Diffrences between the Nikkor-H 5cm f2 and newer Olympic/S3 2000 1.4 versions

[NewSchoolAlum]

I've found the old Nikkor-H f2 to be a beautiful classic rendering Nikon rangefinder optic. Cheap and plentiful as well.

Other than the large aperture, what are the perceived advantages of the newer 50mm 1.4 sold with the S3 Olympic and again with the S3 2000? And are those two iterations the same, or has the 2000 been updated again?

 

[Sonnar Brian]

The Nikkor-H 5cm F2 is a classic 6-element in 3-group Sonnar formula lens.
The Olympic and Millennium 50/1.4 Nikkor is a Planar formula lens, 7 element in 5 groups. The Millennium lens is multicoated, but not sure if the design has been further updated. It is very sharp and contrasty.

The Sonnar formula 5cm F1.4 Nikkor-SC is a classic 7/3 design, but can have harsh Bokeh. David Douglas Duncan is cited as preferring the older Nikkor-SC 5cm F1.5, also a 7/3 Sonnar.

 

[lukx]

The classic Nikkor 5cm 1.4 that Brian refers to can be seen as another lens in the same lineage of the 5cm f2, with lots of classic character. But the Millennium 50mm 1.4 is quite different in its rendering, definitely more modern.