Good 50mm Lens For a Starter?

[pagpow]

Which one? THere is a Canon LTM all chrome - looks like Canon "Sonnar" 50/1.5 and there is a later one that looks like Canon 50/1.4 (sort of). Or they are the same optically?

I'm referring to the silver and chrome, listed as either model III or model III here.
http://www.canon.com/camera-museum/camera/lens/s/50-85.html

The all chrome model I, Canon Serenar, may have the same design -- I do not know and cannot tell from the entries, but it is the silver and chrome ones that have been mentioned as having the rep. At least the diaphragm is different, 10 blades for model I vs 9 for models II and III. See Dante Stella and antiquecameras.com.

Perhaps others can speak more knowledgeably about equivalence of model i vs models ii and iii.

 

[gilpen123]

Hex 50 2.0 rocks! priced from $500-600 in ex condition. IMO the best alternative to the current 'cron good color rendition and medium contrast for B&W.

 

[sahe69]

One more vote for the 50/2 Hex. Bought my own for ~ 200 euros a couple of years ago.

 

[gilpen123]

M3 Hex 50 2.0

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[Nigel Meaby]

I'd add a vote for the Hexanon 50 too. Don't get caught up in all the Leica mystique as there are other lenses that are more than capable. The Hexanon has to be the best bargain out there for a modern 50 that is great for colour and black and white.

Here's one with the hexanon shot at .7m at f2 with Fuji Acros

More in my Flickr.

 

[Nigel Meaby]

One in colour

 

[gilpen123]

Yeah right, and this is how it looks on an M3

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[gilpen123]

Another colored shot

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[Sonnar Brian]

Yes, they're all the same optically. I've got the first version black and chrome (there were two), but they're all the same design.

The block diagram of the chrome and black Canon 50/1.8 is the same, but the prescription of the lens changes. The Black lenses used a new type of glass, which was optically better. However, it was prone to damage from lubricants getting onto it. Looks like an outgassing issue, not smearing. SO: chrome lenses, tend to clean up nicely, Black lenses can be iffy.

This Canon glass is from a 50/2.8, same type of glass in the 50/1.8 and 50/1.4,
has a bad case of it and could not be easily polished out:

Examples with a Black 50/1.8 with light etching:
http://ziforums.com/album.php?albumid=217

 

[Sonnar Brian]

As long as many lenses are being mentioned...

The Type 1 Rigid 50mm Summicron and DR Summicron tend to be low-contrast.

The type 2 Rigid 50mm Summicron late 60s, into the 70s, has more contrast and is comparable in price.

Type 2 Rigid 50mm Summicron At F2, close-up, on the M8:

100% crop:

also At F2:
http://ziforums.com/album.php?albumid=205&pictureid=2071

Many 50s compared in my gallery on ziforums.com:

http://ziforums.com/album.php?u=15

 

[gilpen123]

The Canon 50 1.4 with an M3, I believe the OP is getting very confused now Lol. So many good 50s from old to new.

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[Sonnar Brian]

He's confused... Think of me when i decide to use a 50mm lens and then have to find it. I have about 30 of them in Leica mount (LTM and M-mount).

 

[gilpen123]

Well a starter is different from a veteran of many many years ......

 

[sahe69]

Think of me when i decide to use a 50mm lens and then have to find it. I have about 30 of them in Leica mount (LTM and M-mount).

😱 😱 😱

 

[chris00nj]

First off, welcome to the forum and congrats on the purchase of an M3, arguably the greatest camera ever, ever, ever.

Well, let's see you have some choices here:

• Canon 50/1.4 LTM
• Canon 50/1.8 LTM
• Konica Hexanon 50/2
• Leica Summicron 50/2 - (The first four versions can be found in your range. Here's a nice guide to the differences, although the prices are a wee high)
• Leica Summitar 50/2 LTM
• Leica Elmar 50/2.8
• Nikon Nikkor 50/2 LTM

All are good and none are bad choices. I'd go for an f/2 lens: it'll be the best combination of speed and size.

The M3 with a Rigid or DR Summicron is the classic match up from a looks perspective. I have a DR Summicron 50/2 which I love. I like "eyes". I didn't have them for a long time and recently got them. Igor's Camera Exchange has two right now, for under $600, one with eyes and one without the eyes.

Remember LTM lenses, you'll need an adapter, which runs about $50 for a Leica or Voigtlander ones. I've heard some horror stories about the cheap $10 ones of ebay.


Leica M3 with Summicron DR & eyes:

 

[gilpen123]

Hex color again with RD1

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[wilonstott]

Yea dude, the M-Hex 50/2 is an awesome lens. I use it all the time. Check my flickr for examples (check tags). Another cool thing with that lens--theres a guy on ebay that sells screw-in vented hoods that fit the 50/2. I never thought the slide out hood offered much protection, so you might want to look into them--they're less than 15 dollars.

this was an m2, m-hex 50/2, tri-x shot at 1250 and processed in diafine (hence the grain)

 

[ferider]

Since you want a Leica lens, get the DR Summicron or (same lens in a different mount) the first rigid. A cult lens if there ever was one.

Beautiful rendition, best built Leica lens ever, highest center resolution you can find. Lower contrast makes for nice color pictures.

Watch for haze, or plan a CLA if you buy used.

Welcome !

Roland.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Take a look in the RFF classified. There is a 50mm F2 Summicron at a very good price. Same version as the type used for my sample shots on the M8.