Looking for the "old look" in a 50mm

[qruyk12]

I currently have an MP with the 35mm cron asph and 90mm apo. Great lenses but in BW they are too good.

I want to get a 50mm that has that old unsharp glow you here so much about. Help! Way too many choices...

 

[Rafael]

I want to get a 50mm that has that old unsharp glow you here so much about.

Sounds like you are looking for a Summar.

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

Sounds like you are looking for a Summar.

...sounds like he's read too many posts on RFF! 😀

 

[Beemermark]

I have nice 50 collapsible Summicron, with heavy cleaning marks, lots of dust inside, and possibly fungus. It will you the look you seek. Cheap too at $100.

 

[ferider]

How bad do you want it to "glow" ?

From lots to little glow (basically veiling flare):

Hektor -> Summar -> Summarit -> collapsible Summicron -> DR Summicron -> 1.0 Noctilux / pre-asph Summilux -> the end (modern glass including newer Summicrons, etc).

🙂

You could also try a Nikkor 50/1.4 wide open.

Not sure what you mean by unsharp. If you mean unsharp + veiling flare, maybe try a Canon 50/1.2 ? 🙂

Cheers,

Roland.

 

[john neal]

Choosing a pre-1950 lens can go a long way to giving what you are looking for, but whatever lens you consider, you will probably have to work at, or naer, its maximum aperture in order to get the look.

From personal experience, I can suggest the Summar, Summarit and CZ Sonnar in LTM, but don't take that as gospel, they are all slightly different.

 

[TIGRE]

Look through the photos and choose what You like - then ask what lens it was made with. That's the best way I know! 😉

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Summar, or uncoated 5cm f2 Sonnar.

With the Sonnar:
at F4

At F2

Easily converted to LTM using a J-8 mount, and much cheaper than an original LTM Sonnar.

 

[Tom A]

I suggest a Summitar 50f2 - good with a hood and softish flare without. Lower contrast than an early Summicron too.

 

[Erik van Straten]

50mm f/2 Summicron rigid first version, Leica M3, TriX printed on Ilford MGIV fb.

Erik.

 

[johannielscom]

​

Jupiter-3 50/1.5 wide open on Leica M8

 

[SamStewart]

my collapsible summicron 50 does wonders

 

[Roger Hicks]

Sod Leica.

50/2 Jupiter or, if you are determined to spend more money, as Roland suggests, 50/1.2 Canon.

@Dave: Seconded.

Cheers,

R.

 

[TIGRE]

50mm f/2 Summicron rigid first version, Leica M3, TriX printed on Ilford MGIV fb.

Erik.

Great example, Erik!

 

[Erik van Straten]

Thanks, Tigre!

Erik.

 

[TIGRE]

The very First Summilux and Ksenia

 

[nobbylon]

Summicron rigid as Erik said or an Elmar 2.8, mind you I've always thought they where very sharp but they do give that old look to the results

 

[climbing_vine]

Personally I enjoy the collapsible Industar 50s, but they are slow.

(The focus on this lens is fine, I just had a bit of trouble getting it while she was walking and I was walking backwards in front of her 😉 ).

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Jupiter-8 5cm F2, wide-open on the Canon IVSB.

Sonnar "T" 5cm F1.5 in LTM, wide-open on the Canon P

1956 Jupiter-3 5cm F1.5 , wide-open

Collapsible Summicron 5cm F2, wide-open on the M2:

Type 1 Rigid Summicron 5cm F2, wide-open on the M3:

Summar 5cm F2, on the Leica IIIa. Wide-open or close to it.

I sold one Summitar, traded the other for a Thorium Summicron.

 

[ray*j*gun]

A collapsible Fed 50 uncoated.....I use mine with a blue filter for B&W and it gives me a nice "old timey" look. In color its soft and glowey.