LeicaTom
Watch that step!
I`m not relation to the seller, I`m just posting this as a "heads up" for the folks who might be "jonesin" for one of these.....!
http://cgi.ebay.com/Canon-50mm-f1-5...ryZ15234QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
It`s got quite a few days left to go and someone already offered him over $400+ for an early sale hahahahahaha!!!!!!
This "Queen Of Bokeh" and infamous "Japanese Sonnar"
(not Summarit as the sellers stated ~ there`s nothing about this lens that`s Summaritish at all except the barrel design, the glass is ALL SONNAR!!!!)
I`m sure everyone here at RFF knows by now a "Cult" lens
I live and breathe praise for this lens, if there`s one lens all Rangefinder photographer`s should ownat least once in their life it`s THIS lens!
Ohh and BTW: This one`s a very rare LATE lens, by serial number here one of the last made ca. 1957!!!!
Tom
http://cgi.ebay.com/Canon-50mm-f1-5...ryZ15234QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
It`s got quite a few days left to go and someone already offered him over $400+ for an early sale hahahahahaha!!!!!!
This "Queen Of Bokeh" and infamous "Japanese Sonnar"
(not Summarit as the sellers stated ~ there`s nothing about this lens that`s Summaritish at all except the barrel design, the glass is ALL SONNAR!!!!)
I`m sure everyone here at RFF knows by now a "Cult" lens
I live and breathe praise for this lens, if there`s one lens all Rangefinder photographer`s should ownat least once in their life it`s THIS lens!
Ohh and BTW: This one`s a very rare LATE lens, by serial number here one of the last made ca. 1957!!!!
Tom
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kully
Happy Snapper
This is my favourite lens too - tiny yet suprisingly heavy.
Not as 'good' as a Nokton 50/1.5 but lovely rendering on film and M8.
Not as 'good' as a Nokton 50/1.5 but lovely rendering on film and M8.
LeicaTom
Watch that step!
This is my favourite lens too - tiny yet suprisingly heavy.
Not as 'good' as a Nokton 50/1.5 but lovely rendering on film and M8.
Yes, I`ve heard "raves" about the Nokton too, but then again that`s vintage design and modern tech of the VC lens
The Canon is 50+ years old and still can hold her own with most.
*Purrrfect for photographing the Ladies, they all love what the Canon does, especially in B&W film*
The Nokton also has it`s own signature too, (a very nice one) it`s not a Sonnar signature, it`s like a mixing of Planar/Sonnar and sharper than both.....darnit ok there`s just one more lens to ADD to my fast list, grrrr just when I thought the "wartime" CZJ f1.5/50 Sonnar T is the LAST fast one I need!!!!!
Ohh GAS, GAS I hate GAS!!!!!
Tom
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bennyng
Benny Ng
May I know what's so rare about the late type?
I had the impression that it's the early type that is rare. There could be a potential of 16520 units of this version according to Peter's Canon RF Lens book, as compared to the 700+ of either of the earlier 2 version.
Cheers,
I had the impression that it's the early type that is rare. There could be a potential of 16520 units of this version according to Peter's Canon RF Lens book, as compared to the 700+ of either of the earlier 2 version.
Cheers,
ferider
Veteran
While you guys know I love mine, IMHO, "Bokeh Queen" is overrated - there is better out there. It was made as a general purpose 50 and it shows. It has great 3D punch though, and just the right contrast level for me.
Bokeh is overrated anyways
Here is the bokeh of the "lowly" Canon 50/1.4:
Cheers,
Roland.
Bokeh is overrated anyways

Cheers,
Roland.
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Steve Bellayr
Veteran
A question to those who have used this lens: How does it differ from the Canon 50mm f1.4 and/or the modern Zeiss 50mm Sonnar f1.5? Thank you.
ferider
Veteran
Hi Steve,
May be this helps. They feel to me like this:
The Canon 50/1.4 is like a slightly over-sharpened pre-asph Summilux. Bokeh a bit worse but more resolution, corner2corner. Or a 50/1.5 Nokton with slightly less contrast. The Canon 50/1.4 is quite special: the only 6-element fast 50 double Gauss that I know. Which is good against flare.
