Lenses can be quite expensive. Minolta AF 70-210 f/4. He says, in reference to the Pentax 85mm, “this thing is built to outlast me.” And they just don’t make lenses like that anymore. Introduction to Vintage Russian Lenses for Indie Filmmakers. Introduction to Vintage Russian Lenses for Indie Filmmakers. Thanks to our friend, Matt Workman, of Cinematography Database, we were able to recreate our lighting setup digitally. Cool Vintage Tip For Black-and-White Shooters: To simulate the distinctive effect of shooting on old-fashioned orthochromatic film of the late 19th and early 20th Century, place a Tiffen #47 Blue Filter over the lens of your film camera, or your digital camera set for black-and-white capture. I love their 15-blade iris, which produces a bokeh that is always a perfect circular shape. These 6 vintage lenses cost me only $256! Although this guide is for buying a mirrorless camera for vintage lenses, it’s worth pointing out that the suggestions are being made with the idea that you may also want to use them with their native lenses and all their modern features. Best vintage telephoto lens for A6000 Jul 13, 2016 Hey guys! I learned about such lenses when Lomography created their New Petzval 85 lenses back in 2013, which became…, Copyright © 2021 Vintage Lenses For Video. For instance, in the Panavision line, we have the Sphero optics, which are vintage, and we have the System 65 lenses, which are vintage. Leica Summilux 50mm f1.4. keh bōˈkāThe visual quality of the out-of-focus areas of a photographic image, especially as rendered by a particular lens. Most new lenses cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a couple thousand. Modding vintage lenses for cine is an affordable alternative to buying modern cine lenses. I think of this lens as the humble do-it-all. Rokinon 14mm f/2.8. You’ll also find that most manufacturers, including Canon, Nikon, Sony, Sigma and Tokina, make very similar 24-70mm zoom lenses. Many people want to expand their glass collection but simply cannot afford it. 35mm f/1.8 W-Nikkor C. This W-Nikkor C was the first high-speed wide-angle lens for the Nikon S2 … With full-frame cameras continuing to come out, there are no other sets of vintage lenses that are in the T1.4 range from 18mm up to 85mm. We have a pick of the most popular oldies on the market. Mission: Our main goal with was to bring out the best in this lens but addressing the mechanical quirks and limitations of the … Canon FD 50mm f/1.2 L Identifiable by the L on its identification ring, and a red band in front of its … In 2005, Cooke introduced the S4/i lens which recorded digital protocol, so all lens info was easily available in post-production. 35mm f/1.8 W-Nikkor C. The first high-speed wide-angle for the Nikon S2 rangefinder camera of the … Using a vintage SLR lens on a DSLR can be a fun and, occasionally, frustrating experience. We use them on every shoot and they ROCK! But from budding first-time cinematographers through to mid-sized professional productions, needs and budgets vary considerably: what may qualify as the best camera for cinematography at one one end of the spectrum may not satisfy needs at the other. I usually found myself working with a 50mm prime and a zoom lens, preferably a Canon 70-200mm. Cooke S4 lenses made their first appearance in 1998. Rokinon 135mm f/2.0. The lure was intoxicating. WHY: Many people will ask: Why bother with such slow and fairly expensive 17mm prime, when every cheap modern kit lens more or less matches…, A fellow vintage lens user and filmmaker Khairil M Bahar, who is also the person behind a very popular “New Cameras – Old Glass” lens guide, is back on VLFV with an in-depth look at his SLR Magic Anamoprhot 2X anamorphic adapter. I’m sure a lot of you heard the name PETZVAL! Watch below where Workman breaks down how to use our library. These lenses were hundreds to even thousands of dollars when they were first released. What we mean is that vintage lenses, like vinyl, are more popular than ever as it’s their age and deficiencies that tame the digital-ness of modern-day cameras. Auto-Topcor) This amazing 7-element 5-group double-Gauss-formula lens, based on the Zeiss Planar, was produced in several versions, from about 1963 to 1980. There are some Chinese companies that re-house stills glass of various makes including Contax, relatively affordable. Because of this many indie-cinematographers will elect to stick to three go-to lenses. Photographing streets, nature and people can be taken to a whole new level thanks to such lenses – they will teach you how to use fully manual settings, including the manual focusing. Olympus 100mm f/2 OM Zuiko Auto-T This lens is famed for being one of the best vintage lenses in existence for portraiture, but I'd argue that it's so much more than that. Tag #bestvintagelens for a chance to be featured. I found the environment enchanting. Favorite Budget Vintage Lenses For Video Camera Am wanting to get some vintage glass for the a7s I'm buying - there are just so many different brands out there and I don't know too much about older lens … If you try to use that lens on a full frame camera, you get vignetting or a dark/black circle around your videos. I knew that the excitement I w… Click below to view behind the scenes photos. An inexpensive adapter will allow you to… When shooting a horizon, the horizon line stays perfectly straight (provided your … Yes please! You'll be able to find many vintage lenses for quite cheap. INTRO