Canon LTM Alternatives to Canon 50/1.5 lens

Canon M39 M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
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rpj

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I have acquired a lust for the Canon 50/1.5 lens in LTM. Of course I would probably rather have a Zeiss, but I am not Paris Hilton's current boyfriend, so that is out. I rarely see these lens listed in RFF or EvilBay, except by dealers (GoKevin or Rokas) who seem to think that they should sell for Zeiss prices. So I have started looking at Jupiter 3 lenses in LTM. The stories are enough to frighten Iron Man: Buy three and maybe you will get a good one. or: Buy from a "reputable dealer" (who always use those words in their ads) and plan on sending said lens off to DAG or Mark Hanna (or Brian Reid if you are on his list of customers) for a CLA.

Any one have any advice? I am willing to trade a 50 Jahr CL body (no working meter, but we're not wimps are we?) as well as pay money for such a lens.

Anybody?, Bueller?
 
Patience, young grasshopper! Prices on these lenses have jumped recently (perhaps in response to threads here???). Keep monitoring ebay and KEH (and don't be afraid to buy a bargain grade lens from the latter). On alternatives to the Canon 50/1.5, you would be well advised to consult Dr. Sweeney, who is the resident Zeiss LTM authority in these parts. A good J3, btw, can be very, very nice if you like the sonnar look.
 
Find a Contax RF Opton 1.5/50 T and an adapter to m mount if you don't shoot contax. The whole package is under $500 and will be pure zeiss. A bit slower to focus but original Sonnar and worth every penny while they can still be found.
 
I don't know if my J-3 is as good as a Canon 50/1.5 -- but it is pretty damned good. Kim Coxon (where is that man?) fixed it for me.
 
I got my J3 from Yuri at Fedka. He had it cleaned and collimated before he sent it (at my request and expense) and it works great.
 
I'm a big fan of the canon 50mm f/1.5 and I think it's a great lens. If you must wait for it, I'm sure it'll be well worth the wait than to settle for some other lens and eventually end up buying it later. It always pop up on ebay, perhaps non as commonly as the 50mm f/1.8 that's all. You just have to look out for them.

Cheers,
 
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Well, with the Canon f1.5/50 being one of MY favorite lenses of all time, if you like it`s style/signature so much why look for a alternative????
(If your shooting with a Screw Mount Leica, it`s the lens you want!)

They are somewhat rare in the Canon LTM world, but "user" versions do pop up for something in the $300 to $350 ranges.
(and your in the USA so, it`s alot easier finding one here in the states as finding one overseas! ~ I`d try to find one off the evilbay, I`m sure someone here at MM will part with one at that price range/condition pending at some point in time.......just be patient)

I never have personally used a Russian J3 - but , there`s people who swear by them here at MM, and the only other alternative is a Nikkor SC f1.4/50 Japan (which I sold b/c I didn`t like the signature/ Nikkor Glow) - the early SC`s or "Tokyo" #5005 serial number started lenses are almost identical in looks to the Canon f1.5 (especially in Blk N Wht), but the lenses are so rare, about almost as rare as the "real" CZJ Sonnar T f1.5/50`s made during WW2.

My advice is save your pennies, save your dimes and wait to buy a Canon f1.5/50, it`s the len`s that EVERY bag should have in it someday :D

Happy Shooting!

Tom
 
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you maybe can try and wait for some canon 50mm f1.4 - they dont have too high prices. or you can get Voigtlander Nokton f1.5 or summarit - i found mine for 180eur in leicashop...
if you are trading CL body budget wont be a problem because it is worth more than any of these lenses.
and another idea - you could consider nokton 40mm f1.4...
 
The Canon 50/1.5 is a wonderful lens, but lately over-hyped, doesn't show up for sale all that often, and is priced accordingly. The LTM Nikkor S.C is a viable alternative in terms of signature and build quality. No need to pay the premium for the "5005" or "Tokyo" versions. IMO the J-3 can be a great lens, especially examples from the late '50s to early '60s, and best if corrected by an expert such as the aforementioned Mr. Sweeney. Image quality a bit more retro; build quality a lot more retro. The J-3 is the best lens available in LTM for under $100.

