Lens Reviews

Comparison reviews:

Comparing bright 35 mm (semi-wide) lenses (9 lenses ranging from the Nikkor Ai 35/1.4 to the Flektogon)
Comparing 9 fast fifties (a comparison of nine 50–58 mm f/1.4 lenses, ranging from the famed Carl Zeiss Planar (C/Y) to the obscurity of a Revuenon)

Reviews, walk-arounds, data sheets:

First, if you’re not already familiar with JAPB’s approach (what is a walk-around), you might want to read up on that here. Second, the list below is very much work-in-progress, but you can take it as a statement of intent that each lens listed below will soon have either a review, walk around or data sheet available. Also, when a lens is covered in a comparison, that is mentioned.

In many cases, you might find an obvious omission (such as a manufacturer’s legendary lens not being mentioned). These are always caused by the fact that the JAPB team does not have access to that lens (and we do not do lens reviews/etc. without laying our hands on a sample). If you have the chance to help us address the omission (such as by lending the lens or by writing a data sheet/walk-around/review), be in touch.

CanonMinoltaPorst
Carl ZeissNikonSchneider-Kreuznach
Carl Zeiss JenaOlympusSoviet Lenses
Fuji Photo FilmOthersTopcon
KonicaPentaconVivitar
Meyer-OptikPentaxVoigtländer

Canon

See also: JAPB articles on Canon R, Canon FL, FD, and FDn mounts; Canon EF mount

Carl Zeiss (West German and post-reunification)

See also: JAPB Articles on Icarex mount and on Contax/Yashica mount

  • Carl Zeiss Distagon 28 mm f/2.8 (Contax/Yashica) [data sheet]
  • Carl Zeiss Distagon 35 mm f/1.4 (Contax/Yashica) [data sheet]
  • Carl Zeiss Distagon 35 mm f/2.8 (Contax/Yashica) [data sheet]
  • Carl Zeiss Skoparex 35 mm f/3.4 (Icarex mount) [data sheet] [walk-around]
  • Carl Zeiss Tessar 45 mm f/2.8 (Contax/Yashica) [data sheet]
  • Carl Zeiss Planar 50 mm f/1.4 (Contax/Yashica) [data sheet] [comparison]
  • Carl Zeiss Planar 50 mm f/1.7 (Contax/Yashica) [data sheet]
  • Carl Zeiss Ultron 50 mm f/1.8 (Icarex mount) [data sheet]
  • Carl Zeiss Tessar 50 mm f/2.8 (Icarex mount) [data sheet]
  • Carl Zeiss Color-Pantar 50 mm f/2.8 (Icarex mount) [data sheet]
  • Carl Zeiss Planar 85 mm f/1.4 (Contax/Yashica) [data sheet]
  • Carl Zeiss Sonnar 85mm f/2.8 (Contax/Yashica) [data sheet]
  • Carl Zeiss Super-Dynarex 200 mm f/4 (Icarex mount) [data sheet]
  • Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 28-85 mm f/3.3-4 (Contax/Yashica) [data sheet]

Carl Zeiss Jena (Prewar and East German)

See also: JAPB articles on the following lens mounts: M42, Exakta and Praktica B

  • Carl Zeiss Jena Prakticar 20 mm f/2.8 (Praktica B-mount) [data sheet]
  • Carl Zeiss Jena Flektogon 20 mm f/4 (M42-mount) [data sheet]
  • Carl Zeiss Jena Flektogon 25 mm f/4 (Exakta mount) [data sheet]
  • Carl Zeiss Jena Prakticar 35 mm f/2.4 (Praktica B-mount) [data sheet] [comparison]
  • Carl Zeiss Jena Flektogon 35 mm f/2.8 (M42-mount) [data sheet]
  • Carl Zeiss Jena Prakticar 50 mm f/1.4 (Praktica B-mount) [data sheet] [comparison]
  • Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 50 mm f/1.5 (Contax/Kiev) [data sheet]
  • Carl Zeiss Jena Pancolar 50 mm f/1.8 (M42-mount) [data sheet]
  • Carl Zeiss Jena Pancolar 50 mm f/2 (Exakta mount) [data sheet]
  • Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 50 mm f/2.8 (M42-mount) [data sheet]
  • Carl Zeiss Jena Flektogon 50 mm f/4 (Pentacon Six-mount)
  • Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 58 mm f/2 (Exakta mount) [data sheet]
  • Carl Zeiss Jena Prakticar 80 mm f/1.8 (Praktica B-mount) [data sheet]
  • Carl Zeiss Jena Biometar 80 mm f/2.8 (Pentacon Six-mount)
  • Carl Zeiss Jena Biometar 120 mm f/2.8 (Pentacon Six-mount)
  • Carl Zeiss Jena Prakticar 135 mm f/3.5 (Praktica B-mount) [data sheet]
  • Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 135 mm f/3.5 (M42-mount)
  • Carl Zeiss Jena Triotar 135 mm f/4 (Praktina mount) [data sheet]
  • Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 180 mm f/2.8 (Pentacon Six) [data sheet]
  • Carl Zeiss Jena Vario-Prakticar 35–70 mm f/2.7–3.5 [data sheet]
  • Carl Zeiss Jena Vario-Prakticar 80–200 f/4 [data sheet]

