HU: underpriced Nikkor 5cm f1.4 LTM

[dfoo]

I bought the 105. I'll let ya'll know how it works.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Good Job! I have one in LTM and S-Mount, otherwise I would have bought it.

 

[ampguy]

Let us know

Let us know

or show us how the 105/2.5 Sonnar type compares with your SLR version (your version is a later Gauss design 4/4 vs 4/3) I think.

Also, your SLR version will have coatings that the LTM version doesn't have.

I bought the 105. I'll let ya'll know how it works.

 

[chris00nj]

This Nikkor 50/1.4 went for $241.

Is it a fluke or are we witnessing a trend? I find it odd that the Canon 50/1.5 fetch $550 while the Nikkor 50/1.4, another Sonnar design, has had several sales of <=$300.

 

[xayraa33]

This Nikkor 50/1.4 went for $241.

Is it a fluke or are we witnessing a trend? I find it odd that the Canon 50/1.5 fetch $550 while the Nikkor 50/1.4, another Sonnar design, has had several sales of <=$300.

The price depends on how much we at RFF hype the lens.
Repeatedly showing lots of good sized photos, taken by the said lens, with plenty of
luscious OOF areas seems to do the trick.

I paid 110 canadian dollars for one complete with original bakelite case, UV filter and black metal NK lens cap in pre RFF hype days, circa early 1990s Toronto Camera Show.

 

[Krosya]

I wonder if anyone ever did a test to compare Canon 50/1.5 to NIkkor 50/1.4? I hear that Canon has a better bokeh, but does someone have any photos to show how each lens draws ?

 

[raid]

I am willing to pay $200. Any offers? [excuse my curiosity]

 

[Krosya]

I am willing to pay $200. Any offers? [excuse my curiosity]

For what? A Nikkor 50/1.4? I think you will be waitng a while for that offer. 😉

 

[raid]

For what? A Nikkor 50/1.4? I think you will be waitng a while for that offer. 😉

I know this fact. I just got recently a Nikkor Tokyo 5cm 2.0 that will keep me a happy dude for a while.

 

[ferider]

I wonder if anyone ever did a test to compare Canon 50/1.5 to NIkkor 50/1.4? I hear that Canon has a better bokeh, but does someone have any photos to show how each lens draws ?

http://ferider.smugmug.com/gallery/2196281_6r4b9

Bokeh differences are really small. Nikkor has veiling flare and stronger vignetting wide open that the Canon doesn't have. But at f1.5 (if you can find that setting 🙂 ) on the Nikkor, the flare disappears.

Cheers,

Roland.

 

[Krosya]

Thank you for the site/info, Roland! From that test I can hardly see any differences. Both seem to be great lenses. Whats your personal view - sort of a subjective one on handling, etc? I think I'll try one of these, but cant make up my mind which. I'm more tempted by Nikkor, mostly due to possibility to make it focus closer. Btw, was it hard to make that adjustment?

 

[ferider]

I'm more tempted by Nikkor, mostly due to possibility to make it focus closer. Btw, was it hard to make that adjustment?

That's exactly my thought Krosya. 0.7m for portraits is important (to me).

Also, purely practically, I like 43mm filter thread better than 40. One can get really nice B+W filters easily.

Handling and built-wise they feel similar, with the Nikkor being just a little bigger. Only real difference is that the aperture ring on the Nikkor goes in the other direction.

Modification is easy if you have a spanner and small file. Just make sure to keep the helix clean when you file.

Cheers,

Roland.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

The price depends on how much we at RFF hype the lens.
Repeatedly showing lots of good sized photos, taken by the said lens, with plenty of
luscious OOF areas seems to do the trick.

I paid 110 canadian dollars for one complete with original bakelite case, UV filter and black metal NK lens cap in pre RFF hype days, circa early 1990s Toronto Camera Show.

I would have gladly paid the extra $15 to get my Nikkor 5cm F1.4 with the Bakelite Case! I bought mine 5 years ago.

Opinion, and I'll have to do a thread comparing the two: The Canon 50/1.5 has smoother OOF areas. The Nikkor is sharper wide-open and close-up.

Nikkor wide-open on the SP:

1950 Nikkor 5cm F1.4, wide-open on the Bessa R2:

Optical formula is slightly different from later lenses, elements are smaller diameter and OOF seems smoother.

 

[BillBingham2]

Take a look here too......

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41523&highlight=test

B2 (;->

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Canon 50/1.5 on the Bessa r2, stopped down to F2. I'll look for one at F1.5.

 

[LeicaTom]

Yeah, that`s why I narrowed down to my TWO main "Sonnar" clones to a 1950 Nikkor SC f1.4/50 (smooth creamy vintage look, perfect for my pinups! ~ see Brian`s photo above) and of course, as always my "beloved" 1956 Canon f1.5/50.

Still looking for a "wartime" CZJ Sonnar T f1.5/50 ~ But I have TWO more Grey cameras, or one very rare military camera to add to the stable, before I really get searching for one of those......

Tom

 

[LeicaTom]

1950 Nikkor 5cm F1.4, wide-open on the Bessa R2:

Optical formula is slightly different from later lenses, elements are smaller diameter and OOF seems smoother.

Beautiful Shot Brian 🙂

Tom

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Thankyou. I was really surprised to discover the early lens was different from those that followed. One day I'll run several 5cm f1.4's through the same camera for a "consistency check". I've got a few of them, mostly S-Mount. Range from the 1950 lens that was on an M with Sync to one on a Nikon S4.

 

[raid]

Beautiful Shot Brian 🙂

Tom

I agree with you. This image is wonderful.