Best 'portrait' 50mm lens

[Jamie Pillers]

I put this question in the "Optics" forum because it could lead to any brand of 50mm lens.

I like using the 50mm focal length for portraits. Using longer lengths, like the 85 or 105, makes the portrait-taking seem too 'hands-off'/impersonal. I like being closer to the subject.

Currently I have a Canon 50/1.4, a great landscape lens... sharp across the frame even wide-open. However I'd like something like a Sonnar-type design that softens up at the edges when you open the lens up. I'd appreciate any advice as to which 50mm lens you think makes a great portrait lens, and why. I can only spend, say, $450.

 

[infrequent]

i really like the look of old skool leitz lenses.

 

[monochromejrnl]

Canon 50/1.5 LTM and Nikkor 50/1.4 LTM are both Sonnar designs, the Nikkor can be modified to focus up to .7M while the Canon only focuses to 1M... sharp in the centre but not harsh, softens towards the edges and very smooth transition from in focus to out of focus areas...

I own the Canon (and use to own the original Zeiss Contax mount version) and I've use the Nikkor and all are fanastic portrait lenses. Both can be had for under $400.

 

[35mmdelux]

There is no "best" in my view. The "best" lens is the one that captures the decisive moment, and this can be just about any lens.

 

[raid]

The Summar and the Summitar make excellent potrait lenses, but my current "ultimate" 5cm lens is a pre-war uncoated Zeiss Sonnar 5cm 1.5 converted by Brian Sweeney to LTM. It is an awesome lens ... from the 30's.

 

[mhv]

The 50mm f/1.5 Sonnar for the Contax mount is an outstanding lens well within your budget. For the price, you can even add a Kiev to use as rear cap and support for the film.

Otherwise, in M42, the SMC Takumar 50mm f/1.4 is as good as it gets for portraits.

 

[FrankS]

Doesn't it depend completely on the effect desired?

For a certain effect that I often like, the collapsible Summicron works well.

 

[jmkelly]

Have to mention the J-3. You might get one with perfect focus and good on ya, but the aformentioned Brian Sweeney can shim these lenses to perfection. With purchase, shipping all over, and Brian's work you might be out all of $150. Get three? My advice is to go for an early ZOMZ lens (cemented-triplet lens logo).

 

[sweathog]

I second jmkelly with regards the J3. I have made some of my favourite portraits with that lens.
Mine has a slight focussing isue, but when I get it right it is absolutely stunning. Sometimes the slight softness due to the focus issues helps a shot too.

Here's a couple of examples, but there's more in my flickr stream:

 

[Jamie Pillers]

Thanks, everyone for your ideas. I forgot to mention that I use primarily color negative film. Tom, that last image you posted is the look I like. Rich color, soft at the edges.
I had a CV 50/2 Heliar about a year ago, when I first discovered rangefinder-dom. I didn't understand then what I had and I sold the lens. I may be going back to it. However the J-3 is interesting. However, I've just went a couple of rounds with a russian lens and I lost. But I didn't send it to Brian. Maybe I'll give him a shot at my J-9 first. If successful than maybe I'll try the J-3 before I think about spending the extra $$ on the CV lens.

Raid, I tried the Summar, but it just seemed a little TOO soft.

Frank, I've also thought about the collapsible Summicron. I'll do a bit more looking at Flickr pages to see what I can see about that lens. Do you have any images posted here using that lens?

Jamie

 

[raid]

Raid, I tried the Summar, but it just seemed a little TOO soft.

Jamie

Yes, the Summar can be soft, but there are situations when you want a portrait lens not to be razor sharp.

I have it and a misalligned Summarit as my softer 5cm portrait lenses. The Zeiss Sonnar 1.5 is sharp and not soft. It could be a very good choice here. The J-3 is a less expensive alternative. The J-3 is not better than the Zeiss Sonnar or the Opton.

 

[FrankS]

Here is a Summicron collapsible portrait:

 

[BTMarcais]

Jamie, I'm with FrankS on the collapsible. I've had some great results with it for portrait work. Sorry I don't have any images up, but I'll let you borrow mine for a weekend if you want to try one out- just let me know, and we'll set up a time for you to pick it up at Looking Glass. I'm generally there mon/wed/thur/sat... I can bring in a couple sample shots for you too.
-
Brian

 

[wlewisiii]

Tom, that last image you posted is the look I like. Rich color, soft at the edges.
(snip)
Jamie

Perfect description of someone looking for a Tessar design. Sharp as a knife point at the center, opening up to a buttery cosistancy by the edges until you hit about 5.6/8 when it goes sharp all the way across the image. Since you use Leica mount, an Elmar will be the easiest way to get the look you want. The Sonnar's have essentially the same look, but sharpen up faster. I find the Tessar is better for that look in a wider variety of light since you can stop down a bit further before loosing the essential fingerprint.

Personally for portraits, I prefer pre-war uncoated lenses. That tends to mute the colors a bit but if you use the right film (Reala is my favorite) the combination is sweet.

Hope this helps,

William

 

[raid]

There is a reason why I have 10 different 5cm lenses; each has a character of its own. I love the collapsible Summicron, but it is not the only 5cm lens that is a good one.

 

[raid]

Take a look at the portrait with 12 50mm lenses at 2.0 here:
http://photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=671321

Here are five more at 1.4/1.5:
http://photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=671339

 

[BTMarcais]

Raid- no question that the collapsible summicron isn't the only good lens for this... but it happens to be the only one I can lend Jamie. 🙂

Nice link- I think my favorite from the 12 samples is the canon 1.5
But I definitely understand wanting more than one 50...

 

[Keith]

I find my Canon 50mm f1.2 to be my favourite lens for portraits ... it's a big lens with a long focus throw and wide open it can be little flarey, not so sharp and softening towards the edges of the frame. For low light portraits I love it! It's subjective though ... what pleases me may not appeal to others!

 

[FrankS]

Here's a (cropped) Summarit pic:

 

[raid]

Raid- no question that the collapsible summicron isn't the only good lens for this... but it happens to be the only one I can lend Jamie. 🙂

Nice link- I think my favorite from the 12 samples is the canon 1.5
But I definitely understand wanting more than one 50...

It is very nice from you to lend Jamie a lens.

The Canon 1.5 is a lens that I may get one day. I used several loaner lenses to make the lens comparisons.