Preset lenses on DSLRs: the old world of creamy OOF backgrounds

[cgw120 145]

The Nikon 35/2.8 PC, like Helen's Schneider, is also a pre-set but with the aperture ring and stop-down ring near the nose rather the lens mount. Despite technically being a NAI lens, it seems to fit Nikon bodies with Ai tabs without damaging them. Takes a few blown shots to remember to compose/focus wide open, then stop down to meter and shoot.

 

[Patriot]

A couple days ago a preset lens fell on my lap. I didn't even know what a preset lens was so I was surprised to find what I thought were two aperture rings instead of one – see the second photo. (Read more about preset lenses here.)

My "new" lens is a Tokyo Koki Tele-Tokina 135mm f2.8. It has a T/T2 mount, a sort of universal mount like Tamron's Adaptall 2, so there are adaptors to mount the lens on cameras of different makes. My lens came with adaptors for Nikon and Minolta SR. There's not much info on this lens online, so I've no clue when it was made. Since the SR mount was replaced in 1966, I assume the lens is at least 46 years old. The Tokina quality is immediately apparent on the build, regardless of the age.

Doing some googling I learned that preset lenses create the sweetest blurred backgrounds, and even give a feel of 3D.

Anybody has any experience with them?

Did you use this lens yet?