Vega-11U lens review

I was presented with a rather interesting lens - this Vega-11U (50U)... Vega-11U is not a lens in the classical sense. Vega-11U is a lens purely for photographic enlargers, therefore, its focusing method is different from a conventional lens. If the lens is disconnected from the enlarger, then it will lose all ability to focus, since Vega-11U has no focus ring.

Vega-11U. Review Vega-11U 2.8 50mm

Vega-11U. Review Vega-11U 2.8 50mm

TTX Vega-11U
Optical design: 5 elements in 4 groups
Focal length: 50mm (there are versions with 54mm)
Aperture limits: F2.8-F11
Fit thread: M39
Number of aperture blades: 12

In fact, there are quite a few modifications of the Vega-11U 2.8 50mm lens. Some of them have not 50mm focal length, but 54mm. Also, some Vega-11 lenses have a maximum aperture F3.5 instead of F2.8. Main modifications: Vega-11U (50U), Vega-11UR, Vega-11U-2. The lens was produced in many factories and exists in different frames. You can view review of the 'black' version of the lens VEGA-11U 2,8 / 50manufactured at LZOS.

View of the Vega-11U lens

View of the Vega-11U lens

Highlights.

  1. Enlightenment. The lens has enlightenment, for the type and quality I can not say anything.
  2. Maximum aperture 2.8 makes the lens suitable for work in low light.
  3. Compactness. The lens is very small and compact. Looks funny on my Nikon D200.
  4. Vega-11U is a specialized lens, therefore it is not intended for ordinary purposes. Due to its enormous sharpness, he can work as a great macro lens... For example, the beloved Industar-61 LZ has a center / edge resolution of 45/28 l / mm, and for Vega-11U: 70/40 l / mm, which is much more.
  5. A lot of aperture blades. Here is a very interesting point. Aperture blades as much as 12 pieces, because the circles in the blur zone have a regular rounded shape. This is very important for macro, because there the depth of field is very small and the nature of the bokeh greatly affects the picture. Only a few lenses have such a large number of aperture blades. For example, one of Nikon’s best macro lenses, the Micro-Nikkor 105mm f / 2.8G IF-ED AF-S VR, has 9 aperture blades.

    Vega 11U - view on a modern camera

    Vega 11U - view on a modern camera

  6. Easy. The lens is made with a fairly light metal alloy.
  7. On DX cameras with crop factor 1.5x viewing angle will be narrower. The angle will be equivalent to the viewing angle for a 75mm lens in full frame or 35mm film.
  8. The lens is also suitable for a full frame. When used on younger cameras, Nikon will not work with metering. When using Canon, there will be no confirmation of focus accuracy.
  9. At the lens only manual iris control without the possibility of pre-installation. The aperture can be set to one of 5 values ​​- 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11. This is one of the few cases when one would like to be able to set a smaller aperture, at least F16, in order to increase the depth of field during macro photography ...
Sample photo on Vega-11U

Sample photo on Vega-11U

Important: Vega-11U does not have a focus ring. It is impossible to focus using this lens in the usual sense of the word. The lens is always focused at a certain distance, for the Nikon / Canon working distance and setting using a conventional adapter, the focusing distance is 20-30 cm (distance from the focal plane to the subject). Due to the fact that the lens is most often used for macro, the focus problem is not so important - it is very convenient to focus by moving the camera to or from the subject. It is very convenient to use the Vega-11U with macro rings.

Sample photo on Vega 11U

Sample photo on Vega 11U

Use with modern cameras

Lenses with an M39 mounting thread (for enlargers, M39 X 1 / 28.8), such as the lens from this review, are very easy to use on modern cameras, just select correct adapter. On lens reflex cameras can only work in macro mode (shoot small objects with a short focusing distance). On mirrorless cameras, it will be possible to achieve focus on infinity. The cheapest adapters can be found aliexpress.com

For use on modern digital SLR cameras Canon EOS need M39-Canon EOS adapter, you can buy such an adapter (adapter) here. Also, an adapter M39-Canon EOS can be easily replaced with two adapters: M42-Canon EOS + M39-M42. In any case, the lens will always be focused at close distances.

