCUZb0/w-d-xo.html
I've often wondered about the relationship between the CZJ 1.8 and the Pentacon 1.8. On the Pentacon I tried, the look was different - a very nice lens in itself though...
Nice video. i enjoyed it very much. good there are channels like this where someone is not yelling and screaming like he is selling cucumbers on the marketplace 100/100 !
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it! Low key is my natural approach in these videos - glad it seems to be working.
I bought one just yesterday. thanks for introducing me to Jena lenses :)
Enjoy - it might just be the best 50mm vintage lens out there!
Another good reason to bring an Exakta VXiia back to life so you can use lenses like this without adapters.
Beautiful video…looking at getting this lens ❤
On ebay have just won a Praktica LB2 the one with selenium window a 30mm f 3.5 and a 50mm f1.8 pancolar.... all for less than £11 obviously have not seen them yet... but fingers crossed....
Nigel....
Wow Phil, I'm actually jealous - well done!
Perfect! The best!
Thanks!
@@zenography7923 I'm a fashion designer and like to go for a fashion photography with vintage lenses. I like they contrast of B & W, but colors are also great anda needed in fashion. My first choice would be a Pancolar, second, Canon FD 1.4. (For Sony A7) Am I in the right way? Or fashion photography needs medium format at ALL?
I got the electric version, and compared with the zeiss 55 f1.8, in that store i noticed that if you are ok with manual focus, you don't actually need the 55, the caracter is almost the same, sharpness is a bit behind but that can be flattering if the skin is not perfect as it actually never is.
One difference is when you stop down, the 55 keeps the round shape of the bokeh but the pancolar makes up for the minimum focus point which is very handy.
I personally found the 55 minimum focus point very limiting, i guess i made the good choice of sticking with my pancolar , i can also service it whenever i want because is simple, mechanical and i am an engineer so i love to service my car, my motorbike and now my lens :D
The Zeiss 55 is sharper than the Pancolar? Wow, that must be a sharp lens indeed!
@@zenography7923 yes it is , however , wide open the chromatic aberation is wild and the minimum focussing distance is a joke , I guess the aberation is easy fix in post but the focussing distance really gives the photographer a hit on creativity opportunities, I've been spoiled by this Pancolar, magnificent lens and what a great thing to be able to use it on this Sony a7 series.
Something worth checking, if you have a little slower internet like my Verizon DSL, is the video quality that youTube chooses for you. I was at about the 2:20 mark, where there is a photo of LED Christmas lights, and thought how nothing looked very sharp, but oh well, that's just youTube. But then I checked the sprocket-shaped Settings icon, saw that the Quality was set at 480p, changed it to 1080p, and immediately, the sharpness of this and all the other photos jumped off the screen! This may seem obvious, but I post this as a reminder to others who may overlook it. It's especially important when viewing photography videos.
Best viewed at 1080, for sure!
I had one on my Practika Super TL and kept it when I sold the camera used on an early 42m screw thread Ashai Pentax and an MTL Practika I sold when I had bought Minolta x700 and a f1.7 standard lens..
So it was a good lens.
It looks 99% like *Pentacon 50mm f/1.8* ! I mean its latest (of three) edition. The couple of differences are: Penty has green distance markings instead of red here (although the second edition had red just like Zeiss, while the initial one was the classic German "zebra" design) and it focuses down to 0.33m which is superb over 0.35m of Zeiss! Interesting whether any correlation belongs here. Seems like they really have the same bodies. However, they should hardly have the same optics. P.S. As owner, I confirm the Pentacon in question is great.
I've owned the Pentacon 1.8 in the past and found it to be really nice, and have often wondered about the relationship between it and the CZJ. However from what I've read it seems that it might be a development of a Meyer Optik lens? Very nice indeed, whatever the case.
Should i buy this one or the super multi coated takumar 50mm f1.4?
Wich one is sharper? More color accurate? Overall best? ^^
A nice review and some rather good photos too. I have reason to believe that the Russian Helios is also based on the Zeiss Biotar. I have quite a collection of Leitz, Takumar, and Nikon vintage class simply because I like using vintage film cameras. I was given a Zenit with the Helios lens and I was rather impressed with it on the front of a digital camera but I had no East German glass. I am aware that the Carl Zeiss Jena glass is supposed to be excellent and these tended to come into the UK attached to inexpensive East German Praktica cameras.
