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Reviews (20)
Jan 09, 2008
Canon-Leaving Film Users in the Lurch!
11 of 15 found this helpful yummy, what a lens. canon have always taken a back seat to nikon in film cameras and lenses. sadly, that perception is undeserved. since their rangefinder days, canon have consistantly pushed the edge in lens design. who would have thought working film photographers would be paying $1,000.00 plus for the 50mm 0.95 rangefinder canon lens, in today's market. or the 50mm 1:1.2 - 2 incredible performers.
and so, how do you beat nikon's 85mm f1:1.4? simple with an 85mm f1:1.2. and what a lens it is! within those absolute laws of optics, this lens is a marvelous performer. i like it for portraiture and photo journalism, especially at the widest apertures. is it sharp edge to edge? no, but then you're not ever gonna notice that. what you will notice is the amazing available dark results this lens can pull off! it ain't small, though and you can forget any thoughts of balance when the camera's around your neck.
now for the bad news. this lens stands as a lasting rebuke to canon who have abandoned the fd mount and abandoned film cameras all together! it is amazing that canon was unable to learn the lesson from their rangefinder manufacturing days. those cameras are still used on a daily basis by working photographers all over the world. and, like their fd slrs, you don't abandon a successful photographic instrument.
another thing to consider- do you invest hard earned dollars in af lenses, knowing the life of that particular design is 7-10 years? meanwhile the mf lenses keep going on and on and on, 20, 34, 50 years and longer. not to mention the sloppy optical fittings in those lenses which will not stand the test of time and professional use. don't believe me? just look at the parts and repair lists of af lenses in ebay!
so, let's get back to the subject. this lens is a great hidden bargain. find one, buy it, get a ftbn, ae1, a1, f1, f1n, f1N camera body and experience 35mm joy!!
have at it, camera groovies!
Apr 06, 2017
Contax ST Camera Body
2 of 2 found this helpful it's a "hello" from the folks at Kyocera, in Japan. purchased the Contax name and proceded to build a line of cameras with zeiss optics that were revolutionary.
the ST is a brick. copper silium casing, completely weather sealed, perfect for inclement weather or industrial environments where dirt, dust, sand, anything, would defeat another maker's camera.
metering is spot on, shutter speeds perfect and quartz timed, via 4 AAA lithium batterys in the camera base. please note base goes on and off much like leica m bodies.
great ergonomics, great zeiss lens selection and less than $200.00 on the secondary markets in excellent condition. when new it was $750.00. so you are looking at a bargain, here.
Dec 10, 2012
the most underappreciated lens in the hasselblad line 180mm f4
okay... welcome to the most underappreciated lens in the hasselblad line. i've owned 2 of them and have a real love affair with the photographic results; wether negative or transparency films.
contrast is huge, sharpness, corner to corner, is brilliant. aberrations are non-existant at any aperture. when first introduced, you could hear screams from the fashion photographers in nyc - too sharp, too revealing, grab a softar, wait, grab 3 softars!
but if you don't want to sell a product, but want to capture images of human beings as they really are, with all the years, wrinkles, laughter and sadness, then, this is the lens for you. ergonomics are fine as is the balance for something this complex. never a better lens. my tests consist of what's on the film/slide at the end of the day. way better than the 150 and 250. my next lens will be one of the acromats, but will always keep this for black and white.