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) [data sheet]
  • 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) [data sheet]
  • Carl Zeiss Jena Biometar 120 mm f/2.8 (Pentacon Six) [data sheet]
  • 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

Konica

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

Mamiya

  • Mamiya-Sekor CS 50 mm f/1.7 (Mamiya NC/CS) [data sheet]
  • Mamiya-Sekor EF 50 mm f/1.4 (Mamiya Z/E) [data sheet]
  • Mamiya-Sekor E 135 mm f/3.5 (Mamiya Z/E) [data sheet]
  • Mamiya-Sekor E 35–105 mm f/3.5–4.5 (Mamiya Z/E) [data sheet]
  • Mamiya-Sekor E 80–200 mm f/3.8 (Mamiya Z/E) [data sheet]

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)

  • A.Schacht Ulm Praktica-S-Travelon 50 mm f/1.8 R
  • 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]
  • 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 (preset) 200 mm f/4 (M42) [data sheet]
  • Pentacon auto MC 200 mm f/4 (M42) [data sheet]
  • Pentacon 500 mm f/5.6 (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.

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]
  • Vivitar Series 1 70–210 mm f/3.5 (Kino precision) (Canon FD) [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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