The only East German lens I have is a recently acquired Meyer Optik Goerlitz Domiplan, when I mentioned this to a pal who once owned a Praktica, I think with the Pancolor lens, he seemed some what surprised and hinted that it was a dire lens but not to be persuaded by probably good advice I bought one from a well known internet auction site for not a lot of money.
In short he was correct, if you search for these lenses on TH-cam there are a few videographers who are using the Domiplan and the results are rather nice, and that's why I bought one but mine is absolute rubbish, so bad that focus peaking on two of my digital cameras can't find a point were the lens will focus! Interestingly the lens looks very clean and I am wondering if it has been cleaned recently and incorrectly re assembled. I can't believe a lens would leave the factory with so poor performance, it leaves an odd flare around any object you care to focus on or shall we say attempt to focus on! The Domiplan was available on Exacta cameras with a different mount and also with an M42 mount, like mine, presumably for Prakticas.
I know this has nothing to do with the Zeiss but it is from the same part of the world and I wondered if you have ever experienced one?
Meyer has always been 2nd thier behind Zeiss. But it should not be that unsharp, of course.
I haven't used one, but they do have a fair reputation, so shouldn't be as bad as yours seems to be. Perhaps a case of faulty re-assembly, as you say.
Great thing that you hadn't stumbled across Canon FD lenses yet for your review or otherwise their value will go up in eBay.
:)
Nice review - one of my favourite lenses, besides my Carl Zeiss Ultron 50mm
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!
I own a Carl Zeiss Ultron and a Pancolar and I actually prefer the Pancolar
A good Pancolar is very hard to beat!
Hello Zenograpfy,
You have the Typ 2 MC Pancolar non E The best 50mm , The best DDR 50mm Lens I have .
Radioactive???????????????
Hello, is the non E better than the electric version ? Why??
Thorium version is better?
Great photos and description. I noticed @6:22 the Karl Marx tour was right in the bin where it belongs. No Irony lost there.
Many thanks, glad you enjoyed the video!
Greetings. If you love the Pancolar I would recommend also the Yashica ML 50mm f1.7
I tried one recently - a very nice lens, but not quite up to Pancolar standards, I found!
Gracias por su video sobre esta lente!! Thanks!!!
That's okay amigo, glad you enjoyed it, gracias!
You should also compare how different cameras handle vintage lenses and which ones fit better for example the Fuji xe1 or xe3 are better with the Minolta, Pentax or Zeiss vintage lenses? Thanks for insightful reviews keep it up
I recently got a carl zeiss jena 50mm 1.8 pancolar lens, the zebra version. today I used it for the first time and I was surprised by the quality of the colors, however I cannot focus at long distances, the furthest it reaches the minimum aperture is around 4 meters . is it normal or is my lens faulty?
Faulty. But check your in body software too. Maybe you are using an adapter that's too long. Or something going on with your manual focus assist setting for lens length.
Does anyone who owns one of the pancolar 50mm 1.8 versions know if there’s any significant difference between the earlier versions and the later multi-coated versions? Simon Utak (in one of his M42 lens videos) implies that the 8-bladed aperture zebra version is better for bokeh rendition but I haven’t heard anyone else say that in other videoed or in online reviews.
I would love to have your knowledge of Carl Zeiss lenses! Please keep sharing?
I shall indeed!
There are versions with MC written in red (like your copy) and some just in white letters. Is there a difference in quality? Some say that the flektogon 35 with red MC written on it is sharper than the "auto" - what is your observation in this matter?
Are there major differences between this lens and Pancolar electric 50 mm 1.8 MC?
The biggest difference in Pancolars I'm aware of is the change from thoriated (radioactive) glass to non-thoriated glass, sometime in the early 70s (I think). I've never tested a thoriated version, but from what I've read there doesn't seem to be much difference in image quality.
Hoped this video never ends:)))
Thanks!
Love your channel! But I'm very hesitant after hearing your comments regarding the lower build quality and need for maintenance. I've heard the same from others. I'm looking at investing in one set and cinemodding them. I want something that not only has great optics but also a great build. Do you have any other recommendations? Cheers!
I hope I haven't given the wrong impression - the CZJ lenses are reliable, although they do seem to suffer with lack of use, specifically aperture blades, which can become sluggish. Get a good one though and I don't think you'll have problems. If you're not keen on CZJ, you might consider the Olympus Zuiko 50mm f1.8, or f1.4 lenses (both reviewed on this channel).
have you tried the earlier f2 version of this lens?
