My favourite has to be the Pentax 50mm 1.7 (SMC Pentax-M) because it’s sharp, doesn’t vignette and is small enough it fits in your coat pocket with a ME body.
💯 agree with him that Leica shouldn’t change the viewfinder on M. Always open for a new line of cameras, the M is holy purely because of the glorious Rangefinder.
The Leica Summicron-C 40mm is hands down the most underrated M lens, and it holds a special place in my heart. It came with my first Leica camera, the Leica CL, and that combo kick-started my photography journey. This lens isn't just glass and metal-it's the spark that ignited my passion for photography, making it my all-time favorite.
Leica Summilux 35/1.4 is my favorite vintage lens. I bought it in a nice camera store located in the Westbahnstrasse ;-). I really dig it because of its small form factor and it is so smooth to handle, and sometimes I am happy capturing a shot that isnÄt too bad ;-). Keep up the great work and thanks for your content!
Sure. I don't want to ask the budget question so I list a few I think are great to start. TLR Cameras: Yashica MAT 124-G (red our blog about it), Lomo Lubitel 166, Rolleicord IV. Rangefinder Cameras: Zeiss Ikon Super Ikonta, Voigtländer Bessa RF, Balda Super Baldax. SLR Cameras: Mamiya 645, Bronica EC-TL, Pentacon Six (if fully operable).
My favorite leica lens is the summicron 35 king of bokeh v4 . It was the first lens that came as a combo when I purchase my Leica M7 here in montreal at my local leica store. I was buying into the Leica brand without knowing what really this lens was capable of since I was a newbie to the the m bodies. Cheers form Montreal City !
My favourite lens is the konica hexanon dual 21-35 f3.4/4 because it is beautifully built and is crisp like a leica lens but also has slight imperfections that gives it a nice vintage feel. Also it is quite rare so it makes you feel special 😂
My favourite vintage lens, or at least one of my favourites, is the Auto Rikenon 55mm 1.4 It comes without the hafty price tag of a leica lens, but still produces very sharp images with a very beautiful bokeh. And it’s built to last ;)
Life got in the way so I just recently rekindled my passion for photography and I've been so interested with vintage cameras. I own a Canon EOS 1100D and would love to have a vintage lens. I'd say my favorite vintage lens is the Pentax Super Takumar 50mm f/1.4. I once got to try it with my Canon. I enjoy the unique character and vintage feel. It gives your photos a distinct vintage look, especially with its unique bokeh and color rendering. It is known for its solid construction, adding a tactile, enjoyable aspect to your photography. This lens is known for its high quality and sharpness across the aperture range. It is sharp when stopped down, but can be a bit soft at f/1.4. However, this softness can add to the vintage charm of your photos. It's a fast lens that's great for low-light situations. As for the Bokeh, the lens produces beautiful, creamy bokeh, which is highly sought after for portrait photography.
My favourite Lens has to be the Auto-Takumar 35mm f/3.5 something about the way it renders colours and contrast is so pleasing to me, and it came attached to the first ever camera I bought, so I have a lot of sentimental attachment!
My first real love of vintage glass is still my pristine Leica 35mm Summaron f2.8 LTM, that’s married via the adapter to my first analog Leica my M2. Both are about the same vintage as I am! And I used them to take one of my favorite photos of the Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II during a protest outside the North Carolina State Legislature building. Cheers from Raleigh NC USA, Stephen
The Leica 85mm f/1.5 Summarex LTM is one of my favorites with the versatility to be used on Leica LTM and M cameras, creating a natural vintage portrait look on film and digital with simply wonderful crazy swirly backgrounds and bokeh when shot wide open enclosed in a hefty piece of brass built like a tank.
Still undervalued in my opinion. I wonder why cinematographers haven't picked up on these yet. There was so much hype about the Canon LTM 85mm f/1.5.... Why not the Summarex?
Probably my Mamiya Sekor Z 110mm f 2.8. I never, well almost never strayed from my film cameras. I lost a large contract in the early 2000's because I had yet to move over to digital. The prospective client wouldn't accept scanned Provia slides to disc. Kodak did a lovely job of scanning my Provia slide work. So, I bought a Nikon D7000 and a macro lens. It was too late for that. I never embraced digital but just as a matter of convenience, and serendipity, my brother and sister-in-law bought me a Canon PowerShot G10, which I admittedly love. But I never sold my photography soul to digital. I even bought privately a Mamiya RZ67 which I love but still on a learning curve. I even picked up an Olympus 35 EC, but, that's another story.
Surprisingly my favourite vintage lens is my newest addition. The Minolta 70-210mm AF f/4 "Beercan". It actually only cost €15 but is so much fun on a Sony A7CR.
The lens I keep reading about in vintage category is Jupiter 11 135mm f/4. The lens is supposed to offer amazing image quality, super sharpness and warm colours. I have not seen one. Amazing channel.
