jazzwave
Well-known
I love my J3 (modified by Brian)...
Leica LTM Best Sonnar 50mm for LTM
- Thread starter Steve George
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Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
Steve George
Established
I probably meant "fake Zeiss lens in Contax mount" in this context (but there are apparently "fake Contax" cameras with "fake Zeiss" lenses too).
pb908
Well-known
+1 !
this is what i use on my IIIc, the look of LTM amadeo adapter + real zeiss glass is awesome
ray*j*gun
Veteran
I don't think the CV 50 1,5 is a Sonnar and isn't a J8 a Sonnar design?
raid
Dad Photographer
Yes, the J8 is a Sonnar design lens. It is a copy of the Zeiss 5cm 2.0.
goamules
Well-known
You've probably seen my comparison post between the Canon, Nikkor, and Jupiter fast Sonnars haven't you?
"...What is amazing is that three lenses, ostensibly of the same Sonnar design, look so different."
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=129340
"...What is amazing is that three lenses, ostensibly of the same Sonnar design, look so different."
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=129340
ashwinrao1
Ashwin Rao
I just sent David a check for the Canon 50 mm f/1.5 currently listed, and I already have the J3 (1951) and Nikkor 5 cm f/1.4....I look forward to testing and comparing on the M9 and MM. Will try to post here.
sparrow6224
Well-known
OP might consider the Leica Summitar collapsible 50mm f/2. It has a lovely -- definitely not harsh in any way -- deep soft well detailed look. Not a sonnar but possible the closest to that look of any of the Leica 50s. There's also the Summarit 50/1.5 which might be even mroe to your liking but I don't know them, and they tend to be overpriced. You can land a good Summitar for $200 and if it needs work you'll still have a little $$ available. Search Summitar on Flickr to see some examples.
LeicaTom
Watch that step!
The Canon f1.4 and f1.8 50mm's are Planar in design........
I think the BEST Sonnar Looking 50's are the
Canon f1.5/50mm - watch out for focus shifts like the real Sonnar, should be calibrated to give optimum performance at f1.5 - when that's done this lens is UNBEATABLE in looks.
Nikkor SC f1.4/50mm "Tokyo" (pre 1952 lenses only) give a more creamier true Sonnar look than the "Japan" versions do, which are equally as good, but they seem to sharpen up more by f2.8 and the OOF areas aren't as creamy as the earlier lenses.
Both these lenses are in the $300 to $650 range depending on condition.
Really great lens is a Contax mount Sonnar T f2/50mm (WW2 era) that's "hacked" into a LTM Jupiter barrel/mounting.
These lenses are when calibrated to M39 Leica pretty "wild" with the OOF Bokeh areas, you actually have to stop down to about f4 to get a real f2 style look and with that you get a little extra shaprness without having the roller coaster ride (spinning) looking backgrounds.
One of my favorite "hacks" is a 1940 CZJ Sonnar f2/50 that I bought from that really well known Russian dealer on evilbay for like $200 (like 5 years ago) which was pretty expensive then, but I think you would be hard pressed to find a real WW2 Sonnar T Contax lens to even use to hack now?
While it's not a Sonnar design, the Leitz f1.5/50mm Summarit (based on the Taylor Hobson/Schneider Xenon) is a lens that gives really good looks especially in portraits, they produce a smooth background look wide open that's also very pleasing. Sad part is that they are very very hard to find in good condition (crystal clear/fog and fungusless or without cleaning marks bad enough to alter the lenses performance). These lenses have to be nearly blemish free to perform at top end, thus the costs are $500 to $700 for such a lens, because the collectors want it more than the shooters do...
Tom
I think the BEST Sonnar Looking 50's are the
Canon f1.5/50mm - watch out for focus shifts like the real Sonnar, should be calibrated to give optimum performance at f1.5 - when that's done this lens is UNBEATABLE in looks.
Nikkor SC f1.4/50mm "Tokyo" (pre 1952 lenses only) give a more creamier true Sonnar look than the "Japan" versions do, which are equally as good, but they seem to sharpen up more by f2.8 and the OOF areas aren't as creamy as the earlier lenses.