Only…, If you’ve watched the review above, you should now be pretty familiar with what IronGlass Amber PL Set is all about, but for those who want to know more, here is some additional info about each lens in my set in case you are not familiar with them. one of the best things about vintage lenses is being able to get a very fast aperture for an affordable price. This Pentax lens is best known for taking sharp photos at wide apertures, beautiful bokeh and honeycomb-shaped highlights that most consider an issue, but I consider a nice bonus. Acclaimed for its impressive sharpness even at its widest apertures, natural “rounded” rendition, and gorgeous bokeh,… Introduction to Contax Zeiss + Cine Tune-Up Guide, $1000 Carl Zeiss “Mini-Cine” Set | The Buyer’s Guide, Shooting Anamorphic with SLR Magic Anamorphot 2x + Vintage Lenses, PETZVAR 105mm F3.2 PL Mount Lens | Swirly Bokeh Monster. its 9 aperture blades create an interesting bokeh that appeals to a lot of vintage lens aficionados. The digital revolution has transformed filmmaking, bringing powerful video technology to a wider range of users than ever before. These lenses really are great! As more photographers learn the secret of vintage glass, prices tend to go up but they are very rarely as expensive as new glass. Something went wrong while submitting the form, Exposure Compensated by Adjustments to Shutter Only. A hub for lovers of old lenses. Favorite Budget Vintage Lenses For Video Camera Am wanting to get some vintage glass for the a7s I'm buying - there are just so many different brands out there and I don't know too much about older lens … Vintage cinema lens set for under $300? In fact, you can build up a small vintage lens kit for the cost of a modern-day lens. I'm getting more and more into vintage anamorphic lenses lately. (Not all the inexpensive glass you dig up on eBay is going to suit your needs.) A lens specifically designed for a smaller sensor will have an image circle just big enough for that sensor. If you know me, I’ve never been a massive fan of SLR Magic…, A few weeks ago I received an email from Denys Ivanichek, asking for some feedback and suggestions regarding a very interesting lens he has been working on! I am looking for a telephoto lens for my a6000 that goes to 250mm or 300mm, but all the tele for the A6000 are really expensive (zeiss..) or not really good (sel55210). An Olympus OM-10. Nine of the best vintage lenses. 55,000+ members, sharing $533+ million of gear. You'll be able to find many vintage lenses for quite cheap. This website or its third-party tools use cookies, which are necessary to its functioning and required to achieve the purposes illustrated in the cookie policy. Best manual/vintage lenses? Welcome the new Helios 44-2 VLFV Cine Edition, proficiently rehoused by IronGlass! LaFleur: The best way to make your project stand out is with vintage lenses. Leica R vs Contax Zeiss - The best vintage lenses for cinematography. Are you thinking of buying the best Vintage Wide Angle Lens? Jan 22, 2017 I just got myself an a7ii, and I already have some e-mount lenses: Zeiss 24-70 f/4. Don't get random glass though, try to build a matched set, even if it's just a 24/50/85. Fast lenses are best if you prefer to shoot in low light, … 58mm f/1.4 Auto-Topcor (aka R.E. Mission: Our main goal with was to bring out the best in this lens but addressing the mechanical quirks and limitations of the original body that make it unsuitable…, In this exclusive VLFV review, Mark LaFleur of Old Fast Glass takes a closer look at the Canon 8-64mm T2.4 aka The Hurt Locker Lens and explains why this classic super16 zoom can still be a perfect lens for many modern cameras and as the video above proves, a wide range of creative projects too! WIN a Modified IronGlass HELIOS 44-2 58mm F2 PL Lens, SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Helios 44-2 VLFV Cine Edition | Rehoused by IronGlass. These lenses are loved by cinematographers for their contrast range and ability to eliminate harshness. On this occasion IronGlass provided a fully…, Helios 44-2 58mm F2 is a legendary lens, but it just got even better! Here Are the Cameras and Lenses that Shot the Year’s Best TV Shows. Shooting with vintage lenses can be quite fun, especially for those who like challenges. There is a time and a place for the newest gear. The fast primes look closer to vintage cinema glass than the zooms because they have faster apertures where the image is softer, less contrasty, and has more aberrations. Many will know this company for their modifications and also for the rehousing project we co-developed together. Here Are the Cameras and Lenses that Shot the Year’s Best TV Shows. Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series (Half-Hour) ... which paired well with the more vintage lenses… My dad took me down to a local camera store one Saturday afternoon and we explored that musty old camera shop. IronGlass Amber PL Set Review | Soviet Lenses on Steroids! As an indie filmmaker, especially a low-budget indie filmmaker, we are always looking for ways to optimize a very limited number of resources, and for most of us, the most limited resource is money. Oops! A good solution is to use vintage lenses from the film era on your modern camera. Even though this is quite a heavy lens (it’s f1.2 after all!) Final Thoughts On Best Vintage Lenses. We highlight photos taken with lenses made before 1990. I’m a big fan of these lenses and have been building my own set for the last few years,…, If you are getting into vintage lenses and want to build an affordable set that will be usable in every shooting environment, this guide is for you. 12 Great Vintage Lenses for Capturing Classic Images. Seen below is an example of a previs of our setup, created with Matt Workman's Cine-Designer. It can also very time consuming because you have to search through a lot of junk…, In my previous buyer’s guide I’ve shown you how to build a Zeiss Jena “Mini-Cine” set for $1000, but if you have a bit more money to spend then Contax Zeiss is the way to go! The H Series lenses have a vintage quality that, coupled with the large format camera, give the film a sense or period, while immersing the audience in the experience. 