A 50mm Conundrum

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pellothed1

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Of course, another 50mm thread, but I can't quite seem to make up my mind as I keep reading past threads via the search.

Scenario:

You need a 50mm DELIVERED by next Thursday, you can't go over $700, you have to choose from what is currently available in an online store at the time of your reply. The order has to be placed on Monday for it to arrive in time, so the weekend is for decision making and there isn't any waiting for that perfect lens to pop up. You can order new or used, but not over the limit. Nothing slower than f/2.8, ONLY 50mm as you've got everything else covered but somehow the 50 will be just right for this particular job.

What would YOU choose and why? - remember the why part in your response!

Would you go for something like a used Elmar-M or a new Zeiss Planar, maybe a Nokton with a little VC 28 also?
 
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I would be inclined to visit KEH and see if they had any Summicrons that fit your budget. Be Advised: If you deal with KEH, call them and make double darn sure they will make the delivery schedule. This probably means paying extra for speedy delivery. While their gear is great, they sometimes have trouble with delivery.

OR, I would call our sponsors and see what tasty offerings they have from Cosina or Zeiss.

There aren't any bad 50mm lenses. Different sure, but not bad. I don't think anybody has made a bad 50mm lens in 50+ years. Certainly not one intended for a rangefinder.
 
Thanks for the reply Wayne, but as you said, there aren't any bad 50mm's, just different, and it's the different part that gets me. The nice thing about EXIF info is that it magically appears unless someone erases it, but it can be quite difficult to track down both sample shots and info on the available lenses because people have to add that to their scans. I'm relatively new to the M-Mount (though not to RFs) so all these choices are a little foreign and it's difficult to chew through all the fat to get to the meat of what a lens is really about.
 
I'd also remember all the glorious LTM 50s that can be used with an M-mount. You can get a Canon 50/1.8 for as low as $125 and it will be in the same league as any of the others. The Canon 50/1.4 & 50/1.5 are especially nice depending upon the look you want to get.

William
 
If you absolutely needed it and didn't have a margin of error for used lens, I'd consider buying new. I grabbed B&H prices because I know they ship quickly, but I'm sure you could get the same service from some of the sponsors here.

A new Zeiss Planar 50/2 from B&H Photo will run $659...they ship same day and with tax, you're right about at your price.

A new Voigtlander 50/1.5 Nokton from B&H will run $344 plus tax and transit.
 
I'll offer a procedure rather than a specific lens recommendation... Spend the rest of the weekend intensively researching various RF 50's that will fit your camera, M-mount I guess or adapted screw-mount. See what sort of "look" appeals to you, study photos and commentary. Make notes. Several lenses will probably acquire little stars next to them in the notes. Check pricing and cross off the too-expensive options, and then you're left (hopefully) with a few good possibles. Look at more photos, check for sales, and go for it!

Too bad you're so time-constrained, as great deals pop up unexpectedly that can be taken advantage of if you're patient, then fast on your feet and quick with your PayPal acct... 🙂

Oh, and don't think this will be the LAST 50 you'll ever buy! 😀
 
I would call Rich at PhotoVillage and ask him about one of his 50mm f/2 Summicron DRs (with eyes). I was pretty confused when I was looking for my first lens for my M3-- I got great advice from the guys here and I couldn't be happier with my choice. It's a great deal, too.

A great lens on all levels -- haven't even gotten around to shooting any color with it.

And Rich will get it to you on time.

Good luck,

JT
 
No question the Zeiss Planar. I've owned 4 different versions of the Summicrons through the tabbed version, asph summilux and also the CV Nokton. Th summicrons are fine but have much more flare potential than the Planar. The Planar is possibly a little sharper but that might be due to slightly more contrast. Coatings on the Planar are exceptional in controlling flare even with the sun hitting the front element. The construction of the Planar is equal if not better than later summicrons. I dislike the focusing tabs on later Lieca lenses but thats just a personal thing. The focusing ring and hump on the Planar are just right for me. The Planar is classic in signature but exceptionally sharp. I am even getting to like the Planar better than my asph summilux which is saying alot. I also loved the Nokton 50 very much but didn't need 3 50's so I sold it. I certainly could be very happy with just the Nokton if I didn't have the other 2.

I found my Planar on the bay new from the calumet store with US papers, box, caps and full warranty and is black. I lucked out and got it for $461 NEW. You might search around and fins one for around $500. Even if the Planar was priced at more than the Summicron I would select the Planar.
 
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x-ray said:
No question the Zeiss Planar. I've owned 4 different versions of the Summicrons through the tabbed version, asph summilux and also the CV Nokton. Th summicrons are fine but have much more flare potential than the Planar. The Planar is possibly a little sharper but that might be due to slightly more contrast. Coatings on the Planar are exceptional in controlling flare even with the sun hitting the front element. The construction of the Planar is equal if not better than later summicrons. I dislike the focusing tabs on later Lieca lenses but thats just a personal thing. The focusing ring and hump on the Planar are just right for me. The Planar is classic in signature but exceptionally sharp. I am even getting to like the Planar better than my asph summilux which is saying alot. I also loved the Nokton 50 very much but didn't need 3 50's so I sold it. I certainly could be very happy with just the Nokton if I didn't have the other 2.

