Alexbg1
Newbie
I am in the hunt for a 50mm lens for my m3 and portra. I used to have a couple of fixed lens minolta range finders with rokkor lenses and have always loved the results of them so it had led me to looking at this lens. I will use it for day to day photos of mainly family. Does anyone use this lens, it doesn't seem very popular but the results look good.
I have it- tends to be rare outside of Japan, and not common in Japan. Very good lens, the internal elements do not suffer the haze/etching problems of the Canon lenses. Compares well with the Canon 50/1.8 Black version, which is difficult to find with perfect glass. Downside- a bit more cost for the Minolta due to being uncommon.
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Miles.
Beamsplitter
It is an excellent lens. Better suited for an M or later Canon body as it is quite large.
wlewisiii
Just another hotel clerk
Never tried the 1.8 but I do love the 50/2 Super Rokkor that I have - which is a considerably different style of lens. I imagine that if Brian is comparing it to the Canon 50/1.8 it's going to be a beautiful & well made double gauss design and will be well worth getting. Given my satisfaction with the 50/2 I wouldn't go looking for the 1.8, but I do keep an eye open for their other focal lengths just in case they come up 
I have 3 50's that I have a difficult time deciding which one I love the most - a Canon 50/1.4, a Nikkor 50/2 & the Chiyoko Super Rokkor 50/2. Get the 50/1.8 & I'd bet you'll love it.
I have 3 50's that I have a difficult time deciding which one I love the most - a Canon 50/1.4, a Nikkor 50/2 & the Chiyoko Super Rokkor 50/2. Get the 50/1.8 & I'd bet you'll love it.
newst
Well-known
I recently found one on eBay. Didn't know much about it but the price was reasonable so I got it. It is an excellent performer, right up there with the Topcor 1.8/50. Both are superior to the Canon 1.8/50. These on a Leica IIf with LOMO 800 film.
With the Canon 50/1.8: there are two different versions, different construction-wide and optically. The later Black version uses different glass and is noticeably sharper than the earlier chrome version. Finding one with clean glass is difficult, the surface behind the aperture is often hazed and etched from the lubricants used. The first batch or two of the new formulation of the lens seems to do better than later ones. The first batches of the black 50/1.8 also have more aperture blades than the later ones. So- conservation of inconvenience, finding a clean Black Canon 50/1.8- but it is even sharper than the Canon 50/1.4.
wlewisiii
Just another hotel clerk
That's good to know information, Brian: Black 50/1.8, early SN, greater # of aperture blade & no haze. Considering my 50/1.4 is a freaking scalpel if I do my part, that would be a very sharp lens indeed.
Planar Formula Lenses 40mm through 60mm, Rangefinder Mount Lenses- Original or Converted
Well, we're getting some questions about Minolta Chiyoko 50mm F1.8 vs Canon 50mm F1.8 and about lenses that are NOT Sonnar formula. This is the thread to post pictures taken with Rangefinder Mount lenses. Can be adapted to another camera, such as mirrorless or anything else. Also feel free to...
rangefinderforum.com
I started a thread for Planar formula lenses, 40mm to 60mm. A balance with the Sonnar thread.
First two lenses- the Black Canon 50 and the Minolta 50/1.8. Keep in mind- my Canon 50/1.8 Black version is perfect glass. MOST are not. Same with the Canon 50/1.2 and Canon 50/1.4- Many have damaged glass due to the caustic lubricants used. Took me years to find really good ones. Once you get a good one- hold onto it.
wlewisiii
Just another hotel clerk
Sounds like I got really lucky with my Canon 50/1.4 then, because it's in exquisite shape and was less than $200 including shipping from JapanPlanar Formula Lenses 40mm through 60mm, Rangefinder Mount Lenses- Original or Converted
Well, we're getting some questions about Minolta Chiyoko 50mm F1.8 vs Canon 50mm F1.8 and about lenses that are NOT Sonnar formula. This is the thread to post pictures taken with Rangefinder Mount lenses. Can be adapted to another camera, such as mirrorless or anything else. Also feel free to...
I started a thread for Planar formula lenses, 40mm to 60mm. A balance with the Sonnar thread.
First two lenses- the Black Canon 50 and the Minolta 50/1.8. Keep in mind- my Canon 50/1.8 Black version is perfect glass. MOST are not. Same with the Canon 50/1.2 and Canon 50/1.4- Many have damaged glass due to the caustic lubricants used. Took me years to find really good ones. Once you get a good one- hold onto it.
newst
Well-known
Brian, either you got taken with your Super Rokkor purchase, or I got very lucky.
That's about what I paid, at the time- was one of the lowest priced available.
I see a number of uncommon lenses from Japan selling for a lot less than they used to. The Minolta Chiyoko 5cm F2 has come way down. The Canon 50/2.2- used to go for $600, mine was just over $100. I'm watching the Konica LTM lenses slowly come down, seem to be a holdout.
The Pair of these cost $120, shipped with taxes. Both a BIN, someone probably looked at lenses with damage and priced these the same. Luck.
Brian Legge
Veteran
Yashinon 5cm 1.8 is another less common good one, though the coating on the front element seems poor with many of them.
newst
Well-known
I have been seeing some price drops too. Unfortunately not so much with the Konica lenses. There are occasionally some good deals available on Topcor 50mm lenses, but any other focal lengths are in the stratosphere.
Minolta_Chiyoko_Collection by fiftyonepointsix, on FlickrThe collection. Not shown- early 5cm F2 that takes 40.5mm filters, most take 43mm filters and have a different finish. The optics are identical. The 8.5cm F2.8, US seller- got for under $200, uses 40mm filters and hood- like Canon. The 11cm F5.6- US seller, under $150. The 13.5cm F4- also US seller, case, finder- ~$100. The 5cm F1.8 was under $300.
The 3.5cm F3.5 is the most valuable lens here. Multicoated (double coated each surface) optics, 1957. Us seller- under $450. These are uncommon, a Tessar formula lens- like the Nikkor 3.5cm F3.5, but is sharper and has higher contrast.
The early 5cm F2-
Minolta Chiyoko 5cm F2- Took one Apart
I've seen this lens listed as 7 elements in 4 groups, like a Summitar AND I've seen this lens listed as 7 elements in 6 groups. The early version of the lens takes 40.5mm filters, the later takes 43mm filters. I have a perfect condition late one, no need to take apart. Found a very early one on...
rangefinderforum.com
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das
Well-known
That's because the Konica 50mm f/1.9 and f/3.5 are some of the best kept secrets in M39. . I'm not going back to any other 50s lens.
. I'm not going back to any other 50s lens.
I converted a Konica AR 50/1.7 to RF coupled M-Mount. It is very, very good.
das
Well-known
The 1973 1.7 AR lens is pretty fantastic. But totally held back by a subpar MFD of 0.55m on SLRs.
I have mine RF coupled to 0.65m. Picked up the lens for $30, and $30 for parts for the conversion. I had a kick for converting SLR lenses to M-Mount a few years ago, also did the Canon 50/1.4 FL mount 7-element lens and Minolta 50/1.4 MC mount lens.
