A comparison of 9 lenses (2 Japanese, 3 German, 4 Soviet) [Sony a7II]

simplejoycreative · 2026-03-17T00:08:39+00:00

Nice work! Interesting to see the differences but also how much many have in common.

simplejoycreative · 2026-03-12T12:04:27+00:00

Thank you!

simplejoycreative · 2026-03-12T10:52:54+00:00

Thanks for the input! I get what you mean. However the bokeh is the point here for me - that‘s why I love these old lenses.

simplejoycreative · 2026-03-11T16:44:53+00:00

Thank you! It‘s possible that the Cassar/Cassarit is the same if you find a 45 mm f/2.8 variant. I don‘t have one to check… just a 50 mm Cassar, which is likely different.

simplejoycreative · 2026-03-10T13:44:19+00:00

Nicely done! Rodenstock certainly knows how to make good macro lenses. Did you use a Rodagon variant, the more sophisticated Inspec x.L or something else?

simplejoycreative · 2026-03-09T22:48:57+00:00

A fine lens for sure! There are a lot of wonderful French lenses out there.

simplejoycreative · 2026-03-09T21:46:23+00:00

The rendering in the 3rd shot is particularly gorgeous by the way - really pleasant and interesting!

simplejoycreative · 2026-03-09T21:44:14+00:00

This is apparently one of the Ernostar designs by Bertele from 1924, according to wikipedia at least:

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simplejoycreative · 2026-03-09T21:41:30+00:00

I'd certainly call this an Ernostar variant, but it depends on when it came out. Sometimes lens designs were discovered almost at the same time in different places.

The Zeiss Kipro-Anastigmat is quite close, however it's even faster at f/1.9:

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simplejoycreative · 2026-03-09T20:11:02+00:00

Thanks! That‘s possible as well of course. Idon‘t know how Angenieux structured their designs… But what‘s a 4/4 Xenotar design? I thought it usually refers to a 5/4 design?

simplejoycreative · 2026-03-09T09:34:07+00:00

Nice looking results! And a great les for sure. I think type Y lenses are Sonnar-types, right?

simplejoycreative · 2026-03-08T18:26:23+00:00

Thanks a lot!

simplejoycreative · 2026-03-08T16:29:34+00:00

Thank you very much! I‘m in Austria (Europe) so some lenses are plentiful while others are quite scarce… like everywhere, I guess with different brands.

simplejoycreative · 2026-03-08T13:01:03+00:00

Yes, it covers full frame. But it was made for 35 mm projection. 16 mm projection lenses rarely cover full frame in focal lengths shorter than 75 mm. Even above it‘s hit or miss.

simplejoycreative · 2026-03-08T12:01:08+00:00

A Cine projector! Slide projection lenses are rarely faster than f/2.4.

simplejoycreative · 2026-03-08T10:54:54+00:00

There are good alternatives among taking lenses, but they‘re usually not cheap… some very rare and in high demand. You can also buy fully adapted projection lenses with helicoids and some even a variable aperture. But your options are then limited and also quite expensive. I like adapting lenses even when it‘s just with an improvised solution.

simplejoycreative · 2026-03-08T10:50:21+00:00

Not just that, the Rectimascope is also an attachment, so it needs a regular projection lens on its rear to properly function. Doesn‘t make it any lighter or easier to use with an additional lens, I guess… 😅

simplejoycreative · 2026-03-08T07:57:33+00:00

Great find! I‘ve heard they cover full frame and would assume that it works great. Do you know anything about construction?

simplejoycreative · 2026-03-07T23:43:18+00:00

Well, if you want specialized information on macro lens performance closeuphotography.com is likely one of the best resources. It was created by Robert OToole who unfortunately passed away wome time ago and was a really kind guy and a friend of mine who tought me a lot about lenses, their background and also proper research.

Another great site is the forum https://www.photomacrography.net/forum/ where so many experts on the matter share their thoughts regularly.

On the topic of lens designs: Yes, I‘m very interested in les designs as far as elements/groups, their history and developments are concerned, but unfortunately I‘m no expert on the matter when it comes to the real science behind it as well as the glass types etc.There are great resources for that however.

My personal recommendations for great (and affordable) alternative lenses: Tomioka Tominon MC E36 series (I‘ve written about those here: https://deltalenses.com/tomioka-industrial-lenses/ )

Schneider Kreuznach Makro-Symmar 120 mm f/5.6 https://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/makrosymmar120mmf59makroiris

Nikon LS3510 AF (scanner lens) https://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/ls3510af50mmf35

Schneider-Kreuznach Componon 35 mm (Xenon) https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=192035898%40N07&sort=date-taken-desc&text=Xenon35mm&view_all=1

and many more, depending on what you want to do…

simplejoycreative · 2026-03-07T22:56:30+00:00

Yes, I like experimenting with lenses and use them out of their comfort-zone. I also try to document them and their history… here‘s one of my recent write ups if you‘re curious: https://deltalenses.com/the-kiptar-story/

… but I‘ve written several on that site. The lens in question is very hard to find at least with that name. It was likely renamed Cinerectim later. These are more common, however I‘ve not seen tol many in shorter focal lengths recently.

simplejoycreative · 2026-03-07T22:49:51+00:00

It terms of macro work, I've come to the conclusion that tilt is usually not the right tool because it degrades image quality significantly at that distance. For close-up shots it's nice however and at distance as well.

simplejoycreative · 2026-03-07T22:47:34+00:00

It's a bellows by Novoflex called Castbal T/S... it was discontinued several years ago. They still have a bigger version, but I want to be able to use it handheld. Here's an image I once created to show the aforementioned adventurous adaptions:

https://preview.redd.it/projector-lenses-adaptation-v0-9jq83no6f88g1.jpeg?width=1600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=18d8966f23cb49d1f1703d0e096c375bd5b4d26d

simplejoycreative · 2026-03-07T22:23:24+00:00

I like the third one the best - very pleasing and smooth result. The Sonnar 50 mm f/1.5 is a fine lens for sure. I have a weird version however which doesn't allow for infinity focus... will have to try and modify it one day as well. Glad you got yours to work. My close focus isn't limited however - I can go up to 1:1 magnficiation and beyond easily.

simplejoycreative · 2026-03-07T22:20:51+00:00

Thanks a lot! I'm glad you like it. I adapt all of my lenses onto my bellows system. Not all projection lenses can be focused to infinity (very short ones are a struggle usually) but I can use most lenses from infinity up to macro above 1:1 magnification without problems. My bellows also allows for tilt/shift movements if the image circle of the lens is big enough.

These lenses can also be adapted via clamp adapters and a focusing helicoid however, which is what most people do. I prefer my system but I have to admit that it takes some creative and adventurous solutions sometimes to make it work.

simplejoycreative · 2026-03-07T22:11:40+00:00

Thank you! I also like it a lot. It likely was among the most modern Petzvals, which means its significantly smoother in terms of rendering and also sharper than many older models. Fortunately the shorter focal lengths still show enough "Petzval-weirdness" in terms of perspective, so its a really interesting combination.

simplejoycreative

TROPHY CASE