jordanatkins
Established
Sounds like you have it narrowed down pretty good, why bother asking?
Pfft, people answering their own questions...
Pfft, people answering their own questions...
This thread has definitely helped me answer my own question ...
Still some thinking to do ... I was hoping to get some direct experience comment on the summarit. In fact I was hoping for some reasons not to look for one as much as anything else ...
The 1.1 cv seems the logical answer ... Just can't afford it!
Still some thinking to do ... I was hoping to get some direct experience comment on the summarit. In fact I was hoping for some reasons not to look for one as much as anything else ...
The 1.1 cv seems the logical answer ... Just can't afford it!
CaptZoom
Established
You should read Sean Ried's analysis of the classic CV heliars, and the photos he's taken with them.
Livesteamer
Well-known
Remember that fast lenses are big in size. For catching kids a short focus throw might be nice too. Good Luck. Joe
Bingley
Veteran
For a "character" lens w/in your budget, you should be able to find a Summitar. I had a coated one, sold it, regretted it, and bought a beautiful uncoated one from a member here. Here's a daughter photo with it:
E., April 7, 2012 by bingley0522, on Flickr
E., April 7, 2012 by bingley0522, on Flickr
Bingley
Veteran
And here's a photo of the same daughter taken with the coated Summitar:
Good-Soup by bingley0522, on Flickr
Good-Soup by bingley0522, on Flickr
well....
I happened to pop on ebay just in time to take a punt at a summarit ... won it for £250 ...
I figure ill give it a go, if i dont like it ill sell it... I should get that money back if I dont like it! The guy I sold me M6/cron to asked me if i had any more lenses to sell him the other day so he will tak it if i dont like it id guess...
Sorta feel like I should get a leica iii of some sort now ... I have a 3.5cm elmar knocking about too ...
I happened to pop on ebay just in time to take a punt at a summarit ... won it for £250 ...
I figure ill give it a go, if i dont like it ill sell it... I should get that money back if I dont like it! The guy I sold me M6/cron to asked me if i had any more lenses to sell him the other day so he will tak it if i dont like it id guess...
Sorta feel like I should get a leica iii of some sort now ... I have a 3.5cm elmar knocking about too ...
... cheers for that Steve!
They do both look nice ... its hard to be sure but I think i prefer the uncoated out of the two ... ?
any experience of the summarit ...
It was reading somewhere that spme people think they are "terrible" lenses ... I was that that made me buy it in the end
They do both look nice ... its hard to be sure but I think i prefer the uncoated out of the two ... ?
any experience of the summarit ...
It was reading somewhere that spme people think they are "terrible" lenses ... I was that that made me buy it in the end
Benjamin Marks
Veteran
Summarits are not terrible lenses. My first Leica lens was a 50/1.5 Summarit and it is what got me started on a long love affair with Leica. What they are is a transitional design, before Leitz hit on the Summilux formula. It is a single coated lens with a front lens coating that is fairly delicate compared to modern multicoating. This means that a) it is more likely to have scratches on the front element than a modern lens (not really surprising for a lens of this age anyway) and b) it will flare badly if you are not careful about strong light sources in the field of view.
I happen to have missed mine so much after I sold it that it is one of the rare lenses that I have re-purchased.
Here is a shot from my first version of the lens at about f:5.6:
The filter thread is a bit of an odd pitch and the original hood is expensive. But these things are pretty easy to work around in the days of e-bay.
Enjoy yours!
Ben
I happen to have missed mine so much after I sold it that it is one of the rare lenses that I have re-purchased.
Here is a shot from my first version of the lens at about f:5.6:
The filter thread is a bit of an odd pitch and the original hood is expensive. But these things are pretty easy to work around in the days of e-bay.
Enjoy yours!
Ben
Brody LeBlanc
Established
I'm sure you'll be happy with the Summarit, a lens that definitely renders pretty classically. But, IMO, when I think of a 50mm with lots of character, the ZM Sonnar is the winner. Hands down. I owned one for a while and used it on my X-Pro1 (which was great because I never had to worry about focus shift) but I stupidly sold it when I was a little short on cash. I completely regret the decision and plan to buy again eventually.
The lens isn't good for everything, but if you shoot it at near min. focus distance and near f1.5, the results are stunning.
summer--3246 by mr.dead91, on Flickr
I've posted this shot before on the X-Pro1 thread, but seriously look at that background.
The lens isn't good for everything, but if you shoot it at near min. focus distance and near f1.5, the results are stunning.
summer--3246 by mr.dead91, on Flickr
I've posted this shot before on the X-Pro1 thread, but seriously look at that background.
burancap
Veteran
Nothing scientific here, but these "character questions" arise from time to time. In this case, with 50mm mentioned -my first thought was the old LTM Summarit. I am not sure if that is because of some experience with it, or simply being trained by the stunning visuals I see here and elsewhere from time to time.
Case in point: >THIS THREAD ON SITE HERE<
In a recent "birge" (purge binge), I awoke to find this lens the last of my Leica/Leitz lenses left!
Case in point: >THIS THREAD ON SITE HERE<
In a recent "birge" (purge binge), I awoke to find this lens the last of my Leica/Leitz lenses left!
I wish I had seen that thread earlier! That guy is a great photog, but moreover those images absolutely demonstrate the sort of thing that I am after.
That confirms for me that I have made the right choice! thanks for posting that!
THe bokeh almost looks like heat haze ... in some of them it almosts looks as though its moving!
Im quite excited now... fingers crossed the copy i have just bought is a good one!
