payasam
a.k.a. Mukul Dube
I won't say that the J-3 is "the best" 50 for portraits, but I've had good luck with it. There's a couple of examples in my RFF gallery. It has been my all-purpose 50, but I propose to keep it -- chiefly for portrait work -- even after I get the Heliar Classic that's on its way.
noimmunity
scratch my niche
My vote is for a sonnar! Good luck!
MikeL
Go Fish
Jamie, let me know if you want to try out a 50mm Summarit.
raid
Dad Photographer
I would like to try out a Summilux.
I also would like to try out a Noctilux.
I also would like to try out a Canon 50mm/0.95.
I will think of other lenses I would like to try out again.
I also would like to try out a Noctilux.
I also would like to try out a Canon 50mm/0.95.
I will think of other lenses I would like to try out again.
LeicaTom
Watch that step!
Well, the best?
Here`s some of my favorites.......
1956 Leitz Summarit f1.5/50mm on my Leica M6 ~ note; the Leica "glow" (lens also has like 20% haze)
1956 Canon f1.5/50mm on my 1945 Leica IIIC K/IIIFBD Conversion ~ Note;"Dreamy" bokeh ~ quite perhaps the GREATEST lens ever made?
1938 CZJ f2/50mm Sonnar uncoated "hacked" Contax lens in a Russian mount on my 1945 Leica IIIC K/IIIFBD Conversion (special thx to Brian Sweeny for this lens)
1961 Canon f1.450mm on my Leica M6 (I sold this lens when I bought my IIIC K) I don`t really miss it though, BUT it did take nice photos
1952 Nikkor "Japan" SC F1.4/50mm "crossedprocessed" film on my Leica M6 - I think that the vintage Nikkor`s work well doing the odd experimental films.
The only LTM lenses I yet consider anymore are a "wartime" CZJ f1.5/50mm Sonnar and maybe a Canon f1.2/50mm, between these that I already use and also adding a 1957 Nikkor HC f2/50mm I have all the 50`s I could ever want, not counting all the WW2 era Leitz lenses and my 36' Xenon I`m satisfied
Tom
Here`s some of my favorites.......
1956 Leitz Summarit f1.5/50mm on my Leica M6 ~ note; the Leica "glow" (lens also has like 20% haze)
1956 Canon f1.5/50mm on my 1945 Leica IIIC K/IIIFBD Conversion ~ Note;"Dreamy" bokeh ~ quite perhaps the GREATEST lens ever made?
1938 CZJ f2/50mm Sonnar uncoated "hacked" Contax lens in a Russian mount on my 1945 Leica IIIC K/IIIFBD Conversion (special thx to Brian Sweeny for this lens)
1961 Canon f1.450mm on my Leica M6 (I sold this lens when I bought my IIIC K) I don`t really miss it though, BUT it did take nice photos
1952 Nikkor "Japan" SC F1.4/50mm "crossedprocessed" film on my Leica M6 - I think that the vintage Nikkor`s work well doing the odd experimental films.
The only LTM lenses I yet consider anymore are a "wartime" CZJ f1.5/50mm Sonnar and maybe a Canon f1.2/50mm, between these that I already use and also adding a 1957 Nikkor HC f2/50mm I have all the 50`s I could ever want, not counting all the WW2 era Leitz lenses and my 36' Xenon I`m satisfied
Tom
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ishpop
tall person
love your work LeicaTom, especially the 1956 Canon f1.5/50mm shot! But the F2 Sonnar is awesome too.
mmmm..... Need an assistant? lol.
mmmm..... Need an assistant? lol.
LeicaTom
Watch that step!
Thank you Sir!
Ohh I have a personal assistant now, she also doubles as a model and photographer for me
Tom
raid
Dad Photographer
Tom,
We just have to meet. I don't mind being your apprentice during one of your sessions. We will together use ten 5cm lenses to see which lens really results in the most interesting looking images. It's a one hour drive.
