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Petzval 55mm f/1.7 or Lomogon 32mm f/2.5

kasperbergholt
Posted 14/02/2024 - 10:05 Link
Hello clever people,


Came across the Lomography lenses by a google search yesterday - I can see some of their selection (which seems to consists of reconstructions of vintage lenses) are made with K-mount.

Does anyone have any experiences with these lenses, for example the Petzval 55 f/1.7?

Looks interesting but also like a bit strange project.

I'm using a Pentax K5 now - considering upgrading to either a Pentax K3 or a Pentax K1 sometime in the not too distant future.


Thanks in advance,

Kasper
-- Kasper Bergholt
Jonathan-Mac
Posted 14/02/2024 - 10:33 Link
There are a few companies reconstructing very old lens designs and hoping to give a "vintage" look to photos. Unfortunately for them, you can get a better "vintage" look (much sharper, better colour and contrast, better coatings) from actual vintage lenses that are still around, working perfectly and at a fraction of the cost of the Lomography ones.

If you're considering a K-1 and are interested in vintage lenses I would say that the vintage lens experience, as well as success rate in focusing, is much better on full frame, so better a K-1 than another APS-C model.
Pentax hybrid user - Digital K3, film 645 and 35mm SLR and Pentax (&other) lenses adapted to Fuji X and Panasonic L digital
Fan of DA limited and old manual lenses
Edited by Jonathan-Mac: 14/02/2024 - 10:36
kasperbergholt
Posted 14/02/2024 - 12:58 Link
Jonathan-Mac wrote:
There are a few companies reconstructing very old lens designs and hoping to give a "vintage" look to photos. Unfortunately for them, you can get a better "vintage" look (much sharper, better colour and contrast, better coatings) from actual vintage lenses that are still around, working perfectly and at a fraction of the cost of the Lomography ones.

If you're considering a K-1 and are interested in vintage lenses I would say that the vintage lens experience, as well as success rate in focusing, is much better on full frame, so better a K-1 than another APS-C model.

Thank you for the swift & insightful reply - makes a lot of sense to go with a true vintage lens instead (and go full-frame). Thanks
-- Kasper Bergholt
davidwozhere
Posted 15/02/2024 - 00:50 Link
Jonathan is absolutely correct. I have been using old glass for a long time (some of it very old) and I have totally enjoyed the experience. But also, don't neglect the 'old' Pentax glass, particularly the 'A' series and the Takumars. Many people follow the K series and the M series but these have to be used in Manual mode with the green button. Most of them are excellent and a fraction of the price you would pay for these reconstructed lenses. All of them are Full Frame.
Both the *istDS and the K5 are incurably addicted to old glass

My page on Photocrowd

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