Fuji Legacy lenses for Fuji X1-Pro/X-E1

johnwillyums

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Location
Colne, East Lancashire, England, UK.
Name
John Williams (check out my pics on G+)
Hi folks, I'm hoping for some input on good choices for old manual lenses on the Fuji cameras

My thinking is that, as I have the Fuji zoom, I'll get the Fuji 35mm or 18mm. (I'm watching a couple of those on ebay atm). I'll also get a legacy telephoto.
So, which of these would people find the most desirable:

Minolta Auto Tele-Rokkor 100mm f3.5
Minolta MD Tele-Rokkor 135mm f3.5
Canon MD SC 135mm f3.5 portrait lens
Olympus Zuiko 135mm f3.5 (OM mount)

I'd appreciate anyone's input, all of these have reasonable buy it now prices, so I just need to make a choice.
The Fuji lenses are on auction, finishing tonight. The 35mm is already £332+£7.50. So it's near to becoming only a bit cheaper than brand new (£429 inc. postage on Amazon.

What do you think folks? Cheers, John
 
Scuttlebutt on the mid/long Rokkor lenses is that the 135 f2 is the best at that length, but for old lenses I pretty much wouldn't go to ebay at all. If there were no other choices besides Craigslist / ebay / yard sales, then fine, but when there's keh.com, it is so much safer to get them that way. Ebay lenses are notorious for having blade problems, fungus, hazing, whatever that the owner "didn't know about." I am sure some are fine, but keh checks everything out, ranks it properly (conservatively, frankly), and sells them reasonably. They've got a 135 f2.8 MC lens in ex condition (ie, will look pretty much brand new) for $37. I've ordered 3 lenses from them, all were better than advertised, and even the "bargain" one was in really good shape.

Don't be afraid of the MC lenses (as opposed to later MD versions) - just Use A Hood. I use a late 60's MC 55 1.7 a lot, and it's a great lens. They're optically as good or even sometimes better (cost controls kicked in later in the 70's), but they can flare more easily because the coatings weren't as good. Get one of those retractable rubber hoods and you're in fine shape for CHEAP.
 
@Yeats, @KillRamsey, @asterinex, @zapatista, @bobbywise, and @Lightmancer,

Thank you all for your great input and info. Unfortunately, I've got the patience of a gnat, so I've blundered ahead anyway:) I was looking at used Fuji XF 35mm f1.4 lenses, on Ebay, and seeing what they were going for. I soon realised that they weren't much cheaper than the best price on a new one.
Then, a friend put me onto Fuji UK refurbished equipment. The Fuji UK Shop, has both refurbished bodies and lenses, with a years warranty, so I bought a 35mm from them. It arrived today, along with a "free" Fuji clear optically coated glass lens protection filter "worth £69,99", these are given free with all their refurbed lenses. Not surprising, at that price I can't imagine they are flying off the shelf:) That cost me £379.99, which was not much more than the unknown quantities on Ebay were going for.
As I say, it arrived today, but I haven't been able to take any proper shots, as I had to stay in. It was raining anyway. I've been wandering about the house, taking picture of chairs, vases etc. I'm impressed with the speed of focus on it. It does make a noise like a box of pins when the aperture or focus changes. I've done some research on this, and apparently, it's normal. What do you think?
So then I went back to Ebay and started looking at used medium tele's ( I'd not heard of keh.com at all, but will check it out killramsey, thanks) I did look at a lot of Rokkors, Canon FDs etc, but I've now settled on a Nikkor 105mm AIs f2.5. This is from a dealer who specialises in ex-military lenses. This is apparently an ex US army lens, that must have been sold by a US serviceman based here in the UK. He gives a 6 month warranty, and I've spoken to him on the 'phone. He seems like a good guy, and assures me there is no dust or fungus etc in the lens. It certainly is in beautiful cosmetic condition from looking at the numerous photographs he has shown. This costing me £190. So, I'm hoping it is a good one. As I say, he does have a lot of lenses and other paraphernalia in his online shop, and he gives a warranty. So fingers crossed:)
Lovely, sharp and punchy, cat shots bobbywise. It was touch and go between a Rokkor and this Nikon, I hope I've made a good choice.
Thanks very much for your input folk, John Williams
 
Would be interesting to get a cheap (like "bargain" condition on keh.com) Rokkor in a similar length as that Nikon, then go shoot both, and if the Nikon isn't suitably better, return it. $300 US is a lot of coin for a used lens, at least in RokkorLand.
 
Would be interesting to get a cheap (like "bargain" condition on keh.com) Rokkor in a similar length as that Nikon, then go shoot both, and if the Nikon isn't suitably better, return it. $300 US is a lot of coin for a used lens, at least in RokkorLand.

Thanks KillRamsey, I just took a look on keh.com. They only have a few lenses for sale at the moment, and no Nikkor 105mm f2.5 to compare. There are a couple of nice looking Rokkors, but not appreciably cheaper than Ebay UK. Also, as it is an American site, I would most likely get whacked with import duty. The Nikkor hasn't arrived yet. Won't really know whether I've done a good deal or not until I've used it:)
Cheers, John
 
Makes sense. Also don't underestimate the difference (just in general across all older lenses) with ordering from a shop like keh vs. some random ebay seller. There are SO many sad stories about lenses having critical problems, unhappy buyers, etc. I'd pay $75 for the same keh lens that I could get on ebay for $25, because I would know Exactly What Condition It's In. Ebay is a gamble, and when you lose, it sucks.

Also their inventory updates pretty often. ...Sorry, it suddenly feels like I work for them. Apologies. Let us know how the Nikkor works out!
 
John,

I was about to suggest the 105 Nikkor when I read that you had bought one. It's one of the all time great lenses from Nikon. Great sharpness and contrast. I think You'll be very happy with it.

Rich
 
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