To me, the Leica Summicron 5cm f/2 rigid from the 1950s is cherished for its lifelike rendering and compact design, making it perfect for portraits and street photography. Its historical significance and timeless build quality embody Leica's mastery of optical engineering.
My fav vintage lens is the Leica-M 75mm Summilux 1.4 (V3): it has that extra reach a 50mm lacks, thus also extra compression. Combined with it’s 70cm minimum focus and fast aperture this one bumped my 90/2 off the throne. Quite some chromatic aberration even stopped down, but that only add to black and white rendering! Danke schön Dr. Mandler!
@@JoGeierChannel Quick question: what's your take of German VS. Canadian made optics? I got an answer on that question from someone at Leica Wetzlar but curious to hear your opinion. Merry Christmas in advance and thanks for your time!
@@NoNameGraphicss Some optics have been produced in Germany and got the Canadian barrels and engraved rings (export reasons), and vice versa. Some optics are 100% identical while A FEW others can vary (different coating for example - early pre-asph. Summilux 1.4/35mm and late version pre-aspehrical Summilux 35mm f/1.4 where the latest is a Germany version). What have you heard?
@@JoGeierChannelWell they told me that Leica wanted to pull the plug on the M-system because it wasn’t selling. Their Canada branch said: give us the machines we’ll make it work. They could IF they could generate 4000 (?) leads / sales. And so they did! So I’d say the quality and persuading customers about it came from Canada actually. It’s the Deutsche Gründlichkeit connotation that persists in people’s minds that drives people to pay 1000€ more for the same lens apparently. 😅
One of my favorites is the Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 75mm f/1.5. It’s a rare gem with an ethereal softness and distinctive character. When mounted on my Praktica FX, it’s like stepping into a different time. The combination of this lens and camera makes every shot feel intentional, almost like crafting a painting with light. Its imperfections-like subtle flaring and dreamy softness wide open-are what give its soul. It creates a mesmerizing separation between subject and background, adding depth and artistry to portraits and close-ups.
not that experienced with vintage lenses so far. but i'm pretty sure the Summicron-C 40mm f2 will always stay special for me. so tiny and razorsharp, it is the perfect match to my beloved CL
First, danke for all the great work on this channel. I must say, my favorite lens would be the Leitz Summicron rigid. It renders, images so well they almost look 3D. Not only do I use it on my M cameras but on my SL2s. Cheers
Minolta 50mm 1.4. It has soo much character at 1.4, which I love for portraits, but at 2.8, it gets pretty sharp for more normal pictures. I also got it for dirt cheap as it has scratches on the front, but until f5.6, it is not noticeable at all. My first and favorite vintage lens < 3
Thank you for what you're doing, Jo! I'm minolta fan, especially SRT series. My favorite lens is MC Rokkor-PF 55mm 1.7... This lens is inexpensive and not rare, but as I think it is one of the most magical. I love it for its creamy picture and bokeh (b&w only). I have several 50mm Rokkor lenses, but this one is the best!
@@JoGeierChannel Yes, of course my lovely Q2 is 28mm, but I am putting some 28s on my bigger bodies now. You always hear the 43mm is what our eyes see, but I disagree. Obviously, our total field of vision (including peripheral) is much, much wider than that. And I think our normal field of vision is much wider than 43.
Got to watch some of your content this morning. Love your work on this channel! My favorite vintage lens is nothing crazy, but it's the Leica Summicron-R 50mm F/2. It's the lens that made me fall in love with film photography, and opened me into the world of Leica. Cheers!
Schneider Symmar S 150mm - purchased new in 1986 with my first large format camera (Wista 45 DX) and it brings back early memories of starting my journey in large format. Both lens and camera still in use today and my go to combination
The Leica Summicron 50mm f/2 is a renowned vintage lens, especially the early “Rigid” and “Collapsible” versions from the 1950s. It’s celebrated for its sharpness, creamy bokeh, and warm, filmic color rendering. At wide apertures, it produces a dreamy “glow” effect that adds character to images. Its robust build and timeless optical quality make it a favorite among collectors and photographers.
Great video! My favorite vintage lens is the Zeiss Planar 50mm f1.7 for C/Y. Its has such a wonderful rendition that is very hard to find in lenses that are so affordable. A second great option is the Nikkor 50mm f1.4 S-Auto for the Nikon F. What a beauty!
The HELIOS 44-M 55mm f/2 lens, it has a special character, adaptable to other even digital cameras and also has a special place on my shelf as it is a heritage from my grandfather and my first analog experience when I was teenager.
As a new member of the analogue community, and my limited knowledge that comes with that, I'd say my favourite one is Konica Hexanon AR 40mm f1.8 ! Perfect focal length for my street photography walks, sharp enough results, as well as being affordable!
My favourite vintage lens is the original 9cm Thambar, complete with spot filter and hood. Great for portraits and 'soft' landscapes and I can't replicate the results with any other lens.
