Author Topic: Tele Astranar 400mm f/5.5 (West German, 1950s) ***** (Read 2924 times)

Em5 Pete · « **on:** May 25, 2011, 01:23:04 PM »

Got my 400mm in the mail today. So I had an adapter I could use with it and took it outside for a few handhelds at f/5.5... The only f/stop until I have the blades put back in.

The focus wheel (1/3 turn from INF to 20')

All at ISO 320 and DeNoise5 trail was used also.

No Cropping

Imagine when I can shoot a few f/stops smaller. (old school for smaller iris opening)

Ray · « **Reply #1 on:** May 25, 2011, 04:09:03 PM »

This seems like a great lens, very nice cosmetics and from the look of the samples it is well enough sharp for some serious birding and the colors look nice as well. Shame the aperature is missing but even without it it might be sharp enough.

Em5 Pete · « **Reply #2 on:** May 25, 2011, 04:30:25 PM »

I hope they can be put back in, I'd pay the $50.00 for that!
It should improve some, I thinking between f/8 and f/11 should be a sweet spot.
Tomorrow (if weather permits), I taking my crappy tripod with me, and see how it goes. I'll go to a park, and around the local towns downtown area. You know the type, A one intersection downtown Not taken with this lens! Just showing the area I will go tomorrow.

I keep going back

,

Em5 Pete · « **Reply #3 on:** May 25, 2011, 05:58:46 PM »

A few from inside, on a tripod, and near its closest focus (20 feet or so)
I did not correct WB. (Call me lazy tonight

)

Details

Ray · « **Reply #4 on:** May 26, 2011, 02:19:53 AM »

Quote from: M5-User on May 25, 2011, 05:58:46 PM

A few from inside, on a tripod, and near its closest focus (20 feet or so)
I did not correct WB. (Call me lazy tonight )

Obvious

but still I like the colors from this lens very much, reminds me of some of the expensive fast Canon FD lenses. I would love to take this lens for a spin, I found some other samples coming from this type of lens and its a winner by the looks of it, perhaps I'll run into one some day myself but this might be quite an elusive piece of equipment nowadays.

Edit: Look over here to see what I mean

Em5 Pete · « **Reply #5 on:** May 26, 2011, 05:13:19 AM »

Yes, that was a good thread.. "Spystyle" had a response, I have the lens he had with the iris blades in a bag.
I believe I have a Pentax M42 version, Not sure if they made a T mount version. (the threads are 42mm, but the pitch is different. M42 = 1mm, T mount= 0,75mm)

Nordentro · « **Reply #6 on:** May 26, 2011, 08:57:22 AM »

Nice find!

Thx for sharing

Em5 Pete · « **Reply #7 on:** May 26, 2011, 09:25:56 AM »

Just got back from my repair guy, and he said that putting the 16 blades back in won't be a problem

. -- not doing it until next month though. and I will have the lens elements cleaned off and have the Lubricant replaced in the Rack/Pinion focus gears. For that lens, that is complete CLA

Yes, 16 iris blades!!!! The Bokeh you see in the "Stop Sign" photo won't change when I get them back in... YEAH!!!

Em5 Pete · « **Reply #8 on:** May 26, 2011, 01:01:17 PM »

From Today

Details

It does get heavy after a few minutes of taking a bunch of photos in a row. But, I could use the workout

Ray · « **Reply #9 on:** May 26, 2011, 02:00:48 PM »

Congratulations with these first birds, I'm sure you'll get used to it in notime

Em5 Pete · « **Reply #10 on:** May 26, 2011, 02:08:00 PM »

Thanks, When I get Iris put back in, I will use f/8-f/11 to help out with DOF.

Em5 Pete · « **Reply #11 on:** May 27, 2011, 10:24:35 AM »

Found a new park today... mainly a fishing and picnic park.. very small

Details

Em5 Pete · « **Reply #12 on:** May 27, 2011, 02:15:20 PM »

A few more from today

Details

Em5 Pete · « **Reply #13 on:** June 25, 2011, 11:20:00 AM »

Got my Lens back from the Repair Shop. I had it Cleaned and Adjusted, and had the Iris Blades put back in...

Some more samples...No cropping...
Enjoy

Danny · « **Reply #14 on:** June 25, 2011, 12:46:39 PM »

Very nice and you don't have to worry about sharpness by the looks. Excellent and very pleased you had it cleaned and fixed, good on you for that. It will be like new and last for years. Well done.

Danny

cosinaphile · « **Reply #15 on:** June 25, 2011, 02:09:42 PM »

seriously good lens there , id love some glass of that fl

Em5 Pete · « **Reply #16 on:** June 25, 2011, 02:38:49 PM »

Quote from: cosinaphile on June 25, 2011, 02:09:42 PM

seriously good lens there , id love some glass of that fl

It is all medal, and if I don't walk with it "just right", my lower back let's me know about it. I let in hang off my neck straight down at my waist/upper leg.

It has 2 elements cemented together at the front... Seriously! But, highly corrected I guess. it does have purple CA in some high contrast images, but easily fixed.

I was REALLY surprised at the detail from really far away objects 1500m+

Em5 Pete · « **Reply #17 on:** June 25, 2011, 02:48:22 PM »

100% Crop of above...Click on it to view max res.

I will revisit this image with the G3 at 800 ISO...when I receive it from Adorama

Details

cosinaphile · « **Reply #18 on:** June 25, 2011, 03:36:49 PM »

i want one!!!

Em5 Pete · « **Reply #19 on:** June 25, 2011, 03:50:52 PM »

Quote from: cosinaphile on June 25, 2011, 03:36:49 PM

i want one!!!

They are rare in the m42 mount, and with the Rack/Pinion focus, (Early 1950's version) and in good shape!
Made by Piesker in West Germany.

I have about $120.00 in it.. Trade and CLA.. But, I have heard they can sell for over $300.00...
Not a lot compared to buying any new m4/3 lens though...

adash · « **Reply #20 on:** June 25, 2011, 11:09:02 PM »

That's an unexpected sharpness for that focal length!

cosinaphile · « **Reply #21 on:** June 26, 2011, 07:21:38 AM »

i would love to have something really long like A 400MM giving an 800mm
fov like that west german gem ,as it is rare i guess ill take what i find , but id love to find a german made one with optics of high quality like the one in this thread...........sigh

Em5 Pete · « **Reply #22 on:** July 09, 2011, 06:31:39 PM »

Details

From f/8-f/11

Em5 Pete · « **Reply #23 on:** August 18, 2011, 04:08:04 PM »

From Today... on my new to me Tiltall Mini (Max 55" instead of 72")
F/11, about 20' away (around closest focus)

Details

Author Topic: Tele Astranar 400mm f/5.5 (West German, 1950s) ***** (Read 2924 times)

Related Topics

Recent Topics

Recent Gallery