Not so far, though I hope too one day!
@@zenography7923 I just picked one up on eBay. Can't seem to find a real comparison online. Would be interesting to see a side by side. I love your reviews and I love the samples, I have spent a lot of time in the UK and with the current situation have not been there in a few years. It is a nice peek into daily life across the pond.
I would like to ask, what is the difference between MC Red and MC Silver? Thanks
I'll be honest, I'm not sure, but this page may help: www.flickr.com/groups/46865788@N00/discuss/72157629530244947/
So, you have an east german model?
If you have to choose, which one is better, zuiko 50 1.4 or zeiss pancolar 50 1.8?
A difficult choice, but I think I'd take the Zeiss!
@@zenography7923 Thanks for replying. May I know why?
Another great video. Where would you place the 1958-60 Zeiss Flexon 50mm f2? I've read that the Flexon is the direct predecessor or was simply renamed the Pancolar 50mm f2. It's difficult to find any information on the internet so, who knows... I would love to see a review between the Flexon 50/2 and your Pancolar 50/1.8 though.
I'd be very interested to try one - I've never seen one for sale though!
The Flexon 50mm f2 and the Pancolar 50mm f2 are the same lenses.
In the 1950's and 60's all lens manufacturers searched for new lens designs to get a small ,compact 50mm ( f2 or f1.8).
Carl Zeiss Jena had the Biotar 58mm before and developed in these years the Flexon/Pancolar 50mm f2.
They had a lack of clarity concerning the name, so they changed from Flexon to Pancolar in the ongoing series.
The Pancolar 50mm f2 still contains simple glass (relative). A few years later they had better glass types in Jena and so they could develop the newer 50mm f1.8 Pancolars.
All over the world the optical products like glass improved very quickly since the 1950's years.
Lovely video, 👌
Many thanks, glad you enjoyed it!
Good evening sir, i like this lens very much , but a serious question: how dangerous is the Radioctive Zeiss Pancolar zebra for the helth?
I don't know is the honest answer - I can't see it would do too much harm as they were used very widely back in the day, but if you're worried then use the later, non-radioactive version perhaps?
Hey Nigel, do you know, if it is true that only the early version(8 blades instead of 6) of the "zebra" version has radioactive glass within the Pancolar? I like the "zebra" lenses, but I don't want to have radioactive lenses at home.
I haven't tested it myself, but by reputation yes, the zebra pancolar is said to be radioactive. The good news is that the later version isn't, and my copy gives outstanding results.
@@zenography7923 Ah okay, so you would assume that also the younger version of the zebra verison is radioactive? Hm. 😕
The zebra version is radioactive up to serial number 8552600. They were produced with Thorium, which is a naturally occurring radioactive element.
which one is better. jena pancolar ZEBRA or MC?
The earlier (radioactive) zebra version is said to be slightly nicer, though I haven't tried this one. However I don't have any complaints about my (non-radioactive) MC version - it's one of the best lenses, vintage or modern, I've ever used. Also, given the choice, I'd take the non-radioactive version...
@@zenography7923 how to know if it's earlier version or not? I have Zebra version written AUSJENA not Car Zeiss Jena. 8938302
@@fernandagunsanchannel radioactive ones are before 85526xx in the serial number, yours is not radioactive.
You do not mention what lens mount this lens has. Kind of important information don't you think????
M42 screwmount!
what about the difference between red or white "MC" ? Where can I find informations about the production years or different branding and coatings? Thanx!
This might be useful: allphotolenses.com/lenses/brands/c_5.html
Hi a big nooby here. Just order my 1st camera from Fuji that has X mount. I was wondering how do I attach this lens to my Fuji. Which adapter do I need? Thank in advance!
K&F Concept adapters are well made and not overpriced. You want m42 to Fuji X. Check your lens is the m42 screw mount.
@@nigelcassidy9880 thank you. This was very helpful. Didn't know about this website until now. New to the hobby. Appreciate it.
Hey, what's the difference this to the zebra edition?
The zebra version is earlier, and uses radioactive elements in its glass. I don't know if there's a difference in image quality as I haven't used a zebra, but I found this later version to be excellent!
Thank you for the superb videos! What is the difference between the mc and the zebra lens?
