Why don't they make em like they used to?

Here's a comparison shot of a '59 55mm F1.9 compared to a Minolta 50mm F1.7. I love how small the 55mm is. I'm saving it to use with a MILF. There's also a test shot from it.

Originally posted by travfar    I'm saving it to use with a MILF.

That sounds a whole like a teenage/juvenile joke.
What is a MILF?

so...

MILFs are EVIL ???



Who knew?

I love old lenses, I love how they feel, look, smell and in some cases how well they perform. Ive even got a collection of m42 cameras and lenses as ornaments just because I like them so much.

But boy do I have some that are crap too. Hanimex 80-200 thats never sharp & a pentacon 50 1.8 that has such a heavy focus ring that it will undoo itself from the thread.

But the good examples are gems that I cherish and I will find more.


Also I imagine that the electrics in the lens add some size.

Would a fair comparison be to look at minolta af 50 1.7 and its mf 50 1.7 ancestor?

Anyway it looks like a great lens and I find it wonderfull that m42 lenses in particular can continue being used on digital.

they do make 'em like they used to!

pentax da-limiteds: bliss, if a bit tricky to manual focus; they do have an incredible build, size, and optical quality. also, new zeiss and voigtlander manual focus lenses are pretty good.

it's a bit harsh to compare a kit lens to an old takumar...

Originally posted by Serdar A Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Format

I'm guessing the genius who decided on this acronym didn't check to see who else might be using it or what for.

it is indeed a remarkable use for a acronym already used extensively in other circles.

the present voigtlaender and zeiss primes you can buy now still fall in the category of relatively small lenses. in fact, AF is the problem. you need some room to be able to focus the lens by means of a motor. if you like to focus manually these designs are far superior then AF lenses because for a certain focus change you need a larger turn of the focussing ring, making the whole operation much more precise (and slower).

i would love to have some of those Zeiss primes (with AE-mode) for non- or slow moving subjects. unfortunately they are not available in the alpha mount.

the fact that they are made (and sold) for Canon and Nikon is a tribute to both their design and the quality.

before the AF-era all lenses where like that, i still have some Canon FD glass lying around with a build quality and dimensions that now i would only dream of.

the ease of use of AF takes it's toll.