![]() ![]() It creates a sort of radial bokeh, which became its signature, and even the 2013 modern version retained that. It isn't the sharpest lens, particularly at f/1.5, but as far as character goes, it's right up there with the best. It's so brilliant in fact, that in 2013, when a new version was announced, I immediately bought one and loved it. It is said to have been based on (read: possibly a copy of) the Zeiss Biotar, but whatever the case, it's brilliant. This Russian prime started being made around 1950 and continued production up until around the 1990s, so there are a number of them out there. Price-wise, the Pentacon is perfect for a little justifiable foray into your curiosity, with copies on eBay at the moment for around $80, and they're in seemingly good condition. The 135mm focal length prime has been a staple of the lens industry ever since this era, and the Canon 135mm f/2 remains my most beloved lens to this day. It is these 15 blades that give it the gooey bokeh and a singular look. What you're looking for is the M42 15-blade edition. There are a few versions of this lens, and it's easy to get the wrong one. The aforementioned catalyst for my love of vintage glass. ![]() Image by Yoan Carle via Flickr used under Creative Commons Pentacon 135mm f/2.8: 'The Bokeh Monster' However, if you are careful and ensure the glass is clear and healthy, you might score yourself a real gem. It was softer than freshly tumble-dried kittens. I bought a 400mm prime without seeing the front or back elements because I won the bid with a low-ball offer. Make sure you do your research, however, as believe me, cloudy lenses with fungus are useful to man nor beast. There is a smattering of lenses that are still usable from the first third of the 20th century (although most are from 1950-1999) and so there is quite the back catalog. For whatever purpose you would like a vintage lens - be it macro, landscape, portrait, and so on - there will be options. I have compiled a small list of my favorites, but by the very nature of how deep and varied the vintage glass market is, I could not begin to provide an exhaustive list. Some have been great, most of have been middling, and a few have been spectacular wastes of money, but I regret none of them. I have owned a lot of vintage lenses and I have a dry container chock full of them. This marked the start of my burning curiosity into what other lenses of the past could create unique and beautiful looks for my images. I bought an adapter and took it into my garden to give it a go and fell in love. In somewhat of a minor miracle given that I had no idea what to check when buying vintage lenses, my copy was cosmetically damaged but optically perfect: no scratches, no clouding, no mold. I began bidding on a few and eventually scored one for under the expected price I'd read. I jumped on eBay to see if there were any available, and there was. I can't remember where the article was or even who wrote it, which is a shame, but it was on a lens called "the Bokeh Monster." I was intrigued. I remember wondering if I could ever compete with their kits worth more than most cars. I was in a small photography community of full-time photographers and long-standing hobbyists with f/1.2 primes and telescopic flagship zooms. My penchant for vintage lenses started primarily because I didn't have much money when I got my first camera.
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