If you only had one SLR 50

[ChrisP]

Same old story with a slight twist...

A new communist dictator takes over the world. On her way to the top some one took an embarrassing picture of her with a rangefinder. It was a wisper quiet Leica so she didn't hear the shutter. She found out, had the guy beheaded and banned all cameras that aren't SLRs (she didn't know how quiet OM's were).

Anyways in the redistribution of wealth of the new communist state everyone only gets to keep one lens. However only people who would keep a 50mm prime get to play (you can make up a story about how they got beheaded or something).

So, if you could only have one SLR 50mm lens, which one would you pick and why?

 

[kdemas]

The 'Cron is a nice choice. I'd also be tempted to keep one of my Contax 50/1.4 Zeiss Planars, either for the n mount or the c/y mount. C/Y is more reliable, N renders more to my liking.

 

[Frank Petronio]

Been shooting with the new Nikon 50/1.8 AFS G and like it very much. Fast, quiet, and it does that new-fashioned auto-focus trick. Quite a value.

 

[CK Dexter Haven]

If i were choosing based solely on performance of the lens and without regard to the body it has to be attached to, probably the Contax 50/1.4 Planar.

If i had to choose based on all practical factors, probably the Canon 50/1.4 EF. I'd want AF. I'd want it to not be too large (excluding the Sigma 50/1.4 and Canon 50/1.2L). It would have to be sharp and with good bokeh. So, yeah, the Canon.

 

[redisburning]

zuiko 50mm f2 macro

if we get to have almost 50s then the Zeiss 55mm f1.2 Jahre or if that's too equal for this dictatorship the MC rokkor 58mm f1.2 (the only lens out of all of these that I own).

 

[tunalegs]

I love the Miranda-Soligor 2.8 preset:

But it is a preset lens so a bother for anything but stationary objects....

The Meyer Oreston is one of the all time greats... sharp, focuses down to 1', gives excellent colors with slides too. Plus it's already communist made, so it might earn me favor in this fictitious plot. (what happens if they're a capitalist dictator?)

 

[andredossantos]

Easy: Canon 50mm f1.2 L (the EOS version)

 

[Steve Bellayr]

Zeiss Planar T 50mm f1.4 ZF Since I could not use a rangefinder then I would go to a Nikon manual focus SLR. This is probably the best lens for Nikon and since I prefer Nikon over other models that would be the lens. Since this a hypothetical question why not pick the best lens, even though I do not own one.

 

[splitimageview]

Another C/Y Planar vote, although the 1.7 will do also. 🙂 Or, Nikkor 50/1.2 AIS.

 

[gavinlg]

Without any shadow of a doubt, the canon EOS 50mm f1.2L

 

[paulfish4570]

nikkor 50/2.

 

[jcrutcher]

Summicron-r 50/2.0

 

[TXForester]

Zuiko 50mm f3.5 macro. Yeah, I know, but it works fine as a regular 50 and does macro too. I can live with it being a little slow.

 

[Dirk]

My list of finalists includes the following: Summicron-R E55; Hexanon 50mm 1.7 old style; Yashica ML 50mm 1.9 old style; SMC Takumar 55mm 1.8; Nikkor 50mm f/2; Canon FD 55mm 1.2 Aspherical. Agonizing decision, but only one winner can emerge: Pentax SMC Takumar 55mm 1.8. Best balance between built quality, handling, FOV, bokeh, micro contrast, sharpness and color rendition. An incredible value!

 

[johannielscom]

Nikkor-S 58/1.4 Pre-AI.

i'm rigging the election, I know 😀

When shot wide open it has Noctilux-like properties.

 

[Chris101]

Zuiko 50mm f3.5 macro. Yeah, I know, but it works fine as a regular 50 and does macro too. I can live with it being a little slow.

Ding, ding, ding! My favorite lens of any focal length and camera type.

 

[nikon_sam]

Of the ones I have I would keep the Takumar 50mm 1.4...Why??? It's very sharp
If they don't let me keep that one then the Nikkor-SC 50mm 1.4 Non-Ai...

 

[Gereonb]

1st Choice - The old M42 Pentax Super-Takumar 50mm/F2 as it goes nicely with the 1960s Pentax S series cameras and it is really sharp all year round.
Backup - Auto-Revuenon 55mm/F1.4 as it is huge/heavy/sharp/fast and just looks pimped out on my camera.

 

[filmfan]

Canon EF 50mm 1.2 L

 

[johannielscom]

That Zuiko macro lens can't be beat for its price, but my Nikkor-S 58/1.4 set me back only EUR 130, shipping included.

Not too shabby either and definitely not in the same ball park as a clean Summicron-R or that Canon 50/1.2L, I reckon!?