Cannot Find a Good Copy of the Canon 50mm F1.2 LTM - Giving Up!

[Nokton48]

the Minolta Rokkor 58mm F1.2 as part of my plan to find an alternative that wouldn't cause such a headache as the hunt for the Canon has

I did the same thing. I sold my Canon 50mm F1.2 and original Canon Hood and replaced it with the 58mm F1.2 MC Rokkor. I have not regretted my decision.
Below is a test image from the F1.2 MC Rokkor on Eastman XX movie film.


Minolta XK #9 by Nokton48, on Flickr


Minolta SRT-101 #17 Nikon LS2000 by Nokton48, on Flickr

 

[Dante_Stella]

The time for these, I'm afraid, might be over.

When I got to know and love this lens in the late 1990s and early 2000s, these lenses were coming up on being 50 years old. We're 20 years past that. There was very little discussion of unstoppable haze back then, and if here was, it cleaned right off. Because it was just oil.

As Leica collectors know, the 1950s was a time when engineering was far ahead of material science. Bad glass that essentially rusts, soft coatings that easily degrade, and lubricants that outgas are problems. There is a point at which - especially for inner elements - you've ground down past the haze and even past the AR coatings that incidentally keep humidity and chemicals off the glass itself. I suspect that's why people are suddenly talking about having to de-haze all the time.

Dante

 

[ferider]

Similar to what Dante said: we already knew 15 years ago that 2 out of 3 samples would haze up over time, but back then these were cleanable. Nowadays, the haze has etched the glass of most lenses - and they are not cleanable any more. There still are clean samples that do not haze up - I feel lucky since I found one 2 years ago. But don't expect to find it cheaply. If you really want it, be generous on the price.

That being said, today, the Sonnetar gives me exactly what I was looking for with the Canon 50/1.2 (character background). Speed, smaller size, faster transmission, and short min. focus are a plus. Maybe interesting for the OP as well ?

Roland.

 

[Dante_Stella]

Not to start a mutual agreement society, but I agree with Roland that the Sonnetar is a much better idea. More contrast, less flare, and sharper. Its user-adjustability is a big plus if you use superspeed lenses with a digital body.

I would be extremely cautious about buying any lens from the 1950s that has haze; it may not come off. 90/4 Elmars seem to be hit with this, as some Summicrons.

If you plan to use a camera with live view, the Konica 57/1.2 Hexanon (SLR version) - brought on the market in the late 60s is one of the best 1.2 lenses out there. Konica lenses don't have issues with bad coatings or degrading glass (other than when fungus attacks). You might occasionally get cement yellowing (as with a lot of lenses of the era), which if it bothers you can be remedied with mere solar exposure (or a strong UV light).

Dante

Similar to what Dante said: we already knew 15 years ago that 2 out of 3 samples would haze up over time, but back then these were cleanable. Nowadays, the haze has etched the glass of most lenses - and they are not cleanable any more. There still are clean samples that do not haze up - I feel lucky since I found one 2 years ago. But don't expect to find it cheaply. If you really want it, be generous on the price.

That being said, today, the Sonnetar gives me exactly what I was looking for with the Canon 50/1.2 (character background). Speed, smaller size, faster transmission, and short min. focus are a plus. Maybe interesting for the OP as well ?

Roland.

 

[Fraser]

Here's a quick test I did with all my 50mm 1.2s I've always been impressed by the old canon.

16fbpic50mm@1.2_01 by f4saregreat!, on Flickr

 

[Doug]

Any love for the Pentax 50mm f/1.2? Viable option?

 

[xayraa33]

Here's a quick test I did with all my 50mm 1.2s I've always been impressed by the old canon.

16fbpic50mm@1.2_01 by f4saregreat!, on Flickr

That old Canon lens is mighty sweet.

Certainly worth the price of admission.

 

[NathanArizona]

Any love for the Pentax 50mm f/1.2? Viable option?

It's one of those lenses I want to try. Not sure out it compares to the old Canon though. I settled on the Minolta 55mm F1.2 Rokkor!

 

[peterm1]

Any love for the Pentax 50mm f/1.2? Viable option?

Another good fast lens to try from the same marque is the Canon FL mount 58mm f1.2. Mounted on a digital camera like the Sony NEX or an M4/3 it really performs nicely with soft bokeh and pleasant rendering of in focus areas. The 55mm which came later is said to be better still in terms of sharpness wide open, but I am happy enough with my 58mm. It is also somewhat easier to find in good condition and cheaper to buy than the near equivalent LTM lens

These shots have everything OOF (an experiment) but they do show how soft the bokeh is.


City impressions 1 by Life in Shadows, on Flickr


City impressions by Life in Shadows, on Flickr

 

[Michael Markey]

Any love for the Pentax 50mm f/1.2? Viable option?

I have a copy .... here on an A7s @1.2

 

[Doug]

Thanks for the sample, Michael! I have one too...
This is my cat Cindy with elizabethan collar after surgical removal of a cancerous tumor on her hip. Sitting in front of my computer screen, she is *not* happy about the collar.

Pentax K-1, Pentax-K 50mm f/1.2 at f/1.2