An adapter is required for use on Nikon SLR cameras M39-Nikon F, you can buy such an adapter (adapter) without a lens and a chip here. Also, one adapter M39-Nikon F can be easily replaced with two adapters: M42-Nikon F + M39-M42. In any case, the lens will always be focused at close range.

For such a lens, I advise you to additionally buy macro rings with M42 thread, for example here.

How to use this lens with cameras of other systems (Pentax, Sony, Fujifilm, Olympus, Panasonic, Samsung, Sigma etc.) - ask in the comments and you will be prompted. If you have any questions on compatibility and adapters, ask in the comments (comments do not require any registration at all, any user can add a comment).

Photo on Vega 11 U

Photo on Vega 11 U

Why can I use Vega-11U?

The lens is perfect for macro photography. At the lens very good sharpness over the entire field of the frame. A good macro can be shot with both the lens itself and the lens with macro rings. When using macro rings, you can achieve simply amazing image quality. The lens was created specifically for photo enlargers, where the transmission of the maximum number of parts is important, therefore, in macro photography the Vega-11U will feel like a fish in water.

Vega-11U bokeh

Vega-11U bokeh

Sample photos on Vega-11U and APS-C camera (crop, 1.5x)

All photos without processing, shot on Nikon D200 (Raw → JPEG, Q80%, resized 10mp → 1600 * 1200 + EXIF water mark)

Sample photos on Vega-11U and APS camera (full frame)

All photos without processing, shot on Nikon D700, JPEG L, VI, Q80%, resized 12mp → 1600 * 1200 + EXIF watermark). This is the anniversary, 200th gallery in Radozhiva.

Picture on the Vega-11U lens

The main indicator of the picture on the Vega-11U is the sharpness of the lens. Sharpness is excellent, even at 2.8. By closing the aperture to F11 we increase the depth of field and the sharpness itself. Diffraction at F11.0 aperture does not affect the photo. I do not observe distortions on my cropped matrix. Vignetting is missing. Please note that distortion and vignetting on DX cameras will be less noticeable than on a full frame. The lens is a classic anastigmat, because HA Hardly ever. The bokeh of the lens is quite pleasant, but it’s difficult to judge, since I could see it in my work only by the example of macro photography.

Photo taken at Vega 11U.

Photo taken at Vega 11U.

Other lenses from photo enlargers (U)

INUDSTAR (I):

  1. INDUSTRAR 22U-1 1: 3,5 F = 50mm П | LZOS | 8 petals
  2. I-22U 1: 3,5 F = 50mm П | KOMZ | 10 petals
  3. I23U 4,5 / 110 | LZOS | medium format | 6 petals
  4. I-26m-U 2,8 / 52 | FED | 10 petals
  5. I50U-3,5 / 50 | FOZ | 6 petals
  6. I50U 3,5 / 50 | LZOS | 6 petals
  7. I50U 3,5 / 50 | NGO 'Optics' | 6 petals
  8. I50U-1 3,5 / 50 | LZOS | 6 petals
  9. И50У-1 1:3,5 F=50мм П | LZOS | 8 petals
  10. INDUSTRAR-55U 140 / 4.5 | MMZ | medium format | 9 petals | reader review
  11. INDUSTRAR-58 3,5 / 75 | MMZ | medium format | 9 petals | reader review
  12. I-90U 4/75 | LZOS | medium format | 10 petals
  13. I96U-3.5 / 50 | FOZ | 6 petals
  14. I96U 3,5 / 50 H-22 | NGO 'Optics' | 6 petals
  15. I96U-H-22-3,5/50 | FOZ | 6 petals
  16. I96U-1 3,5 / 50 | FOZ | 6 petals
  17. I-100U 4/110 | LZOS | medium format | 10 petals | reader note

VEGA:

  1. VEGA-11U 2.8/50 | AOMZ | zebra | 12 petals
  2. VEGA-11U 2,8/50 | LZOS | black | 12 petals
  3. VEGA-11U 3/54 | MMZ | black | 12 petals
  4. VEGA-5U 4/105 | AOMZ | medium format | 6 petals
  5. VEGA-5U 4/105 | MMZ | medium format | 6 petals
  6. VEGA-22CA 5,6/103 | MMZ | medium format | 6 petals | reader's review

