steveclem
Well-known
Hi RFF people, I'm in the market for a 50mm prime lens for my R-D1s camera, I'm looking at the CV Nokton f1.5 as a starter for the price available. I'd consider anything else in or around the ballpark figure give or take a fair bit. Any thoughts re. the Jupiter or Zeiss offerings? I understand there is a considerable difference in price here.
If the CV is a good bet how do I go about the non-rangefinder coupling this being a screw thread and how would that affect focusing?
My main criteria is of functionality with the minimum of fuss, the price is secondary, no point having a lens that I will struggle to utilise. Having said that, I've no desire to spend a thousand or more on a Leica offering but if a reasonable example should be available for < £500 I'd consider it.
Any takers out there?
Cheers,
Steve
If the CV is a good bet how do I go about the non-rangefinder coupling this being a screw thread and how would that affect focusing?
My main criteria is of functionality with the minimum of fuss, the price is secondary, no point having a lens that I will struggle to utilise. Having said that, I've no desire to spend a thousand or more on a Leica offering but if a reasonable example should be available for < £500 I'd consider it.
Any takers out there?
Cheers,
Steve
Jockos
Well-known
The CV is coupled, you simply need a m39>M adapter to fit it to the mount.
ryback
Member
I have the jupiter 50mm and I´m really happy with it. price vs. quality is really good. maybe you have to buy two or three to get one that´s perfect, but at a price of 50€, I´ve no problem with that. 
of course, a nokton might be better, but for me, I decided that the much higher price of a nokton or something similar makes no sense for me on a 6mp cam. you can look at some pics from me here. all made with the jupiter:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1958056&postcount=1412
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1958067&postcount=1413
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1958073&postcount=1415
and btw, I don´t think that you should invest so much for a 50mm lens as I detected that a 50mm lens s not the ideal lens for the epson. the 35mm is much more usefull to me. so I bought a skopar 35mm but a 50mm jupiter. more money for the lens I use mostly.
of course, a nokton might be better, but for me, I decided that the much higher price of a nokton or something similar makes no sense for me on a 6mp cam. you can look at some pics from me here. all made with the jupiter:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1958056&postcount=1412
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1958067&postcount=1413
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1958073&postcount=1415
and btw, I don´t think that you should invest so much for a 50mm lens as I detected that a 50mm lens s not the ideal lens for the epson. the 35mm is much more usefull to me. so I bought a skopar 35mm but a 50mm jupiter.
more money for the lens I use mostly. 
sanmich
Veteran
If you don't want to struggle, go for the Planar.
A great lens easily available.
The Nokton too has a very good reputation, although I have more than once had issues with CV glass/QC.
If you want cheaper, I would advise the Canon 1.4 or 1.8 (careful, most black ones have internal self destructed coatings).
Stay away from fsu lenses. They might be fun to experiment, but there is too much variability there (Although the industar 55mm 2.8 is very good and costs peanuts)
A great lens easily available.
The Nokton too has a very good reputation, although I have more than once had issues with CV glass/QC.
If you want cheaper, I would advise the Canon 1.4 or 1.8 (careful, most black ones have internal self destructed coatings).
Stay away from fsu lenses. They might be fun to experiment, but there is too much variability there (Although the industar 55mm 2.8 is very good and costs peanuts)
raid
Dad Photographer
There are so many excellent 50mm lenses you can choose from.
I once compared 25 such lenses with film cameras.
I find that the main advantage for a modern excellent 50mm lens is for digital cameras. The images come out superb without any adjusting. Else, use older lenses, and adjust with PS.I was standing beside Brian as we both used M8 cameras. I then looked at his image versus mine, and I saw his image was amazingly good looking while mine (taken with rigid Summicron) was OK but not perfect. Brian used a $1000 modern Zeiss lens.
I once compared 25 such lenses with film cameras.
I find that the main advantage for a modern excellent 50mm lens is for digital cameras. The images come out superb without any adjusting. Else, use older lenses, and adjust with PS.I was standing beside Brian as we both used M8 cameras. I then looked at his image versus mine, and I saw his image was amazingly good looking while mine (taken with rigid Summicron) was OK but not perfect. Brian used a $1000 modern Zeiss lens.
1joel1
Well-known
The Zeiss 50mm f2 Planar is a no brainer. I believe that it is the best bargain in the rangefinder world. Small, wickedly sharp, and very well made.
Joel
Joel
There is only one: 50mm Summicron