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Your favorite imperfect lens

Edry Hilario

Edry Hilario

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Hi there,

I'm on a journey to find imperfect lenses. Meaning lenses that have interesting flares, low contrast, etc... In other words, lenses with interesting character. I love anamorphics but they seem too expensive for me at the moment, so those are out of the game. If you know any please share them below.

Thanks
 
Contax Zeiss are great lenses and can be had for cheap!

Leica R's are great too, but are more expensive than Contax.

You could also go the medium format route, which generally all MF glass has very interesting characteristics. Mamiya 645 glass is insanely inexpensive but can yield amazing results. Hasselblad lenses are great too, but more expensive.

These are just a few...so many lenses out there, but remember, lenses are very subjective, meaning while some people love them, others hate them.
 
1960s Angenieux 25-250. Distortion in the corners, slight aberration anytime a light source is peaking, mild halation, and wide open the contrast goes a little flat and edge definition is softened. Forgiving on actors, keeps sets from looking too fake. "Character", in short.
 
Leica R hands down. Absolutely love the way they look, the flare, and yet are pretty sharp. Sharper then vintage glass without the modern coatings we see these days-they're in a league of their own!
 
Biotar 58mm F2
(the original, not the Helios 44...but even the Helios is quite nice tho)

Contax G 45 F2
(ooops sorry...this is one of my favorite...but far from imperfect ha!)
 
While not a lens, a visit to antique and junk stores can reveal old fashion glass and bottles which make for interesting pictures.
 
Favorite(s)?
Pentax 50mm 1.4 smc, with the coating turning orange/yellow.
the Helios russian 50mm f2 coating not turned
Nikon Nikor-h 85mm f1.8

and in cine... the Cooke 20-100 mk1

honorable mention to Zeiss Jena 20mm f4 flektogon
 
I'll 3rd the Leica Rs. Such character, gorgeous color and the transition from sharp to out-of-focus is buttery smooth.

Resolution-wise they can more than hold their own on the latest sensors.
 
Thanks everyone for all the suggestions!!
 
Ill chime in as well for Leica R (but I would not say they are imperfect) and espescially the Angineaux 70-210 zoom. There is just something about that lens.
 
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Hi Edry,

Lomo Anamorphics (Round or Squares) are great for that true 2X Ana look. It's the imperfections that make them beautiful! Not so easy to get hold of these days and not crazy cheap either but I did a DJI Focus test on my 50mm RoundFront last night and they work great together.

https://vimeo.com/162653520

Richard Gale is working on a more affordable Anamorphic solution too:

http://www.richardgaleoptics.uk/olivia-scope-15x/

Craig Lees
3D Stories
3dstories.co.uk
ED & SX UK
Lomo Anamorphic Set
Canon SSC EF-ReHouse Set
 
Ugh! You Leica guys keep making me think I want to drop a bunch of money I don't have on a set. Can't even articulate what I like about the images I see out of these lens, they just make me feel warm inside.

Mark M said:
I'll 3rd the Leica Rs. Such character, gorgeous color and the transition from sharp to out-of-focus is buttery smooth.

Resolution-wise they can more than hold their own on the latest sensors.
Click to expand...
 
Canon nFD 28mm F2

The lens is magical, it's a shame that the others do not match!
 
Brian Pascale said:
Ugh! You Leica guys keep making me think I want to drop a bunch of money I don't have on a set. Can't even articulate what I like about the images I see out of these lens, they just make me feel warm inside.
Click to expand...

Do it. It's a great investment too, because sensors keep getting bigger and bigger so having full frame glass keeps you ahead of the curve
 
RE: Leica-Rs--

Just don't jump the gun like I did and go after late Serials without the cash to back it up.

It's BRUTAL.

If I were doing it again I'd stay in the 33x-35x range. I also have a feeling that range has a much more romantic look!
 
Brian Pascale said:
Can't even articulate what I like about the images I see out of these lens, they just make me feel warm inside.
Click to expand...

Organic. Emotive. Nostalgic but not old-fashioned. *NOT* sterile. Sharp without being too clean.

Just trying to help you articulate. After selling my Canon L glass, I replaced it with Nikon zooms and then bought several Leica R primes from Mark M. He's a pleasure to work with and is VERY fair.
 
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