Monday, April 17, 2017

Test Photos - Tamron 28mm f2.5 Adaptall-2


The Tamron 28mm f2.5 lens (model 02B) with the Adaptall-2 mount system is a lens I have owned since 1986. The lens was made in Saitama, Japan by the Tamron Co., LTD.

I purchased it at the time for my Yashica FX-70 35mm camera.  I finally decided to give it a try on my Samsung NX1 using a C/Y (Contax/Yashica) to NX adapter (see photo below)



Below are the some specifications I found at AllPhotoLenses.com (click link for additional details on this specific lens:



I went out for a walk around the neighborhood about 1-1/2 hours before sunset. There were thin clouds obscuring the sun at times, but it poked-through for some of these photographs.

All the photographs shown here were "as-taken" JPEG's. There was no post editing with the exception of resizing from the large 23.4 megapixel APS-C sensor resolution.  All photographs were handheld and no filters were used, except where noted below the photo with the settings.

Note: I did not record the aperture settings, but I stayed within a range of f5.6 to f11 for this series


1/80 sec   /   ISO100   / EV 0

1/125 sec / ISO100 / EV 0

1/125sec / ISO100 / EV 0

 1/125sec / ISO100 / EV 0

 1/125sec  / ISO100 / EV 0

 1/125sec   /   ISO100   / EV 0 

 1/125sec  / ISO100 / EV 0

 1/125sec  / ISO100 / EV 0

 1/125sec  / ISO100 / EV 0

 1/125sec / ISO100  / EV 0

1/125sec / ISO100 / EV 0

  f/5.6   /  1/160sec / ISO100 / EV 0 / 0.9 ND Filter

 f/11   /  1/160sec   /   ISO100   / EV 0

F5.6 + half-stop / 1/50sec / 0EV / ISO100 / 0.9 ND Filter

Note: It was interesting to find out that this lens had a minimum aperture setting of f32.  I want to go back out in full sun and photograph this essentially "pin-hole" setting.  I will post these photographs when available.

Additional information links:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/tamron-adaptall-2-28mm-f-2-5-02b.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Itbnr3ckOwg

http://www.vintagelensesforvideo.com/tamron28mm/

http://lensbeam.com/obektivy/obektiv-tamron-28-mm-f-25-adaptall-2

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamron#Adaptall-2_lenses_and_adapters

Sunday, April 9, 2017

Test Photos...SMC PENTAX-M f1:2 50mm ASAHI OPTICAL CO


The SMC PENTAX-M 50mm f2 ASAHI OPTICAL CO (Pentax) is a prime lens made in Japan sometime in the late 70's to early 80's. I found this lens in a used record store display of vintage electronic equipment for $10.  A nice find.  The glass is free of damage and mechanically defects.

I added an inexpensive Pentax-to-NX mount adapter and set the Samsung NX1 camera mode to "manual" in order to take photographs.  The photo below shows the subject lens attached to the NX1.


Some basic data-information on this lens is provided below and was sourced from the AllPhotoLenses website. Here's the link: http://allphotolenses.com/lenses/item/c_821.html


The following photographs were taken as initial test images to check on the working condition of the lens and if there are any visual defects.  The images below are shown "as-photographed" without editing, adjustments or effects with the exception of a size reduction down from the 23.4MP internal capture.  Camera settings are listed below each photographs along with any comments.

                 1/400sec / ISO100 / -0.3EV / f2.8

                                     1/400sec  /  ISO100  /  -0.3EV  / f2.8 

                1/400sec  /  ISO100  /  -0.3EV  / f2.8

               1/400sec  /  ISO100  /  -0.3EV  / f5.6

               1/400sec  /  ISO100  /  -0.3EV  / f5.6

             1/400sec  /  ISO100  /  -0.3EV  / f5.6

              1/500sec  /  ISO100  /  -0.3EV  / f4

               1/500sec  /  ISO100  /  -0.3EV  / f5.6

               1/4000sec  /  ISO100  /  -0.3EV  / f2.8

Albinar-ADG MC 80-200mm Auto Zoom MARCO f4.5-5.6

I picked-up this vintage Albinar-ADG MC 80-200mm Auto Zoom MARCO f4.5-5.6 at a local record store (yes 'record' store) for $14.99 in a used camera/lens display case.  This particular lens was a Minolta (MD) mount, that was easily adapted (with an inexpensive Fotasy adapter) to my Samsung NX1 Digital Camera.

There are limited Internet reviews and incomplete data on this lens,  Most reviews 'put-down' the lens without explanation as cheap or a waste of money.  I like cheap, no-name lenses in the hope that they are either surprisingly good, or have some strange lens aberration that makes it useful as an 'effect' on photography or filmmaking.    

The research I conducted suggests the name 'Albinar' was branded for sale in a chain of electronic stores known as "BEST" that was in business from 1957-through the early 90's in 23 states.  Other posts suggest that the lenses were either manufactured by RICOH or Tokina in Japan. Source: http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Best_Products

The photo below shows this ALBINAR lens on my NX1:


Some Basic Specs:

Manufactured:  Japan
Mount: Minolta (MD)
Focal Length: 80-200mm
Aperture Range f4.5-f22  MACRO 1:4
Focus: 1.1m to infinity.  In MACRO, 3-ft was the closest I was able to get to subject
Filter Diameter: 49mm
Elements: 11 in 8 groups
Aperture Blades: 6
Weight 390g
Features: Multi-coated
Manufactured Date: Unknown..Estimate Early 80's

Here are some initial test photos taken mid-morning with the Samsung NX1 with photosize set to 23.4 megapixel, 16:9 format, (6480x3648px)

Note: These photos are presented 'as-photographed' - no post editing, adjustments or effects. Camera settings are listed below each photo.

All photographs were on a tripod.

Note: The NX1 has an APS-C sensor.  The crop factor is 1.5, which is the 35mm equivalent for this lens 120mm to 300mm

    Shutter 1/60sec / ISO100  / -0.3 EV / f5.6 / Focal length 80mm

This photograph below was taken in the MACRO mode.  The closest I was able to get to the subject and still remain in focus was 3-feet.

The MACRO is good for close-ups, but the focus depth-of-view has a narrow range (see what's in and out of focus in the photo below), so I needed to be aware to double-check that I was happy with the foucs before taking the shot.

        Shutter 1/80sec / ISO100  / -0.3 EV / f5.6 / Focal length MACRO

Photographed at 80mm

       Shutter 1/160sec / ISO100  / -0.3 EV / f11 / Focal length 80mm

Photographed at 200mm 

Shutter 1/160sec / ISO100  / -0.3 EV / f11 / Focal length 80mm
Shutter 1/160sec / ISO100  / -0.3 EV / f11 / Focal length 200mm

   Shutter 1/160sec / ISO100  / -0.3 EV / f11 / Focal length 150mm

Comments: These first initial photographs are quite impressive for the Albinar.  No lens defects or fungus are present.  The zoom is a barrel push-pull and is smooth; however, the focus 'feels' rough/choppy, possibly due to lack of lubrication or mechanical wear (speculation).  Although there is no issue with the focusing the lens.

So to conclude my initial look at this lens, I am quite satisfied that the sharpness is good and the mechanical/optical properties have remained in good working order for this vintage lens.

Let me know if you have any questions or something to add about this particular lens.