Probably one of the best things to actually invest in with your camera kit is lenses, as the title says, marry your lenses, date your cameras. Once you’ve figured out what system you want to shoot with, invest in glass, so on this the first episode of our second season the gang talks about their favourite lenses!
Glass Featured on Today’s Show…
In 35mm…
Canon FD Lens S.S.C. 50mm 1:1.4 – While on the surface this is just another 50mm FD Canon lens which are already a fantastic lens to shoot on all your FD mount cameras what sets this camera about is the SSC or coating which makes it stand out from the rest!
- Manufacturer: Canon
- Mount: Canon FD Mount
- Focal Length: 50mm
- Aperture Range: f/1.4 – f/16, 8 blades
- Elements: 7 Elements in 6 Groups
Canon T90 – Canon FD Lens 50mm 1:1.4 S. S. C. – Rollei Retro 80s @ EI400 – HC-110 Dil. B
Canon AE-1 – Canon FD Lens 50mm 1:1.4 S. S. C. – Kodak Elitechrome 100
Carl Zeiss Planar 2/45 T* – This won’t be the first planar lens on today’s episode, mostly because this is a super sharp lens, and even through it is made in Japan not German, they certainly didn’t do anything to mess it up! Other than being a general everyday carry lens, Alex loves it for street photography because you can get both wide and close shots without standing out too much.
- Manufacturer: Kyoceria under License from Carl Zeiss
- Mount: Contax G-Mount
- Focal Length: 45mm
- Aperture Range: f/2 – f/16, x blades
- Elements: 6 Elements in 4 Groups
Contax G2 – Carl Zeiss Planar 2/45 T* – Eastman Double-X 5222 @ ASA-200 – Kodak DK-50 (1+1) 6:00 @ 20C
Contax G2 – Carl Zeiss Planar 2/45 T* – Svema Foto 100 @ ASA-100 – Ilford Microphen (Stock) 7:30 @ 20C
Helios-44/2 – This odd-ball Soviet lens is one of John’s favourite for portrait work. And has gained a bit of a cult following!
- Manufacturer: KMZ, MMZ, Jupiter
- Mount: Multiple, Commonly M39, M42, K-Mount
- Focal Length: 58mm
- Aperture Range: f/2 – f/16 or f/22, x blades
- Elements: 6 Elements in 4 Groups
Zenit 3M – Helios 44/2 58mm/f2 – Kodak Tri-X 400 – Pyrocat HD (1+1+100) 16:00
Spotmatic SP – Helios 44/2 58mm f/2 – Kodak Tri-X 400 @ ASA-100 – Kodak TMax Developer (1+9) 8:30
Voigtlander Super Wide-Heliar Aspherical II 15mm f/4.5
- Manufacturer: Voigtlander
- Mount: Leica Thread Mount (LTM, M39) or Leica M-Mount
- Focal Length: 15mm
- Aperture Range: f/4.5 – f/22, 10 blades
- Elements: 8 Elements in 6 Groups
Voigtlander Bessa R – Voigtlander Super Wide-Heliar Aspherical 15mm f/4.5 – Rollei RPX 25 film
Voigtlander Bessa R – Voigtlander Super Wide-Heliar Aspherical 15mm f/4.5 – Kodak Tri-X 400 – Xtol (1+1) 9:00
Olympus F.Zuiko Auto-S 50mm 1:1.8 – This lens is the key lens to anyone starting their own OM kit, lightweight and legendary optics and looks great at any aperture.
- Manufacturer: Olympus
- Mount: OM
- Focal Length: 50mm
- Aperture Range: f/1.8 – f/16
- Elements: 6 Elements in 5 Groups
In Medium…
Carl Zeiss Planar 80mm 1:2.8 – This super sharp and legendary medium format lens is one that Alex has used several times, first on his Rolleiflex and now on the Hasselblad 500c.