Soligor 28mm 2.8, it's one of the first lenses I ever acquired and it's special to me because it seems to be different to all other of the same lens I have seen, it's an early model I guess because the serial is 4 numbers and a letter with 12 aperture blades compared to the normal 6, it's nice to have something special when there's no additional price tag associated with it.
My favorite vintage lens is the Elmar 5cm 3,5 on my IIIa. ❤ Shot with black and white, it gives that nostalgic moody look, certainly in the winter light. Shot with colour, it brings out a surprisingly lively colour palette! What a treat to see this 90+ year old lens still alive and kicking in the 21st century!
Amazing giveaway. This is a hard question. I have so many favorite vintage lenses. If I had to pick one, it would probably be the Helios 44-2 58mm f/2. Its dreamy swirly bokeh and solid, nostalgic design make every shot feel artistic and unique. I love pairing it with my trusty old Zenit-E-it’s like stepping back in time with every click!
Super Takumar 35mm f2. It always seems to deliver great shots. It makes warmer photos due to the radioactivity, I’ve never cleared it but just lean into it or adjust my white balance. I don’t really have a reason, maybe it is the 50mm equivalent on my APS-C crop sensor or just the how delightful it is to use, but it’s usually the first lens I grab.
I can't afford the Leica or Zeiss vintage lenses that I see on the market, but I was able to get a 39mm screw mount Canon 50mm f1.8 from the 50s or 60s...bought it after seeing Matt Osborne's videos on it. I think it is a wonderful lens and love the way it renders the background wide open...can't say much more than Matt did. I just agree with him. Cheers.
For me, the Carl Zeiss Planar 50mm f/1.7 stands out as the best vintage lens because of its outstanding sharpness, creamy bokeh, robust build, and ability to deliver the classic Zeiss look on modern cameras.
The Leica Summicron 35mm F2 version 3. It is small and lovely to handle, my copy has just the right focus weight/feel. It's sharp at all apertures but it just sings when shot wide open at F2 with a lovely slight vintage rendering, sharp in the center and a bit dreamy surrounding that with a cool looking bokeh. it makes the photos really special, especially with environmental portraits. I pair it with my M4 or M9. The V4 gets all the glory but the Crown Prince V3 is an under-rated gem. Kudos to Dr. Walter Mandler!
Favourite vintage lens: Minolta Rokkor MC 1.2 58. Beautiful rendering, still enough sharpness, best creamy bokehlicious of any lens out there. Use it also on Fuji GFX. Dream combination. Thx
The canon 50mm 1.8 that was my first vintage lens, it’s been mounted on everything from a canon L1, VIt, and P a Bessa R, T, and L, Minolta CL and CLE and even a Leica MP9. It’s traveled the world with me and still impresses me
Favorite vintage lens? That’s a tough one. While definitely not rare or exotic, I think for me it’s the 75mm Tessar f/3.5 from the Rolleiflex Automats. Early on in my photography journey I shot with a Rolleiflex MX-EVS Type II for about 5 years. It documented many of the early journeys and honeymoon with my now wife and the look of that lens is something that represents a special time in my life.
Leica Summicron 50mm F2 Rigid A lot of modern lenses are simply well, too sharp, this one has its own characteristic bokeh with a slight painterly swirl and poetry built in.
The UA-cam algorithm placed your video in my stream today and I'm glad it did. Having bought from your shop before I recommended you to friend today who's thinking about an M4. Anyway you've a new subscriber here and looking forward to browsing your videos. Happy Christmas from Ireland. My favourite vintage lens is my Leitz Summarit 5cm f1.5 from 1954, it's the first Leica lens I purchased some years ago when I fell in love with the Leica brand and how Leica lenses give that certain look.
I don't have a lot of experience with vintage lenses but my favorite is Carl Zeiss Jena 35/2.4. Things I like about it: super sharp, low distortion. And close minimum focus distance, that was the thing that drew me to this lens when I saw how close up you can get with it.
My favorite lens is the Canon 50mm f1.8 LTM that I acquired from my grandmother with the Canon ii rangefinder. This set started my photography journey... and also GAS
My favorite vintage lens is the Voigtländer 35mm f/2.5 VM Color-Skopar P II Lens. It is a compact and lightweight lens that offers a lot of value. Despite its small size, this lens delivers excellent image quality with good sharpness and color reproduction. It's a reliable performer that gets out of the way and lets the scene speak for itself. The 35mm focal length is versatile for various types of photography, from street to landscape, making it a great all-around lens. I love it because of its compact, lightweight, and affordable lens without compromising on quality.
Thank you for your channel. I found you by watching an episode interviewing Josh Lehrer from Leica Miami. I just picked up a well used M3 DS last week after searching for a few months. I have yet to put a roll thru since I don't have a lens yet. Alot to choose from, but leaning towards a Summicron 50mm F2 V4. It's relatively small size, tab and great samples online are what interest me.
