I’ve been playing in my tiny studio this week with a beautiful Peony and some Ranunculus. I was experimenting with lots of different lenses on this set up to see how the lens choice changed the overall photo.
In this collection, I was using the Meyer-Optik Gorlitz Oreston 50mm F1.8 Lens M42 Mount – This is a vintage lens I got off eBay for about $70. I went looking for this lens in the vintage version after someone in one of my groups showed me a brand new one based on their old lenses. The brand new one was about $1400! I figured if they were creating the lens again inspired by their original lens – then maybe I’d like the original lens. And boy was I right. I LOVE THIS LENS! Seriously.
This lens is known for its really pretty “soap bubble” bokeh and blur and it does not disappoint! I was reminded of the Lensbaby Velvet in the creaminess of the blur this lens created for me.
This lens also had a bit of a surprise and a funny story in it in how manual it really is. I bought one lens and thought the aperture ring wasn’t working… so I bought another one… and accidentally figured out that you have to push a side button on this lens to close down the aperture blades while you are shooting the picture since the adapter mount doesn’t cover the aperture pin! So now I have 2 of the same lens and they both work wonderfully – LOL! Sometimes you have a little adventure in learning the ins-and-outs of a vintage lens – but you know what – that is part of the fun for me on using these old lenses. It keeps things exciting in my photography.
This lens has an M42 mount – so you would need to get a converter for your modern camera to mount it. I got the M42 to EOS converter for my canon camera off of Amazon for about $12. This is an entirely manual lens – meaning you will be focusing and setting your aperture manually. I know that sounds scary, there is a small learning curve, but the more you practice with a manual lens, the easier it gets.
*These were processed with the Still Stories preset collection.
Beautiful! I have a full frame Canon 6D and wonder if I could use this type of lens with a converter? Would you please share any thoughts on that question?
Thank you!
This lens has an M42 mount – so you would need to get a converter for your modern camera to mount it. I got the M42 to EOS converter for my Canon full frame camera off of Amazon for about $12.
Thank you for the info!
You’re welcome! 🙂
Denise, i believe you are using these vintage lenses with your up to date digital Canon, is that right? Thank you for clarifying. My great sorrow is that i can’t subscribe to your workshops since our rural Maine internet servive is painfully slow and we are limited to 10GB data download per month. Libraries have made it impossible to access sites with their use of site blocking software, so reading your blogs is as close as i can come to learning all you have to share – it’s breaking my heart!
Yes, I’m using these on my up to date digital Canon. You just get the adapter ring for the vintage lens mount to your modern camera mount. So for this lens, I got the M42 to EOS adapter ring from Amazon to fit it to my camera. You would just get the ring for your mount camera.
Oh WOW Denise all of these are absolutely stunning I love them all, the setup and the colors are gorgeous. Your a great inspiration to all who love your work 🙂
Thank you for all that you do to help our creative minds 🙂
Thank you so very much!!
Stunning photo! I just went to Sony a7iii and I’m going to research these lenses to see if I can use them on it! With the sensor being so close to the front I’m not sure I can.
If you can get the adapter for the mount – I think you’ll be good. Focus is only an issue for the mirror that flips when focusing to infinity on full frame cameras on the Helios lens.
The. Sony is a mirrorless so that should not be a problem, should it?
I wouldn’t think it would be a problem. Just need the adapter. The antique lenses are smaller than modern ones – so similar to the size of the mirrorless lenses.
thank so much Denise!
Hi Becky, I have a Fujifilm mirrorless camera and a Helios lens with adapter. Works perfect.
I bought mine an eBay. Good luck and have fun.
Becky I have a Sony A6000 and this lens and other vintage lenses work perfectly on this camera and also on my Canon 550D….agree totally with Denise…this lens is fabulous…..
Hi Denise
I love your work so much, and I was so taken with this particular photo that I purchased the lens and adaptor immediately. Now that I have them both attached to my Canon T2i camera, and so far I can find no real documentation on how to effectively use the combination. I wonder if there are a few tips you can give me to get started. I realizevthatbreal expertise will come with repeated use and fine tuning my open skills.
Some questions:
Do you handhold for the exposure
Do you shoot at F 1.8
How close should you be with this lens?
Thanks for any help.
It is definitely about just jumping in and start shooting with the lens to see how it works. These vintage lenses are quirky but that is what I love – trying to discover what I can do with them. The first try might be a bit frustrating since they aren’t automatic like today’s lenses. I’d go ahead and plan a shoot and spend a few hours fiddling with the lens taking photos. That’s what I did and now I love it.