I found my Planar on the bay new from the calumet store with US papers, box, caps and full warranty and is black. I lucked out and got it for $461 NEW. You might search around and fins one for around $500. Even if the Planar was priced at more than the Summicron I would select the Planar.
Click to expand...


Here is a guys opinion you can trust and he is right, the planar is different and the more I play with the zeiss stuff the more I like it. On following Don's advice I am eagerly awaiting the moment when I can buy my first zeiss lens, which will most likely be the planar as I am finding an interesting character to these lenses, especially when shooting color.

Sharpness? Build quality? Lets just say I have been enlightened and slightly humbled by my experience with an argus 50mm cintar lens. A lens that was old, not particularly well made and had terrible fungus growing all through it, yet equipped to my Canon 20D with a little voodoo magic and found that the lens was more than sharp enough shot around wide open and at ISO3200 to print at 40 inches! Im not kidding, it was very sharp.

So the moral of the story? Its all good, enjoy the ride and find which qualities you like best and go with it. My money is on the Zeiss stuff.
 
If we're talking no margin for error, MUST HAVE a good, working 50 by Thurs, I would definitely pick up a new Planar and have it on the first plane out.
 
I agree, Planar on many fronts, beats the current Summicron ( which is a 28 year old design !!! ). The Summicron lenses have always had flare issues, something Leica has never really solved. Some of the worst flare offenders are the earlier Summicrons, but even the last two versions arent as flare-free as one should expect from Leica.

Good luck.
Dan
 
To be honest, I've been leaning towards the Planar but assumed that people here would have a lot of things to say about the Summicrons, the Planar seems like a (relative to the rest) bargain when comparing price to performance, it's only $250 more than a Nokton with M adapter. What I'm wondering, really because I can't find much info on it, is why the Elmar-M doesn't get much love around here, I know it's critically sharp which I suppose could be a problem for some, what gives? Maybe I just haven't been lurking long enough, but I can't seem to find too many users.
 
Magus.... for me it "beats" the Summicron on price - to - value. It has great color, contrast, resolution and for the price, beats the Summi in IMHO

The importance of the age of the design is that todays designs are created and manufactured ( ie..modern CAD ) with more knowledge than ever before and better testing equipment. The Planar is MUCH better than the Summi in flare control...( and yes I have owned and used both )..

Hugs,
Dan
 
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pellothed1 said:
What I'm wondering, really because I can't find much info on it, is why the Elmar-M doesn't get much love around here, I know it's critically sharp which I suppose could be a problem for some, what gives? Maybe I just haven't been lurking long enough, but I can't seem to find too many users.
Click to expand...

Try this thread for the Elmar love-in you seek.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36431
 
I have no experience shooting color with the planar. Color isn't of interest in my shooting. One day I might load so Astia and give it a spin but most of my M's have never had a roll of color in them.

I really like my Summilux asph but have to say the tonality of the Planar is smoother and more creamy but just as sharp as the summilux. I like that smooth gradation of tones in a lens and find this to be the signature of my 25 and 35 biogons also. My 35 asph, 50asph and 90 asph don't seem to have that same smoothness in tonality that I see in the Zeiss.I'm not saying the Leica signature is bad but just different. The Zeiss glass certainly is a more classic look with the sharpness of modern lenses. My 50 summilux asph has the best flare controll of the leica glass and the 35 asph is the least controlled. My particular 35 asph came with the retro round hood and was terrible when it came to flare. Any bright light source like shooting into the shadows of a house and having the sky out of the frame caused flare to an extreme degree and rendered the negs unusable. The 90 asph is bad about this too. I was about to retire the new 35 summicron but deceided to get a new rectangular hood and give it a try. To my surprise it resolved the problem and I've had no major problems since. The Planar and Biogons on the other hand are so flare resistant that it would be no problem to shoot without a hood.

Now having shot extensively with both old and new Leica glass and the new Zeiss I would pick Zeiss if I could only have one set of lenses. Zeiss combines the more classic look with the modern sharpness and unmatched flare controll.
 
Go to KEH and buy a used, EXC Canon 50/1.4 (I believe they currently have one). In parallel, buy an adapter from Stephen. With the money you save, you can buy another CV lens (28/1.9 ? The two lenses form a great pair). The Canon behaves very similarly to the CV 50/1.5, except it is smaller and better built.

The other option is to get a 40/1.4, of course (see my avatar).

Cannt beat the price/performance ratio of these lenses.

Roland.
 
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