Review Vega-12B 2.8 / 90 (VEGA-12B 2.8 / 90)

Accidentally on flickr I found a couple of photos on Vega-12B, with signature bokehnator (Bokener). Vega-12B Really a great lens, but in my opinion, it still does not reach the Bocker. The bokeh of the lens is slightly twisted, circles in the blur zone are clearly traced. Regarding the bokeh and the lens design, remember that each person has their own tastes and preferences, because on the Internet you can find many good and bad reviews about Vega.

Vega-12B. View of the lens.

Vega-12B. View of the lens.

I reviewed two lenses: 'Vega-12B ' - export version and the usual 'VEGA-12B'. It's funny that the lens says exactly Vega-12B, in Latin letters “Vega” and in Cyrillic the letter “B” (designation of the bayonet). In the USSR, it has always been interesting to combine the Latin and Cyrillic letters in the names of lenses and cameras, which is only the occasional transliteration of MC into MS. Several German publications even wrote about the problem of the names of Soviet photographic equipment, and there were always explanations in the catalogs of equipment.

VEGA-12B 2.8 / 90

VEGA-12B 2.8 / 90

TTX Vega-12B
Optical design: 5 elements in 3 groups
Focal length: 90mm
Aperture limits: F / 2.8-F / 22
The weight: 480g
Front Filter Diameter: 58mm
Number of aperture blades: 6 pieces without blackening.
MDF: 60cm

The optical design of the lens takes root from Carl Zeiss Jena Biometar 2.8 / 80. Many people really like the picture that planars and biometars give, but recently I heard from one old photographer who used the Biometar that he really did not like the biometar bokeh. Therefore, the taste and color of all the pieces are different. Those who choose a similar lens from the medium format most often stop at the lens MS Volna-3 2.8 / 80 which has a more predictable picture.

Vega-12B. View of a modern camera with a KP-6 N crossover

Vega-12B. View of a modern camera with a KP-6 N crossover

Lens Highlights Vega-12B:
1. The lens is designed mount B (not to be confused with B), this is a copy of the mount Pentacon Six (P6).  The Vega-12B lens was standard for a number of medium format cameras Kiev-6S, Kiev-60, Kiev-88S, etc. It could seem. that 90mm is a bit too much for a regular one. But on medium format, the angle of view for 90mm was much wider than for 35m film.

The difference in focal length and bokeh between Vega-12B and Nikon 85mm AF F1.8D

The difference in focal length and bokeh between Vega-12B and Nikon 85mm AF F1.8D

2. As befits an old manual lens, it has focus scale, manual iris control and depth of field scale. Indication of depth of field is available from aperture 4.0 to 22.0. The aperture control ring allows you to set the aperture to 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22. The aperture control ring has only fixed values, a nice click is heard when setting the next or previous value. The focusing ring is metal and ribbed, has a stroke of approximately 300 degrees. Long stroke of the focusing ring very convenient for smooth focusing ..

VEGA-12B 2.8 / 90

VEGA-12B 2.8 / 90

3. Since the lens is from a medium format camera, when using full frame and crop almost no vignetting and distortion. When used at full frame or on 35mm film, this will be a regular 90mm lens. On the cropped NIKON DX matrix, the viewing angle will be equivalent to the viewing angle for 135mm 35mm film lens. In any case, that on a full frame, that on a crop, a lens with its body range is great for portraiture.

VEGA-12B 2.8 / 90

VEGA-12B 2.8 / 90

4. Who reads to Radozhiva, already managed to notice that basically, all old lenses have very good metal construction. Vega-12B is no exception. The lens, with its considerable weight, is nice to hold in your hand. Any camera with Vega looks pretty decent. Weight balance with mine Nikon D200 perfectly distributed on a small Nikon D40 the lens seriously outweighs the camera.

VEGA-12B 2.8 / 90

VEGA-12B 2.8 / 90

5. The lens has diaphragm pressure control. You can aim at fully open, and take a picture at the set value using the aperture ring.

VEGA-12B 2.8 / 90

VEGA-12B 2.8 / 90

How to use the Vega-12B lens on modern cameras

I use Vega-12B on Nikon cameras without any problems using an adapter KP-6 \ N. In more detail about the use of old manual lenses on Nikon in my article Soviet Optics... On Canon, you can easily use a lens with an adapter Pentacon SIX - Canon EOS or with two adapters KP-6 \ 42 + M42 - Canon EOS. More details about using old lenses with Canon in articles Old Lenses on Canon.