PZO WARSZAWA:

  1. Mikar / s 4,5 / 55 | PZO WARSZAWA | Made in Poland | 5 petals
  2. Emitar / s 4,5 / 80 | PZO WARSZAWA | Made in Poland | 5 petals
  3. Amar 4,5 / 105 | PZO WARSZAWA | Made in Poland | 6 petals

Plants:

  1. LZOS - Lytkarino Optical Glass Plant, Lytkarino
  2. KOMZ - Kazan Optical and Mechanical Plant, Kazan
  3. MMZ - Minsk Mechanical Plant named after S.I. Vavilova
  4. FOZ - Theodosia Optical Plant
  5. AOMZ - Azov Optical and Mechanical Plant, Azov
  6. NPO Optika - Optics Research and Production Association, Moscow
  7. FED - Kharkov Engineering Plant 'FED' (F. E. Dzerzhinsky)

The names of the lenses are clearly indicated according to the marks on the case.


Conclusions:

Vega-11U is a specialized lens from photo enlargers, because it has very good sharpness. A lens without a focusing ring, on modern digital SLR cameras can be used as a budget macro lens.

Thank you for attention. Arkady Shapoval.

Add a comment: Sergey Borisovich

 

 

Comments: 85, on the topic: Vega-11U F2,8 50mm lens overview

  • Jimminu

    wTJJDb http://www.FyLitCl7Pf7ojQdDUOLQOuaxTXbj5iNG.com

    • Rodion

      Danger! Keep out!

  • Wladimir

    I have a Vega-11U lens, new. If anyone needs it, I can sell it, 800 rubles.

  • SergeyM

    I will sell Vegu-11U in Moscow / region or with transfer.
    Brand new, no maintenance.
    Condition - store.
    In a native tube, with a passport and covers.
    I’m rarely here, write to pikar999@mail.ru

  • Victor

    There is such a lens. New. Selling below market value. I will send it by new mail. Only prepaid, or secure OLX delivery.

    • Dmitriy

      Good evening, have you already sold it?

      • Alexander

        I have such a lens, Vega-11U. The new one, in a tube, with no signs of exploitation, remained from his uncle, a photographer. There are also lenses Industar 50-2, Industar I-90 U 4/75, Industar 23-U, Industar I50U. I can sell everything inexpensively, send it to another city or country. I am in Russia, in Yekaterinburg. You can write me on WhatsApp +7 (982) 600-70-70 or by mail decorator@live.ru.

  • Olya

    Good afternoon.
    Please tell the beginner a list of additional things to veg 11u to use for macro with fujifilm x-t2.
    Which adapter, what macro rings.
    Given that everything needs to be ordered from somewhere and pre-tested it is not possible. To understand exactly what and with what name.
    Thank you in advance.

  • Sergei

    AT Sony A6300 how to assign it? And will he also be on it in macro?

    • Sergei

      On Aliexpress order the adapter L39-Sony nex.
      From 250 руб.
      To him, I advise you to look for a set of extension rings for the old Zeniths on the m39 thread (not to be confused with m42).
      And I advise you to shoot macro with these rings (at least with one), since the high resolution of this lens at infinity noticeably weakens.

  • Timur

    I bought this lens a couple of days ago. I'm just shocked by such a ringing sharpness. Yes, it is a cut above modern macro lenses. The only plus for modern ones is that they can simply focus and automatically determine exposure parameters. Vega-11u is just a discovery for me. Didn't expect him to be so good

  • Sergey Borisovich

    Arkady, welcome! I would like to use Vega 11u 50 / 2.8 for high-quality digitization of my old photographic films. What do you think of it? And also - I'm going to buy a used Nikon camera for this. Can you advise a good budget option for digitizing, and in the future for macro and portraits.

    • R'RёS,R ° F "RёR№

      Take DRU-2 (diareproduction unit) + Vega + macro rings

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