Classic vintage lenses
The most popular old lenses
Cheap, easy to find and full of character. For each one: how to mount it and what to check before you buy.
Reti is free and ad-free We build Reti after hours, out of love for photography. If one of the tools helped you, you can buy us a coffee. Buy us a coffee on Ko-fi →- Helios 44-2 58mm f/2The Soviet standard lens for Zenit cameras, made in huge numbers. Today the most popular vintage lens on mirrorless cameras.
- Jupiter-9 85mm f/2A Soviet copy of the Zeiss Sonnar 85/2. A classic portrait lens, cheap today and popular on mirrorless cameras.
- Super-Takumar / SMC Takumar 50mm f/1.4A Japanese Asahi Pentax lens from the 1960s and 70s. Loved for its build and sharpness, one of the best fast M42 lenses.
- Carl Zeiss Jena Pancolar 50mm f/1.8An East German lens for Praktica cameras. Sharp with lovely colours, and much cheaper than its Western rivals.
- Industar-50-2 50mm f/3.5A Soviet pancake lens (very flat), a Tessar-type design. Cheap and light, good for a walk.