50mm lens choices for Nikon rangefinder

[ljsegil]

I am planning to pick up a 50mm lens for my Nikon SP. I am tempted by both the CV Nokton 50/1.5 and the Heliar 50/3.5, or I can keep looking for a vintage Nikon 50/1.4 original that is contemporaneous with the camera. I would value any input people could provide me concerning these choices. They are quite different lenses and I believe would have very different virtues. Unfortunately, I have no way to actually try any of them out, so I would like to hear the opinions of those who have used these lenses (and any other ideas they might have). Any and all input would be most appreciated.
Best,
LJ

 

[ghost]

i would want the heliar and the vintage nikkor. *shrug*

 

[Paulbe]

I saw---and held---this very day---a Nikon screw mount 50mm f1.1 and the original hood! Totally awesome! Didn't know such things existed. Leather casses for both the lens and the hood. The hood is huge!!!! Watch ebay---the seller will be f.128 I think. Lens needs a CLA but otherwise perfect. An amazing piece of glass...
Paul

 

[NIKON KIU]

There is a member selling the 3.5 Heliar in the classifieds...almost impossible to get without the R2s it comes with, Great reviews.
No experience with the 1.5 Nokton...probably hard to find used unless you buy new.
The black trimmed Nikkor-S is fairly easy to come by...they were produced in great numbers and was suppose to be one of the primier optics of the era. and best of all, if you have enough patience you can grab one outte ebay for under $200.
I got one that needs some cleaning and got a small scratch I can sell for $175.00 including shipping if you are in the USA.
Kiu

 

[NIKON KIU]

I saw---and held---this very day---a Nikon screw mount 50mm f1.1 and the original hood! Totally awesome! Didn't know such things existed. Leather casses for both the lens and the hood. The hood is huge!!!! Watch ebay---the seller will be f.128 I think. Lens needs a CLA but otherwise perfect. An amazing piece of glass...
Paul

Wow...lots of glass...almost impossible to find in screw-mount.
My dream lens,
Kiu

 

[Reprosteve]

Kui,
I own the 50mm f/3.5 Heliar.I bought with R2s.In the amount of time that I have used this lens.This lens is excellent.I was a little put off with
the idea of using a 50mm with a 3.5 aperture.Not anymore.So far it's
beautifull.Of course you can't go wrong with the 50mm f/1.4 nikkor.
Alot faster then the Heliar of cource,and better for available light
shooting.

 

[NIKON KIU]

I know the seeker has read this....no replies!
I tell you, if the 3.5 Heliar is still available @2 hundred something...I wouldn't even think about buying it...look at my last comment :
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost-classifieds/showproduct.php?product=854&cat=2
Its almost arm twisting!
But, I am Nikon Kiu....I am gonna stick to my Nikons.
I am going to tell you guys a secret...The Nikkor S of the 50s may not be as sharp but its well capable of doing the job and its almost 2 stops faster! I know most posters here are casual shooters(like me) and they would never blow anything up past 8x10.....That makes the Nokton too expensive(even if it is 50 years newer) and the heliar too slow(unless you grab Dan's) and too hard to get....on top of that....the Damn SP needs a Niikor S to be complete....the heliar is icing on the cake.
It may be sold anyway!
Ghost said it.I would buy both!
I know you'all have been dreaming Nikon...
Kiu

 

[wlewisiii]

I seem to recall that at f2, the Jupiter 8 for Kiev/Contax hides the difference in lens mount good enough...

(G, D, & R like a bat out of you know where... 😉 )

Seriously, if I actually got a Nikon (and if my finances will ever support it, the S3-2000 really tempts me) I'd go for the Nikkor as a just because kind of thing. In your case, try to find one that is a contemporary of your SP & shoot mucho film through it.

Good luck!

William

 

[DoxLeica]

But the Nokton

But the Nokton

I am planning to pick up a 50mm lens for my Nikon SP. I am tempted by both the CV Nokton 50/1.5 and the Heliar 50/3.5, or I can keep looking for a vintage Nikon 50/1.4 original that is contemporaneous with the camera. I would value any input people could provide me concerning these choices. They are quite different lenses and I believe would have very different virtues. Unfortunately, I have no way to actually try any of them out, so I would like to hear the opinions of those who have used these lenses (and any other ideas they might have). Any and all input would be most appreciated.
Best,
LJ

I use the 50mm Nokton on my Lerica-mount cameras and find it a nearly perfect balance between old and modern imaging qualities. I have used the "vintage" Nikon 50mm RF lenses including the 52.0,f1.4 and f1.1 as recently as 8 years ago for newspaper work. It is clear that I'd pick the Nokton over anything for professional work. This is my opinion but I don't see why it's necessary to worry about what's "on" the front of the camera when the image "on" paper is what counts. The images with the Nokton are as sharp as anything one might want and the lens exhibits fantastic "plasticity" of image that is hard to define...smooth and simply tack sharp at the point of focus. I really miss my RF Nikons and when I see the price of motorized SPs I wince at the thought of selling mine🙁 . Oh, well, again, it's what is on paper that counts! Keep that SP and get a Nokton! Good shooting...John