50's that are sharp @ wider apertures?

[waynec]

I shoot a variety of different brands, but I don't have a 50mm that is sharp at apertures wider then F4. My need is a sharp F2.8 or wider lens for gigs I do shooting music performers using 3200 iso film, generally at 1200 to1600 ISO. I do shoot digital alongside as well but 1000 ISO is about the limit and I'm not buying another D body. Is there anyone here with experience who can recommend a brand/model? My platforms are Nikon (AI and AF), Canon FD, Pentax K, Minolta AF, and Leica M (3). I don't use flash for this stuff. Thanks

 

[N.delaRua]

Well I am sure you won't have to wait long before you get a plethora of answers. The standards come to mind: Summiluxes, Summicrons, Planars...

 

[maggieo]

Zeiss C Sonnar 50/1,5 is tack-sharp wide open with a fantastic 3-D transition to OOF areas.

 

[Jockos]

Summicron APO ASPH?

 

[johannielscom]

Konica L-Hexanon 2.4/50mm. A collapsible Planar type lens.

Zeiss Planar 2.0/50mm of course.

Heliar 3.5/50mm collapsible was the sharpest lens ever tested by Popular Photography, CameraQuest still has a few.


"Not buying another D body", meaning Nikon D body, or D for digital? If Nikon is out but another digital is in, consider a Ricoh GXR with M-mount. Mine is very nice at ISO 2000 and takes Leica lenses on the M-mount!

 

[gb hill]

As for Canon FD I would say a 50/1:4. Considered a legend in the FD family of lenses.

 

[Classique]

Voigtlander Nokton 50mm 1.5 is very sharp wide open as well as good Jupiter 3 samples (I own two that are sharp wide open but one has a glowy look). For Nikon, I find Sigma 50mm 1.4 HSM to be incredible lens for the price. Sharp all around, creamy bokeh, silent. Only downside is that it's a big bigger than nikon counterparts (but has cool petal hood).

 

[Phil_F_NM]

Nikon 58mm f/1.2 Noct-Nikkor is the king.
Nikon 50mm f/1.2 AIS.
Nikon 55mm f/2.8 Micro Nikkor is sharp wide open and all the way to f/5.6.

Pentax SMC Takumar 50mm f/1.4 screwmount or early K mount.

Canon FD 50mm f/1.4 SSC or 50mm f/1.2 L.

For Leica, both of the Konica super speed normals are outstanding.

A well adjusted and clean, not scratched Canon 50mm f/1.2 LTM is quite sharp in the center at f/1.4.
The Canon 50mm f/1.4 is pretty good wide open and incredible up to f/8.

A Summicron of any age would serve you well at f/2.8 or f/2 but may not be as sharp as the 'Lux at the same apertures. Would have less flare and coma though.

There's always the Noctilux of any vintage. Wide open will be a bit dreamy but stopped down to f/2 the images will cut you they are that sharp in the center.

The 5cm f/1.4 Nikkor is very sharp at f/2 up to f/8. It's a better lens than most people give it credit for because of the Summilux competition.

Phil Forrest

 

[Addy101]

The Sony/Minolta 50/1.4 is considered to be sharp from f/2-2.8, but whether it is sharp enough for you? I don't know, I don't use mine in your circumstances. It is an older design and I don't expect it to be the best (though I'm pleased with mine).

Did you look into the Sigma 50/1.4? Some love it, some not so. Seeing you have Nikon AF the new Nikon 50/1.8G gets very good reviews, I would look into that one.

 

[John Bragg]

50mm Nikkor f1.4 ais .This is at f2.8 and hand held at 1/30 second.

 

[bastian a.]

APO Summicron-M 2/50mm ASPH 😉

 

[yossarian123]

The sharpest 50 I've ever used is the 50mm 1.2 AIS @ f2. It's just a treat to use and equal to anything I've had from Leica.

 

[Tsukiouji]

Pentax SMC Takumar 50mm f/1.4 screwmount or early K mount.

I've got K50/1.4 and while it's a definitely nice lens, I cannot say it is very sharp wide open. Though, websizes or 13x18cm (5x7) may be considered tack sharp.

 

[raid]

Most 50m lenses are very sharp at 2.8. I may have compared 25 such lenses.

 

[raid]

I like to use the Heliar 50/3.5 and the old Zeiss Sonnar 5cm/1.5 in addition to many other 50mm lenses.

 

[jamais]

I shoot a variety of different brands, but I don't have a 50mm that is sharp at apertures wider then F4. My need is a sharp F2.8 or wider lens for gigs I do shooting music performers using 3200 iso film, generally at 1200 to1600 ISO. I do shoot digital alongside as well but 1000 ISO is about the limit and I'm not buying another D body. Is there anyone here with experience who can recommend a brand/model? My platforms are Nikon (AI and AF), Canon FD, Pentax K, Minolta AF, and Leica M (3). I don't use flash for this stuff. Thanks

You don't have a 50 that is sharp at 2.8 or you don't have a 50 at all? I think any 50 should be sharp at 2.8. The limiting factor for your purpose might be a too long time, too much movement of the subject or the high speed film itself. Just a thought...
I can recommend the Nikkors 1.8, AF and AI-S. Both are sharp wide open and very sharp at 2.8.

 

[waynec]

You don't have a 50 that is sharp at 2.8 or you don't have a 50 at all? I think any 50 should be sharp at 2.8. The limiting factor for your purpose might be a too long time, too much movement of the subject or the high speed film itself. Just a thought...
I can recommend the Nikkors 1.8, AF and AI-S. Both are sharp wide open and very sharp at 2.8.

Although I've owned 2 F1.8 Nikkors in the past I never tested them and didn't remember if they were any good wide open. I've done a little research and this may be the route to go.

 

[raid]

I know from experience with that lens that the manual focus Nikkor 50/2 is very sharp.

 

[Tejasican]

Of what I have had only my Summicron-R is sharp wide open, I would expect no different of the M series model.

I have found that the Nikon 50mm Series E, Nikkor 50mm 1.4 AI, Canon FD 50mm 1.8, and Canon 50mm 1.4 SSC are all pretty sharp by 2.8. I have heard the Nikkor 50mm f/2.0 gives the Summicron a run for it's money. It will be my next 50mm.

 

[Mark C]

Summicron.

Most 50's are pretty good one stop down. The Summicron is the only one I that I know from personal experience is really sharp at f2. Any 50 Summicron after the collapsible, which I believe is a little softer wide open. The 4th version (current optics) is noticeably the best of those at full aperture .

I'm sure there are others (Macro Switar maybe), but the Nikkor, Pentax, and Minolta 50's I've used are very nice lenses, but really fall off rapidly at apertures larger than F2.8.

I haven't used the 50 1.2 Nikkor myself, but I suspect it is up to the job as well.