My favourite vintage lens is the Helios 44M. The reason behind that is that this was quite simply the first lens I ever used. Back in the days when I was still a young guy, my grandfather gave me an old camera he had because I was interested in photography. And this was a Zenit TTL, that he got at a fleamarket after the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 90s for very cheap. It came attached with the Helios 44M. Almost 20 years later, I still have everything here.
Now i am into only pocket point and shoot camera [ mine is LEICA MINI ZOOM ] but my favorite lens is CANON FD series, especially the 50mm f1.8. Every photo i took look so CINEMATIC as well detail. The color become more vibrant under good lighting.
My favourite has to be the Pentax 50mm 1.7 (SMC Pentax-M) because it’s sharp, doesn’t vignette and is small enough it fits in your coat pocket with a ME body.
The Olympus Zuiko 50mm 1.8 is my favourite currently, but I’m just at the beginning of my analogue journey.
My favorite lens is the takumar 105mm 2.4 because of its unreal sharpness and it apparently has radioactive thorium in it too which is wild
💯 agree with him that Leica shouldn’t change the viewfinder on M. Always open for a new line of cameras, the M is holy purely because of the glorious Rangefinder.
My favourite vintage lens is Helios 44m 58mm F2 as it has amazing image quality
The Leica Summicron-C 40mm is hands down the most underrated M lens, and it holds a special place in my heart. It came with my first Leica camera, the Leica CL, and that combo kick-started my photography journey. This lens isn't just glass and metal-it's the spark that ignited my passion for photography, making it my all-time favorite.
A super compact lens with a focal length I really like
Nikkor 24 mm 2.8 : sharp and beautiful
Leica Summilux 35/1.4 is my favorite vintage lens. I bought it in a nice camera store located in the Westbahnstrasse ;-). I really dig it because of its small form factor and it is so smooth to handle, and sometimes I am happy capturing a shot that isnÄt too bad ;-).
Keep up the great work and thanks for your content!
Thank you very much! I appreciate it.
My Leica 50 Rigid. Was the first lens I bought with my M3 back in 1992 and still going strong.
You can't go wrong with a rigid Summicron.
Nikkor 24 mm 2.8 for his sharpness❤
Any suggestions for entry into 120 film format cameras? I am a newby in analogue photography.
Sure. I don't want to ask the budget question so I list a few I think are great to start. TLR Cameras: Yashica MAT 124-G (red our blog about it), Lomo Lubitel 166, Rolleicord IV. Rangefinder Cameras: Zeiss Ikon Super Ikonta, Voigtländer Bessa RF, Balda Super Baldax. SLR Cameras: Mamiya 645, Bronica EC-TL, Pentacon Six (if fully operable).
I love my Nikkor 28mm f/2.8 AIS. It has great rendering and is my favorite focal length.
A beloved lens.
My favorite leica lens is the summicron 35 king of bokeh v4 . It was the first lens that came as a combo when I purchase my Leica M7 here in montreal at my local leica store. I was buying into the Leica brand without knowing what really this lens was capable of since I was a newbie to the the m bodies. Cheers form Montreal City !
Thanks for sharing your story.
My favourite lens is the konica hexanon dual 21-35 f3.4/4 because it is beautifully built and is crisp like a leica lens but also has slight imperfections that gives it a nice vintage feel. Also it is quite rare so it makes you feel special 😂
Indeed a rare lens, at least in Europe.
11870 is a dream!
My favourite vintage lens, or at least one of my favourites, is the Auto Rikenon 55mm 1.4
It comes without the hafty price tag of a leica lens, but still produces very sharp images with a very beautiful bokeh. And it’s built to last ;)
i cant really pick between helios 44-2/contax zeiss 85 or v RD 17mm
Life got in the way so I just recently rekindled my passion for photography and I've been so interested with vintage cameras. I own a Canon EOS 1100D and would love to have a vintage lens. I'd say my favorite vintage lens is the Pentax Super Takumar 50mm f/1.4. I once got to try it with my Canon. I enjoy the unique character and vintage feel. It gives your photos a distinct vintage look, especially with its unique bokeh and color rendering. It is known for its solid construction, adding a tactile, enjoyable aspect to your photography. This lens is known for its high quality and sharpness across the aperture range. It is sharp when stopped down, but can be a bit soft at f/1.4. However, this softness can add to the vintage charm of your photos. It's a fast lens that's great for low-light situations. As for the Bokeh, the lens produces beautiful, creamy bokeh, which is highly sought after for portrait photography.
Lovely lens.
My favorite lens is the SMC Pentax 67 1:2.4 105mm that produces portrait pictures with sole and character.😊
Used on film or digital via adapter?
Leica favourite lens is 50mm summarit LTM circa 1960s because it’s the only Leica lens I have. I dream of the 35mm APO-Summicron M !
If only the APO 35mm would be regularly available.
Leica R 80mm Summilux, a superb lens, great color rendering, fascinating bokeh
Excellent choice.
