Canon 50/0.95 TV with separation: fix+keep, or sell as-is?

[umcelinho]

Hello everyone,

I have a 50mm f/0.95 TV which I bought last year along with a RF version. I had the RF converted to M and used it for a while, but ended up selling it for a somewhat good price (almost payed off both lenses). I liked the lens but ended up not bringing it everywhere due to its weight but mostly because it was very soft (had lots of cleaning marks). I miss it a bit.

The TV lens has a separation spot inside, and I would like to convert it to M mount to use it on my cameras. It'd cost me around $600 to fix and convert.

I am not sure what I should do: take the risk and invest the $ needed to have it fixed+converted and then keep it or just sell it as-is for a lower price? Or sell it fixed and converted for a higher price?

What would you do? I'm looking for some inputs here 🙂

 

[Sonnar Brian]

The Canon 50/0.95 is soft compared to a Nokton 50/1.1, even with mint glass. You did not like the other one, although it had cleaning marks, this one may not be much better. As you sold it, too late to swap out the glass on it.

I would sell this one as is, and buy the Nokton.

 

[johannielscom]

I had a 0.95 at one time. Sold it with the Canon 7s it was on before prices boomed.

The lens was okay on the Canon 7s but I did not like the camera. On a Leica, it obscures quite a bit of the frame illumination window and possibly the viewfinder.

I sold it and got myself an M-Hex 50/1.2 that I loved for a much longer time. And I still think the M-Hex 50/1.2 is the better lens when compared to the Voigt 50/1.1. So, take your pick!

 

[ethics_gradient]

The Canon 50/0.95 is soft compared to a Nokton 50/1.1, even with mint glass. You did not like the other one, although it had cleaning marks, this one may not be much better. As you sold it, too late to swap out the glass on it.

I would sell this one as is, and buy the Nokton.

That's about as solid advice as you can get, IMO.

I'd like to try it out on my NEX, but I've already got a Canon 50mm f/1.2 that I'm happy with.

 

[umcelinho]

Made up my mind. 🙂

Took some test shots which showed me the lens is much sharper than I thought, so I decided to fix, convert and keep it. It'll be a hassle, but I think it will be worth it. Focus by trial and error as it's not rf coupled yet, but it's possible to see how sharp the in focus areas are:

focus on the sewing on the back of the couch arm

Brian's suggestion of swapping the elements between lenses is great! if only I had thought about it before...

Thanks to all for the ideas!

 

[splitimageview]

How bad is the separation spot? I've seen lenses with huge separation but you'd never know it from the pictures. It may be a waste of money to repair this...just convert it and use it. 🙂

 

[umcelinho]

well, just got news from the technician. to remove the element section would be too risky, as it's both burnished and had epoxy applied, and I wouldnt like having a broken element... so it'll be converted and I'll just deal with it. 🙂

Thanks to all for input!

 

[raid]

The 0.95 and 1.2 lenses are not worth their cost. Get a 1.4 lens instead.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Did you send it to a technician in the US who runs Focal Point Lens? I remember his name is John, but cannot recall his last name. If he told you that about the lens... then don't bother trying to fix the separation. If you haven't sent it to John, do it and find out. Just click on the link above... Best of luck!

 

[umcelinho]

Francisco, it's not with John, though I've already sent him an email about it to get a rough estimate. I'll play around with the lens as it is for a while after it gets back home and then decide if it's the case of sending it to John for fixing the cement. Thanks!

Raid, I really like the lens signature, maybe because wide open it sees the world like I do... my eyes are really messed up (-7.5 myopia and 2.5 asthigmatism...)!

 

[raid]

Enjoy the lens. I once had such a lens as a loaner. It allows you to take one of a kind photos.