Gear information Blogs

Exakta VarioPlan 28–70mm Review: Vintage Zoom, Modern Magic - Dutch|Thrift
Exakta VarioPlan 28–70mm Review: Vintage Zoom, Modern Magic
Manual-focus vintage zoom with 28–70mm versatility and classic analog rendering. Available in M42 or Pentacon-bayonet mount, easily adapted to mirrorless cameras. Soft contrast, gentle flare, and characterful bokeh ideal for... Read more...
Jupiter-11 4/135 M39 Review: Vintage Telephoto With Soul - Dutch|Thrift
Jupiter-11 4/135 M39 Review: Vintage Telephoto With Soul
Jupiter-11 4/135 is a classic Soviet 135mm telephoto with warm, character-rich rendering. Easily adapted to most modern mirrorless cameras with simple, affordable adapters. Ideal for portraits, street details, and cinematic... Read more...
Tokina Super Mini Zoom AF 353 35–300mm Review & Guide - Dutch|Thrift
Tokina Super Mini Zoom AF 353 35–300mm Review & Guide
One-lens solution from 35–300mm with classic 1990s optics and handling. Great on Nikon F DSLRs and adapted to modern mirrorless cameras. Expect softer rendering and lower contrast than modern zooms—ideal... Read more...
Meyer-Optik Görlitz Oreston 1.8/50 M42 Vintage Lens Review - Dutch|Thrift
Meyer-Optik Görlitz Oreston 1.8/50 M42 Vintage Lens Review
Classic 50mm M42 lens with warm, characterful rendering and subtle swirl. Fully manual, but easy to adapt to modern mirrorless systems. Best shot wide open for glow, or around f/2.8–f/4... Read more...
Vivitar Series 1 70–210mm f/3.5: A Vintage Zoom for 2025 - Dutch|Thrift
Vivitar Series 1 70–210mm f/3.5: A Vintage Zoom for 2025
The Vivitar Series 1 70–210mm f/3.5 is a classic telephoto zoom with rich character and solid all‑metal build. Adapts beautifully to modern mirrorless cameras for photo and video, with focus... Read more...
Voigtländer Ultragon AF 19–35mm: Vintage Wide-Angle Magic - Dutch|Thrift
Voigtländer Ultragon AF 19–35mm: Vintage Wide-Angle Magic
Compact, affordable ultra‑wide zoom for Pentax KAF and adapted mirrorless bodies. Delivers warm, cinematic rendering instead of clinical perfection. Great for street, travel, landscapes and hybrid photo‑video work. Best balance... Read more...
Edixa-Xenar 50mm f/2.8 Review and Modern Adaptation Guide - Dutch|Thrift
Edixa-Xenar 50mm f/2.8 Review and Modern Adaptation Guide
The Edixa-Xenar 50mm f/2.8 is a compact, mid-century M42 lens with durable mechanics. Its rendering is sharp yet gentle, with vintage contrast and organic flare. Easily adapted to modern mirrorless... Read more...
Meyer Optik Orestor 2.8/100 M42 Lens Review & Guide - Dutch|Thrift
Meyer Optik Orestor 2.8/100 M42 Lens Review & Guide
Classic 100mm M42 portrait lens with signature creamy, textured bokeh. Fully manual focus and aperture, ideal for deliberate stills and video work. Adapts easily to most mirrorless cameras with the... Read more...
Meyer Optik Orestegon 2.8/29 M42 Review & Buying Guide - Dutch|Thrift
Meyer Optik Orestegon 2.8/29 M42 Review & Buying Guide
Classic 29mm M42 lens with warm, cinematic rendering and gentle contrast. Adapts easily to most modern mirrorless cameras with a simple M42 adapter. Excellent for storytelling, characterful video, and environmental... Read more...
Carl Zeiss Distagon 2.8/28 CY Review & Modern Usage Guide - Dutch|Thrift
Carl Zeiss Distagon 2.8/28 CY Review & Modern Usage Guide
Classic 28mm Zeiss prime with sharpness, contrast, and unique color rendering. Easily adapted to Sony E, Canon RF, Nikon Z, and Fuji X mirrorless systems. Ideal for street, landscape, and... Read more...
Carl Zeiss Planar 1.7/50 CY Review for Modern Creators - Dutch|Thrift
Carl Zeiss Planar 1.7/50 CY Review for Modern Creators
Classic 50mm Zeiss rendering with modern digital compatibility via simple adapters. Fast f/1.7 aperture, sharp stopped down, with cinematic character wide open. Excellent for photo and video thanks to smooth... Read more...
Rediscovering the Mamiya-Sekor E 50mm f/1.7 for Modern Cameras - Dutch|Thrift
Rediscovering the Mamiya-Sekor E 50mm f/1.7 for Modern Cameras
The Mamiya-Sekor E 50mm f/1.7 is a characterful vintage standard lens with creamy bokeh. With the right adapter, it becomes a unique manual-focus tool on modern mirrorless cameras. Check optics,... Read more...