When I say I use a Flektogon about 95% of the time, many people raise their eye-brows especially here in London. The QC standard for these lenses was inconsistent, and good copies like mine can cost quite a bit for an M42 lens.
Back in the old days, countries in the Communist bloc often exchanged help not only with supplies but also in the form of human resources. Many Vietnamese ended up in East Germany as part of these pacts: a small number came to study, the vast majority came to work in different industries. My father was one of the latter – he worked in a shoe factory near Magdeburg for a few years before returning to Vietnam when the Berlin Wall collapsed. These East German glasses remind me of his stories about the good old days.
As you can see, I am a very nostalgic person and the way this lens renders images complements that perfectly. Normally I’d roam London streets and the Underground, but for this story, I would like to share 5 frames I shot with it from my last trip to Hanoi during Lunar New Year. The film I used was Kodak Ektar 100 (which is such an incredible film stock!)
Find me on Instagram – @famanson
Share this post:
Comments
BONNIN (Jean-François) on 5 frames with a Bessaflex and CZJ Flektogon 2.4/35mm – by Son Pham
Comment posted: 08/02/2018
I myself own a CZJ Pancolar 50mm and a CZJ Sonnar 135 mm.
How do you like the Bessaflex ?
Comment posted: 08/02/2018
Art Tafil on 5 frames with a Bessaflex and CZJ Flektogon 2.4/35mm – by Son Pham
Comment posted: 09/02/2018
I've had numerous Kiev cameras including a late KM. It uses Pentax K mount lenses so the glass is great. When I got the camera, brand new in the box from Ukraine I was impressed. That was until I opened the back of the camera. Up until then I had never seen a plastic multi-blade vertical shutter AND plastic film tails and pressure plate! I haven't used it yet but I'm looking forward to doing so. Keep up the great work/
Comment posted: 09/02/2018
Haha yes! However, to be fair, wasn't the material scarcity partially at fault for the inconsistent quality? It is a bit of a shame, really. When one does manage to find good copies of the later cameras/lenses, they are very compelling tools that are often overlooked.Ken Hindle-May on 5 frames with a Bessaflex and CZJ Flektogon 2.4/35mm – by Son Pham
Comment posted: 09/02/2018
Comment posted: 09/02/2018
Karl Valentin on 5 frames with a Bessaflex and CZJ Flektogon 2.4/35mm – by Son Pham
Comment posted: 15/02/2018
the inperfection of build and the problems while working withe them.
Never was satisfield with the bokeh or colors of the lenses shooting wide open on color slide film
like Kodachrome 64 (location) or Agfa RSX 100 (studio).
Comment posted: 15/02/2018
Tim on 5 frames with a Bessaflex and CZJ Flektogon 2.4/35mm – by Son Pham
Comment posted: 04/01/2019
Random question.
Would there be any issues getting a M42 to Nikon mount for the Bessaflex?
Is there any focus or cropping?
Thanks!
Comment posted: 04/01/2019
Phong Nguyen on 5 frames with a Bessaflex and CZJ Flektogon 2.4/35mm – by Son Pham
Comment posted: 02/10/2020