- Manufacturer: Carl Zeiss
- Mount: Multiple
- Focal Length: 80mm
- Aperture Range: f/2.8 – f/22, x blades
- Elements: 6 Elements in 4 Groups
Rolleiflex 2.8F – Carl Zeiss Planar 80mm 1:2.8 – Rollei RPX 400 @ ASA-320 – Pyrocat-HD (1+1+100) 18:00 @ 20C
Hasselblad 500c – Carl Zeiss Planar 80mm 1:2.8 – Kodak Tri-X 400 @ ASA-200 – Pyrocat-HD (1+1+100) 10:00 @ 20C
Bronica Zenzanon 150mm 1:4 – This incredible sharp at any aperture portrait lens for the SQ line of cameras plus it makes for a great longer lens for more detailed landscape work as well!
- Manufacturer: Bronica
- Mount: SQ Bayonet
- Focal Length: 150mm
- Aperture Range: f/4 – f/22, x blades
- Elements: 6 Elements in 5 Groups
Zenza Bronica SQ-Ai – Zenzanon-PS 150mm 1:4 – Kodak Tri-X 400 – Kodak TMax Developer (1+9) 10:30 @ 20C
Zenza Bronica SQ-Ai – Zenzanon-PS 150mm 1:4 – Kodak Tri-X 400 – Kodak TMax Developer (1+9) 10:30 @ 20C
Schneider-Kreuznach Xenotar 75mm 1:3.5 –
- Manufacturer: Schneider-Kreuznach
- Mount: Multiple
- Focal Length: 75mm
- Aperture Range: f/3.5 – f/16, x blades
- Elements: 5 Elements in 4 Groups
Rolleiflex 3.5E3 – Schneider-Kreuznach Xenotar 75mm 1:3.5 – Ilford Pan F+
Rolleiflex 3.5E3 – Schneider-Kreuznach Xenotar 75mm 1:3.5 – Kodak Tri-X 400 – Kodak TMax Developer (1+4) 6:00
Nikkor-H 1:3.5 f=50mm – This is the wide angle lens you want if you’re running a Bronica-EC, great for groups or landscape shots with little distortion and super easy to focus!
- Manufacturer: Nikon
- Mount: Bronica Bayonet
- Focal Length: 50mm
- Aperture Range: f/3.5 – f/22
- Elements: 6 Elements in 3 Groups
Bronica EC – Nikkor-H 1:3.5 f=50mm – Kodak Verichrome Pan
Bronica EC – Nikkor-H 1:3.5 f=50mm – Kodak Verichrome Pan
In Large…
Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar f:4.5 105mm – It’s amazing that this lens is actually off a medium format 6×9 camera but it has just enough coverage for 4×5 but only if you leave any sort of movements alone.
- Manufacturer: Carl Zeiss
- Mount: No. 1
- Focal Length: 105mm
- Aperture Range: f/4.5 – f/32
- Elements: 4 Elements in 3 Groups
Calumet CC400 – Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 105mm ƒ/4.5 – Shanghai GP3 @ ASA-100 – Rodinal 1+100 (Stand Developed)
Calumet CC400 – Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 105mm ƒ/4.5 – Shanghai GP3 @ ASA-100 – Rodinal 1+100 & HC-110 1+200 combo (Semi-Stand)
Schneider-Kreuznach Symmar-S 1:5.6/210 – Alex’s go-to lens for shooting 4×5 this wonderful short telephoto is great for portraits and even some landscape work when you don’t need ‘the big picture’
- Manufacturer: Schneider-Kreuznach
- Mount: No. 1
- Focal Length: 210mm
- Aperture Range: f/5.6 – f/64, x blades
- Elements: 6 Elements in 4 Groups
Intrepid – Schneider-Kreuznach Symmar-S 1:5.6/210 – Adox CHS 100 II – Blazinal (1+25) 5:00 @ 20C
Pacemaker Crown Graphic – Schneider-Kreuznach Symmar-S 1:5.6/210 – Ilford HP5+ @ ASA-200 – Pyrocat-HD (1+1+100) 9:00 @ 20C
Looking for a good spot to get your gear and material fix…check out Burlington Camera, Downtown Camera, Film Plus, Belle Arte Camera and Camtech, if you’re in the GTA region of Ontario, if you’re on the West Coast (British Columbia) check out Beau Photo Supply. Additionally you can order online at Argentix (Quebec), the Film Photography Project or Freestyle Photographic.
Also you can connect with us through email: classiccamerarevivial[at]gmail[dot]com or by Facebook, we’re at Classic Camera Revival or even Twitter @ccamerarevival