My favourite Lens has to be the Auto-Takumar 35mm f/3.5 something about the way it renders colours and contrast is so pleasing to me, and it came attached to the first ever camera I bought, so I have a lot of sentimental attachment!
To me the perfect size of a lens.
Leica 35mm 1.4 Summilux Steel Rim with the googles, what a beautiful look!
Absolutely. Much more a "King of Bokeh" than the so-called ...
My first real love of vintage glass is still my pristine Leica 35mm Summaron f2.8 LTM, that’s married via the adapter to my first analog Leica my M2. Both are about the same vintage as I am! And I used them to take one of my favorite photos of the Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II during a protest outside the North Carolina State Legislature building. Cheers from Raleigh NC USA, Stephen
Great lens, mine is permanently mount on my M6.
Nice! I’ve just checked the serial numbers and both made in 1959, so a couple of years younger than me but have aged in much better shape! 😎
The Leica 85mm f/1.5 Summarex LTM is one of my favorites with the versatility to be used on Leica LTM and M cameras, creating a natural vintage portrait look on film and digital with simply wonderful crazy swirly backgrounds and bokeh when shot wide open enclosed in a hefty piece of brass built like a tank.
Still undervalued in my opinion. I wonder why cinematographers haven't picked up on these yet. There was so much hype about the Canon LTM 85mm f/1.5.... Why not the Summarex?
My favourite vintage lens is my Leica 40mm summicron - it’s so small and the optics are fantastic and it’s a great price for Leica glass
Very true.
Probably my Mamiya Sekor Z 110mm f 2.8. I never, well almost never strayed from my film cameras. I lost a large contract in the early 2000's because I had yet to move over to digital. The prospective client wouldn't accept scanned Provia slides to disc. Kodak did a lovely job of scanning my Provia slide work. So, I bought a Nikon D7000 and a macro lens. It was too late for that. I never embraced digital but just as a matter of convenience, and serendipity, my brother and sister-in-law bought me a Canon PowerShot G10, which I admittedly love. But I never sold my photography soul to digital. I even bought privately a Mamiya RZ67 which I love but still on a learning curve. I even picked up an Olympus 35 EC, but, that's another story.
Nice choice. Thank you for sharing your story.
Nikon 150mm f5.6 copal lens for my 4x5 because everybody loves a wooden box. :)
YES
For now, 28mm F2.8 MMJ Carl Zeiss C/Y lens. I've used it on my Contax, Canon & can be used on my special Yashica camera. All above are 35mm cameras.
Carl Zeiss Jena 35/2.4 - super sharp, close focusing (1:2 reproduction ratio), low distortion, pleasant bokeh. My default lens for almost everything.
The Flektogon!
Hi, I guess we received an order from you but never heard back. Could you please contact us by mail!? Thank you.
My favorite lens is the Summicron 50mm f2 DR for the mechanical construction and optical quality. Happy Christmas
Thank you very much!
Contax G Zeiss 45mm f/2 Planar.
Surprisingly my favourite vintage lens is my newest addition. The Minolta 70-210mm AF f/4 "Beercan". It actually only cost €15 but is so much fun on a Sony A7CR.
My favorite vintage lens is Jupiter 50mm f2 because it puts the surroundings in a very beautiful perspective.
The lens I keep reading about in vintage category is Jupiter 11 135mm f/4. The lens is supposed to offer amazing image quality, super sharpness and warm colours. I have not seen one. Amazing channel.
Thank you very much!
Olympus Zuiko Auto-S 50 mm 1.8 auf der OM1 😍
A classic.
Retrospectively, I really miss my 35mm f2 summaron. I sold it a few years back unfortunately and the prices are now much higher 😢
A 50mm Summilux 😍 I don’t have one but would love one for my M3.
We can help with that :)
My favorite vintage lens is the 50mm summilux v2 in chrome, matches my M3 nicely and has a very nice look on b&w film! Plus the speed helps :)
Also on a digital M!
@@JoGeierChannel digitally I use an SL for various reasons. My fav lens there is the goggled 35mm summicron, guaranteed head turner 😀
@@sunny16portraits 100%
I attended the camera auction in November, which was my first one! Really interesting and fascinating how high the bids went! 😅😊
Leica Summicron 50mm f/2 (rigid) 📸🔴
Can't go wrong with a classic.
To me, the Leica Summicron 5cm f/2 rigid from the 1950s is cherished for its lifelike rendering and compact design, making it perfect for portraits and street photography. Its historical significance and timeless build quality embody Leica's mastery of optical engineering.
Well said!
My favorite always will be the Summicron-R 35mm f/2, I am pretty certain! That lens has surprised me more often than any other lens I’ve ever used!
My fav vintage lens is the Leica-M 75mm Summilux 1.4 (V3): it has that extra reach a 50mm lacks, thus also extra compression. Combined with it’s 70cm minimum focus and fast aperture this one bumped my 90/2 off the throne. Quite some chromatic aberration even stopped down, but that only add to black and white rendering! Danke schön Dr. Mandler!
