A faster 50mm?

[drjoke]

Will VC release a faster Nokton 50mm? Is there a lens roadmap for VC? I use Zeiss Ikon, but Zeiss doesn't release fast lenses. The only fast one is Sonnar, but is not optimized under 2.8. So the only fast options are Leica and VC for new lenses. Leica is very expensive, so I am interested in what I can get from VC.

 

[Kim Coxon]

Another possibility would be one of the Canon fast 50's.

Kim

Will VC release a faster Nokton 50mm? Is there a lens roadmap for VC? I use Zeiss Ikon, but Zeiss doesn't release fast lenses. The only fast one is Sonnar, but is not optimized under 2.8. So the only fast options are Leica and VC for new lenses. Leica is very expensive, so I am interested in what I can get from VC.

 

[Ronald M]

I did not know variable contrast made lenses. Are they similar to CV lenses?

 

[rxmd]

I did not know variable contrast made lenses.

They're actually velcro-coated lenses with vinylchloride glass, made by the Vietcong and financed by venture capital. If you dare to use them, you get the Victoria Cross. 😉

Joke aside, I read "VC" quite a lot when referring to Cosina lenses, it seems to be quite established by now.

The only fast one is Sonnar, but is not optimized under 2.8.

Actually the new ones are - not to mention that the whole "focus shift" issue is an overblown Internet phenomenon IMHO. A lot of people are very happy with their Sonnars, and I don't think they only use their lenses at >= f2.8.

Basically you have the following options:

New lenses:
- f1.5/1.4: Leica (Summilux), Zeiss (Sonnar), CV (Nokton)
- f1: Leica (Noctilux, ultra-expensive)

Used lenses: same as the above, plus:
- f1.5/1.4: Canon (1.4, 1.5), Nikon (1.4, maybe 1.5, but will be expensive), Soviet (Jupiter-3, cheap), some others which are interesting largely for collectors
- f1.2: Canon; Leica (old Noctilux, expensive); Konica (Hexanon, expensive)
- f1: Canon (0.95, expensive, needs conversion or limited to Canon 7 body)

Doesn't look like a shortage of lens options in the fast 50 range to me; what exactly are you missing?

Philipp

 

[kshapero]

There are lens galore in this range. I own a C Sonnar and there is NO issue, except IMHO Bokeh kinda jumps at f4. It makes for more unique photos.

 

[Mazurka]

Look up the depth-of-field at f/1.5 (or f/1.4) before getting a faster lens, while keeping in mind the following :subject movement, how closely calibrated is the lens to the camera body and your own eyesight:
http://www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html

 

[vha]

Looks like it´s not only me who looks around for a faster 50mm, have the 35mm Nokton and a 50mm version of that would have been nice, of course I could just buy the 50mm Nokton, but then I would have a 1,5 lens not a 1,2 or thereabout.
Then again I would have spare money for buying film or go traveling, or more gas money. Life is hard sometimes 😉 A bit more serious, I have decided to do some googeling and use at least one month to decide which lens to buy, I know I really want a 1,2 or a 1,0 lens but also know I dont need it. :bang:

 

[xayraa33]

is not f1.5 on a 50 mil lens plenty fast?

 

[vha]

this one goes to 11

this one goes to 11

is not f1.5 on a 50 mil lens plenty fast?

True, it is fast, but sometimes you just want just a bit faster . .. 😉

- - -

Marty DiBergi: Why don't you just make ten louder, and make ten be the top... number, and make that a little louder?

Nigel Tufnel: [pause, blank look and snapping chewing gum] These go to eleven.

- - -

maybe that is the reason 🙂

vha

 

[ErnestoJL]

Looks like it´s not only me who looks around for a faster 50mm, have the 35mm Nokton and a 50mm version of that would have been nice, of course I could just buy the 50mm Nokton, but then I would have a 1,5 lens not a 1,2 or thereabout.
Then again I would have spare money for buying film or go traveling, or more gas money. Life is hard sometimes 😉 A bit more serious, I have decided to do some googeling and use at least one month to decide which lens to buy, I know I really want a 1,2 or a 1,0 lens but also know I dont need it. :bang:

VHa, why don´t you look for a J3 in LTM mount through *bay ?
It´s a cheap lens and having a LTM to M adapter it will fit nicely your M bodies, better if you get the black version.
One nice feature of this lens is that it´s iris is allways a beautifull circle.
I bought one with a decent rear cap (´62 Kiev 4) for less that USD 100 here in BA.

Anyway, the difference in aperture between 1.5 to 1.4 or 1.2 is very small, so asking a little more to the film isn´t an issue IMHO.

Chers

Ernesto

 

[vha]

Sounds like a good idea, except for the *bay part, I dont trust my self for that, too much needful things around there 🙂

A J3 would be a excellent project to look for next time in BA, that and a biotar copy. Think a 50mm Nokton would be a decent choice especially since the usd is good up against the nkr, have lots of 52mm filters too ..

Still it's a good idea to think a bit more before shopping.

vha

VHa, why don´t you look for a J3 in LTM mount through *bay ?
It´s a cheap lens and having a LTM to M adapter it will fit nicely your M bodies, better if you get the black version.
One nice feature of this lens is that it´s iris is allways a beautifull circle.
I bought one with a decent rear cap (´62 Kiev 4) for less that USD 100 here in BA.

Anyway, the difference in aperture between 1.5 to 1.4 or 1.2 is very small, so asking a little more to the film isn´t an issue IMHO.

Chers

Ernesto

 

[Nokton48]

I use my 50 Nokton quite a bit, but I wanted another, faster, 50. To have a choice, different signature, night shooting, etc, etc.

Got a nice Canon LTM F1.2, and I've been very pleased with the combination. Completely different lenses, IMHO.

Good to have both.

 

[xayraa33]

True, it is fast, but sometimes you just want just a bit faster . .. 😉

- - -

Marty DiBergi: Why don't you just make ten louder, and make ten be the top... number, and make that a little louder?

Nigel Tufnel: [pause, blank look and snapping chewing gum] These go to eleven.

- - -

maybe that is the reason 🙂

vha

Nigel can also hear the sustain of a note on an unpluged 59 Les Paul electric guitar very well .🙂