We just have to meet. I don't mind being your apprentice during one of your sessions. We will together use ten 5cm lenses to see which lens really results in the most interesting looking images. It's a one hour drive.
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LeicaTom
Watch that step!
Yes, between us there's some serious 50mm lenses!
Well some of my favorite lenses still have issues.....
My Summarit still has the haze that needs to be cleaned.
The "Tokyo" SC 5005 Nikkor needs that rim damage fixed and engraving paint freshened - (I like the Bokeh even better than a "Japan" one, smoother and creamier) I've shot with it before, just one corner of the rim damage flares the glass out, so it needs to be repaired, but the difference in the Bokeh between the "Tokyo" and "Japan" ones are very noticeable. (Brian Sweeny agrees with me on this one) - but I'm not playing it up too much, while the lens is too rare already, so it's chance of becoming a "cult" user lens is minable.......
Only other lens that needs attention is my "wartime" Elmar 90 which needs haze cleaning.
I sold my "Tokyo" HC Nikkor here at RFF for the 57' Tower 35 with a click stop "Japan" one that`s mint (I still haven't used this camera yet, shame on me!)
I`ll be loading it this weekend for some PinUps!
Also sold my Canon f1.4 for $$$$ to finish the deal with my 43' IIIC K Grey (this was like May 2008) the lens was`nt too bad, but had a very shallow focus range at f1.4, and on the most part it was too soft for me.
And a really clean "wartime" Summitar also sold about the time I sold the Canon as well.......
So I haven't been after anything new 50, nothing else impresses me anymore, I've tried almost everything - the Canon f0.95 is a waste of time, too expensive for the shallow performance it gives and getting a quality conversion to M mount is time consuming and expensive, to me the lens is'nt worth what prices have run up too recently.
I have looked for a Canon f1.2 (to shoot at f1.4 because some folks say it's a better performer than the f1.4 at that opening) just finding a clean one with "minty" glass is'nt easy, I could care less about the original hood, the glass is the big concern by the f1.2.
And a clean "wartime" 41'/42' CZJ Sonnar f1.5 or f2.0 would look good on my IIIC K Grey someday?
Some folks have also shown me some impressive work with the Nokton f1.5 so that`s maybe the ONLY other fast lens consideration I would make, I have to find someone who has one they could loan me for a few weeks????
Anyone here have a f1.5 Nokton to loan me for some PinUp/Nudie Cutie photos????
Tom
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raid
Dad Photographer
Tom,
I have a DAG adjusted very clean Canon 50/1.2 that is resistant to flare.
I also have a pre-war 5cm 1.5 in pristine condition that Brian modified into LTM.
My [other] old 5cm 2.0 Zeiss LTM is also wonderful for portraits.
The Luxon 5cm 2.0 can give you a swirling effect at 2.0.
The Summarit has some issues that DAG advised me not to touch; it is a dreamy focus lens which can give very pleasing results.
The Zeiss Tessar 5cm 2.8 [modified to LTM] gives beautiful color images for portraits.
The Summicron rigid is a classic for beautiful portraits.
Other than 5cm lenses, I suggest to consider the Canon 85mm/1.5 which can give very special looking portraits. Of course, the Nikkor 105/2.5 LTM is a must!
The list goes on and on.
I have a DAG adjusted very clean Canon 50/1.2 that is resistant to flare.
I also have a pre-war 5cm 1.5 in pristine condition that Brian modified into LTM.
My [other] old 5cm 2.0 Zeiss LTM is also wonderful for portraits.
The Luxon 5cm 2.0 can give you a swirling effect at 2.0.
The Summarit has some issues that DAG advised me not to touch; it is a dreamy focus lens which can give very pleasing results.
The Zeiss Tessar 5cm 2.8 [modified to LTM] gives beautiful color images for portraits.
The Summicron rigid is a classic for beautiful portraits.
Other than 5cm lenses, I suggest to consider the Canon 85mm/1.5 which can give very special looking portraits. Of course, the Nikkor 105/2.5 LTM is a must!
The list goes on and on.