An alll-time classic and one of our favourites as well.
@@JoGeierChannel Quick question: what's your take of German VS. Canadian made optics? I got an answer on that question from someone at Leica Wetzlar but curious to hear your opinion. Merry Christmas in advance and thanks for your time!
@@NoNameGraphicss Some optics have been produced in Germany and got the Canadian barrels and engraved rings (export reasons), and vice versa. Some optics are 100% identical while A FEW others can vary (different coating for example - early pre-asph. Summilux 1.4/35mm and late version pre-aspehrical Summilux 35mm f/1.4 where the latest is a Germany version). What have you heard?
@@JoGeierChannelWell they told me that Leica wanted to pull the plug on the M-system because it wasn’t selling. Their Canada branch said: give us the machines we’ll make it work. They could IF they could generate 4000 (?) leads / sales. And so they did! So I’d say the quality and persuading customers about it came from Canada actually. It’s the Deutsche Gründlichkeit connotation that persists in people’s minds that drives people to pay 1000€ more for the same lens apparently. 😅
One of my favorites is the Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 75mm f/1.5. It’s a rare gem with an ethereal softness and distinctive character.
When mounted on my Praktica FX, it’s like stepping into a different time. The combination of this lens and camera makes every shot feel intentional, almost like crafting a painting with light. Its imperfections-like subtle flaring and dreamy softness wide open-are what give its soul. It creates a mesmerizing separation between subject and background, adding depth and artistry to portraits and close-ups.
Just beautiful. Thank you.
not that experienced with vintage lenses so far. but i'm pretty sure the Summicron-C 40mm f2 will always stay special for me. so tiny and razorsharp, it is the perfect match to my beloved CL
That's the reason why it is so loved.
First, danke for all the great work on this channel. I must say, my favorite lens would be the Leitz Summicron rigid. It renders, images so well they almost look 3D. Not only do I use it on my M cameras but on my SL2s. Cheers
Thank you very much! A clean rigid Summicron 5cm f/2 is wonderful.
Right now, the voigtlander color-skopar 35mm f2.5. I can't think of another modern lens that's as affordable, as optically wonderful and as compact
Used this lens more often than I can think of.
Minolta 50mm 1.4. It has soo much character at 1.4, which I love for portraits, but at 2.8, it gets pretty sharp for more normal pictures. I also got it for dirt cheap as it has scratches on the front, but until f5.6, it is not noticeable at all. My first and favorite vintage lens < 3
Canon FL58mm is one of my favorites. The flare under the right conditions is 👌
My favourite vintage lens (even though it is fixed to my Olympus 35UC) is the G.Zuiko 42mm f/1.7
Thank you for what you're doing, Jo! I'm minolta fan, especially SRT series. My favorite lens is MC Rokkor-PF 55mm 1.7... This lens is inexpensive and not rare, but as I think it is one of the most magical. I love it for its creamy picture and bokeh (b&w only). I have several 50mm Rokkor lenses, but this one is the best!
Thank you very much, I appreciate it.
Nikkor 50 /1.1 S external mount, ultra fast, wonderful bokeh, depth of field of this lens is unforgettable
NICE
My favourite lens at the moment is the 28mm Elmarit f2.8 because of the rendering, colour and how handy it is for street photography.
The 28mm focal length is coming back into camera bags more and more
@@JoGeierChannel Yes, of course my lovely Q2 is 28mm, but I am putting some 28s on my bigger bodies now. You always hear the 43mm is what our eyes see, but I disagree. Obviously, our total field of vision (including peripheral) is much, much wider than that. And I think our normal field of vision is much wider than 43.
Got to watch some of your content this morning. Love your work on this channel!
My favorite vintage lens is nothing crazy, but it's the Leica Summicron-R 50mm F/2. It's the lens that made me fall in love with film photography, and opened me into the world of Leica. Cheers!
Thank you very much, I do appreciate it.
My favourite lens is canon fd 28mm f2 so not special reason other then its my main lens i use
Schneider Symmar S 150mm - purchased new in 1986 with my first large format camera (Wista 45 DX) and it brings back early memories of starting my journey in large format. Both lens and camera still in use today and my go to combination
My Favorit lens is the summicron c 40mm f2 on a leica m6, the Look on hp5 pusht too 1600 👌
Very nice choice.
Leica summilux 35mm pre asph on a monochrom.
YES. 100%.
The Leica Summicron 50mm f/2 is a renowned vintage lens, especially the early “Rigid” and “Collapsible” versions from the 1950s. It’s celebrated for its sharpness, creamy bokeh, and warm, filmic color rendering. At wide apertures, it produces a dreamy “glow” effect that adds character to images. Its robust build and timeless optical quality make it a favorite among collectors and photographers.
Very well said.
