BIotar vs Pancolar vs NIkkor

[JSteed#2]

I have an abundance of choices. Special visit coming up...mix of touristy an portrai-ty settings.
Biotar 58 vs Pancolar 50 f2 vs Nikkor 50 f1.4
votes please

 

[Mos6502]

Pancolar 2/50 is one of my favorite 50s. Excellent colors, excellent contrast, and beautiful boke' effect. I haven't shot enough with my Nikkor 1.4/50 to form a definite opinion about it yet. Do you plan on shooting in low light where an extra stop of speed may be advantageous?

The Biotar 2/58 has a specific look to it, which if you want it, then great, but if you're planning on swapping lenses around it may make the Biotar shots seem out of place/incongruous with the rest.

 

[bcostin]

I like the Pancolar, too.

 

[p.giannakis]

Is the Pancolar 50f2 any different to the 50 f/1.8?

I had this one and used it for some time. Great lens but aperture blades we turning sticky and focusing stiff. Eventually I switched to Takumars back then, just as good and they aged better. I would definitely get a Pancolar if it was in good shape and cheaper than Takumars.

I have the AF Nikkor 50f1.4 and is great lens but very soft at 1.4.



No experience with the biotar.

 

[hilltime]

Is the Pancolar 50f2 any different to the 50 f/1.8?

I had this one and used it for some time. Great lens but aperture blades we turning sticky and focusing stiff. Eventually I switched to Takumars back then, just as good and they aged better. I would definitely get a Pancolar if it was in good shape and cheaper than Takumars.

I have the AF Nikkor 50f1.4 and is great lens but very soft at 1.4.



No experience with the biotar.

I have the same vintage Pancolar as yours, ser# 82xxxxx with the yellowed thorium glass. Bought it to use with my Pentacon Super as I just couldn't bear the $1800-2800 price of the 55/1.4 lens.
Also had sticky aperture blades and stiff focus but got it cleaned up by Steve at Camera Clinic USA in Mandan ND, who did a fantastic job for a reasonable price.

 

[das]

These three lenses are very different. I really like the 50mm f/1.8 MC Pancolar. It's rendition on modern color films is a bit wonky and sometimes difficult to correct, but it is extremely pleasant and somewhat unique. I don't like the swirly bokeh of Biotar photos, and the Nikon is very competent and most likely the best performing (objectively) of the three by some measure, yet with a rather generic signature.

 

[Mos6502]

The 2/50 and 1.8/50 varieties of Pancolar are distinctly different lenses.