ewoq
Member
chris00nj
Young Luddite
I'm surprised to see that no one has yet mentioned the 50/2 Summicron DR.
cmogi10
Bodhisattva
I dig the ZM Sonnar

micromontenegro
Well-known
In my humble opinion, the 50/1.5 Sonnar, in any of its varieties (incl. the J3), is THE 50mm for portaiits. It makes anyone look beautifull ;-)
raid
Dad Photographer
I'm surprised to see that no one has yet mentioned the 50/2 Summicron DR.
The DR and the rigid Summicron are virtually identical optically. I mentioned the rigid Summicron as an option.
raid
Dad Photographer
In my humble opinion, the 50/1.5 Sonnar, in any of its varieties (incl. the J3), is THE 50mm for portaiits. It makes anyone look beautifull ;-)
Yes, you are right to a degree. The OOF rendering is not the same in all Sonnar clones.
kermaier
Well-known
I like the Nikkor-H.C 50/2 LTM for B&W and the Canon 50/1.8 for color.
Bingley
Veteran
No wonder Raid has all those 50s!! I mean, I'm just looking for a portrait lens thats sharp in the middle and soft at the edges.
Jamie -- Sounds like you want a sonnar design lens. The J3 is very nice. I happen to really, really like the Canon 50/1.5:

raid
Dad Photographer
Canon 50mm 1.4:
Elmar 5cm 2.8:
Canon 50mm 1.2:
Zeiss Sonnar 5cm 2.0:
Zeiss Tessar 5cm 2.8 [modifeid to LTM fro M42]:
Tessar 5cm 2.8 [for Contax I]:
Each 50mm lens has its role for me.

Elmar 5cm 2.8:

Canon 50mm 1.2:

Zeiss Sonnar 5cm 2.0:

Zeiss Tessar 5cm 2.8 [modifeid to LTM fro M42]:

Tessar 5cm 2.8 [for Contax I]:

Each 50mm lens has its role for me.
kermaier
Well-known
Nikkor 50/2 LTM @ f/2 on R-D1 @ ISO 400
Nikkor 50/2 LTM @ f/2 on R-D1 @ ISO 400
Raid: Thanks for the lens!
Nikkor 50/2 LTM @ f/2 on R-D1 @ ISO 400

Raid: Thanks for the lens!
Last edited:
Jamie Pillers
Skeptic
Thanks a lot, Peter. No better time to start learning about the guts of a lens.
Jamie Pillers
Skeptic
Peter... THANK YOU! I've just been mulling over the shift to digital. I actually have two of the lenses you've mentioned: the 50/2 Ai, and the 105/2.5. Now I have an excellent incentive to buy that D90! 
Jamie
Jamie
Jamie Pillers
Skeptic
WOW! Beautiful (the photo AND the model)! 
Jamie Pillers
Skeptic
REALLY lovely! OK, guys.... STOP!!! Too many great choices!! 
Jamie Pillers
Skeptic
Raid... you MUST stop!! You're providing so many choices, its becoming impossible to decide!
Jamie Pillers
Skeptic
Very nice. I wonder if my F-mount Nikkor 50/2 is capable of the same? I'm going to give it a try. I'll post the results.
Jamie
Jamie
ishpop
tall person
Based on all the samples I have sen, the J3, and both Canon 1.4 and 1.2 are my favorites. The balance of sharpness and OOF elements seem to work.
I recently sold my J3 due to downsizing my gear, but I am pretty sure it was spot on for focusing, here is the closest I have to a portrait:
(sorry for the light leak)
I recently sold my J3 due to downsizing my gear, but I am pretty sure it was spot on for focusing, here is the closest I have to a portrait:
(sorry for the light leak)

raid
Dad Photographer
I miss it!
Of course, you are welcome to it. I am glad that you like its performance. I may have to get a replacement Nikon lens one day.
Kermaier said:Nikkor 50/2 LTM @ f/2 on R-D1 @ ISO 400
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raid: Thanks for the lens!
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Last edited by kermaier : 3 Hours Ago at 08:19.
Of course, you are welcome to it. I am glad that you like its performance. I may have to get a replacement Nikon lens one day.
Kermaier said:Nikkor 50/2 LTM @ f/2 on R-D1 @ ISO 400
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raid: Thanks for the lens!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Last edited by kermaier : 3 Hours Ago at 08:19.
raid
Dad Photographer
Raid... you MUST stop!! You're providing so many choices, its becoming impossible to decide!
Jamie,
Take the good side to this all; you really can't go wrong with that many excellent options. You can focus on the cosmetic look of the lens or the price or the weight or .... and still get a great lens.
Matthew Runkel
Well-known
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