Picture on Vega-12B

Understand correctly, the best picture result can be obtained from Vega-12B in its native 6x6 medium format. In extreme cases, it will also be good in the full frame, but a certain zest of Vega-12B is lost on the crop, although the photos are just excellent. Therefore, I brought Vega-12B into list of the best Soviet portrait fixed lenses. In general, the picture does not have vignetting and distortion on the crop. The bokeh is good, circles in the blur zone are clearly visible. HA well fixed, but due to small spherical aberrations, the picture slightly borrowed the effect monocle - well-defined contours in the photo, but slightly soft. Sharpness? I don't want to talk about sharpness on Vega. For those of you who care, 2.8 is already decent sharpness. When the aperture is closed, the sharpness increases almost linearly. The contrast is excellent. The backlight is mediocre, since the lens has only one-layer coating. The picture appears slightly yellow in the viewfinder, but BB on a digital camera does it.

VEGA-12B 2.8 / 90

VEGA-12B 2.8 / 90

Sample photos on a Vega-12B lens and sprinkled DX camera Nikon D200... All without any kind of treatment. RAW -> JPEG, resized from 10MP to 1600 * 1200, quality at conversion 80%, imprinted data from EXIF about shooting options.

As advertising: I'm sure many have heard of the legendary medium format lenses Vega-12B, Volna-3, etc. If you want to buy them - please contact us from the manual optics section. We kindly ask you not to email me and in contact about buying or selling lenses, I'm just writing Articles и REVIEWS, You will be answered about the availability of one or another instance of the contacts on the Manual Optics page.

VEGA-12B 2.8 / 90

VEGA-12B 2.8 / 90


Catalog modern brand lenses 'Zenitar' и 'Helios' can look at this link.


Comments on this post do not require registration. Anyone can leave a comment. Many different photographic equipment can be found on AliExpress.


Conclusions

Vega-12B excellent full-time lens for medium format. On a 35mm film or on a crop it turns into a good portrait with a characteristic biometar picture. Vega-12B is interesting for its sharpness and contrast.

Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram

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Comments: 187, on the topic: Review Vega-12B 2.8 / 90 (VEGA-12B 2.8 / 90)

  • Yufric

    Thank you so much for such a nice review! I bought a Canon EOS 650D kit18-55 a week ago. And he began to think about how to fasten Vega-12B to it (the lens is from his father's Kiev-6C, in excellent technical condition). Only one thing confuses: it looks like there is no “dandelion” under 650D yet. How to be? Buy adapter without dandelion? Thanks again for the review and GOOD LUCK !!!

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Without a dandelion, you can safely take pictures.

      • Novel

        Exactly, use the LiveView and the magnifier button.

        Yufric, if you absolutely need confirmation of focus, then -
        do you have an EF-> M42 adapter with a chip? If so, buy a Pentacon Six -> M42 adapter on Ebei and use it in pairs. That is Canon EF-> M42 -> Pentacon Six. (The Pentacon Six mount is the same as the B mount).
        If not, then buy both adapters, the Chinese have almost any adapters, with and without a chip.
        And you will have confirmation of focus.

      • Maksim

        Arkady, but Kiev 60th will not appear in testing? :) Well, or something similar.

      • Shatz

        he will not work without a dandelion at 650, the camera will give an error - “no lens”. Also, not every dandelion will work, it will need a second generation, under the digic 5 processor. It works for me with a lushnikov, and with a Chinese one, but a Chinese one, which, and not for 300r

    • Andrey Kuryanov

      Yufric - Dandelion is just a microcircuit, which was invented and made by only one person - Victor Lushnikov, and Dandelion works on all Canon cameras, in contrast to the Chinese fakes - “foolish shoes”. If you want an adapter with Dandelion, then write to me, I am the only representative of Lushnikov in Ukraine and I guarantee that everything will work on your camera!

      • Alexander

        Hello Andrei. I was also interested in the dandelion adapter. How much it costs. And then I met sky-high prices. If the price is acceptable, then how can I get it. With respect, Alexander. Tel. 0681014555 tell your friend for the convenience of communication.

      • Victor

        hi Andrey. How much money do you need for an adapter with a dandelion for a canon 650d. ???

      • Victor

        Hello, can I get a chip for an adapter for canon from you?

      • Vladimir

        how much does the adapter cost?

    • Andrei

      There is a dandelion on a 650D.

    • Shatz

      he won’t work without a dandelion on 650, the camera will give an error - "no lens." Also, it will not work with every dandelion — it’s necessary the second generation, for the digic 5 processor. It works with both Lushnikov and Chinese, but it’s Chinese expensive, and not for 300r

      • Pickup

        Do not mislead people, everything will work on 650.

  • Oleg

    Arkady, good evening they are offering me Vega-12B or MIR-26V I have a Pentax k30 (I’ve been to your test) since you know them, advise them which is better to take, and can you tell me which adapters to connect them to? thank.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      I advise Vega, it is connected through the Pentakon Six-Pentax adapter.

  • Oleg

    Thank you, let me ask you another question, is there any sense at all to take them if there is Jupiter 37a and Helios 44-2

    • Arkady Shapoval

      I don’t see much point.

