M-Hexanon 50mm vs. ZM Planar 50mm

[drjoke]

I only see comparisions of M-Hexanon vs. Summicron 50mm.

Now that the Hexanon's price has increased a lot on Ebay putting it in the same range as the Planar, how do the two lenses compare in terms of resolution and performance.

I think the MTF of M-Hexanon looks a little bit better, but how do they compare in real life.

I already have the M-Hexanon, but I do not have the Planar. Can someone share a real-life experience?

 

[Krosya]

Sure 😉 Here is my real-life experience:
At one point I had them all - Summicron 50 rigid, Hexanon 50/2 and Planar 50 ZM.
I like all of them, but for different reasons. But when it came down to selecting just one ( more so cause i just wanted to downsize), I kept Hexanon. Rigid Cron went first - it was great for B&W, but I didn't like they way it did colour. Plus it's heavy and I didn't care for it's long focus throw and a focusing tab.
Planar sold later, with more difficulty, as it's an awsome lens. It's sharp, very good bokeh and flare resistance. Good, but not perfect handling for me - that little focus bump, while not terrible, kept getting in a way. I also was not too crazy about how it did with B&W, yet I didn't test it too much. It did well on colour.
And finally Hexanon. I kept it as I absolutely love how it handles. I also find it to be a great balance for the way it does colour AND B&W. Great sharpness without being clinical. Great bokeh. I just can't find a fault with this lens. Plus for a vintage look I have other older 50s, like Summitar, for instance.
here is Hex:

here is Planar:

and here is Rigid Cron:

All just my opinions. I think it really does come down to personal preferences as all are great lenses.

 

[sanmich]

bump to a very old thread with an interesting question....

 

[payasam]

Krosya didn't keep his M Hexanon for ever, and I can testify to its excellent performance. At that level, differences between lenses are negligible and can safely be ignored.

 

[johannielscom]

Good question indeed.

Guess I will be able to put some Hex 50/2.0 shots in this weekend, shot on Ilford FP4. But, I do not own a Planar. I was however considering swapping the Hex for a Sonnar, so I shot it today to see how I feel about it on BW film... I'll post here on Sunday I guess.

 

[sanmich]

Krosya didn't keep his M Hexanon for ever, and I can testify to its excellent performance. At that level, differences between lenses are negligible and can safely be ignored.

In a certain way, I agree, we are really in the hair splitting danger zone.

Nonetheles, I can easily point out obvious differences between otherwise top of the shelf lenses:
I had internal reflection problems with a late cron 50, and the build of the Planar had often been criticized while the build of the Hex seems to be very good.
There are the ergonomics, the hood etc...

etc, etc...

 

[Sam N]

Yeah, I think a lot of it comes down to ergonomics. Some people can't stand focusing bumps or levers, others love them. Some want a shorter throw, others longer.

 

[Andy Kibber]

I've owned both lenses. Image wise, there is very little difference. Both are excellent. Very sharp, great flare control, etc. I don't go out of my way to examine bokeh, but both lenses seemed fine in that department.

Where there was a noticable difference (keep in mind I owned one sample of each) is build quality and design. The Hexanon is smoother to focus, has a built-in hood and generally feels nicer.

 

[ferider]

The Hex will not start to wobble. And has a decent built-in hood.

Note that v3 Summicrons are in the same price and performance range - well built and smaller.

The rigid/DR Summicron is more prone to flare. But beats all of them wrt center resolution, beautiful bokeh
and built quality 🙂

Roland.

 

[chenzhaohy]

I owned M hexanon 50, 35, 28 and summicron Current. They are wonderful lens. There are no perfect things though.
The 50mm hexanon is as good as 50mm summicron. The 35mm/f2 hexanon is my favarate lens, but it flares easily without hood. It's size is also too big with hood on.
Kept 35mm UC version for a while, it is a little harsh compared to 35mm/f2 and can only focused to 0.9m.
50 hexanon is the best buy.

 

[sanmich]

The Hex will not start to wobble. And has a decent built-in hood.

Roland.

My guess is that if you threaten a Planar with a spanner wrench, it will behave.😉

 

[Krosya]

Krosya didn't keep his M Hexanon for ever, and I can testify to its excellent performance. At that level, differences between lenses are negligible and can safely be ignored.

Actually I did - one I sold to you was one of the 3 I had.I still have Hex 50/2 as well as Hex 50/1.2. But I'm glad that you enjoy yours 😉

 

[sanmich]

Reconsidering the question....
slight bump for anyone wishing to contribute.🙂

 

[Turtle]

I don't think there is much of a vs question to be answered. Both are evidently superb. The Zm probably has somewhat higher contrast and if one compared Putz comments of the cron vs Hex with the same comments on the cron vs planar, the planar is possibly a hair sharper wide open, but not something that would necessarily be visible.

I reckon it would come down to budget, look, handling etc.

 

[typhillips]

I can't offer any comments on the Planar since I've never shot with one, but as a proud Hexanon owner I will say that you would be quite happy with this lens. Incredibly sharp through all apertures with pleasing bokeh, superb construction with buttery smooth focus and effortless aperture adjustment. Nice indeed.

Oh.. and no focus issues on either my M3 or M4-P.

Here are some examples with slower film, where you can really see the crisp qualities of the images.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/drasticgroove/3956542706/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/drasticgroove/3955805213/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/drasticgroove/4444724580/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/drasticgroove/4442554128/

 

[mpve]

Good question indeed.

Guess I will be able to put some Hex 50/2.0 shots in this weekend, shot on Ilford FP4. But, I do not own a Planar. I was however considering swapping the Hex for a Sonnar, so I shot it today to see how I feel about it on BW film... I'll post here on Sunday I guess.

I am considering buying a Sonnar too. But I think the Sonnar is such a different animal that you can easily have both the Hexanon and the Sonnar. Unless you need the money from selling the Hex. to get the Sonnar. My philosophy is that I buy lenses and never sell them again. I am now saving up to buy the Sonnar. It will cost me some years of my life in which I get to know the Hexanon better and enjoy using it...

My 2 cts...

 

[maenju]

bumping this interesting thread as I have the same dilemma -- if it helps, at pretty much the same price (400+ euros). would be specifically interested on experiences regarding how well they do on digital M bodies...

 

[morback]

This would be the Planar, wide open.

I don't quite see the harshness others attribute it. I think it's a superb lens, great rendition, sharpness, 3d "pop" and tonality. It's a great all-rounder and I wonder if I will not part with my Sonnar. We'll see, I have been separated from my Sonnar for months now and I'll have the opportunity to give it a whirl again in a couple of days.

I don't think you can go wrong with either the Hex or the Planar.

 

[johannielscom]

In the end I sold my M-Hex 50/2.0. Not because I did not like it anymore, but because I shifted to LTM lenses.

Recently I found an L-Hex 50/2.4. I'm in the process of shooting that now, and getting to know it. I still have the Sonnar (wartime LTM lens) to shoot beside it, depending on subject.

BTW, the L-Hex 50/2.4 is a Planar optical design, how about the M-Hex 50/2.0?

 

[Krosya]

From what I understand Hex 50/2 is basically a copy of Cron 50/2. which I think is a version of a Planar design too, or did I get that wrong?