Canon LTM Can We End the Term "Japanese Summilux?"

Canon M39 M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
I have about fifty different 5cm/50mm Sonnar type lenses. I don't like it when someone calls a Nikkor a "Copy". I have one 50/1.5 made from the front of a Canon 50/1.5 and rear triplet from a Nikkor 5cm F1.4. Spacing between the elements adjusted to be RF coupled across the focal range. It is one of kind.
 
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Retro-Grouch said:
You're right, xayra33, you said it first. See, we can agree on something!
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Just remember to go out and takes photos every time you get the uncontrollable urge to post something SJWish force-fitted with something about photography or photo-gear as an excuse to wax lyrically about your Woke-ism. :D
 
raid said:
Hm. A Honda could be called a Japanese Volvo. :)
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Not even close. Volvo is distinctive up the 850/S70/V70. Can we all agree that RF Canon and their lenses are simply excellent to superb in their own Individual, distinctive way. As Hondas are among the finest small/medium size cars made in their own unique ways!
 
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A great lens at a modest cost.
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Finding undamaged Canon lenses that use the high index of refraction/ low dispersion glass that made their designs possible is difficult. This applies to the 50/1.8 v2, 50/1.4, and 50/1.2.



The 50/1.2 is not quite as sharp as the 50/1.4, even stopped down to F1.4. At one time, sold for less than the 50/1.4. Cost about 1/8th of the 50/0.95.
Get one.
 
In my opinion, Canon's lens coatings for color photography during the 50s and early 60s were just ok. Definitely not the best. I had a hard time correcting color scans shot with the 1.4. On the other hand, the contemporary 2.8 Summaron renders colors better than any Canon RF lens of the era I have shot with.
 
I had the 3.5cm F2.8 Summaron and the Canon 35/2.8. I did not like the Summaron, sold it. Preferred the Canon. In the end- kept the Nikkor 3.5cm F2.5. All three lenses use the same basic optical formula.
 
Sonnar Brian said:
Finding undamaged Canon lenses that use the high index of refraction/ low dispersion glass that made their designs possible is difficult. This applies to the 50/1.8 v2, 50/1.4, and 50/1.2....
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If you are so inclined, Kanto Camera has partnered with a Japanese optical company to produce replacement elements for the Canon 50/1.2.


A few years ago, they used to offer the same for the 50/1.8, but I believe that service is no longer offered.

Jim B.
 
That's weird because I kept the 2.8 Summaron over the 2.5 Nikkor. I spent a whole weekend shooting them against each other on high rez full frame digital. The Summaron barely edged it out. The Summaron rendered color a bit better, could focus more closely, and had just slightly better corners. But it was also designed like 7 years later, so it was probably not a fair fight.
 
I can see that being cost-effective for the 50/1.2. The 50/1.8- Patience and $50 got me a perfect Black V2 50/1.8.
Patience and $400 got a perfect 50/1.2 and Canon V-T Deluxe. I had two tries before that, both later lenses.
Canon 50/1.4- perfect one now, and another several years ago. Picked up one with damaged glass for $50, was going to use for the focus mount. BUT- got some of the damage out, sold it.
 
das said:
That's weird because I kept the 2.8 Summaron over the 2.5 Nikkor. I spent a whole weekend shooting them against each other on high rez full frame digital. The Summaron barely edged it out. The Summaron rendered color a bit better, could focus more closely, and had just slightly better corners. But it was also designed like 7 years later, so it was probably not a fair fight.
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I found the Nikkor every bit as sharp as the Summaron. Maybe the individual copies, maybe the Nikkor being a Late version had the formula revised during the production run.

The rendering of various lenses is different, and like/dislikes is personal. One is not better than the other, just one person will like a particular lens more than someone else.
The Summaron is lower contrast, had more veiling flare then the Nikkor.
 
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Ended up with a nice clean Canon 50/1.4 for what I considered cheap enough a year ago May. Didn't realize at the time that I should have bought a lotto ticket the same day :ROFLMAO:
 
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