Robert Lai
Well-known
50mm f/2 HC: Great lens, good price.
You will not regret it.
You will not regret it.
Best Nikkor Pre-Ai/Ai "Normal" lens?
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jrose125
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If all of the great things that i've read are true, I can't see it!
Based on what the sellers pictures are telling me and what he said, the camera is in excellent condition with no scratches, haze, fungus, and very little dust. If that turns out to be true I'll be one happy camper! If not, it's only $50 bucks and I know a good Nikon repair specialist who can clean it up for me 😉
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GarageBoy
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How does the S/SC 1.4 render differently from the ai?
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Something to keep in mind with any review/purchase, there can be a wide range of variation between samples especially when you don't know the history of a 50+ year old lens.
B2 (;->
B2 (;->
agoglanian
Reconnected.
I really like the Nikkor-H 50mm f/2 myself, I have one that super super clean but a bit dry on focusing so I'll get it relubed soon enough (same story with my 2.8cm f/3.5.
I also have the 55mm f/1.2 SC that I use from time to time which is definitely more of a character lens rather than performance, but what lives on my F most of the time is the Voigtlander 40mm f/2 (I have the first SL version). I just love that thing! It's the perfect balance of size / performance / ergonomics for an SLR (in my opinion).
I also have the 55mm f/1.2 SC that I use from time to time which is definitely more of a character lens rather than performance, but what lives on my F most of the time is the Voigtlander 40mm f/2 (I have the first SL version). I just love that thing! It's the perfect balance of size / performance / ergonomics for an SLR (in my opinion).
Robert Lai
Well-known
As I mentioned earlier, the 40mm Ultron cleared all the 35mm Nikkors off my shelf. It lives on my Nikon F with FTN meter head at the moment.
I also have the first version of the lens, so that it can interact with my FTN meter.
Too bad that Voigtlander has discontinued this lens now.
I also have the first version of the lens, so that it can interact with my FTN meter.
Too bad that Voigtlander has discontinued this lens now.
nomadia
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Plus 1 too for the Nikkor-H 50mm F2 . Great lens.
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Uncle Bill
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I would generally agree Bill save for the Nikkor S 50 f12 lens, or any pre-Ai lens with tick marks which makes them early production from 1959 or 1960. I'm actually keeping an eye out for Nikkor S 50 f2 lens for my late dad's eye level prism F that was made in 1960.
Bill S.
Ronald M
Veteran
Nikor H 1.8. Not impressed with 1.4 at all. HC should be similar.
55 micro is superb.
55 micro is superb.
Kent
Finally at home...
It's softer and renders bokeh differently, rather the way of classic lenses.
Depending on the model (and year of production) it sports 7 lenses either in 5 or in 6 groups. Basically, it's a "Double-Gauss"-design and can be placed in with the enhanced Xenon-type category. The AI-version always has 7 elements in 6 groups. The first AI versions were nothing but cosmetical variations of the non-AI model. Small adjustments in the optical formula and improved coatings changed the overall behaviour of the design.
Still, the SC 1.4/50 is an amazing lens. Sometimes the more "vintage" look is what you want.
Contarama
Well-known
This thread has made me go review prices on the old 50 Nikkor. The S 50/2 copies have tripled in price. That surprised me but then again it was the lens debutted with the F.
David Murphy
Veteran
The Non-AI 50/2 is an insanely good lens for the money used, but it will probably increase in price (and I think already is).
GarageBoy
Well-known
Is it safe to skip the 1.4 in ai? Mine is soft until f 2.8, especially up close - is mine not good? Was tempted to sell and pick up another in AF mount, but then I thought I could probably do an f1.2 and f2/1.8 instead...
Steve Bellayr
Veteran
IMHO The 50mm f2.0, which was the lens that came with my camera in 1969. Later I purchased a 50mm f1.4 which increased the viewfinder optics but not the image. The reviews of the 50mm f2.0 have risen over the years. I have always felt that it is the quality of the image that is primary, not necessarily the lens.
aizan
Veteran
the best bokeh i've seen in a nikon f-mount normal lens is from the 58/1.4 voigtlander nokton, which admittedly is the next lens i'm going to get. 😀
Contarama
Well-known
I was reading a Japanese blog (one of Tom A's friends I believe) last night that outlined four of the Nikkor 50's. Basically this is what he said...
1. 50/2 S Darkest of the four. Good resolution in the middle. Softer toward the edges. Few halos. Longest focal length of the four...said to exceed 50mm but not sure by how much.
2. 50/2 H Shorter focal length than the 7 element S. Resolution very good in the middle. Very good towards the edges. Overall resolution very good. More contrast than the 7 element S. Much easier to use than the 7 element S.
3. 50/2 New or Ai or K version pick your poison Basically the same as the H and all of the various versions of that lens except for better multi-coating and slight tweaking of the formula? Best resolution towards the edges of all four. Basically the same image produced with this one as the earlier versions of the 6 element formula.
4. 50/1.8 Ai long barrel version New design. Resolves very well from center and to the edges. Marginal light reduction compared to the earlier 7 element 50/2 versions. Seems to be somewhere between the earlier 6 and 7 element versions. He says the E and the pancake are probably the same. (I have found the 1.8 New pancake to be a tad better than the E myself - informal test pics below New on left E on right).
I have yet to acquire the H, HC, Long barrel Ai, the 1.2, the Noct, the long barrel Ai 1.8, the 50/2 K, any of the 1.4's, the 45 pancake, and the old 58...but just give me some more time. lol
I have found information on the net concerning the 50/2 S that launched with the F to be scarce much to my chagrin as I own a minty copy that I really like owning. I suppose it would be best as a daylight lens or maybe for some dark motif. I should probably test all of my 50's just for fun.
1. 50/2 S Darkest of the four. Good resolution in the middle. Softer toward the edges. Few halos. Longest focal length of the four...said to exceed 50mm but not sure by how much.
2. 50/2 H Shorter focal length than the 7 element S. Resolution very good in the middle. Very good towards the edges. Overall resolution very good. More contrast than the 7 element S. Much easier to use than the 7 element S.
3. 50/2 New or Ai or K version pick your poison Basically the same as the H and all of the various versions of that lens except for better multi-coating and slight tweaking of the formula? Best resolution towards the edges of all four. Basically the same image produced with this one as the earlier versions of the 6 element formula.
4. 50/1.8 Ai long barrel version New design. Resolves very well from center and to the edges. Marginal light reduction compared to the earlier 7 element 50/2 versions. Seems to be somewhere between the earlier 6 and 7 element versions. He says the E and the pancake are probably the same. (I have found the 1.8 New pancake to be a tad better than the E myself - informal test pics below New on left E on right).
I have yet to acquire the H, HC, Long barrel Ai, the 1.2, the Noct, the long barrel Ai 1.8, the 50/2 K, any of the 1.4's, the 45 pancake, and the old 58...but just give me some more time. lol
I have found information on the net concerning the 50/2 S that launched with the F to be scarce much to my chagrin as I own a minty copy that I really like owning. I suppose it would be best as a daylight lens or maybe for some dark motif. I should probably test all of my 50's just for fun.
blumoon
Well-known
caila77
Well-known
my vote is for the 50 f2 HC
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