Through the Vintage Lens: Carl Zeiss Jena Pancolar 50mm f/1.8

Arnau Argemi · Issue 121, Jul/Aug 2021 · pp. 33–42

Products mentioned: Carl Zeiss Jena Pancolar 50mm f/1.8, Fotodiox M42 to Nikon F adapter, Nikon D90, Nikon D500, Nauticam NA-D500 housing, Nauticam 60 Macro Port, Nauticam 45 Macro Port, Kenko Teleplus HD teleconverter, Inon Z240 strobes

We have become accustomed at the perfectly engineered look of the pictures taken with our modern lenses. The Through the Vintage Lens Series is a project with the goal of capturing underwater fauna and sceneries using the unique perspective of vintage lenses. With this project, my intention is to explore the new creative possibilities that imperfect vintage lenses can have on our image-making. From extreme, bubbly bokeh to razor sharpness, these lenses can help capture the underwater world from a different point of view. In this series, I will show images taken underwater with vintage lenses. Additionally, I will explain a bit of the history behind the lens as well as walk you through adapting the lens to your modern camera and your housing system. I will also give tips on how to shoot these lenses in terms of camera settings, lighting type, composition, and post-processing modifications…