This won’t be the first time the gang has talked about lenses, but just like there’s a wide range of cameras out there, classic lenses seem to be having a resurgence especially with the adaptability of mirrorless cameras. But we prefer to use our classic lenses on our classic cameras! So what lenses will we be discussing today?
Nikkor 105 f/2.5 – If there’s an iconic Nikon lens, it’s the short telephoto, almost perfect portrait lens, the Nikkor 105mm f/2.5. It has come in every variant of manual focus Nikon, from the original Nikkor-P through AI and AI-S. Legendary NatGeo photographer Steve McCurry used it to capture the famous Afgan Girl photo (on an FM2n but that’s a camera for another show), and pretty much all the Nikon shooters around the table have one such lens.
Lens Specs:
Make: Nikon
Model: Nikkor-P 105mm 1:2.5 (1959-77), AI Nikkor 105mm 1:2.5 (1977-81), AI-S Nikkor 105mm 1:2.5 (1981-2005)
Focal Length: 105mm
Aperture Range: f/2.5 – f/22 – 7 Blades
Optics: 5 Elements in 3 Groups (1959-71), 5 Elements in 4 Groups (1971-2005)
Sony a6000 + AI-S Nikkor 105mm 1:2.5 /w Fotodiox Adapter
AF DC-Nikkor 105mm 1:2D – Like the 105 f/2.5 if Alex is out shooting street photography he has with him the modern auto-focus version of the Nikon 105mm. Picking it up after he sold off his 85mm f/1.8D (which he still regrets), it’s a lens that almost always comes with him with the F5. While big and heavy, it adds a nice balance to the camera and works great for street work.
Lens Specs:
Make: Nikon
Model: AF DC-Nikkor 105mm 1:2D
Focal Length: 105mm
Aperture Range: f/2 – f/16 – 9 Blades
Optics: 6 Elements in 6 Groups
Voigtländer Heliar Classic 50mm 1:2 – For John, there’s no better lens for his R2m than the Heliar Classic 50mm f/2. While not the widest or the fastest lens out there, but remember that the Leica Summitar was also an f/2 lens it’s a perfect carry around everyday shooter.
Lens Specs:
Make: Cosina
Model: Voigtländer Heliar Classic 50mm 1:2
Focal Length: 50mm
Aperture Range: f/2 – f/16 – 10 Blades
Optics: 5 Elements in 3 Groups
Kodak Ektar 100mm f/3.5 – Keeping it similar, the iconic Kodak Ektar lens, especially the 100mm f/3.5 found on the Kodak Medalist II is also of a Heliar design. And it certainly shows off why the lens design is so iconic, it produces amazing lenses and even colour rendering because of the Lumized Coating.
Lens Specs:
Make: Kodak
Model: Ektar 100mm f/3.5
Focal Length: 100mm
Aperture Range: f/3.5 – f/32 – 5 Blades
Optics: 5 Elements in 3 Groups
Carl Zeiss Distagon 1:4 f=50mm – There’s no better wide angle lens to attach to your Hasselblad V system, from the original ‘blunder-buss’ chrome version to the sleek black T* and modern versions. It will quickly become the lens you want to leave on your camera no matter what. There are several different versions, you can see a full layout over on Ken Rockwell’s site.
Lens Specs:
Make: Carl Zeiss
Model: Distagon 1:4 f=50mm
Focal Length: 50mm (Actual 51.3mm)
Aperture Range: f/4 – f/22 – 5 Blades
Optics: 7 Elements in 7 Groups
AI-S Nikkor 50mm 1:1.8 – The Nifty-Fifty is always a strong point for many lens manufactures, pretty close to normal for the human eye, and probably the cheapest lens you can get with amazing optical. Now the AI-S Nikkor 50/1.8 comes in several flavours, the Series E, the Pancake, and Long Nose. Each are solid performers.
Lens Specs:
Make: Nikon
Model: AI-S Nikkor 50mm 1:1.8
Focal Length: 50mm
Aperture Range: f/1.8 – f/22 – 7 Blades
Optics: 6 Elements in 5 Groups
Minolta MD Rokkor-X 50mm 1:1.7 – Sticking the 50mm focal length, one of the best and least expensive lens for your Minolta kits is the Rokkor-X 50mm f/1.7, just be careful which one you get based on your camera, the MD version will work on cameras that have shutter priority and fully automatic, whereas the older MC version (which Alex has) will only work on manual and aperture priority. Either one, are excellent choices!
Lens Specs:
Make: Minolta
Model: Minolta MD Rokkor-X 50mm 1:1.7
Focal Length: 50mm
Aperture Range: f/1.7 – f/16 – 6 Blades
Optics: 6 Elements in 5 Groups
AF-S Nikkor 85mm 1:1.4G – Where Alex prefers the 105mm focal length, James goes for the 85mm. He finds that 85mm is just how he sees the world and being able to open up to f/1.4 it just makes those portraits pop. Now you will have to drop a fair chunk of change on this lens, but to James, it’s worth every penny (or nickel, because we don’t have pennies in Canada).
Lens Specs:
Make: Nikon
Model: AF-S Nikkor 85mm 1:1.4G
Focal Length: 85mm
Aperture Range: f/1.4 – f/16 – 9 Blades
Optics: 10 Elements in 9 Groups
AF Micro-Nikkor 200mm 1:4D – If you’re into bugs, and love Macro photography then this is the lens you want is the 200mm f/4 Macro lens from Nikon. A rare bird as only 12,000 were only produced (for some reason) but it’s the cream of the crop, the best of the best and gives a 1:1 factor on magnification and with a 200mm reach you don’t have to get too close and disturb your subject.
Lens Specs:
Make: Nikon
Model: AF Micro-Nikkor 200mm 1:4D
Focal Length: 200mm
Aperture Range: f/4 – f/45 – 9 Blades
Optics: 13 Elements in 8 Groups
The Other Rolleis
We all know the now famous Rollei RPX line but they have a lot more films that they sell under the Rollei name. Most are old Agfa stocks that have been continued and sold by Maco Direct under the Rollei name brand. The gang loves a lot of these films such as Rollei Retro 80s, Retro 400s, Rollei IR 400, and Rollei Superpan 200.
Obscura Darkroom – Kickstarter
Before you head off, we’re going to push our good friend Jen down in New Jersey. Jen recently visited Ontario for Alex’s Summer Toronto Film Shooter Meetup. Well, Jen has launched a Kickstarter to help build a Community Darkroom in the Newark area. So if you haven’t already, give them some help over on their campaign to make it a reality! Check it out at kickstarter.com/projects/1348296247/obscura-darkroom
Looking for a good spot to get your gear and material fix check out Burlington Camera (Burlington, ON), Downtown Camera (Toronto, ON), Film Plus (Toronto, ON), Belle Arte Camera (Hamilton, ON), Pond’s FotoSource (Guleph, ON), Foto Art Camera (Owen Sound, ON). Out West there’s The Camera Store (Calgary, AB) and Beau Photo Supply (Vancouver, BC). Additionally you can order online at Argentix (Quebec), buyfilm.ca (Ontario), 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