The ZM Sonnar has the prettiest bokeh you can find, anywhere. Somehow a bit more difficult to handle due to more pronounced shift (higher contrast) than the other Sonnars.
The Canon 50/1.5 is somewhere in between. Tom has lots of photos, and you can find some of mine in the M-mount flickr forum.
The Nikkor 50/1.4 Tokyo (sometimes called the 5005x Nikkor) is closer to the ZM Sonnar.
The Nikkor 50/1.4 Japan is closer to the Canon 50/1.4.
The cool part about the Nikkors is that you can modify them to couple down to .7m. All other lenses above start at .9 or 1m min. focus. Except for the latest pre-asph Lux.

Hope this helps.
Roland.
May be this helps. They feel to me like this:
The Canon 50/1.4 is like a slightly over-sharpened pre-asph Summilux. Bokeh a bit worse but more resolution, corner2corner. Or a 50/1.5 Nokton with slightly less contrast. The Canon 50/1.4 is quite special: the only 6-element fast 50 double Gauss that I know. Which is good against flare.
The ZM Sonnar has the prettiest bokeh you can find, anywhere. Somehow a bit more difficult to handle due to more pronounced shift (higher contrast) than the other Sonnars.
The Canon 50/1.5 is somewhere in between. Tom has lots of photos, and you can find some of mine in the M-mount flickr forum.
The Nikkor 50/1.4 Tokyo (sometimes called the 5005x Nikkor) is closer to the ZM Sonnar.
The Nikkor 50/1.4 Japan is closer to the Canon 50/1.4.
The cool part about the Nikkors is that you can modify them to couple down to .7m. All other lenses above start at .9 or 1m min. focus. Except for the latest pre-asph Lux.
Hope this helps.
Roland.
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Steve Bellayr
Veteran
A great explanation! I thank you.
LeicaTom
Watch that step!
Well, everyone has their own likes and dislikes, it`s just human nature......
I DON`T like the Canon f1.4, I sold mine, it did`nt do anything for me and my retro photographic style, it was just too edgy when shooting close with the gals.
I LOVE my f1.5 and it does just what I want it to do, it fairs ever better for me then the Nikkor`s, in how I shoot , but like I said everyone has their own niche' and tastes, I just like and prefer the Canon f1.5 over the rest of the fast 1950`s lenses.
Tom
I DON`T like the Canon f1.4, I sold mine, it did`nt do anything for me and my retro photographic style, it was just too edgy when shooting close with the gals.
I LOVE my f1.5 and it does just what I want it to do, it fairs ever better for me then the Nikkor`s, in how I shoot , but like I said everyone has their own niche' and tastes, I just like and prefer the Canon f1.5 over the rest of the fast 1950`s lenses.
Tom
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LeicaTom
Watch that step!
May I know what's so rare about the late type?
I had the impression that it's the early type that is rare. There could be a potential of 16520 units of this version according to Peter's Canon RF Lens book, as compared to the 700+ of either of the earlier 2 version.
Cheers,
Well, just rare in sales, you NEVER see a late one for sale, some...not that`s there`s a difference in quality or anything, I`m sure that the version one from 1952 shoots a little different from a 1957 one does, but it`s more than likely so minimal a difference you can`t see it with the naked eye......
Good luck to the bidders!
Tom
ferider
Veteran
Well, everyone has their own likes and dislikes, it`s just human nature......
I DON`T like the Canon f1.4, I sold mine, it did`nt do anything for me and my retro photographic style, it was just too edgy when shooting close with the gals.
I LOVE my f1.5 and it does just what I want it to do, it fairs ever better for me then the Nikkor`s, in how I shoot , but like I said everyone has their own niche' and tastes, I just like and prefer the Canon f1.5 over the rest of the fast 1950`s lenses.
