Canon LTM Canon 50 1.2 LTM for a Bessa R3

[Gallo]

Hi, everybody. I got the chance to buy a Canon 50mm f1.2 LTM lens, the seller is asking $600 (the lens is in good condition, but not mint) with the LTM to M adapter included. Would you buy it to use it in a Bessa R3 or should I go for a Nokton (50 or 40 1.4)?

Thanks!!

Santiago

 

[John Shriver]

Hmm. While the effective rangefinder baseline of the R3 isn't as short as the R2 and R4, at 37mm it's still pretty dinky. The effective rangefinder baseline of the Canon 7 and 7s are a healthier 47.2mm.

I'd be concerned about getting very random focus with the 50/1.2 on the R3. I find it enough of a challenge on the 7s.

 

[raid]

Santiago,
There is right now a Canon SLR 55/1.2 FL lens that was custom changed to M mount being offered for below $400 here. The 55/1.2L is a better lens that the 50/1.2 RF lens.

My recommendation is to save over $200 and get the 55/1.2.

 

[johannielscom]

raid,

nanthor has pulled the 55/1.2 since it apparently backfocusses on his M8.

@OP: if you want to try and shoot that 50/1.2 I'd get it and see if it works out. If not, you can always sell on. Price is a bit steep though, I'd go for USD 550.

You might like it so much that a Canon 7 or 7S or an M3 will follow later. These bodies are much less straining when it comes to focusing. OTOH, Tommy Oshima uses a Noctilux on a Hexar RF, which has a .58 magnification!

 

[John Shriver]

While the Hexar RF has 0.58 magnification, it has a much longer physical base line, for an effective rangefinder baseline of 41.10mm. But, hey, that's not a lot longer than the 37mm EBL of the R3.

 

[Gallo]

Thanks for the advices, guys! Raid, I will check that 55 1.2, sounds tempting.

I mentioned the Bessa R3 `cause is the camera I would buy in a near future, but don`t have it yet. Maybe the 50 1.2 LTM couples better in another Bessa? Which one?

Thanks agian!!

 

[ethics_gradient]

I own both (R3a), no problems with focusing accuracy. 600 is a little bit steep for what you describe, but I bought mine last year and it seemed prices were on the upswing back then, so I could be wrong.

Some examples from my photostream with the combo (lots wide-open)

 

[ChrisN]

I had thought to agree that $600 was a bit steep, but just checked KEH - $725 for EX and $525 for BGN. Prices are way up again.

 

[raid]

This lens used to sell for $350. I sold three such lenses at this price.

 

[David Murphy]

I think it's a fine lens, and most of them are surprisingly good wide open in my experience. It is very sharp stopped down a bit. It will probably go up in value - that's certainly the trend. I think $600 is a bit high, but not excessive. The main thing is to make sure the glass has no issues like haze, fungus, oil or serious scratches.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Wow, when I paid $200+ for mine five years ago I thought it was on the high end. Good thing I've decided to keep it.

I have seen the 'bay with some of these in the $600 range. Again, what the Market dictates...

 

[ethics_gradient]

To be fair, it was a bargain at $350, and still a pretty fair deal at $500-600 as far as fast 50mm LTM primes go. Next cheapest is the 50mm f/1.1 Nokton if I'm not mistaken.

 

[Gallo]

Thanks again for the input, guys. I live in Argentina, and those lenses are far from common down here. I asked the seller for pictures and noted a small, but noticeably, hit on the filter ring. So, the lens is not in MINT condition. I think I would go for a fast 40 (such CV 1.4) or a fast 35.

 

[John Shriver]

Dent on the filter ring? Forget it. It's not just the filter ring that bends when you drop a lens, the whole works can be out-of-shape, with a loss of optical quality.

 

[raid]

Just as John said above. I had to send my lens to DAG. A lens element had moved inside the lens.

 

[The Meaness]

I paid 600 USD for mine in January. I searched for a few months and couldn't find a better deal.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

At $600 for a Canon 50/1.2, I would go the extra amount for a 50/1.1 Nokton. Much sharper wide-open.

Make sure to inspect the Canon: the surface behind the aperture blades is prone is haze and etching.

 

[Mablo]

I bought a Canon 50/1.2 recently. I'm fully aware of the twin-character of the lens: opened up it's a softish bokeh monster and stopped down it'll become a normal classic low contrast RF-lens.

I like it that way. I like the Canon 50/1.2 lens more than my Summilux 50mm/1.4 Pre-ASPH.

What is a problem is the hood which is d****d difficult to find and very costly. Maybe Tom A. could make a nice replacement hood for Canon 50/1.2?

Here's one at f:1.4:

 

[John Shriver]

I've got a black/chrome Canon 50/1.8 with a repaired filter ring ding. But the aperture ring was also tight because the front lens block was "reshaped" by the incident. A little filing has solved that bind, but I suspect that the lens's optical quality is going to be "off". Haven't run a test roll, expectations not high.

 

[Gallo]

Thanks again, guys, I think i`ll pass on the Canon. A friend of mine is going to Chicago soon, maybe it`s time for a bessa and a 40 1.4 😀...