I have spent months and months, taking thousands of photos with all my M42 lenses.

 

The results gave me so much satisfaction and this is something I would continue to do as long as I can press a shutter button.

 

There is nothing more relaxing for me but to pack a collection of lenses, my trusty Sigma SD10 and hit the road to various destinations and spend the whole day photographing flowers, landscapes, rock formations and anything which is interesting.

 

I prefer my Sigmas with M42 lenses - my Pentax K20D, Canon EOS 550D and Nikon D70 just do not give the crisp results the Sigmas do.

 

These lens tests are not scientific in any way, but merely a personal quest to see how they perform at different apertures.

 

So, do not expect any comparisons - the results are as I captured them - some are not properly in focus, so do not judge the lenses here.

 

There are some favourites of course:

 

In wide angle, the Ensinor 24mm F2.8 - a stunning sharp and contrasty lens.

 

in 50mm, definitely the Porst 50mm F1.8. In my opinion, a better lens than the legendary Carl Zeiss Jena Pancolar F1.8.

 

And amongst the super fast 55mm F1.4's, definitely the Ricoh Rikenon 55mm F1.4 - this is a super sharp lens!

 

In the portrait range, the Russian Helios 58mm range is really good. I also like the Pentax SMC Takumar 55mm F1.8 - a great lens. And then of course the Russian Jupiter 85mm F2 - a nice lens capturing those "dreamy" photos.

 

In 135mm, the Carl Zeiss Jena MC 135mm F3.5. Add to this the Russian Jupiter 135mm F3.5 and in my opinion the Pentacon 135mm F2.8 is right up there. Oh, and the Pentax 135mm F2.5 - a

razor sharp lens and sought after.

 

In 200mm nothing really stands out. It is an even match between the lenses I own and none of them are spectacular.

 

In the 300mm+ range, none of them excites me at all - I think they are all mediocre. The one exception is the Novoflex Noflexar Follow Focus 400mm and 640mm monsters - lenses of a very simple design with ONE lens element. They are spectacular and tack sharp wide open.

 

I have also played with and tested all sorts of accessories like macro extension tubes and macro bellows and have posted photos of these as well.

 

I hope you find this web page helpful and interesting and I would gladly try to answer any questions.