That confirms for me that I have made the right choice! thanks for posting that!
THe bokeh almost looks like heat haze ... in some of them it almosts looks as though its moving!
Im quite excited now... fingers crossed the copy i have just bought is a good one!
burancap
Veteran
Well, that is the funny thing about these Summarits!
They are a very divisive lens.
One side loves them - the other side hates them!
One side wants them mint - the other side doesn't mind the front all messy!
All I know is that they are unlike (not necessarily better or worse) any other lens I have used, and at current price levels, they are a: BUY.
...this is basically all I needed to hear! Where have you been all my ... thread?
reassuring too, thanks for that ... Im sure ill have fun with it regardless of its condition anyway ... im not usually fussy! Ive been known to get a great deal of pleasure out of modding a lens of a russian chaika to fit my rf's so this lens would have to be pretty dire to out crap that!
here is the one i just bought ... looks ok in the photos ... not that that means much
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Leica-Sum...gv0mLAkeLWcCFRb4faRYlGU=&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc
reassuring too, thanks for that ... Im sure ill have fun with it regardless of its condition anyway ... im not usually fussy! Ive been known to get a great deal of pleasure out of modding a lens of a russian chaika to fit my rf's so this lens would have to be pretty dire to out crap that!
here is the one i just bought ... looks ok in the photos ... not that that means much
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Leica-Sum...gv0mLAkeLWcCFRb4faRYlGU=&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc
awbphotog
Well-known
I didn't take the time to see if any one else had mentioned it, but the chrome Canon Serenar 50 1.8 in LTM is a gem. I've been shooting with mine which is in pretty fine nick for almost a year now and I've never been disappointed with the results. It's very sharp and is honestly a true pleasure to shoot with. Everything clicks and rotates smoothly and makes shooting with it a joy. Here are a couple of images from some rolls of Ektachrome 1600/Provia 100F I found laying around:
@ f/2 (1/15th)
@ f/4
This lens has a unique signature and is easy to find for less than $300. I've heard the black versions of the lens are just as good and may come for a lower price, though I only have personal experience with the chrome (non-serenar, actually) version. I recommend it!
Andy
EDIT:: Just noticed you've purchased the Summarit. I own that lens as well and aside from a huge spot of fungus on one of the elements, the lens is mint and produces lovely images! Enjoy!
@ f/2 (1/15th)
@ f/4
This lens has a unique signature and is easy to find for less than $300. I've heard the black versions of the lens are just as good and may come for a lower price, though I only have personal experience with the chrome (non-serenar, actually) version. I recommend it!
Andy
EDIT:: Just noticed you've purchased the Summarit. I own that lens as well and aside from a huge spot of fungus on one of the elements, the lens is mint and produces lovely images! Enjoy!
nightfly
Well-known
Which 50mm lens with charcter would you guys recommend that has the following features:
1) Not a Sonnar design (I don't take to that type of look prefer a Tessar or similar)
2) Not collapsible
3) No infinity lock (or one that can be disabled through hacking)
4) Click aperture stops
Speed not super important. Either screw or M mount.
1) Not a Sonnar design (I don't take to that type of look prefer a Tessar or similar)
2) Not collapsible
3) No infinity lock (or one that can be disabled through hacking)
4) Click aperture stops
Speed not super important. Either screw or M mount.
Godfrey
somewhat colored
Both the Nokton 50mm f/1.5 ASPH and the Color Skopar 50mm f/2.5 render with a very nice characteristic signature. The Color Skopar is small and light, reminds me quite a lot of a Leica Elmar 5.0cm f/3.5. The Nokton is somewhat more bulky, mostly indistinguishable from a Summilux 50mm f/1.4 I had some 18 years ago.
Both of these are screw mount lenses used with an M-bayonet adapter. Both are discontinued but still findable new, and are reasonably priced. The Color Skopar is more similar to a Tessar design than the Nokton.
Both of these are screw mount lenses used with an M-bayonet adapter. Both are discontinued but still findable new, and are reasonably priced. The Color Skopar is more similar to a Tessar design than the Nokton.
furcafe
Veteran
With your budget, I second (or 3rd) the suggestions that you look at the CV 50/1.5 Nokton (probably need to find a used copy), Jupiter 3, the Canon 50/1.8 (chrome or black), & the Canon 50/1.4. The Nikkors in LTM are good, too, but tend to fall outside of your price range (as does the Canon 50/1.5). I have no experience w/Summitars & Summarits.
jordanatkins
Established
...this is basically all I needed to hear! Where have you been all my ... thread?
reassuring too, thanks for that ... Im sure ill have fun with it regardless of its condition anyway ... im not usually fussy! Ive been known to get a great deal of pleasure out of modding a lens of a russian chaika to fit my rf's so this lens would have to be pretty dire to out crap that!
here is the one i just bought ... looks ok in the photos ... not that that means much
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Leica-Sum...gv0mLAkeLWcCFRb4faRYlGU=&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc
Awesome, man! Enjoy that lens, the photos I've seen with the summarit look great!
burancap
Veteran
Below is a sample form mine -overall nice shape, but the front element has a fair amount of "cleaning marks." This was on a slightly overcast day, wide open on a Nex-5n with an RI adapter. Sharp center, soft perimeter. The subject was at about ~3'-0" (1m). The siding to the left was at about ~8'-0" (2.5m). The treeline to the right was about ~30'-0" (9m).
N5-1 by burancap, on Flickr
N5-1 by burancap, on Flickr