Pentacon 30/3.5: My experience [1/5]

I liked the Pentacon 30/3.5 (M42x1) lens, although it has some weaknesses. I use this lens on the Sony a7c (24MP, FF).

The resolution in the center is good even at f/3.5 at infinity.

The edges, and especially the corners, don't have very good resolution even with the aperture closed.

Here and follow the f/9.5 aperture:

Of course, the simple optical design (5 elements in 5 groups) of a retrofocus wide-angle lens is no miracle. The Pentacon 30/3.5 also has a design flaw: decentering is often present. My copy is good, but it too has some decentering.

Overall, I like the image and the color rendition (for an old lens, especially compared to Soviet lenses).

10 blades make 10 sunstar rays.

The point of this lens is close-up photography (down to 30-35cm) at f/3.5. I will demonstrate this further. See part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5.

See also related notes:

• Pentacon 30/3.5: My experience [5/5] (2023-08-04)
• Pentacon 30/3.5: My experience [4/5] (2023-08-03)
• Pentacon 30/3.5: My experience [3/5] (2023-08-01)
• Pentacon 30/3.5: My experience [2/5] (2023-07-31)
• Pentacon 30/3.5 (M42x1) (2023-05-01)

Image albums:

• Pentacon 30/3.5