Canon or Hexanon 50mm?

[defektive]

Hi everyone,

I am looking for an affordable fastish 50mm to complement the 24/3.8 I have bought for use on an M8. I have narrowed it down to a Hexanon 50/2 or a Canon 50/1.8 or 1.4. I have found a mint condition Hexanon 50/2 and mint Canon 50/1.4 from the same dealer for about the same price when you add in the cost of a hood for the Canon. The Canon 1.8 seems to be going for a bit cheaper. All three lenses look like they have a good following around here and I was just wondering which one you would choose and why.

Some specific questions I would like answers to are:
1) how does each perform wide open?;
2) are there compatibility issues with the M8?; and
3) how does the size of each (with hood mounted/extended) affect visibility when framing a shot?

Any tips, comments and opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Sam

 

[Krosya]

I think all are great lenses. What you need to consider is this:
1. Hexanon will have a better flare control, shorter focus throw and will focus down to 0.7m.
2. Canons will have long focus throw, will focus down to 1m and will be somewhat faster, with a chance to flare more.
Whats more important to you?
I didnt compare the size - but they should be about the same, I think.
Wide open I think they will all be sharp enough.
So, as they say - you can never have enough 50mm lenses, so I'd get them both - as they will have different signatures, bokeh, features, etc.
And maybe later sell one you end up using less. (something I'm often unable to do, as I like different lenses for different reasons in the same FL) 😉

 

[stupid leica]

i have not used the Hex, but from what i've seen it is a fine lens. A little too "Clinical" in my opinion though (lack of distinct personality). I have had two Canon 50/1.4's, and they have both been awesome. Very sharp wide open, beautiful background/OOF characteristics, great lens. It has a stupid infinity lock, but that is easily "unlocked" by removing one screw... after doing this, it turns the lock into a simple tab. I think the Canon 1.4 is the best 50mm RF lens out there, under the .7m non-asph Summilux.

 

[defektive]

Thanks for your replies, most helpful. I have heard that the hex sometimes needs a focus adjustment when mounted on an M8 to counter back/front focussing, are there any focus shift issues with it or the Canons?

 

[Keith]

The Hex has no faults from my experience with one ... it also has a built in hood!

It's sharp, near impossible to make flare but as said can be a little clinical. The build quality is superb.

 

[jordan.dickinson]

Hexanon, for sure. Modern optics and design make the biggest difference here. I've owned 2 Hexanon 50 f2's, and the great Hexanon 50mm f1.2 Limited and loved them all. I sold them, but only because I had good opportunity to pick up a 50 Summicron (latest), which is very similar to the Hex in design, and coveted and finally owned the 50 Lux ASPH. What can I say, the Leica name/optics is a huge selling point for me, so it's hard for me to turn it down.

With that said, I do have a Canon 50mm f1.2, Canon 50mm f1.4, and Canon 50mm f1.8. I never use them. Not because they are bad lenses, it's just that they are not as good as what I'm looking for.

My advice, spend a little extra money for some great optics on the 50 Hex. It's a gem of a little lens, and to my knowledge, doesn't struggle with fungus, etc, as does the 28mm Hex.

Hope this helps!

 

[jordan.dickinson]

Just realized that I didn't really answer your questions...

1) Wide open, the Hex is great, and has very nice contrast, sharpness, and very respectable bokeh. The Canon is decent, but is prone to a bit of fungus, and it's bokeh suffers a bit in my opinion. It is also a bit less contrasty than the Hex.

2) I have shot the Hex on the M8, and remember it being easy to use, and without any major fault. However, I can't recall specifically what was great, and what was not so great. I do remember keeping it on the M8 quite a bit when I had it. The Canon has seen minimal use, despite having and LTM to M adapter.

3) With the Hex, there is minimal vf intrusion with the hood extended and never noticed much issue with that. I am a shooter that regularly overlooks viewfinder imposition, though, so, lens hoods and their possible obstruction with the viewfinder rarely affects my decision (unless complete blockage occurs, which is not the case with any lens!). You may be someone who hates any blockage of any sort, so I can't speak for you. I just know that I never had a real problem with it. With the Canon, there is a somewhat large attachable hood that comes with it, and although the hood is well designed, it expands outward from the lens, and will impede on the vf more than the Hex. If that's a major concern, I would again, recommend the Hex.

Again...hope this helps, and best of luck with your decision!

 

[defektive]

Ok, I just bought a Hexanon 50/2 in excellent+ condition for $500 from matsuiya store. That's about $200 less than the others listed on ebay so I hope I haven't paid too much. I've been wanting to buy a lens from there for a while as they always look immaculate from the images they post. Hopefully it will complement the 24/3.8 nicely as I'll be a two lens kit for quite a while.

Thanks everyone for your assistance in helping me make my decision. I'll have to save up for a while to try one of the Canons.

 

[sanmich]

all of them are very good lenses.
I also suggest to consider this:

If they are all at the same price, you either have a great deal on the Hex, or are paying too much on the canon 1.4 (and WAY too much on the 1.8)

the canons are focusing to 1m, the Hex to 0.7.
the Hex is M mount (you can't use it if your body is ltm, you need to add the adapter on the canons if it's an M)
The canon throw is long, the Hex is short.
I had the canon 1.4, and it's a great lens.
At the end, I was bugged by the focus limit, and also by a certain level of distortion, and sold it.
I have the Hex, and its a very nice lens.