Baltar 100mm f2.3 lens review

For the opportunity review of the amazing lens Bausch & Lomb Optical CO. Rochester.NY. USA Baltar 100mm f2.3 UF691 many thanks to Ivan http://mcphoto.com.ua/

Review of Bausch & Lomb Optical CO. Rochester.NY. USA Baltar 100mm f2.3 UF691

Review of Bausch & Lomb Optical CO. Rochester.NY. USA Baltar 100mm f2.3 UF691

TTX Baltar 100mm f2.3
Focal length: 100 mm
Diaphragm: F / 2.3-f / 16.0
Number of aperture blades: 12 pieces
Optical design: unknown
Bayonet \ thread: unknown
The weight: Unknown
MDF: unknown
Front Filter Diameter: 58mm

Baltar 100mm f2.3 - this is very unusual american lens... On the Internet, I have seen modifications for different mounts, systems and formats. This review presents a lens called Bausch & Lomb Optical CO. Rochester.NY. USA Baltar 100mm f2.3 UF691. In this lens, there is a non-native part of the body behind, most likely, part of the body is taken from Industar-29. This lens is designed for medium format, redesigned for use on Salyut-S cameras.

Baltar 100mm f2.3 - view from different sides

Baltar 100mm f2.3 - view from different sides

The lens has a couple of features. My copy does not have the depth of field scale and the focus distance scale, most likely, the scale remained on the native part of the rear frame of the case.

Baltar 100mm f2.3 - view of the modern Central Control Hall

Baltar 100mm f2.3 - a view of the modern CZK

Focusing is very smooth. Focus ring rotates more than 360 degrees... Focusing with this lens is a pleasure. When focusing, the front housing element moves forward 3 cm. The front lens does not rotate during focusing. The diameter of the front lens is not large at all, 58mm.

Example shot on a Baltar 100mm f2.3

Example shot on a Baltar 100mm f2.3

The aperture of the lens is also very unusual. Firstly, it is equal to the number F / 2.3, which is 1.2 times faster for F / 2.5 and 1.5 times faster than the classic F / 2.8. Aperture blades - 12 piecesThey make a very smooth, round hole when closing the diaphragm. The aperture closes smoothly, it is very important for shooting video. It is very interesting that the aperture can be closed completely, yes, after F / 16, the aperture ring does not stop and rotates until the aperture blades completely close. I think setting F / 90 will not be a problem.

Example shot on a Baltar 100mm f2.3. Macro

Example shot on a Baltar 100mm f2.3. Macro

Rumor has it that the Godfather film was shot on Baltar lenses. Who cares, here link... Yes, the Baltar 100mm f2.3 is a cinematic lens.

Example shot on a Baltar 100mm f2.3

Example shot on a Baltar 100mm f2.3

How to use on modern cameras?

I don’t know what kind of lens the native bayonet mount or carving is. I used this lens through the adapter KP-88 / N (Salyut-S / Nikon adapter, Bayoent V / Nikon) on the camera Nikon D700. How to use old lenses on any Nikon camera can be found in the section on Soviet lenses... For Canon - old lenses at canon. I can assure you that after several days of using a non-AF lens, any inconvenience when focusing and selecting the right one disappears exposure.

Example shot on a Baltar 100mm f2.3

Example shot on a Baltar 100mm f2.3

Image Quality Baltar 100mm f2.3

The lens at f / 2.3 gives a slightly soft image. For portrait photography - the lens is just a godsend, it allows you to get a wonderful aerial picture with excellent bokeh. But, the lens suffers HA. Vignetting and distortion are practically absent. When you close the aperture to F / 2.8, the lens gets excellent sharpness. Baltar 100mm f / 2.3 very afraid of back and side light (backlight example) Under normal conditions, the contrast and color reproduction of the lens are no different. The lens bokeh slightly resembles Helios-40-2 without twisting.

Example shot on a Baltar 100mm f2.3

Example shot on a Baltar 100mm f2.3

Sample photos on Baltar 100mm f2.3

All examples in this review were shot with a full-frame camera. Nikon D700 Full Frame, no processing. RAW -> JPEG, Q80%, 2mp, added watermark with parameters EXIF. When finalizing the pictures, it’s just an excellent result, see for yourself a selection of my shots on the Baltar 100mm f2.3

Personal experience

The Baltar 100mm f2.3 is a great lens for creating artistic shots. Lovers of a good, unusual picture will get real pleasure. The photographer, the owner of this model from this review, once faced a choice to buy Nikon 105mm F2.5 AI-S or this Baltar 100mm f2.3. After viewing the prices for e-bay, the Baltar 100mm f2.3 was acquired.

Example shot on Baltar 100mm f2.3 - background blur intensity

Sample shot on Baltar 100mm f2.3 - background blur intensity


Conclusions:

The Baltar 100mm f2.3 is a great interesting lens with good bokeh. More information could not be obtained.

Help to the project. Thanks for attention. Arkady Shapoval.

Add a comment: Ivan

 

 

Comments: 5, on the topic: Review of Bausch & Lomb Optical CO. Rochester.NY. USA Baltar 100mm f2.3 UF691

  • Ivan

    The photos are impressive. The bokeh is gorgeous.

  • VALENTINE

    I agree with Ivan.

  • Vadim

    And the cost of such a lens is about $ 2000….

  • anonym

    I have 105 2,5 ai-s on the crop and at the same time, the sharpness is much better on the open (for art photography this is not the main thing), the bokeh is excellent for both.
    PS gave a comparison for those who choose, Baltar is good and unusual in its own way.

  • anonym

    Is it possible to buy baltar ??
    If so, where?
    akv.80@mail.ru
    Thanks for the help!!

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