50mm madness

[scottgee1]

Well, I searched the archives for some insight and found some useful comments, but nothing really addressed my actual case.

And please let me know if I should post this in a different forum.

You may recall I recently asked some questions about an SM Summitar which I can buy in excellent condition with a recent DAG CLA.

In the midst of all this, I talked with a different dealer who pooh-poohed the
Summitar and just happened to have both CV 50mm (1.5 and 2.5) lenses available used.

So, to add them into the mix, I'm wondering what differences I might see
between these choices which are all in the same price range. And I'm afraid to ask, but is there anything else at which I should be looking since this is turning
into a an open field run? If I could find a Summicron at <US$300 (my budget)
the answer would be academic, but I ain't holdin' my breath for that.

I'm hearing the Summitar is 'old-fashioned' in the way it renders an image. I
understand that to mean contrast is lower and the overall look softer/smoother.
And I forgot to ask, how does the SOOPD hood work. It seems the front of the
Summitar needs to be turned to focus and even though the hood clamps on, I can't figure out how to get to the focus ring?

Other than the obvious speed (and size) difference, how do the two VC 50mm
lenses compare?

BTW, anyone happen to have SM to M adapters for 35mm and 50mm lenses for sale? New ones are ouch! pricey. Or maybe a reasonably priced source for used ones?

TIA again!/ScottGee1

 

[pshinkaw]

The front of my collapsible Summitar does not rotate when I focus. I have a clamp on rectangular folding hood that stays properly oriented the whole time. I have never seen a Summitar that had a rotating front element.

I do find it incredible that a 50mm/f2 collapsible Summitar should sell anywhere near $300. Are they really that much now?

-Paul

 

[Nikon Bob]

Check here to see what a Summitar can do stopped down http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/4228/sort/1/cat/500/page/1 . It is my experience that older Leica lens flair more than modern ones. This is likely the difference in coatings so the VC lenses might be better there and also better in contrast. I am like Paul and would hope that the Summitar is less money than the VC lenses. Having said all that , I still like the Summitar.

Bob

 

[GeneW]

Scott, I've lost track. Did you consider the Jupiter 8? It's a Zeiss Sonnar copy and most of us who use it like it quite a bit, not the least due to its price. You can get one with a Zorki rear lens cap for around $40US.

Gene

 

[Huck Finn]

Konica M-Hexanon 50/2 used

 

[Doug]

I'd go with the Summicron if you can fit it in the budget. The "look" of a lens is a matter of personal preference, and the 'cron is a classic. Some people like the character of the 50mm Nokton, and at least as many dislike the "bokeh" -- the out of focus look -- and I'm among those who consider it harsh. You'll have to look at a bunch of Nokton pics and see what you think.

I have the 50mm Skopar, just since last Summer, and I got it despite wide-spread concern over its sharpness. Some say it has a "soft" look, but that's been misinterpreted as "unsharp", whereas it might better be called "gentle". It also is well-agreed to have noticeable pincushion distortion. I got mine used, inexpensively enough to gamble on it. I like its look, and you'll see some samples in my Gallery here along with some full-scale crops examining the nature of this lens. I don't care for the very slight pincushion any more than I like the barrel distortion in a couple of my other lenses, including the expensive 43mm Pentax-L for Leica screw mount.

I shopped for older rigid Summicrons on the used market before I decided, and I think that would have been a great choice too, though much pricier than the $175 I paid for the Skopar + adaptor. When the Zeiss-Ikon camera is finally released, I'll probably buy the 50mm f/2 Planar ZM with it.

 

[scottgee1]

Since price was brought up . . . the spread between all three lenses is only $15. Of course I have to buy an adapter as well.

More than a couple people have questioned the price of the Summitar. I'm not sure how much the DAG CLA is worth, but it insures the lens is at its best and adds something to the value. Though I just checked eekbay and can see that <US$200 is pretty much the rule for a Summitar so now I have some doubt.

Huck, the Hexanon is a very attractive alternative, but they seem to show up only occasionally and when they do they go for almost as much as a Summicron.

The Nokton has garnered numerous negatative comments from people who were less than happy with its overall quality so I'm ambivalent about it.

It seems the real joker in the deck is the J8. So many folks seem quite satisfied with theirs and a number of the screen shots look quite good. I may have a mental block that prevents me from believing a lens so inexpensive can be really good!

Hmmm . . . now that I've 'talked this out', I suspect my best course of action is to get a J8 from a reliable source, go ahead and shoot with it and keep my eye open for a 'premium' lens at a good price.

Thanks for helping me organize my thoughts!

Now to find a find a good copy of a J8! Fedka was already suggested. Any other good sources?

Cheers!/ScottGee1

 

[FrankS]

Scott,

If you are interested, I'll send you an Industar 61LD 55mm F2.8 lens. These are highly regarded sharp and crisp Tessar type lenses. I have 3 now, and since I was given my first one for free, I am only too happy to pass on the favour. Send me your mailing address and it's yours.

 

[back alley]

keep the faith
seek and you shall receive
pass it on

i love it when it works

joe

 

[scottgee1]

Scott,

If you are interested, I'll send you an Industar 61LD 55mm F2.8 lens. These are highly regarded sharp and crisp Tessar type lenses. I have 3 now, and since I was given my first one for free, I am only too happy to pass on the favour. Send me your mailing address and it's yours.

Wow Frank! A very generous and kind offer!

I too believe in and try to practice the Golden Rule.

Though maybe you're doing this as a community service to put the group out of my misery. 😀

I'll send you a PM.

Cheers!/Scott

 

[rover]

Frank is a very good man Scott.

 

[peter_n]

Nice one Frank! 🙂

 

[Huck Finn]

BTW, anyone happen to have SM to M adapters for 35mm and 50mm lenses for sale? New ones are ouch! pricey. Or maybe a reasonably priced source for used ones?

TIA again!/ScottGee1

Scott, Stephen Gandy at www.cameraquest.com has generic adapters for $33 each. They work just fine on the CV R2.

Frank, you are the best! 😎

Huck

 

[FrankS]

Equal if not more credit to backalley joe for getting the ball rolling!

The world needs more random acts of kindness.

 

[scottgee1]

Huck, where do you see the adapters for $33? All I can find are VC for $55?

😕 Thanks!/ScottGee1

Scott, Stephen Gandy at www.cameraquest.com has generic adapters for $33 each. They work just fine on the CV R2.

Frank, you are the best! 😎

Huck

 

[Huck Finn]

Scott,

Contact Stephen Gandy be e-mail or phone.. He has them. I bought mine from him for $36 with shipping. I don't remember where I learned about them - probably from a post like this. I don't recall ever seeing them listed on his site, but I can't swear that they're not there somewhere.

Huck

 

[scottgee1]

Yeah, I searched Gandy's site - must be an 'unlisted number'! 😀

Thanks!/Scott

 

[peter_n]

No I think they are in Gandy's list and he specifies that they are generic - i.e. they wouldn't bring up a specific frameline pair on a Leica M.

You can also get regular adapters from Merkle Camera in Canada for US$30. They are of excellent quality and made by Marumi. I have several and they work fine.