There's little if any difference in image quality, however as I understand it, the zebra version is radioactive, containing thorium in its glass. Hope that helps!
@@zenography7923 thanks!
do you have the 35mm flektogon im awaiting that review...
I used the Flektogon quite a bit in earlier videos - shouldn't be hard to find. And all the videos where I don't appear on camera were shot with it too!
One step closer to Zen ! A Zebra stuck to a body should be on it's way.... I'm blaming this channel ! : ) I say I'll just part with one of my other 50s once it arrives, but we all know that's probably a lie...
Is there a way to tell the year made for this lens?
This might help: forum.mflenses.com/carl-zeiss-jena-lenses-issue-date-by-serial-number-t6865.html
Sweet
Hi there. I have a pentagon auto 50mm 1.8 MC.. the markings on the lens body are identical including the grip. Is this the same lens?
Not the same, although it does look similar. The Pentacon was a development of a Meyer Optik design - a nice lens for sure, but lacking the super sharpness of the Pancolar.
@@zenography7923 thank you for taking the time to reply. Appreciate it. 😁
👍
Hello, A little question here, how can I recognize the ones which could be potentially radioactive? Thanks!
Pancolar Lenses up to SN 8552600 made from 1964 to 1967 had Thorium and were radioactive.
The question is, which were the best lenses, the radioactive one or the nonradioactive ones.
@@jmoss99 Thanks so much for your answer. I guess my Pancolar should be fine, Year of manufacture 1983/Germany - Serial number: 933067. What about Helios 40 and 44M? Do you have more info about it? Thanks!
I do not. Look around the web is all. Who made them?
I would not shy away from radioactive lenses. Just know if they are or not and handle them appropriately. I own three Takumar lenses that are radioactive. Lots of lenses made by Kodak were radioactive back in the day. I think they are better lenses generally. It was a way to get higher performance from the rear glass elements. My three Takumar lenses are listed here. They are great lenses.
Asahi Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 55mm f1.8 750 CPM
Asahi Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 35mm f2 1850 CPM
My Asahi Super Takumar 50mm f1.4 reads 2250 CPM
It seems like these lenses are only in 50mm is this true??
No, there was also an 85mm Pancolar, which might just be the nicest vintage lens I've ever used - utterly stunning! Unfortunately, it comes with a stunning price tag too!
what is a good price for it?
In the uk it seems to go for around £120 - £140 or thereabouts.
How does this one compare to the non-MC zebra version?
The non-MC is inferior, you should not get it. Just add some cash and get the MC version, you won't regret it.
@@MajorTomWorkshop, as I know, there are three versions of these lenses. Do you know which one is the best? Also, do you know if there is a 50mm 1.4?
@@cjewe1z I have also seen an MC version with "MC" written in white letters -- is probably what you mean? I have the one with red letters. Looks like there is a 55/1.4 Pancolar, but that would cost a fortune, I guess. Checked with Ebay, found one for $3000. ;)
Did you hire God to do the voiceover?
:)
Look's like the Pentacon Praktica 50mm.
The Pentacon 1.8 is made by Meyer Görlitz and a good Lens, the Pancolar is made by Carl Zeiss and the best DDR Lens you can buy.
@@matthiasbarenfanger331 I know that.
@@LeendertCordemans The Pancolar is number 4 in my top 5 old 50mm prime lens
@@matthiasbarenfanger331 mine says 'Carl zeiss Jena DDR P 1:1.8 f=50mm MC' which lens do I have?
@@samsstreets8684 If you have a Praktika B Serie Camera it is the Kit lens , a update form the Pancolar, a littel more sharpness but less Colors.
Lovely video and great examples as always. Beneath the sad love there's an etched message which you may not want in your video. Doesn't bother me and won't bother many others but I know you have a faith so wanted to let you know in case a re-edit is necessary. Hope this is ok and please feel free to remove my comment if it's not (or let me know I need to edit it!!)
Hi - I don't mind, but thanks for letting me know.
Jena is pronounced as "yena" in hyena
yeah east germany used put western technology to shame
T’y 👍☕️
Crap lens that sold on the very last Exacta cameras closed out for $79.95. Camera and lens.............complete.....$79.95.
pancolar is my best friend, and its best friend is a screw driver.
I know what you mean!
@@zenography7923 It's about a vintage story, open the lens, look at the marks made by someone 20 years ago, clean/lube and give it another 20 years... that's the life.