      • Georgy

        Good day, the question was asked above (does it make sense to take them at all (vegu-12b) if there is Jupiter 37a and Helios 44-2) you answered (I don’t see much sense.) This applies to Jupiter 37a or both lenses, I have Helios 44 -2 on the second mark and as a portrait painter I am pleased with him, but there is also a Vega-12b for which I planned to order an adapter, now I'm at a loss, if it does not make it difficult to answer more succinctly, thanks.

        • flat

          Buy adapter B, but with a 120mm biometric lens, you won’t regret it. And I didn’t try Viotbiometar 80, everything seems to be fine, but there’s no soul flight. I have a 120mm biometar striped, as in the review on this site, in the camera you need to set the contrast more and the exposure compensation at +2, otherwise the dark photos will be

  • Dmitriy

    good evening Arkady
    tell me, and if you put on nikonD7000 / what adapters are needed ??

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Pentacon-Nikon, aka KP-6 \ N.

  • Ginger

    good morning)
    I would like to know what adapters are needed on Canon to attach the Vega-12B?
    http://cs406629.userapi.com/v406629175/4e8/pboyynSmoC8.jpg
    I tried to shoot just leaning against it, but it’s clear that the effect is completely different

  • Alexey

    Good morning. Arkady, tell me, please, what is the price for Vega today. Found an advertisement - Kiev 6C + Vega 12B (new) for sale. For everything the seller wants $ 100. The carcass does not interest me, only the lens. Thanks in advance.

    • Max

      Hello Alexey! I have Vega 12b in good condition, only the diaphragm has sunk. I understand this is a sore of these glasses. In this state I will give for 450 UAH. I can send a photo

  • Andrei

    Good morning! Arkady, please tell me how to connect Vega 12B to the Olympus E-500? I can not find a single explanation on the Internet. Thank!

    • Arkady Shapoval

      I did not encounter Olympuses, but on the Internet I found a whole sea about them.

  • Andrei

    I also forgot to ask if it makes sense in an adapter with a dandelion? What will I gain if this does not complicate the process of photography for me? I’ve read your article about manual optics, but I’m not entirely sure of the need to spend 300 grams for such an adapter, but I haven’t met others yet. Thank you!

  • Andrei

    Arkady, do you want to test the Olympus E-500? Old, but still at one time was not a bad SLR. Maybe someone will be useful.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      I will not refuse.

  • Ivan

    Arkady good evening. I read the article several times but could not find an answer. Tell me when using the adapter KP-6 \ N will there be infinity or not?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Yes it will be.

  • Ivan

    Good afternoon, Arkady. Tell me. How the diaphragm works correctly. When the pusher is freely adjustable by the ring, I clamp the pusher, the diaphragm is constantly open. Is that so wrong? Perhaps the lens was disassembled - there are traces.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      It should be so.

  • Ivan

    Thank you very much for the answer. While waiting for the adapter washed the diaphragm, got rid of mushrooms and other abominations. He became as good as new.

    • Vlad

      Hello. You write that you got rid of the fungus - please tell me how to do this so as not to damage the lens enlightenment and really kill the fungus. Thanks for the advice. Vlad.

  • Paul

    Good evening Arkady!
    Tell me, if I wind another adapter ring on Nikon on Vega-12B with a 6 / M42 shank, will I have infinity?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      It will not.

  • Nicholas

    tell me you can use this lens with a KP 88 N

  • Nicholas

    I apologize as it turned out the Vega-12 V 2.8 / 90 lens then the adapter KP 88 N for nikon d7000 will go

  • Max

    Does anyone need such a lens? selling

    • Andrei

      Good evening! Say, be a weasel, skilki kostuvatime also sklo with an adapter on d3100 / dyakuyu ...

      • Max

        I sell the lens for 350 UAH. Found in the old things father. There is no adapter, it can be purchased in these topics on this wonderful site. An adapter with a dandelion will cost up to 450 UAH on the Nikon D3100, a total of 800 UAH will be released.

    • Tim

      still relevant?

  • Paul

    Good afternoon!
    Arkady could you help me by measuring all the dimensions of the kp-6 / n adapter. Just have kp-a / n and turning skills, I want to try to make kp-6 / n myself

  • Pauline

    Hello. Do you think good photos will come out with compatibility of Vega 12 B 2.8 / 90 with Nikon D3100 ??

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Photo quality depends on the ability to use technology, the d3100 is an excellent camera, and the vega is an excellent lens.