Great video! My favorite vintage lens is the Zeiss Planar 50mm f1.7 for C/Y. Its has such a wonderful rendition that is very hard to find in lenses that are so affordable. A second great option is the Nikkor 50mm f1.4 S-Auto for the Nikon F. What a beauty!
Thank you very much!
The HELIOS 44-M 55mm f/2 lens, it has a special character, adaptable to other even digital cameras and also has a special place on my shelf as it is a heritage from my grandfather and my first analog experience when I was teenager.
Thank you for sharing your story.
As a new member of the analogue community, and my limited knowledge that comes with that, I'd say my favourite one is Konica Hexanon AR 40mm f1.8 ! Perfect focal length for my street photography walks, sharp enough results, as well as being affordable!
I really like the 40mm focal length as discussed in another video. Also the 40mm Konica lens is super compact.
@@JoGeierChannel Oh I didn't notice that video! Mind sharing it??
@@flaccidvs It was in the last video with Josh Lehrer.
My favourite vintage lens is the original 9cm Thambar, complete with spot filter and hood. Great for portraits and 'soft' landscapes and I can't replicate the results with any other lens.
Well said.
Soligor 28mm 2.8, it's one of the first lenses I ever acquired and it's special to me because it seems to be different to all other of the same lens I have seen, it's an early model I guess because the serial is 4 numbers and a letter with 12 aperture blades compared to the normal 6, it's nice to have something special when there's no additional price tag associated with it.
Now the price will increase for this version ;)
My favorite vintage lens is the Elmar 5cm 3,5 on my IIIa. ❤
Shot with black and white, it gives that nostalgic moody look, certainly in the winter light.
Shot with colour, it brings out a surprisingly lively colour palette!
What a treat to see this 90+ year old lens still alive and kicking in the 21st century!
No wonder this has been THE standard lens for more than 40 years.
Amazing giveaway. This is a hard question. I have so many favorite vintage lenses. If I had to pick one, it would probably be the Helios 44-2 58mm f/2. Its dreamy swirly bokeh and solid, nostalgic design make every shot feel artistic and unique. I love pairing it with my trusty old Zenit-E-it’s like stepping back in time with every click!
Super Takumar 35mm f2. It always seems to deliver great shots. It makes warmer photos due to the radioactivity, I’ve never cleared it but just lean into it or adjust my white balance. I don’t really have a reason, maybe it is the 50mm equivalent on my APS-C crop sensor or just the how delightful it is to use, but it’s usually the first lens I grab.
Very nice. Thanks for sharing.
I can't afford the Leica or Zeiss vintage lenses that I see on the market, but I was able to get a 39mm screw mount Canon 50mm f1.8 from the 50s or 60s...bought it after seeing Matt Osborne's videos on it. I think it is a wonderful lens and love the way it renders the background wide open...can't say much more than Matt did. I just agree with him. Cheers.
Now I understand :) Thank you for sharing.
For me, the Carl Zeiss Planar 50mm f/1.7 stands out as the best vintage lens because of its outstanding sharpness, creamy bokeh, robust build, and ability to deliver the classic Zeiss look on modern cameras.
Nice choice!
My favorite analog lens would have to be the one that came with the first slr I was able to get, rikenon F2 50mm
Eine altes Pentax 645 80mm Objektiv. Mit Adapter für eine Fuji GFX 50sII. Gibt klasses Bokeh. LG BM
Sehr schön! Danke
50mm Summilux v3 E46 for me. It is sharp without being too contrasty, and bokeh adds texture to backgrounds, which I prefer for outdoors B&W.
On film & digital !
The Leica Summicron 35mm F2 version 3. It is small and lovely to handle, my copy has just the right focus weight/feel. It's sharp at all apertures but it just sings when shot wide open at F2 with a lovely slight vintage rendering, sharp in the center and a bit dreamy surrounding that with a cool looking bokeh. it makes the photos really special, especially with environmental portraits. I pair it with my M4 or M9. The V4 gets all the glory but the Crown Prince V3 is an under-rated gem. Kudos to Dr. Walter Mandler!
I know what you are talking about!
@@JoGeierChannel We are speaking the same language, the Leica magic language!...😀
Nice video as usual Jo! 😊
For me it’s the 50mm Summicron DR, renders very nice and was the first close focusing M lens 😊
Very nice choice!
Favourite vintage lens: Minolta Rokkor MC 1.2 58. Beautiful rendering, still enough sharpness, best creamy bokehlicious of any lens out there. Use it also on Fuji GFX. Dream combination. Thx
Very nice choice!
The canon 50mm 1.8 that was my first vintage lens, it’s been mounted on everything from a canon L1, VIt, and P a Bessa R, T, and L, Minolta CL and CLE and even a Leica MP9. It’s traveled the world with me and still impresses me
Definitely an underrated lens
Favorite vintage lens? That’s a tough one. While definitely not rare or exotic, I think for me it’s the 75mm Tessar f/3.5 from the Rolleiflex Automats. Early on in my photography journey I shot with a Rolleiflex MX-EVS Type II for about 5 years. It documented many of the early journeys and honeymoon with my now wife and the look of that lens is something that represents a special time in my life.