Both these lenses are in the $300 to $650 range depending on condition.
Really great lens is a Contax mount Sonnar T f2/50mm (WW2 era) that's "hacked" into a LTM Jupiter barrel/mounting.
These lenses are when calibrated to M39 Leica pretty "wild" with the OOF Bokeh areas, you actually have to stop down to about f4 to get a real f2 style look and with that you get a little extra shaprness without having the roller coaster ride (spinning) looking backgrounds.
One of my favorite "hacks" is a 1940 CZJ Sonnar f2/50 that I bought from that really well known Russian dealer on evilbay for like $200 (like 5 years ago) which was pretty expensive then, but I think you would be hard pressed to find a real WW2 Sonnar T Contax lens to even use to hack now?
While it's not a Sonnar design, the Leitz f1.5/50mm Summarit (based on the Taylor Hobson/Schneider Xenon) is a lens that gives really good looks especially in portraits, they produce a smooth background look wide open that's also very pleasing. Sad part is that they are very very hard to find in good condition (crystal clear/fog and fungusless or without cleaning marks bad enough to alter the lenses performance). These lenses have to be nearly blemish free to perform at top end, thus the costs are $500 to $700 for such a lens, because the collectors want it more than the shooters do...
Tom
David Hughes
David Hughes
Hi,
The Summicron was mentioned in the opening post and, if you like/love the lens and have a Barnack, then the lens to go for is the f/2 Summitar. It looks right in screw thread cameras and a coated one is the closest you can get to the Summicron without buying one. Don't forget that it morphed into the Summicron and, by any standards, is one of the best lenses around.
BTW, an uncoated one would go with the Leica model III and look right. Plus, being uncoated, it can be cleaned easily and cheaply but isn't a DIY job. Don't be worried about it being uncoated, a lens hood and a bit of sense soon get round that minor problem.
I have to confess I've a Sonnar on the Contax II and the USSR's version (Kiev II and J-8) and don't see much special about them. And I've nearly all of the other lenses mentioned. They are good lenses but don't seem to me to have any special signature. The tecnicians in the local lab have more of a signature on my prints than the lens. My main criteria when buying a lens, apart from its condition and price, is that it matches the camera body as though it was bought with it or about then by the original owner. IOW, I try to make an outfit as though I was the original rich owner.
Regards, David
The Summicron was mentioned in the opening post and, if you like/love the lens and have a Barnack, then the lens to go for is the f/2 Summitar. It looks right in screw thread cameras and a coated one is the closest you can get to the Summicron without buying one. Don't forget that it morphed into the Summicron and, by any standards, is one of the best lenses around.
BTW, an uncoated one would go with the Leica model III and look right. Plus, being uncoated, it can be cleaned easily and cheaply but isn't a DIY job. Don't be worried about it being uncoated, a lens hood and a bit of sense soon get round that minor problem.
I have to confess I've a Sonnar on the Contax II and the USSR's version (Kiev II and J-8) and don't see much special about them. And I've nearly all of the other lenses mentioned. They are good lenses but don't seem to me to have any special signature. The tecnicians in the local lab have more of a signature on my prints than the lens. My main criteria when buying a lens, apart from its condition and price, is that it matches the camera body as though it was bought with it or about then by the original owner. IOW, I try to make an outfit as though I was the original rich owner.
Regards, David
laptoprob
back to basics
The hard to find Steinheil Quinon 50/2 is a true Sonnar. Sold mine a little while ago due to too little use.
One of the great benefits is the 60cm close focus, without glasses or other gizmo's.
And great out-of-focus ofcourse!
One of the great benefits is the 60cm close focus, without glasses or other gizmo's.
And great out-of-focus ofcourse!
goamules
Well-known
Not to me! Sonnars are more distinctive than any other fast 50mm lens. It's one of the few lenses that I can just about pick a shot taken with one, in blind taste tests. Sonnars are sharp wide open, warm color rendering, somewhat busy but interesting background out of focus areas. Very distinctive compared to other lenses, to me.
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