I have used the combination suggested by f16sunshine above: Zeiss-Opton Sonnar on a Muscelli M-mount adapter. This is also a great setup but will cost you at least $400 - almost in to the Canon 50/1.5 range. Bryan Sweeney will take a Zeiss Jena Contax Sonnar and hack it into a good J-3 mount to make a very capable LTM lens. This will set you back a little less than $300 if you are lucky in your bidding.

Good luck in your hunt.
 
Alternatives to the Canon 50/1.5.

1) Canon 50/1.5: be careful to find one with an intact rear module. The surface being the aperture can get covered with oil and become damaged. As in coating damage and etching of the glass.

2) Wartime Carl Zeiss Jena 5cm f1.5: Rare and pricey. Earlier wartime lenses are better, but they went through a war.

My LTM 5cm F1.5 Sonnars:
Perfect Glass:
http://ziforums.com/album.php?albumid=90

Lots of coating rub marks:

http://ziforums.com/album.php?albumid=102

3) Convert Contax Mount pre-war 5cm F1.5 Sonnars to LTM using a J-3 mount.

My uncoated 1937 CZJ Sonnar converted to LTM.
http://camwk.com/album.php?albumid=58

4) A J-3. My best ones are the KMZ lenses from the 1950s. Typically, a CLA is required and the lens must be shimmed for the Leica Standard.

My 1953 KMZ J-3:
http://camwk.com/album.php?albumid=65
http://camwk.com/album.php?albumid=47

And sample photo's and test shots from quite a few J-3's:

http://ziforums.com/album.php?albumid=97

Which gets much more use than My Canon 50/1.5.

All of my projects are posted in this forum:

http://ziforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=39

Conversions for the Contax Mount Sonnar to LTM, rebuilding the Zeiss Wartime CZJ SOnnars, rebuilding the J-3, etc.
 
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1953 KMZ J-3, wide-open. This lens was under $100 shipped from the Ukraine.

picture.php


If did require work. Moved the helical in the mount for infinity focus, lubed the helical, popped the glass and cleaned the internal surfaces, shimmed the optics module.

Posted this one in other threads, but I think it shows the best a J-3 has to offer when used wide-open and close-up.

picture.php
 
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I own a Zeiss Opton Sonnar f1.5 and the Canon 50/f1.5 and the J3.

If you find a good J3 it can be the equal of the other two lenses.

a J3 lens was used to make the bottom image.

harold_noble_russian_j3_murphy_lens.jpg
 
I am thinking of selling my 5cm Summarit and buying the one that Kevins Cameras has for $420, maybe I can talk him down a bit.
 
If I were not such a lens collecting fanatic I would cash in the Canon 50/1.5. I traded one off during the first RFF hype-up on it. I had two at the time.

I got another roll back from the '53 J-3. I'll have to do a side-by-side comparison with the Canon, Nikkor, and Zeiss Sonnars all in LTM. Nice Fall project. This particular J-3 is going to do quite well. Last time I did a test, a '58 J-3 (Pick of the litter) matched the Nikkor 5cm F1.4 and was sharper wide-open than a Canon 50/1.4 and Canon 50/1.5.
 
I find the Nikkor 5cm F1.4 to be sharper than the Canon 50/1.5, but the Bokeh is much more harsh.

The Nikkor 5cm F2 has smoother Bokeh, more like the Canon.

Canon 50/1.5 @F2 on the Bessa R2.

1491182844_dff69b0853_o.jpg



Canon 50/1.5. Wide Open. Subject moved while I was taking the picture.
2287586452_1041a705d8_o.jpg


Nikkor 5cm F2, wide-open

1660844341_60dd5c615f_o.jpg
 
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And one with the pre-war Carl Zeiss Jena, converted th LTM using a J-3.

2965689112_90a2ed2936_o.jpg


Subject caught me taking the picture.
 
If anyone wants the chance to own the canon 50/1.5 mine is up for trade, Im looking to swap it for a 50mm summicron DR if this interests anyone please let me know.
 
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