Oh yeah, it’s auto, it’s multi coated, it has green and orange letters, it cost 5€! This lens I found at our local flea market. On the internet it goes starting from 40€. It is in prime condition, I don’t know if it’s even been used at all. It has Pentax K -mount, which, of course, has an adapter available for Sony’s e-mount. It took a while to get that adapter but once I did and hooked the lens up, oh the joy!
The lens is about the same size as Helios 44M but much lighter. Compared to the tank-like build and quality of the russian, this is sleek and even futuristic in a retro style. You do not want to drop it. Did I mention it has green and orange letters?
Aperture ring clicks are snappy and reassuring. Focus is smooth and focus peaking works like a Tesla Roadster in space. Though when at f1.7 nailing focus can be challenging. Handling is just right.
Sharpness is usable-ish at f1.7, best at center from f2.8 and uniform across the frame from f5.6 to f8. Open and a few stops forward we get some weird color stuff. It gets better the higher the aperture goes. All the way to f22 is good. Aperture ring even has half-stop clicks.
For landscapes it has a bit long focal length on NEX-6, You need a point of interest quite far away. You can make it work though. At f8 things are looking good.
Getting a moving object in focus at f1.7 is a challenge. Colors come out pleasant and life-like.
Close ups provide the best results in my eyes, thanks to that sweet f1.7. You can happily dial to f2 or f4 for more sharp.
Big things are a bigger problem but tones save the day. For night photo You see something wrong with the colors, hard to put Your finger on it. Same thing that I noticed on the fence test.
Still life. Having learned from previous reviews I’ll just put these pictures here.
In the first image bokeh is a bit distracting. It might have to do with similar color and patterns in the subject but I’d like to see more pop. Closer You have focus, the better the background gets. What?
The Chinon has quite harsh flares. They can have a nice sci-fi look. Most often they present themselves as color-happy bursts of joy. Not good.
Shooting video works well. Check out the video version of this review here.
Taking images with the Auto Chinon 50 mm is a lovely experience. It is so clear and crisp that You want to keep looking through the lens. It fits my hand and mechanisms turn fluidly. With that much light Your options for image creation are abundant. Even with that f1.7 color weirdness the shooting is so enjoyable that it makes up for any such shortcoming. If You find it cheap, it’s worth a try. I would not pay 40€ for it though.
Hill & Spruce Photography 