2017 Hottest Vintage Lenses on Amplframe

Vintage camera lenses seem to be increasingly popular nowadays, and not just in the hipster crowds. Many photographers are still relished in the romantic character of the old glass that backs in the film days in this era of digital. The prevalence of relatively inexpensive adapters that will let you mount the majority of vintage lenses on your current digital marvel also boost the rebirth of the old glass. 


Wanted to spark something cool with the unique characteristic of those old gems? Let's take a look at the hottest vintage lenses on Amplframe in 2017!

1. Helios 44M 58mm F/2

There are many version of Helios 44M on the market. This Russian-made series of Helios 44M is created after the optics pattern of Carl Zeiss Biotar 58/2. The swirly bokeh effect is its well-known fingerprint. Many photographers own this lens on Amplframe, which can show its abnormal charm.

16 players | 171 photos | Represented photographer: 許庭華

See more: https://www.amplframe.com/lens/Helios-44M-58mm-F2


2. Leica Summicron 35mm F/2

The classic lenses series of Leica. Leica has made four different optical designs of 35mm Summicron. There have been cosmetic variations of each lens design across the years to keep people rebuying the same lens, but only four different optical designs which are 8-element, 6-element, 7-element, and the ASPH. Its stereoscopic result and good performance on rendering color make film photographer can't stop loving it.

5 players | 90 photos

See more: https://www.amplframe.com/lens/Leica-Summicron-35mm-F2

3. Contax Carl Zeiss Planar T* 50mm F/1.4

You can always encounter the forum about Japanese-German complex around this popular lens. It is a fantastic fine art among standard lenses. The rich color, buttery smooth bokeh, well permeability, and the high C/P value makes it the go-to one for the standard lens.

4 players | 31 photos

See more: https://www.amplframe.com/lens/Contax-Carl-Zeiss-Planar-T*-50mm-F14-1975

4. Pentax SMC Takumar 50mm F/1.4

Takumar is developed by Kajiwara Takuma, a widely known American portrait painter of Japanese birth.

Its SMC (Super-Multi-Coated) technology (7 layers) make it one of the most outstanding lenses in 1970. Many worldly known corporations even need to pay for using its SMC technology. This lens is razor sharp for shooting landscapes and the metal manufacturing build gives you a low-key luxury feel.

4 players | 51 photos | Represented photographer：Zhi Ping Chi

See more: https://www.amplframe.com/lens/Pentax-SMC-TAKUMAR-50mm-14F

5. Pentax SMC Takumar 55mm F/1.8

Continuously, this one is also a standard lens of Takumar, but with a slightly smaller diaphragm and cheaper prices.

Since the price of 50mm 1.4 is already good enough, many photographers choose to go to F1.4 directly.

The feature is very similar to the previous one: solid body, beautiful bokeh and has an eye-catching result on the color yellow. All in all, it is a lens that is worth to have.

4 players | 30 photos | Represented photographer：Zhi Ping Chi

See more: https://www.amplframe.com/lens/Pentax-SMC-Takumar-55mm-F18

6. Zenitar 16mm F/2.8

This Russian lens is a moderate wide angle lens when considering the APS-C crop factor but still provides some fisheye distortion effect to the resulting images. It has a high C/P value, especially with the adapter from Canon. Additionally, the metal body gives it a high-quality texture.

3 players | 10 photos

See more: https://www.amplframe.com/lens/Zenitar-16mm-F28

7. Pentacon Orestegon 29mm F/2.8

An affordable wide-angle lens from Meyer Optik Goerlitz (German). It has a shorter focus range and a warmer tone. Although the performance on the bloom detail is not ideal, it creates some different sensation on the overall imaging. Its 7-blade diaphragm also enhances its control over the distorted image.

3 player | 10 photos

See more: https://www.amplframe.com/lens/Pentacon-Orestegon-29mm-F28

8. Pentacon auto 50mm F/1.8

A great lens for a starter kit. It's a cheap standard lens with large aperture and the later version has multi-coating. Although the definition is low with full f-stop, if you adjust it to 2.8, it could give a good definition result.

4 players | 22 photos

See more: https://www.amplframe.com/lens/Pentacon-auto-50mm-F18

9. Leica Summicron-M 50mm F/2

You will never buy wrong with Leica, only a bit steep.

50mm is also a standard lens as 35mm, thus it is not surprising that it has grown in popularity.

4 players | 34 photos

See more: https://www.amplframe.com/lens/Leica-Summicron-M-50mm-F2


10. Konica M-Hexanon 50mm F/2

A lens with the buzz around it all the time. As if a copy of Leica series M, including Konica Hexar RF camera and M-Hexanon lens. Konica M-Hexanon 50mm F/2 not only has a similar appearance with Leica lenses, it can even use the adapter of Leica M.

3 players | 44 photos

See more: https://www.amplframe.com/lens/Konica-M-Hexanon-50mm-F2-1999

11.Contax G 45mm F/2

As a normal lens, G45 reputed as the sharpest lens in its G series. It even had hailed as the sharpest lens in the world and it is said that G45 was used in the aerial photography of U.S Air Force. Its razor-sharp feature is very suitable for shooting landscapes. It was allegedly still very sharp even with the full f-stop.

3 players | 38 photos

See more: https://www.amplframe.com/lens/Contax-G-45mm-F2

After reviewing the aroma arts created by these distinguishing feature vintage lenses, does it trigger the restless desire of owning these gems? Actions speak louder than words! Give old glasses a shot and share your thoughts with us!

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