18 talking about this. Read professional cinematographers, filmmakers and lens technicians' thoughts from their first-hand experience with each of these lenses. Why should I care about old Russian camera lenses? If you want to go that extra step, anamorphic is pretty crazy. The Sphero optics have better cover, or better field illumination, across the frame. Still the best bang for the buck in our opinion! Helios 44-2 58mm F2 is a legendary lens, but it just got even better! 1. https://nofilmschool.com/2016/09/vintage-cinema-lens-library-lens-test When they came on the market, they featured a 2.0 aperture. There is a time and a place for the newest gear. With a … All of them deliver outstanding sharpness wide open, but bokeh improves noticeably by stopping down to f/2 and smaller apertures. LensFinder | NEW way to buy & sell OLD lenses! This time VLFV is teaming up with IronGlass! I took in the smells and the imagery of overstuffed shelves and cabinets filled with peculiar equipment. Using vintage lenses means having an inherently vintage look to your photographs. It has been a while since we’ve done a giveaway, but let’s inject some positivity and excitement into this somewhat gloomy time. Lenses with focal lengths between 20mm and 100mm are much more common in video production, with 50mm lenses more or less approximating the field of view of the human eye. The fact that a lens covers the image area is one thing, but how well it covers will define its aesthetic. As an indie filmmaker, especially a low-budget indie filmmaker, we are always looking for ways to optimize a very limited number of resources, and for most of us, the most limited resource is money. Pentax Super-Takumar 35mm f/3.5 – $72-$94 on KEH. It’s extremely wide at 13mm, but produces no distortion — which is a thing of beauty. See how we made it happen. You can get the iconic bokeh with something like a Helios 44-2 , the soft dreamlike feel to portraits or macro flower shots, the natural colours and tones of everyday scenes, and the satisfaction of knowing it’s all genuine too. This means, if you have an APS-C sized or Super 35mm camera, you can pretty much use all the lenses Canon has. The Nikkor 13mm f/5.6 was one of Nikon’s best and rarest lenses ever made. There was an air of alchemy about the place. I like the Olympus OM's, and now have the 24/35/50/85/100/135mms. Spending the majority of my time in documentary film has forced me to consistently operate with as few as two lenses. Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series (Half-Hour) ... which paired well with the more vintage lenses… What Mark Holtze covers in this video is what I love best about vintage lenses.. Why should I care about old Russian camera lenses? I’ve been teasing about my “$1000 Zeiss Mini-Cine Set” on social networks a lot, but it’s finally the time to take an in-depth look at what has gone…, As you may know, I’m a big fan of Canon FD lenses and it’a finally time to review one of the widest lenses in Canon FD line-up, the 17mm F4! Thank you! Because there are a lot of spherical lenses that side-by-side, especially if you stop down, you can kind of get a very similar look with. Final thoughts. It … Your submission has been received! 2 days of shooting, 15 lens enthusiasts, 90 videos, 4TBs of footage, and 1 set dog. Our regular Gear Group this month is all about looking back to make sense of the present. Many directors allow the cinematographer to decide which lenses are best for the movie. Welcome the new Helios 44-2 VLFV Cine Edition, proficiently rehoused by IronGlass! Which is what most people want in vintage lenses. The best overall mirrorless cameras for vintage lenses. I was 12 years old when I got my first 35mm camera. Sadly vintage lenses have two weaknesses - the zooms (although the Zeiss 35-75 3.4 is awesome), and the lack of wides that you'd need for M43. image by Zebrio. My set consists of 6 lenses:…, In one of my previous posts, I’ve shared my way of buying bargain vintage lenses, but there are of course downsides and risks when trying to hunt down a bargain lens on ebay, thrift store or anywhere else. As more photographers learn the secret of vintage glass, prices tend to go up but they are very rarely as expensive as new glass. They are also one of the best performing super speed lenses when shot wide-open because of their aspherical design. In fact, you can build up a small vintage lens kit for the cost of a modern-day lens. There are a ton of f/2 to f/1.4 lenses that were made for both film SLR and older DSLR cameras. Final thoughts. To help you find that perfect analog match for your high-tech digital SLR, we’ve picked our ten favorite classic SLR lenses that will get you shooting timeless images with your DSLR right away.