Thanks for sharing your story.
My favourite vintage lens is the Summicron-r 50mm F2 because of its Character 🔴
Canon 50mm 1.8 ltm with the pesky lens haze I kind of liked how the pictures came out it's was like a built in soft filter.
Very nice.
My favorite vintage lens is Mamiya Sekor 55mm f1.4, for simply its mamiya in a focal length that i really like.
Leica Summicron 50mm F2 Rigid
A lot of modern lenses are simply well, too sharp, this one has its own characteristic bokeh with a slight painterly swirl and poetry built in.
Totally agree
The UA-cam algorithm placed your video in my stream today and I'm glad it did. Having bought from your shop before I recommended you to friend today who's thinking about an M4. Anyway you've a new subscriber here and looking forward to browsing your videos. Happy Christmas from Ireland. My favourite vintage lens is my Leitz Summarit 5cm f1.5 from 1954, it's the first Leica lens I purchased some years ago when I fell in love with the Leica brand and how Leica lenses give that certain look.
Thank you very much for sharing that. I do appreciate it. The Summarit is very underrated in my opinion, but seems to be not for everyone.
Canon 50mm f1.4 LTM M39 my fav lens on my MP...and only😅
The Japanese Summilux!
I don't have a lot of experience with vintage lenses but my favorite is Carl Zeiss Jena 35/2.4. Things I like about it: super sharp, low distortion. And close minimum focus distance, that was the thing that drew me to this lens when I saw how close up you can get with it.
The Flektogon. Interesting to observe how the close focusing distance has become a major driving factor choosing a vintage lens.
Leica Summicron always gives nice results.
Thanks 👍
Can't go wrong with a Summicron.
Canon 50mm f1.4 LTM M39 lens. Rare but affordable, nice feel, harmonic and unique look in the pictures ✨
The so-called "Japanese Summilux" :)
Great lens, but just to be perfectly honest: it’s not rare, just vintage
My favorite lens is the Canon 50mm f1.8 LTM that I acquired from my grandmother with the Canon ii rangefinder. This set started my photography journey... and also GAS
Thanks for sharing the story.
My favorite vintage lens is the Voigtländer 35mm f/2.5 VM Color-Skopar P II Lens. It is a compact and lightweight lens that offers a lot of value. Despite its small size, this lens delivers excellent image quality with good sharpness and color reproduction. It's a reliable performer that gets out of the way and lets the scene speak for itself. The 35mm focal length is versatile for various types of photography, from street to landscape, making it a great all-around lens. I love it because of its compact, lightweight, and affordable lens without compromising on quality.
100% Well said. I think it will become a real classic.
Nikon AF Nikkor 35mm 1:2D on Nikon FM2n, I like wider view and the Minolta MD Rokkor 1:1.4 50mm on Minolta X300s, nice bokeh and color
I like my Leidolf Wetzar Lordonar 1:2.8/50
Surprisingly beautiful lens on my Lordomat camera.
Interesting! Thank you.
My favorites it Helios 44 it’s unique swirly bokeh gives photos a distinctive, dreamy aesthetic that modern lenses often can’t replicate.
Thank you for your channel. I found you by watching an episode interviewing Josh Lehrer from Leica Miami. I just picked up a well used M3 DS last week after searching for a few months. I have yet to put a roll thru since I don't have a lens yet. Alot to choose from, but leaning towards a Summicron 50mm F2 V4. It's relatively small size, tab and great samples online are what interest me.
The Mandler Summicron 50. A classic choice. Thanks for watching and welcome to the channel.
My favourite vintage lens is the Helios 44M. The reason behind that is that this was quite simply the first lens I ever used. Back in the days when I was still a young guy, my grandfather gave me an old camera he had because I was interested in photography. And this was a Zenit TTL, that he got at a fleamarket after the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 90s for very cheap. It came attached with the Helios 44M. Almost 20 years later, I still have everything here.
Thank you for sharing your story.
Leica 35mm f/2 Summicron version 4 - best allrounder
And the first choice of many M users.
Pentax 105 for the 67. Outstanding lens and love the sharpness and contrast it produces 🤙
The medium format classic.
My fav. Is Leica 35mm v4, best. Rendering of 35mm on film
A lens that usually rarely dissapoints.
SMC Pentax 67 55mm f/4, the sharpness is great...simply an amazing lens!
I really love my 50mm Summicron V2 (rigid). Great vintage character and just the right amount of sharpness 🔥
Now i am into only pocket point and shoot camera [ mine is LEICA MINI ZOOM ] but my favorite lens is CANON FD series, especially the 50mm f1.8. Every photo i took look so CINEMATIC as well detail. The color become more vibrant under good lighting.