Menu
What's new
The GetDPI Photography Forum

Great to see you here. Join our insightful photographic forum today and start tapping into a huge wealth of photographic knowledge. Completing our simple registration process will allow you to gain access to exclusive content, add your own topics and posts, share your work and connect with other members through your own private inbox! And don’t forget to say hi!

What third party “dreamy” lens to complement XCD lenses?

P

peterm1

Active member
I am interested in a more dreamy (but not soft in the center) lens I can adapt to my X2D that can give me a look closer to a Noctilux, that can complement my 28p, 55v and 90v. Love my XCD lenses but would like a different kind of option that’s a bit more “painterly” and less perfect. 80mm 1.9 was beautiful but it’s a beast. I was thinking about the Zeiss 50mm Sonnar C. Any other recommendations based on use on this sensor?
Thanks!
 
mristuccia

mristuccia

Well-known member
I'm contemplating the idea of acquiring a TT Artisan 90mm f1.25 as a portrait lens. Now it is also sold in XCD mount.
 
A

anyone

Well-known member
How do you deal with electronic shutter only? My experience with the 907x and adapted lenses was that I won’t be able to hand hold it without risking warping of the images.

If you can master this challenge, there are good options out there: Mamiya 80/1.9, Minolta MD 85/1.7 (radioactive but renders beautifully and covers the sensor), Zeiss 110/2.

And: +1 for the Pentax 645 75/2.8, this lens is really nice and small.
 
mristuccia

mristuccia

Well-known member
Regarding the rolling shutter quirks, I've been able with some exercise to get undistorted shots with the CF 100.
Switching to 14 bits reduces the total readout time of the sensor from 0.38 sec to 0.16.
This may help, I'll try it myself using 14 bits, but a tripod is most probably needed for 100% reliability with adapted lenses.
 
Last edited:
MGrayson

MGrayson

Subscriber and Workshop Member
wattsy said:
The HC 100/F2.2 is capable of a dreamyish look if used appropriately. That lens obviously benefits from leaf shutter operation and, if it's your thing, AF (assuming recent enough firmware).
Click to expand...
Oh, I forgot about the HC 100/2.2 ! I usually pick the 110/2 instead, despite the shutter. IBIS on the X2D makes the rolling shutter much more tolerable, as there's no noticeable wobble in straight lines. (Motion is a different issue!)
 
f6cvalkyrie

f6cvalkyrie

Well-known member
Maybe the Mamiya 145/4 SFC Soft Focus lens could be a candidate ?
Many available on the Evilbay, and really cheap ...
Not an easy lens to use, but if you get used to it, great pictures can be shot !

CU,
Rafael
 
B

bags27

Active member
I don't know how much of the sensor it will cover, and it certainly is not inexpensive, but the classic "dreamy look" lens is the Leica 90mm f/2.2 Thumbar (both original and contemporary). I was once in a Leica store (Boston) just doing camera porn, when this guy walks in and we chat. He looks at a lens case and says: what's that? I say, it's a Thumbar and explain what it is. He whips out his credit card, turns to the salesman, and says: I'll take it. Must be nice....
 
J

JeRuFo

Active member
I personally quite like the Mitakon 65 1.4, because it is still reasonably sharp, even at a bit more distance. It definitely isn't clinical in its rendering, more like fast MF glass did 50 years ago.
 
Last edited:
Steve Hendrix

Steve Hendrix

Well-known member
I don't usually have much to add to these type of threads - because all of you have way more fun than I ever get to have - but I do recall the Canon 85/1.2 II EF lens has a decent size image circle and might look nice on an X2D. There will be a bit of vignetting, but not too much. In the past I did experiment a bit with this lens on an Alpa FPS with various digital backs.


Steve Hendrix/CI
 
A

algrove

Well-known member
Why third party? How about old Hasselblad CF lenses.

As mentioned Mamiya 645 lenses can be loads of fun-even the 300 5.6
 
P

peterm1

Active member
algrove said:
Why third party? How about old Hasselblad CF lenses.

As mentioned Mamiya 645 lenses can be loads of fun-even the 300 5.6
Click to expand...
CF lenses are fine too - as long as it fits the X2D with an adapter, I would be interested to hear about it if it provides a unique look not readily available with the XCD lenses...

Thanks all for the suggestions!
 
mristuccia

mristuccia

Well-known member
peterm1 said:
CF lenses are fine too - as long as it fits the X2D with an adapter, I would be interested to hear about it if it provides a unique look not readily available with the XCD lenses...

Thanks all for the suggestions!
Click to expand...
I have many of them and the XV adapter.
Although they have their character, I wouldn't exactly describe them as dreamy, I'd rather use the attribute "smooth".
Maybe the 110 f2, which I don't have, can be "dreamy" at maximum aperture.

I'd rather go with even older and less optimized designs.
To me, "dreamy" and "buttery bokeh" are two different things IMHO.
I find a swirly bokeh, glowing highlights and a flare tendency to be "dreamy", for example.

Something like the Zeiss Biotar 58mm f2 or the clone Helios 44-2. But those are for 35mm full frame.
 
Last edited:
J

jng

Well-known member
Powernap by John Ngai, on Flickr
907x-CFV100C | Zeiss C 2.8/80 Planar | f/2.8​

This thread reminded me that I have an old (and I mean old, circa 1962) Zeiss/Hasselblad 80 Planar in my collection, one of the original "silver" lenses before multicoating was a thing. Last time I checked, these old Hasselblad C lenses were going for a song. I don't think it's as sharp as the 100 Planar but that's not the point here. While dreaminess is in the eye of the beholder, I think it renders quite nicely wide open and at close focus (in this example just under 1 meter, close to its minimum focus distance). And at 16+ years old, my old guy seems pretty happily dreaming so who am I to argue?

John
 
Last edited:
Godfrey

Godfrey

Well-known member
You piqued my curiosity as I have the Leica M and R adapters for my 907x/CFVII 50c. Pulled out the ancient Hektor 135mm f/4.5, set it wide open, and snapped a couple of still lifes with it.


Orchids On Table - Santa Clara 2024


Potted Plant - Santa Clara 2024​

Not the sharpest they can be, but hand-held at 1/20 and 1/45 sec with the E-shutter, ISO 400. I think they look nice, regardless. :D

G
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top