Fuji Photo Film

  • Fujinon X 50mm f/1.9 (Fujica-X) [data sheet]
  • Fujinon X 55 mm f/2.2 (Fujica-X)
  • Fujinon X 55mm f/1.6 (Fujica-X) [data sheet]
  • Fujinon EBC 55mm f/1.8 (M42) [data sheet]

Konica

See also: JAPB articles on the Konica AR and Konica F mounts.

Meyer-Optik Görlitz

See also: JAPB articles on the following lens mounts: M42, Exakta and Praktina

  • Meyer-Optik Görlitz Orestegon 29 mm f/2.8 [data sheet]
  • Meyer-Optik Görlitz Lydith 30 mm f/3.5 [data sheet]
  • Meyer-Optik Görlitz Primagon 35 mm f/4.5 [data sheet]
  • Meyer-Optik Görlitz Oreston 50 mm f/1.8 [data sheet]
  • Meyer-Optik Görlitz Domiplan 50 mm f/2.8 [data sheet]
  • Meyer-Optik Görlitz Telefogar 90 mm f/3.5 [data sheet] [walk-around]
  • Meyer-Optik Görlitz Trioplan N 100 mm f/2.8 [data sheet]
  • Meyer-Optik Görlitz Orestor 100 mm f/2.8 [data sheet]
  • Meyer-Optik Görlitz Orestor 135 mm f/2.8 [data sheet]
  • Meyer-Optik Görlitz Telemegor 180 mm f/5.5 [data sheet]
  • Meyer-Optik Görlitz Orestegor 200 mm f/4 [data sheet]
  • Meyer-Optik Görlitz Telemegor 250 mm f/5.5 [data sheet]

Minolta

See also: JAPB article on the Minolta SR mount

Nikon

If you’re not familiar with Nikon lens families (F, C, K, Ai, Ai-s, AF, AF-D, etc.) look up the JAPB article on the Nikon F-mount.

Primes

Zooms:

Olympus

See also: JAPB’s article on the Olympus OM mount. (All lenses Olympus OM-mount unless otherwise specified)

Others

(because every system of classification needs an ‘others’ class)

  • Chinon Auto MC 50 mm f/1.4 (Pentax K) [data sheet]
  • Chinon Auto 55 mm f/1.4 (M42) [data sheet]
  • Chinon Auto Multi-Coated 55 mm f/1.7 (M42) [data sheet]
  • Chinon Auto MC 35–70 mm f/2.7–3.5 (Pentax K)
  • E. Ludwig Meritar 50 mm f/2.9 (Exakta)
  • ENNA München Lithagon 35 mm f/3.5 (Praktina mount)
  • ENNA München Tele-Ennalyt 135 mm f/3.5 (M42)
  • Feinmess Dresden Bonotar 105 mm f/4.5 (M42) [data sheet]
  • Mamiya-Sekor EF 50 mm f/1.4 (Mamiya Z)
  • Promura (Auto) MC 28 mm f/2 (Canon FD) [walk-around]
  • Revuenon (Auto) MC 50 mm f/1.4 (Pentax-K) [data sheet] [comparison]
  • Rodenstock Retina-Rotelar 135 mm f/4 (DKL)
  • Tamron 28 mm f/2.8
  • Tamron 35-70 mm f/3.5 CF Macro BBAR MC (Adaptall-2)
  • Tamron SP 90 mm f/2.5 Macro (Adaptall-2)
  • Tokina AT-X 90 mm f/2.5 Macro (Nikon F) [data sheet]