I shoot quite a bit at wide open just because I like all that blur.
I am usually hand holding when I shoot – but you could set up on a tripod if you needed.
How close you get is totally up to you and what photo you are trying to get.
Love your beautiful images Denise….two of my favorite flowers….I bought this lens about six weeks ago from eBay and am practicing again with it this week…
I am highly delighted at its performance and the sharpness is incredible…love how it photographed my doggies and flowers…this week I have tried landscapes and am in the middle of processing them….my wish list is now endless and there are more possibilities to buy as the vintage lenses are so reasonably priced….
So glad you love it. I agree – the vintage lenses are so reasonable and it really opens up your choices for lenses! 🙂
Glorious colours and blur, and a big sigh as I add another lens to my wish list!
This is a good one to try. It is my favorite lens behind the velvets and not very expensive compared to a regular lens. Soft and pretty focus similar to the velvets.
This is such a beautiful post, I have gone back to it many times! Your gorgeous work and kind spirit in sharing all this knowledge inspired me to purchase this lens too! Just purchased it yesterday. Cannot wait for it to arrive. Interesting how this comment thread has held interest over a couple years! Certainly speaks to the impact of your work, and reputation as an instructor!
I looked for a M42 mount like yours. Found one in very good condition but has the exakta bayonet mount instead. Doesn’t seem to be as many adapter choices for that style to adapt to a Canon 6D.
One website said that the adapter isn’t compatible with a full frame camera due to the issue of contact with the mirror. Do you shoot the vintage lenses on a full frame camera? I have an old Rebel but hoped it will work with my 6D.
Good luck with your new lens when you get it! This is still one of my favorite! I don’t have any with the bayonet mount. I try to stick to the m42 mounts since that’s what my others are. The only issue I’ve run into is with the Helios on a full frame. Shooting with the lens to infinity – the lens backs into the camera and runs into the mirror. I don’t usually shoot larger scenes – I do mostly close ups – so I don’t have an issue. The Meyer optic one hasn’t ever been a problem for me with that.
Thanks so much for the helpful and quick response Denise! And for the enthusiasm for my new lens! It arrived yesterday, in great condition. I had a little trouble figuring it out when I was giving it a look over. I remember you had mentioned some specific feature in your post, so I went back to it again. So glad you mentioned the need to push in the control for the aperture blades. The owner’s manual I found online was in German, so not much help 🙂 I just have to be patient until the adapter arrives next week. Then I can play. Thanks again for your kindness and support!
Very exciting!! I hope you love it! 🙂
Dear Denise, thank you for this beautiful blog post, your photos are stunning! I purchased a copy of this lens last night and I’m so excited to try it, I’m just a little confused about the adapter that I need to get. On Amazon, there are a few varieties some with 2 versions. I’ve ultimately decided on the one titled “Beschoi Lens Mount Adapter Ring for M42 42mm Screw Mount Lens to Canon EOS EF Mount SLR Camera Body” and I really hope it is correct as that one costs $20 LOL I’ve heard some people say vintage lenses can damage a FF camera if you don’t use the correct adapter, I’m slightly worried, do you think this adapter ring mentioned would work? I have a Canon 5D iii.
So fun! I’m sure the adapter you got is fine. Mine is a little screw mount too. This lens is fine with my full frame camera. The only vintage lens I have issue with is the Helios one as it backs into the camera when shooting out to infinity – so the mirror hits the lens and errors. Since I shoot mostly close up – I don’t usually run into that issue. Good luck!
Thank you, it’s so kind of you to reply 🙂 This should be fun!
Your shot convinced me. I ordered one today.
Hope you love it! 🙂
I bought a Meyer Optik Oreston 50mm 1.8 and have been trying to adapt the M42 threads to fit My Canon RP. Three adapters and over a hundred dollars latter, nothing will let the lens focus. Manually of course. Tried to adapt to RF mount first and then two different mounts to Canon’s EF adapter. The lens will not focus correctly. I guess it could be bad lens but seems to work properly. Any ideas or has anyone else had this problem?
Hmmm. I’m not sure what could be going on for you. I have 2 of these lenses and they both focus ok for me. I have the EF mount on my canon camera – but I don’t think the mount is the issue as I can hold the lens in front of the camera and still get it to focus not even mounted. The biggest issue with the vintage lenses is troubleshooting issues since they are so old and we are trying to adapt them to modern cameras.
I’m sorry to bother you with this. Found on a reputtle seller in mint condition and ordered it today. I know I have a mount it will work on. keep inspiring us with your beautiful work!