How many 50's is enough?

This fits into my frame of mind for today. I have been considering getting a Summitar and I am wondering if I should get a coated or uncoated version. I shoot b&w 99 percent of the time, and love a classic look. The only 50 I have right now is on my new Focomat 1c (arrived yesterday).
 
My Summitar arrived today with 3 filters and the proper Summitar hood. Think I'll use the normal Summicron hood instead though. This lens is just as clean as the one I walked away from a short while ago. This one is also coated.

Now I'm just waiting for a Summarit from Australia.

Someone commented that RFF is becoming more geared to photo gear collecting than to photography, but as one of the main culprits (I suppose) I disagree. The deeper you get into photography, the more finicky/fine-tuned/informed your tastes/wants become. I'm searching for vintage looking results, not caring for the modern clinical look of today's lenses, hence these acquisitions. As for camera bodies, I slowly gravitated towards classic gear as well, appreciating the heft and feel. When I was just starting out in RF photography, all I knew was Canon GIIIQL.
 
FrankS said:
... As for camera bodies, I slowly gravitated towards classic gear as well, appreciating the heft and feel. When I was just starting out in RF photography, all I knew was Canon GIIIQL.

Frank, do you have a Koni Omega yet? :D

R.J.
 
Hi Frank,

50mm is my absolute favorite! I have a Summar, Summitar, Summarit, Elmar (current version) and at last a Carl Zeiss Sonnar is the next on my list :D

For some shots looks my website or my blog

thats crazy or ??!!!
 
I have quite a few 50mm lenses and I also am trying to find the lenses that give me certain looks in photos. I certainly am appreciating my Summar, which was one of the last 50mm lenses added to my reservoir.

Raid
 
I only have one 50 per system

Leica M Summicron Rigid 1 50/2
Zeiss Flektogon 50/4
Minolta MD 50/1.4
Minolta A 50/1.7

and it's already 4 of them
 
I have two current model Leica 50s; Summicron-M and the Elmar-M. These are the only lenses I have. I seem to gravitate toward the angle of view and perspective provided by this focal length. However, I am somewhat GASeous with respect to the speed and bokeh of a Noctilux or Summilux. I am planning to sell the Summicron and put the proceeds toward either of these two faster lenses. The Elmar, combined with a fast alternative would make a nice pair.

Ron
 
Interesting to note that of the ltm's, few have slow collapsible ones like the I-22 and rare I-50. These old FSU ones give a special look to photos like those they were taken in the 50s. They may lack the speed, sharpness and contrast of more modern 50s, but may make up for it in character.

Check the classifieds... ;)
 
The Nikkor 50/2, Canon 50/1.5, Jupiter 8 and 3.5 Elmar also have that "old fashioned" look.
 
ok, you're probably right

ok, you're probably right

I have not tried any of those 3, but do want a J-8 as it seems like a bargain. Those other 2 sound pricey relative to FSU slow collapsibles.

rover said:
The Nikkor 50/2, Canon 50/1.5, Jupiter 8 and 3.5 Elmar also have that "old fashioned" look too.
 
I have these 50mm lenses in LTM/M:

Summicron rigid
Summicron collapsible
Elmar 50/3.5
Summar
Zeiss Sonnar

Nikkor 50/2
Canon 50/1.2
Canon 50/18
Canon 50/2.8

J-3
J-8
I-61L

I use them all here and there, but the Nikkor and the Summicrons are used the most. The Elmar and the Zeiss have an old look to them and so does the Summar.

Raid
 
Raid

Raid

with that big of a collection, you might as well "collect them all" and get the I-22, I-50, etc.

raid amin said:
I have these 50mm lenses in LTM:

Summicron rigid
Summicron collapsible
Elmar 50/3.5
Summar
Zeiss Sonnar

Nikkor 50/2
Canon 50/1.2
Canon 50/18
Canon 50/2.8

J-3
J-8
I-61L

I use them all here and there, but the Nikkor and the Summicrons are used the most. The Elmar and the Zeiss have an old look to them and so does the Summar.

Raid
 
I bought my M4 back in 1968 with a dual range 50 Summicron. I shot two or three rolls through it and my father gave me a 2.8 35 Summaron. I still have the M4, the Summaron is still on it, and the 50 is still in its original bubble and hasn't been used since, NOT EVEN ONCE!
 
I may have more 50mm RF lenses than I had in 2006 (in this thread)!

The 50mm lenses are just awesome. I now have for RF:

Summicron rigid
Summicron collapsible
Elmar 50/3.5
Summar
Zeiss Sonnar 50/2.0
Zeiss Sonnar 50/1.5
Zeiss Tessar 50/2.8
Zeiss Tessar 50/3.5
Elmar 502.8
Summitar 50/2
Summarit 50/1.4

Nikkor 50/2
Canon 50/1.2
Canon 50/18
Canon 50/2.8
Canon 50/1.5

Heliar 50/2.0
Heliar 50/3.5
Takumar SMC 50/1.4 adapted to M mount
Luxon 50/2 adapted to LTM from Paxette mount

J-3 (several)
J-8
I-61L
 
Wow, Raid -- you've got me beat, for sure! I've only got:

Canon 50/1.2 LTM
Canon 50/1.5 LTM
Canon 50/2 collapsible LTM
Nikkor 50/1.4 LTM
Nikkor 50/2 LTM (x2)
Nikkor 50/3.5 rigid LTM
Leitz 50/2 Summicron collapsible LTM
Leitz 50/2 Summicron rigid I M
Leitz 50/2 Summar LTM
Leitz 50/2.8 Elmar M
Konica 50/2 M-Hexanon
CV 50/1.5 Nokton LTM
CV 50/2.5 Skopar LTM
Jupiter-3 50/1.5
Industar-61L/D 50/2.8

I've had, but sold:

Canon 50/1.8 LTM
Canon 50/3.5 collapsible LTM
Leitz 50/2 Summicron rigid II M
Leica 50/2.8 Elmar-M
Konica 50/1.2 M-Hexanon

BTW, you mentioned above that you have a Summicron rigid in LTM. Is that correct? Quite the rarity!

Cheers,
Ari
 
I have:
CZ Sonnar 50/1.5 (Contax mount)
lLeica Summicron Collapsible
Minolta Maxxum 1.7
Nikkor-H f2.0 Ai'ed
Nikkor-S 2.0 NAi
Micro-Nikkor 55/3.5
Amadeo adaptor to use Sonnar on M3

Special prize for a 50-year-old who owns 50 50mm lenses with S/N starting with 50?
 
That was a typo. The rigid Cron is in M mount.
I wish I had the Hexanon or the CV 50/1.5 to try out.
 
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