  • Andrew

    Good health to all. Here are some thoughts on manual focus. Quite recently I became the proud owner of 3 lenses for Kiev 6C. Vega 12b Mir38B and Jupiter 36b. Without an adapter, he blinded it himself from an adapter ring m42-on Nikon and one macro ring from the same set to Kiev. Rough but works. I really wanted to try 250mm Jupiter with 3.5 aperture on my Nikon D5100. Not impressed at first - heavy object, difficult to hold and aim. On reflection, I designed a simple design for mounting the lens on a tripod (completely absent in the original) from a ring for mounting sewer pipes and a metal bar. Now, even without a tripod, there was something to hold on to, and with a monopod, in general, beauty. It's just difficult to aim. And then a small old device for viewing slides caught my eye, on which there was an eyepiece with a lens. Within an hour, from the plastic from the DVD box (black and matte), I glued a prism-like attachment into which the above eyepiece was installed. I pasted this miracle with leather, having previously laid an elastic band inside for fastening. The D5100 has a high-resolution flip-down display that can be easily attached with an elastic band. When I tested it, I was just delighted. In sunny winter weather with Jupiter, which is on a crop under 400 mm, aiming into this self-made digital viewfinder with additional digits. 10x zoom is just a fairy tale. And the sun does not interfere and you can rotate the display as you like. For example, looking from above is very cool. Now I use this nozzle everywhere when I can take my time. For example, when shooting a macro, I aim at hand-to-hand combat very efficiently. I use it with all Soviet lenses. I highly recommend it. I even bought now a Pentacon 6 to Nikon adapter. But for some reason, when the lens is mounted on it, the fixing ring rotates quite a bit. Hold on, but somehow restless in my soul. And if you unscrew the thread ring one turn (step - only a full turn), then it already dangles. The adapter is some kind of Asian. Can someone tell me how to solve the problem?

    • Vadim

      Hi Andrei! I have the same 3 glasses from Kiev-6C to Nikon D3100. I took the adapter Jolos, it is made of plastic, and the nut is made of metal. You can remove the lock bolt and clean the burrs. My adapter is also not always tight and tightens completely a lock nut on some glasses. But I can say one thing about Jupiter 36b. My spec. terrible HA, and on all diaphragms. It's a pity! But Vega and the World are much better. Compared with HA from the standard Nikon zoom 55-200 there it just is not at 200mm!

  • Georgy

    Good day, the question was asked above (does it make sense to take them at all (vegu-12b) if there is Jupiter 37a and Helios 44-2) you answered (I don’t see much sense.) This applies to Jupiter 37a or both lenses, I have Helios 44 -2 on the second mark and as a portrait painter I am pleased with him, but there is also a Vega-12b for which I planned to order an adapter, now I'm at a loss, if it does not make it difficult to answer more succinctly, thanks.

    • Novel

      Manual fixes, if it's not Zeiss, of course, are either suitable for beginners as a cheap but reliable platform for learning, or for a limited range of tasks in which the lens can show itself. I personally started portrait photography with the Helios 44-M lens, I was very pleased with it until I bought a budget Canon EF 50 / 1,8, the difference is noticeable. The same analogs as used ones. Vega for 80-100 USD any manufacturer has, say, the same Canon EF85 / 1,8, Samyang, etc. - the difference will be 2-3 times in price, but you will get a new lens with much better optical characteristics, you can compare any Samyang with the Soviet analog fix. In my opinion, Soviet optics has only two advantages - it is the cheapest and it is OURS! :)

      If you are tormented by the question of whether you need to take it, you will take it anyway, say, I plan to take a Soviet fix for winter photographs under an old carcass. Jupiter 37A is one of the best fixes that were released in the USSR, and which can be found now on sale. My opinion is that if you have a full frame, there is a U37A, then I do not see much reason to buy Vega 12B, look at the presented photos with an open aperture.

  • Oleg

    Hello! And for me, this lens soaps terribly, it becomes less or less when closing the aperture to 5,6-8. And with a completely open aperture on the viewfinder, everything is beautiful and sharp. Nikon D5100 Camera. Can someone tell me what could be the reason. For the rest, I really like the drawing, so soft so voluminous.

  • Eugene

    Arkady, hello!
    Tell me, please, how to lock the diaphragm lever? My Pentacon-Nikon adapter cannot do this.

  • Alexey B.

    Arkady, you messed up something with the statement that you need to block the diaphragm jump. On the contrary, it does not need to be touched and then the diaphragm is simply switched by a ring. And the KP-6 / N adapters just do not block the rope, leaving it in an unpressed state.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Fixed

      • anonym

        Got with a homemade m42 shank. Modified and screwed the 13 mm macro ring. I shoot on Kenon D40 sharpness is excellent and the bokeh pleases)

  • Alexander

    Good day Arkady. Is it possible to send you Sigma 14. For review, otherwise I got confused in it. Sincerely, Alexander. Moscow.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      From Moscow to Kiev should not be sent.

      • Alexander

        Well, okay. Arkady Thank you very much for the interesting and useful reviews with respect, Alexander.

  • Sergei

    Hello! Does anyone have instructions for assembling and disassembling this lens?

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