Canon vs Leica 50mm lens

[Lucadomi]

I am trying to decide between a Canon 50mm 1.4 and a Leica 50mm 2.0 Summicrome Collaps. for my Canon 7.
Any Suggestion?
Thanks

 

[photo4ls]

Can't go wrong w/either lens. If you need the extra stop for speed get Canon,
if not Summicron. I use both except the Canon is f1.8 but I will eventually
get the 50 f1.4.

Nelson

 

[Lucadomi]

Thanks Nelson.
I saw some pics sample from the Leica lens and they had a beautiful bokeh. It is also smaller.
However, Leica costs more and the Canon has the F 1.4 that sounds nice.
This would be my main lens for my camera. If there is no significant difference I probably will chose the Canon. 50mm 1.4.
Please feel free to add any other comment or info regrding these two lenses,
thank you.

 

[jsrockit]

If there is no significant difference I probably will chose the Canon. 50mm 1.4.

Well, that depends on what you mean by significant.

 

[Brian Legge]

Are you comparing the bokeh of each lens at f/2? I imagine the Canon will look rather different between f/1.4 and f/2.

 

[f16sunshine]

Have you used a collapsible lens before? IQ wise you are choosing between two great lenses especially for B&W film. In use I would always prefer a "rigid" lens. Try before you buy if you can.

 

[Lucadomi]

Good suggestion Andy. I have never tried a collapsible lens. I am now leaning toward the Canon Lens. I never owned any Leica equipment, and I was curious about that kind of "look". The best I got so far came from my Rolliflex TLR.
I have to say that the Canon lenses seem very interesting, and not as expensive as the Leica ones.

 

[Steve M.]

I've owned them both, and to me there was no comparison. Just look at the samples on flickr or pbase. The Leica lens is so much better in IQ and bokeh it isn't even funny, and has that characteristic Leica "look". The key to this is condition, as I'm comparing clean or CLA'd lenses. Haze is often an issue in older glass, and will reduce your sharpness due to veiling flare.

 

[Moriturii]

Or even perhaps the 40mm f1.4 Nokton lens? I am contemplating buying it at the moment actually. I'm just unsure how far removed I'll get from my 50mm habit. I've only ever used 50mm lenses, so quite used to it.

 

[Brian Legge]

Steve, do you have a few example photos you could share which illustrate the difference in your eyes? I haven't looked at many LTM Summicron shots before to form a comparison.

 

[fotomeow]

some folks consider the Canon 1.4 the "poor mans summilux". this alone is intriguing, and probably worth trying the lens, though I have kept my eyes open for awhile and have not found one in good shape for a reasonable price, though there is probably one out there somewhere.
FYI: i DO have a 50 lux, and love it. I also have the collapsible 50 Cron, and am very happy with it as well, but it is a different tool, but i have also seen many good examples for sale at a reasonable price. This is one of the Leica lenses that has not leaped in price in the last 3 months, it has only increased a little bit. For $450, you can get a good copy.

I would suggest buying both the Canon 1.4 and the Cron 2.0, compare them, and keep the one you like.
(BTW: the CV 40/14 is a very different lens in its rendition: higher resolution in general, and higher contrast; and its OOF has rec'd mixed reviews)
good luck

 

[Moriturii]

(BTW: the CV 40/14 is a very different lens in its rendition: higher resolution in general, and higher contrast; and its OOF has rec'd mixed reviews)
good luck

Is the Nokton really that high resolution? I hoped it wouldn't be, but then again, it is a modern lens so I suppose it would be...

Have you tried the Single Coated version of it? Is it really "low to medium contrast" as they say or is just "medium" in modern term and not medium in classical terms, like 5cm Summarit contrast? 🙂

Thanks

 

[Roger Hicks]

Which will give you better pictures?

What sort of photographer are you?

What sort of pictures do you take?

Without that information, it's a non-question.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Lucadomi]

Well, I mostly do street photography here in NYC, I really like portraits, and I like architecture. I am not an experienced photographer. Currently I have small rangefinders and a TLR. I am now moving to something better than a fixed lens rangefinder and this lens will be my first "serious" lens that I plan to use on Canon 7 for almost everything (for now). Hopefully I answered some of your questions Roger.
Thanks.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

The Collapsible Summicron might have problems collapsing on the Canon 7 and Canon P, the light baffles in the chamber are an issue. I tend to use Rigid lenses on those cameras.

Canon 50/1.4, wide-open on the M8:

Late- SN13x collapsible Summicron on the M8, wide-open at F2:

 

[Lucadomi]

Thanks Brian, that's very important. I will have to look into it. I like the Canon 7, hopefully is at the same level as a Leica.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

1956 KMZ J-3, wide-open at F1.5, on the M8:

This is the lens currently on my Canon 7.

 

[Mackinaw]

I've owned them both, and to me there was no comparison. Just look at the samples on flickr or pbase. The Leica lens is so much better in IQ and bokeh it isn't even funny, and has that characteristic Leica "look"........

Nonsense. I have a 50mm collapsible Summicron as well as a Canon 50mm/1.4. The Summicron sits quietly in my closet rarely seeing the light of day, while the Canon 50/1.4 sees full-time duty on my MP. The Canon is just a better lens. One stop faster too, which is significant for low-light shooting.

Jim B.

 

[tennis-joe]

I think I had a problem witth the collapsable lens on the Canon 7 also. Once it started hitting something I stopped pushing it in. I was afraid it would damage the shutter which is prone to wrinkling. I also have both Nikkor 50f1.4 and 50f2.0 which are very good also. The Canon 501.4 that I have is also very good but it seems loser in focusing but the images are super.
Joe

 

[Pikapig]

I had the chance to tried both..summicron was the first step into leica lens...and after i tried that, i never got myself a lecia lens.

I tried the canon 50 f1.8 as well and i love it max
Now i owned a canon 50 1.4 and its on my M2 all the time 🙂