Favorite Fast Screwmount Lens <$1000

[Nokton48]

I voted for Canon F1.2

Was out today, shooting XX Motion Picture film in my new M5.

 

[Sonnar2]

My vote for the "Japanese Sonnar" Canon 50/1.5.
It's my everyday fast screwmount lens since 3 years. I like its size, handling and universal performance. Sharp and no flare.
The Nikkor 50/1.4 does better close focus, but not at middle distances or infinity.
I was also tempted to vote for the Canon 35/1.5 but it's a bit a "special" lens (except you use it at f/2.8 and slower) and a bit prone to flare.
I never had the C/V Nokton 50/1.5 and wouldn't buy it, leave alone for its size. I haven't seen why it should be better than the Canon 50/1.4. Which is a great lens, very sharp, better close focus than the 50/1.5 but a bit "too cold" for my feeling.

 

[Krosya]

There are so many:
Ones I used and some still use:
Canon 50/1.2
Jupiter 50/1.5
UC Hexanon 35/2
Nikkor 105/2.5
CV Ultron 35/1.7
Jupiter 85/2

Plus other that I'd like to try one day:
Hexanon 60/1.2
Hexanon 50/2.4

 

[chris00nj]

I'm surprised by the results so far. I figured the votes would gravitate towards two or three lenses, but they are much more spread out and evenly divided.

 

[raid]

So far, we have the following votes:

Canon 28
Nikon 10
VC 8
Leica 5

Canon has the largest following.

 

[Roger Hicks]

ANY fast lens is fun when you first try it. Most give a unique look. Few are so awful that you cannot get good pics with them. But I can't help suspecting that few if any people have tried all the lenses listed -- I haven't tried even half of them -- so most votes are either for 'the lens I own' or 'the lens I've always wanted to own', i.e. they aren't outstandingly informed comparisons.

Cheers,

R.

 

[zuikologist]

ANY fast lens is fun when you first try it. Most give a unique look. Few are so awful that you cannot get good pics with them. But I can't help suspecting that few if any people have tried all the lenses listed -- I haven't tried even half of them -- so most votes are either for 'the lens I own' or 'the lens I've always wanted to own', i.e. they aren't outstandingly informed comparisons.

Cheers,

R.

Roger - agreed. So many lenses and so little time.

My personal favourite (that I own) is the 35/1.7 Ultron.

 

[vieri]

ANY fast lens is fun when you first try it. Most give a unique look. Few are so awful that you cannot get good pics with them. But I can't help suspecting that few if any people have tried all the lenses listed -- I haven't tried even half of them -- so most votes are either for 'the lens I own' or 'the lens I've always wanted to own', i.e. they aren't outstandingly informed comparisons.

Cheers,

R.

Completely agreed - for one, this is the way I did vote 😀

 

[colyn]

Some I've never used so my vote went to the 50mm f/1.5 CV Nokton.

 

[Sonnar2]

The Canon 50/1.5 is my favorite 50mm traveller lens. I use it rarely at f/1.5 but at f/5.6 it can be used without any regrets, even as a landscape lens, and the results standing on a very high level, on par with modern glass. Except, it is a bit "milder" in contrast, has warmer color rendition, and the OOF transitions the Sonnar type is well known for.

 

[dexdog]

My current favorite is the Canon 35/1.5. Normally don't get too many opportunities to use it wide open, but it is available when the conditions are right. I think that I may have to get some ND filters (a 2, if not a 4)

 

[Bingley]

The Canon 50/1.5 is my favorite 50mm traveller lens. I use it rarely at f/1.5 but at f/5.6 it can be used without any regrets, even as a landscape lens, and the results standing on a very high level, on par with modern glass. Except, it is a bit "milder" in contrast, has warmer color rendition, and the OOF transitions the Sonnar type is well known for.

I completely agree. I've had very similar experiences with this lens.

 

[raid]

Today, my favorite fast TLM lens is the Canon 85mm/1.5. It is not suitable as a travel lens due to its weight.

My favorite 50mm lens today is the Canon 50mm/1.2. I love it as a travel lens.

 

[jmkelly]

I voted for the Nikkor. I had two, sold the "Japan" and kept the "Tokyo". I use the ultra close scale focus this lens offers a lot, and wide open I like it better than my Canon 50/1.5 (which absolutely ROCKS at f4 - the Nikkor isn't even close to the Canon stopped down IMHO). Sold the LTM Summarit because I didn't like how it handled on the IIIf, but kept the M-mount version because I like its aberrations. Had and sold a Canon 50/1.2 (to Roland, years ago) - I've got other f1.2 lenses I like better - though not in LTM. I'm with Wayne regarding the 35/2.0 UC Hexanon - someone's going to have to pry my cold dead fingers off the focus ring to get that lens from me. Also like the J-3 and the real Zeiss Jena and Opton Sonnars in Contax mount (with the Orion adapter).

 

[raid]

I may have to get me a Contax-M adapter one day.
I am more at ease with the Leica mount cameras than with the Contax.
It just feels better for me.