Pentacon

See also: JAPB articles on the following lens mounts: M42 and Praktica B

  • Pentacon Prakticar 28 mm f/2.8 (Praktica B-mount) [data sheet]
  • Pentacon auto 29 mm f/2.8 Multi Coating (M42) [data sheet]
  • Pentacon auto 50 mm f/1.8 Multi coating (M42) [data sheet]
  • Pentacon electric 50 mm f/1.8 Multi Coating (M42) [data sheet]
  • Pentacon Prakticar 50 mm f/1.8 (Praktica B-mount) [data sheet]
  • Pentacon Prakticar 50 mm f/2.4 (Praktica B-mount) [data sheet] [walk-around]
  • Pentacon auto/electric 135 mm f/2.8 (M42) [data sheet]
  • Pentacon Prakticar 135 mm f/2.8 (Praktica B-mount) [data sheet]
  • Pentacon auto MC 200 mm f/4 (M42) [data sheet]

Pentax

See also: JAPB Articles on M42 and Pentax K mounts.

Porst [company profile]

See also: JAPB Articles on M42 and Pentax K mounts.

  • Porst WW MC 35 mm f/1.8 [review] [comparison]
  • Porst Color Reflex 50 mm f/1.2 UMC (Fujica X) [data sheet]
  • Porst Color Reflex 50 mm f/1.6 UMC (Fujica-X)
  • Porst Color Reflex MC auto 55 mm f/1.2 (Pentax K) [data sheet]
  • Porst Color Reflex MC Auto 55 mm f/1.4 (M42) [data sheet]
  • Porst TELE MC AUTO 135 mm f/1.8 (M42) [data sheet]

Schneider-Kreuznach

  • Schneider-Kreuznach Retina-Curtagon 28 mm f/4 (DKL) [data sheet]
  • Schneider-Kreuznach Retina-Curtagon 35 mm f/2.8 (DKL) [data sheet]
  • Schneider-Kreuznach Retina-Xenon 50 mm f/1.9 (DKL) [data sheet]
  • Schneider-Kreuznach Retina-Xenar 50 mm f/2.8 (DKL) [data sheet]
  • Schneider-Kreuznach Retina-Tele-Xenar 135 mm f/4 (DKL) [data sheet]

Soviet lenses

See also: JAPB Articles on Contax-Kiev, LTM, M42 and Nikon F mounts.

Topcon

See also: JAPB on the Topcon RE (a subtype of the Exakta mount) and the Topcon UV mount.

  • Topcon RE 28 mm f/2.8 (Topcon RE)
  • Topcon UV 53 mm f/2 (Topcon UV)
  • Topcon RE 5,8 cm f/1.8 (Topcon RE)
  • Topcon RE 100 mm f/2.8 (Topcon RE)
  • Topcon RE 200 mm f/5.6 (Topcon RE)

Vivitar

Vivitar is the classic 3rd party manufacturer and sold lenses in nearly every contemporary, significant mount.
(First parenthesis=manufacturer) (Second parenthesis=mount)

  • Vivitar 19 mm f/3.8 (Cosina) (Olympus OM) [data sheet]
  • Vivitar 24 mm f/2 (Kino precision) (M42) [data sheet]
  • Vivitar 28 mm f/2.5 (Tokina) (Nikon F) [data sheet]
  • Vivitar 28 mm f/2 (Kino precision) (Pentax K) [data sheet]
  • Vivitar 100 mm f/2.8 (Tokina) (Konica AR) [data sheet]
  • Vivitar 35-85mm f/2.8 Variable Focusing (Minolta SR) [data sheet]

Voigtländer

  • Voigtländer Super-Wide Heliar 15 mm f/4.5 (LTM)
  • Voigtländer Skoparex 35 mm f/3.4 (DKL) [data sheet]
  • Voigtländer Septon 50 mm f/2 (DKL) [data sheet]
  • Voigtländer Super-Dynarex 135 mm f/4 (DKL) [data sheet]

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