I have too many 50mm lenses. Do you too?

Well, I have lost a few 50's this past two weeks, but here's my 50mm RF inventory:

50/2 collapsible summicron-M
50/2 Rigid Summicron
50/2 tabbed summicron (v4)
50/1.4 E46 Summilux
50/1.4 LTM Nikkor
50/2 Summar
50/2 Summitar
50/3.5 LTM post-war coated Elmar
50/2 LTM J8
I-61
I-50 collapsible

Just sold:
50/2 LTM nikkor
50/1.5 sonnar (with contax iiia)
50/1.4 Nikkor (with Nikon S2)
50/2 J8 (with Kiev 4a)
50/1.5 Nokton
50/3.5 LTM Heliar
 
Let's admit the truth: there is no other focal length that is more important than the 50mm focal length. It is versatile as both a Normal lens and as a Portrait lens by stepping closer to the subject. Its design allows super sharp optics at reasonable cost. Its perspective is perfect.

Raid
 
captainslack said:
There's such a thing as too many 50's? ;)
Click to expand...

Oh Really....

LTM
(2) Serenar 50/3.5 very early lenses, late 40's
(3) Serenar 50/1.9 col.
(1) Serenar 50/1.8 chrome
(3) Canon 50/1.8 chrome
(1) Canon 50/1.5
(1) Canon 50/1.8 black
(1) Canon 50/1.2
(2) Canon 50/0.95

(1) Leica 50/2 Summar
(1) Leica 50/2 Summitar
+ 2 Russian

Contax
(3) Sonnar 50/1.5
(1) Sonnar 50/2
+ 2 Russian

That's in addition to the SLR lenses, like
(21) R/FL/FD 50's 1.2/3.5
that's right... 21

I haven't counted them like this before.. now I feel a bit silly..

Harry
 
i'm down to one fifty, the zm sonnar 50/1.5 and it feels very nice.

i like to travel light even when i'm not traveling.

;)joe
 
I don't think I will ever get down to one 50. I am down to one of every other focal length though, after I sell a few more lenses.

My main 50mm lenses will be the summilux and the tabbed summicron, but I think I will allow myself the luxury of keeping a handful of older 50's - it was so difficult to find them in such good shape.
 
Some lenses are really different than others, so Joe's approach with only one lens would not work for me. Typically, I rotate once every two weeks to another 50mm lens. Today, I started the circle with the Luxon 50mm/2. Before that, I had the Canon 50/1.2. Before the Canon, I used the Nokton Prominent for about ten days.

Raid
 
Harry,
You have three Serenar 50/1.9 collapsible lenses. What is the reason? Is this an excellent lens for use?

Raid
 
50 is a length that really does not do it for me but with the sonnar zm being a different sort of lens i consider it a 'speciality' lens and quite enjoy having it.
 
Raid, the Bronica RF645 65mm normal lens that I have is very sharp and the negative is much bigger than 135 film.
 
Harry,

I, too, am curious about your feelings regarding the 50/1.9 as I've been pondering another collapsible lens.

William
 
50mm lenses

50mm lenses

Raid:

I am away from my Leica stash right now. I will get back to you later with an update on my Summars! :cool:
 
William,

I have read that the collapsible Serenars is an inexpensive alternative lens to the Summar. Maybe this is true.

Raid
 
FrankS said:
Raid, the Bronica RF645 65mm normal lens that I have is very sharp and the negative is much bigger than 135 film.
Click to expand...

Frank: I still use the 2.8D Rolleiflex TLR when a Larger negative is needed. Scanning MF film is still not cheap.

Raid
 
raid said:
Let's admit the truth: there is no other focal length that is more important than the 50mm focal length. It is versatile as both a Normal lens and as a Portrait lens by stepping closer to the subject. Its design allows super sharp optics at reasonable cost. Its perspective is perfect.

Raid
Click to expand...

raid said:
In God we Trust. Everybody else must bring data!
Click to expand...

Data, Raid, Data .... :)

PS: I have plenty of 50s, but like you, I mostly use them for portraits. Otherwise 28, 35 or 40 is much more versatile.
 
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Roland: There is no need for data since this is an opinion and not a fact that is shown experimentally. I prefer the 50mm look. The 35mm lens may be more versatile for an overall use.

Raid
 
This is a dangerous suggestion, Roland. I have witnessed Saddam Hussein and George Bush who both insisted on their views. There are many other examples, like people who insist that Nikon is better than Canon.:D :bang:

Raid
 
Hi
I'm quite new to Leica gear. Two months ago I've bought like-new Leica M3 and I feel like reborn to photography :D
So my 50mm lenses are:

- Elmar 50/2.8 (from 1960 bought with M3)
- CV Color-Skopar 50/2,5 (thanks to FrankS :) )
- Jupiter 8 (silver, 1965, from my father's Zorkij 4)
- Industar 61 L/D (origin unknown :D )
- Industar 50/3.5 (origin unknown :D )

I'm sure it's only bigining ....... you all have infected me with this ....... my wife will never forgive you :mad:

Mechon
 
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