BEST 50 Lens????--no worry about cost

[julianphotoart]

It's my turn to ask one of those proverbial unanswerables. I want to buy the best damn possible 50mm lens there is in M-mount. Criteria: (1) the best lens; (2) I am not a low-light specialist (i.e. I don't frequent jazz clubs much) but on the other hand I hate flash; (3) I shoot into the sun a fair bit I I want the lens to handle it; (4) I don't care about weight/size; (5) I like shallow DOF but not to the point where, with my middle-aged eyes, I'll never get a shot in focus; and, (6) either new or relatively new and gently used is fine.

Now, I know plenty will think I should instead ask this question re 35mm lenses, or I should expand to include the new 75 f2 Summicron, but I am limiting myself to JUST a 50.

The choices I'm aware of are:

1. Zeiss Planar
2. Summilux 1.4 ASPH (the new model)
3. Summilus 1.4 (the prior model)
4. Noctilux
5. Summicron (current model)
6. Nokton 1.5 (obviously with an adapter)
7. Color Skopar 2.5
8. Elmar 2.8
9. Summicron DR (now that I think of it, while great it would be just too old)

I'd especially like to hear opinions from anyone who's used the new Zeiss Planar and can compare it with either Summilux and/or the Summicron.

Thanks to all those who, despite rolling their eyes, take time to give either objective or subjective views -- either are great.

Julian

 

[aizan]

50mm summilux asph.

 

[Kim Coxon]

The Canons have a good reputation.

Kim

 

[celluloidprop]

Erwin Puts says the Planar and the Summicron are equal lenses and that the 50 'lux ASPH is the best 50 known to mankind.

 

[Mackinaw]

Agreed, 50mm Summilux asph.

Jim Bielecki

 

[peter_n]

50 Summilux pre-ASPH.

 

[Doug]

If the new 50 Planar is as good or better than the 45 Planar for Contax G, it would be an astoundingly good lens. It would be fun seeing a head-to-head battle between it and the new 50 Summilux Asph... as I suspect each has its own character for users to prefer.

I'm an occasional user of the 50mm focal length, and I'm happy with the 50 Skopar. 🙂

 

[Andrew Touchon]

According tp Popular Photography, the 50mm F3.5 CV Heliar is the best lens they have ever tested. Hovever, it might be too slow for your planned use.

 

[kevino]

I love these kinds of questions always enjoy reading the responses to the 50mm debate.

I don't think you're limiting yourself by using only a 50mm. Lot's of folks here only use a 50. Many have several 50's.

I've got a current 50 summicron. It's wonderful IMHO for both color and bw. I recently picked up a current Elmar although I haven't seen any prints from it yet.

Puts does rave about the new 50/1.4 asph. He uses a current Elmar as well from what I understand.

The summicron is an excellent choice for a reasonably priced Leica lens. But if money, size and weight is no object I think I would spring for the 50/1.4 asph.

Let us know what you settle on!

 

[CZeni]

A couple of folks whose opinion I very highly regard have had all the lenses you list, plus a slew of other 50mm. Both of these gentlemen say, without reservation, that the 50 'lux Asph is -it-...the ultimate 50mm lens. Outstanding at 1.4, and a killer at any point above that. Caveat - neither fellow has owned the 50/3.5 Heliar...

FWIW.... 🙂

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

In descending order ...

50 Cron (current and tab)
50 Cron (DR and Rigid)
50 Canon 1.4 EF USM (oops, sorry ;-)

Those versions of the 50 cron give that 3-D pop effect I love. The 50 Lux-preASPH is very nice too, but not nearly as much pop as the cron.

 

[LazyHammock]

As you probably know from your research "the best" is very subjective. Each lens can have a different signature. I have seen some wonderful pics with the cheapest FSU lenses and the most expensive Leitz in this gallery. Everybody has a favorite 50mm (or ten), I would suggest looking through a lot of images and shooting some test rolls of your favorite types of scenes. My personal 50s are a ZM Planar and a 50/2.8 Elmar, mind you I'm not that good! Any of the lenses you have listed would be great.
Sorry this doesn't help much!

 

[Frank Granovski]

So which is "the best" 50mm lens? 🙂

 

[back alley]

the one on your camera when that nekked green eyed redhead walks up to you...

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Well, Joe....

If it is the Canon 50mm F1.5 she can get real close. She'll be blurry, but close.

 

[Frank Granovski]

That would be the 45mm F2 Zeiss tightly coupled with the non-black Contax G2. It's titanium, you know. 🙂

119 posts to go, Joe. 😉

 

[back alley]

when it comes to nekked redheads close is good!

joe

 

[Frank Granovski]

So a nice Zeiss wide-angle shoved in close and coupled with non-dork colours will make this picture bokehful? Even if it doesn't, I still like the wide-angle suggestion. Oh, was I the one who suggested that? Oops, my wife wants to read what I'm writing----later. 🙂

 

[jan normandale]

To add to this informational stew, don't forget to look at the RFF home page "lens data" for Zeiss and Leica on the left margin. Also horses for courses. Bonne chance.

 

[payasam]

Low light capability not essential means speed not essential. Shallow depth of field means large aperture, or short camera-to-subject distance. You *are* speaking of a single focal length and a single recorded image size, are you not? My eyes too are middle aged, and I find that an optically corrected ability to use the rangefinder well has more to do with accurate focussing than does anything else. Shooting into sun means least possible internal reflections, which in turn means fewest possible elements and best possible coating. I'd say an f/2.8 or f/3.5 Tessar type will best fit the bill. Get an Elmar (or equivalent from Canon or another maker) with sound glass and have it cleaned and coated; or there's the Voigtlander f/2.5. Hood, hood, hood. Rectangular best.

There is no "best" anything, not in absolute terms.