Lenses

Some lenses I have sold, some I currently have and still use with my Micro Four Thirds cameras with accompanying photos.

Last Edited : Thursday September 19th 2024.

I have used many lenses over the years, even going so far as to driving to New York from Burlington to get a Vivitar Series 1 70-210mm f3.5 Zoom that wasn't available at my location at the time. I have recently sold that lens off, it was heavy, beautifully made and stunningly sharp at all focal lengths. I used it for years on my Canon FTb and my Canon Pelix QL, but mounted on a Micro Four Thirds camera didn't quite work. It still created some stunning images but was very heavy and as it was a push-pull zoom and focus using the same control it made using it rather awkward, below is a photo of it attached to my OM-D E-M10 Mark I and a shot of the lens itself, below those images are just a couple of shots taken on the E-M10 Mark I.

I won't miss the Vivitar, I used it an awful lot in the 70's and have fond memories of having it but time marches on and I always believed that if you haven't used something in the past year or two then it's time to either sell it on or give it to someone who could make use of it.

In my early years, I used to read a lot about cameras and lens reviews, my favourite magazine at the time was "Amateur Photographer", it's still going now after all these years. The thing I liked about their reviews was they took actual photographs and compared the results, not like today where everything is measured in lines per millimetre, or based on charts setup in a studio where the average camera user would never even think about photographing. I often chuckle when I read the comments section of equipment reviews where "My lens out resolves your lens" and "My Camera takes better pictures than yours".

I have to admit though that the most important part of your camera is the lens but just because you can't afford the latest and greatest doesn't mean your photographs are inferior, if you are pleased with the results created then just Iignore what others think, it's always good to have criticism but I will always object to anyone criticising the equipment I use. The photograph below was taken with an Industar 50mm f3.5, a lens that was mostly supplied with the Russian Zenit cameras, I had one for years in my early days and I was never disappointed with the results, this lens is over 50 years old, I got one to try on my M43 gear and was very pleased with it, I re-sold it as I just couldn't get used to the aperture control.

Taken with an Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark I with an Industar 50mm f3.5, 1/640th sec, f4.0, ISO 200.

My lens reviews are based on my results using nothing more than taking photographs with the lens attached to my camera. I don't have a fancy chart that records lines per millimetre or have access to technology that could tell the difference between one lens from another. A lens is attached to the camera for a specific reason, to take a photo, usually, it's auto-focused by the camera, stopped down to an aperture you choose or stopped down automatically because the camera is set to Shutter speed priority, you can even use the camera in manual mode and set the aperture, shutter speed, and ISO to suit your current shooting style, it all boils down to the fact that you are in control unless in fully automatic mode, which is something you should always set your camera to when asking others to take a photograph using your camera.

I will only be reviewing lenses that I currently own and use, all my Canon photographic gear has been now sold and I'm fully committed to the "Micro Four Thirds" system, and because it is a highly adaptable system using adapters I may comment on a few of the older lenses in my possession.

The Canon lenses I currently own are the same as ones I used an awful lot in the mid 70's on my Canon fTb and Pelix cameras. When I sold my Canon SLRs I sold the lenses with them at the time.

Canon FL 50mm f1.8

A lens that I remember from the old days. It produces some super sharp photographs using my M43 gear.The aperture is a bit fiddly to stop down but once used to it it's fine. Some shots using it are below.

Canon 135mm f3.5

Seen here attached to my E-M5 II along with a few shots from my front door. For a change the weather was fine again but not for long. This is a beautiful piece of engineering, it looks and feels absolutely great. The images it produces are just as stunning.

Canon 135mm f3.5 + Canon 2x Extender

Seen here attached to my E-M5 II and the photo of the little sparrow below was taken with this combination along with a couple more. The combination seems to work very well and on the M43 system it becomes a 540mm, f7.0 lens

This is the shot that surprised me the most as it has the Canon Extender 2x-B and it's not a heavy crop of around 40%, I forgot to record it, below is a 100% crop of the original JPeg. I't not super sharp but it'll do me just fine.

The cropped image if came out at 1856 x 1388 pixels and if printed at 100 PPI would create a reasonable print size of 18.56 x 13.88 inches (47.1424 x 35.2552 cm). As it was taken using the E-M5 II which has a 16 MP sensor there isn't much room for too much cropping but the results speak themselves.

Canon only recommended using the "2x-B" on lenses shorter than 300mm but I've had some decent results with the Tamron 500mm f8 and the Tokina SZ-X 60-300mm f4-5.6

A 40% Crop of the original imge.

Tamron 28mm F2.5 (02B)

This is one of the sharpest Tamron lens I have and it's a joy to use.

Taken with the FotoDiox FRA attached.

Taken with the Canon 2x Tele Extender added to the lens.

Tamron 28mm f2.8 (CW-28)

My other 28mm Tamron lens. Not as sharp as the f2.5 version but has plenty of character and is very well made. All these older lenses are unique and should be used at every opportunity. This is another original Adaptall but fits a lot better than the 200mm f3.5 on an Adaptall 2 mount.

With the addition of the FotoDiox FRA

Tamron 35-70mm f3.5 (17A)

One of the sharpest Tamron Zoom lenses I've ever had. It's awkward to use at first because of the continuous macro focus system used but once you get used to it it's a great little lens. The 35-70mm becomes 70-140mm on the M43 system and makes a great portrait lens. According to Adaptall-2 I have the first version.

A 100% Center Crop of the image above.

With the addition of the FotoDiox FRA, notice the blue tint in the first two photos taken a maximum aperture of f3.5 but not visible when stopped down to f4.

I haven't included all my Tamron lenses as there are other individual pages with those lenses reviewed with photos, I have been using the Adaptall-2.com website for years to get more info on Tamron Adaptall lenses the link is here. They don't seem to be accepting anymore scans of documentation as I never receive a response from their email address.

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