50 1.5 vs 50 2.5

[DCourter]

I'm in the market for a 50 for my R & R3A. It seems alot of folks really like the Nokton/1.5 because of it's speed and sharpness, but how does it compare to the Color Skopar/2.5 in sharpness, color rendition, ease of use etc. at 2.8 ?

I have the Nokton/1.4 & love it's sharpness, but the % of in-focus shots @ 1.4 is pretty dismal. I sometime think I'd be better off w/o the temptation to shoot it wide open.

Thanks, Dan

 

[RayPA]

The 1.5 is big...bigger. I have the 1.5, and I really like it. I don't have the 2.5, some here do. You may want to look at Fraley's gallery. He uses the 50/2.5 quite a bit. I've several CV lenses, and the quality on every one is very good. Generally speaking, they are all contrasty and sharp. You really can't go wrong; it depends on what you want to use it for.



.

 

[Jason Sprenger]

I have a Color Skopar 50/2.5 but not a Nokton 50/1.5 and I don't shoot much color film either. Nevertheless, I do have an Elmar M 50/2.8 (newer version) which is a highly regarded 50 for its speed.

Back in December, I did a comparison between these two lenses. Attached are scans from images made with them attached to my Bessa R2a on a tripod, each lens at 2.8. The film is the current flavor of Plus-X. I used a Nikon DG-2 magnifier to help with precise focusing. The first images are from the Elmar M and the next are from the Color Skopar.

The build quality of the Color Skopar is excellent and it's easy to use thanks to its focusing tab and the short throw of the focus ring. However, this tab can interfere with the quick release of a tripod. That it takes 39mm filters is handy if you're already carrying them for other lenses. Size-wise, the lens is a little bigger than the CV 35/2.5 Classic but still pretty compact. In the viewfinder, the Color Skopar isn't even close to the 50mm framelines.

 

[DCourter]

Thanks for the input guys. Looks like the 2.5 makes the most sense for my needs.

Jason, I don't see much difference in sharpness in your test. The CV does appeared to have more contrast. Was that your conclusion? I'm not sure what you mean by "In the viewfinder, the Color Skopar isn't even close to the 50mm framelines."

Thanks again, Dan

 

[einolu]

^^
The nokton shows up in the viewfinder and even goes a little bit into the 50mm framelines, the skopar does not.

 

[Stephanie Brim]

Shooting wide open in dim places is what I do. I like candid people shots (I have a couple to scan now - my grandmother was working on a puzzle and I want to see which shot you guys like best) and generally it's a good idea to have a fast lens around for that purpose. Shallow DOF is great for these portraits...it allows you to focus the subject almost completely devoid of background noise. This is why I love my fast lenses. The *only* time I shoot wide open is when I'm wanting to shoot a candid...most times I shoot my Canon at 2.8 and above.

 

[DCourter]

"The nokton shows up in the viewfinder and even goes a little bit into the 50mm framelines, the skopar does not."

Right....I'm a tad slow b4 my caffeen fix.

 

[Jason Sprenger]

einlou got it right about what I mean about the viewfinder. I understand that the lens barrel of the Nokton impinges into the 50mm framelines.

The Color Skopar 50/2.5 does seem to have greater apparent contrast than the Elmar M. And while close, I've got to give the sharpness nod to the Elmar M. You can see the difference in the painted detail on the doll's clothing.

 

[MCTuomey]

Thanks for the comparison, Jason. Your results reinforce my view of CV lenses generally: more than adequate sharpness, edgy contrast, middling grays. (off-hand way of saying I like every one I've owned or used - 35/1.7, 35/2.5, 75/2.5.)

My approach to DC's dilemma would be get the Nokton, stop down, and shoot away ...

As Stephanie notes, it's nice to have the speed when it's called for, but you needn't use it all the time.

 

[raid]

Have you considered the Canon 50/1.2 lens? It is an excellent lens at a reasonable cost.

 

[DCourter]

Have you considered the Canon 50/1.2 lens? It is an excellent lens at a reasonable cost.

Hmmm...I like the sound of that Raid. Where would I find one of those?

 

[2REP]

I don't have the Skopar but I have a Nokton. I think the lens looks rather handsome with R2A and mine is chrome 😀

it is a rather sharp lens even when it's at 1.5 .. please see the attached sample