Tom
At least you have a preference, Tom ! I cann't get myself to get rid of any of them
It was so much easier to sell Summicron, Summilux and (no bad intended) 50/1.2 ....
Roland.
LeicaTom
Watch that step!
At least you have a preference, Tom ! I cann't get myself to get rid of any of them![]()
It was so much easier to sell Summicron and Summilux ....
Roland.
Hahahaha! Well, I`m going to TRY out the Canon f1.2 shooting it @ f1.4 too, while many Old Timers told me the lens is very nice @ f1.4.....that way I have my version of the Canon f1.4 too hahahahaha!
Well, yes, I do have my preferences, but when it comes to thinking about selling the "Japan" Nikkor SC f1.4 something in the back of my mind says, NO don`t sell it yet, you haven`t found it`s niche' yet.......''
So that`s why I I still have my 2 Nikkor`s as well......
Roland I even thought of SOMETHING PERVERSE the other day, I thought of buying a reasonable Canon f1.4 the other day, to maybe try again and give the lens a second chance, and shoot for edgy 1970`s Fashion styles???? so you see it`s the dammm speed it`s like a drug, when you see it you need it!!!!!
It`s a REAL sickness I guess, fast lenses a real disease, if RF photography doesn`t make you broke, it will sure make you krazy!!!!!
Tom
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MikeL
Go Fish
It was so much easier to sell Summicron, Summilux and (no bad intended) 50/1.2 ....
Roland.
But I like those lenses, and you just hurt the strong feelings I have for my 'team', you know, a couple inanimate objects. Therefore, I don't like you.
P.S. Busy this Sunday? Email sent.
ferider
Veteran
But I like those lenses, and you just hurt the strong feelings I have for my 'team', you know, a couple inanimate objects. Therefore, I don't like you.
P.S. Busy this Sunday? Email sent.![]()
Did anybody say ASPH ?
kermaier
Well-known
Thanks a lot, Tom -- I was already the high bidder before you gave everyone else the HU. :bang:
monochromejrnl
Well-known
my favourite 50mm... prices seem to have risen... I think I paid $245 for an extremely clean and properly calibrated copy a couple of years ago here on RFF...
januaryman
"Flim? You want flim?"
Of course now I don't want another 50mm - even though Id been looking for this Canon for a year. I now have a Zeiss 50/1.5 that I would not trade even for the Canon. (I never thought I'd say that...)
dexdog
Veteran
I have been watching this one just for the heck of it, and was thinking about dropping a bid on it for entertainment purposes. Should I be high bidder, I woild have 2 of them (again)Thanks a lot, Tom -- I was already the high bidder before you gave everyone else the HU. :bang:
chris00nj
Young Luddite
The eBay seller calls it a "Japanese Summarit" instead of a Sonnar. Calling it a Summarit could even hurt his sale as you can get the Leica Summarit for $250-$300.
Well, I got my Nikkor 85/2 today so no more buying for me.
Well, I got my Nikkor 85/2 today so no more buying for me.
raid
Dad Photographer
I have way too many 50mm lenses, but never enough either. The Canon 50/1.5 is my latest aquisition in 50mm lenses.
I can easily do 50mm lens tests with my own lenses now.
Canon 50mm 1.2 1.4 1.5 1.8
Summicron rigid
Summicron-C
Summarit
Summitar
Summar
Elmar 3.5
Elmar 2.8
Zeiss Sonnar pre-war 1.5 and 2.0 LTM
Luxon 50mm /2.0 LTM
I can easily do 50mm lens tests with my own lenses now.
Canon 50mm 1.2 1.4 1.5 1.8
Summicron rigid
Summicron-C
Summarit
Summitar
Summar
Elmar 3.5
Elmar 2.8
Zeiss Sonnar pre-war 1.5 and 2.0 LTM
Luxon 50mm /2.0 LTM
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