Konica Hexanon 50mm f2 or CV 50mm 1.5?

[Kumachrome]

I'm deciding on an all-around-not-so-expensive 50mm lens for my M4-P. I've boiled it down to either the Konica Hexanon 50mm f2 or CV 50mm f1.5 m mount. I have the Voigtlander 50mm 2.5 Color Skopar, but I find the rendering too flat, and f2.5 tends to be too slow for me indoors or at night. I'm looking for a lens I can pretty much keep on my camera and not have to worry about bringing another faster lens for later in the day. I mainly shoot portraits and street in black and white, so color rendition does not matter to me.

Here's what I've gathered:
Konica Hexanon-
pros
-Supposedly, very little to no distortion at all
-Good contrast
-Good build
-cheaper than the Voigtlander
-looks utilitarian, so it would look cool on my M4-P. Wouldn't feel like I have to baby it. 😎
cons
-Nearly 1 stop slower than the Voigtlander

Voigtlander 50mm 1.5 M mount
pros
-f1.5, so can confidently use it at night
-Good build
-very elegant looking. Probably looks best on an M2 or M3. I'd feel bad for marring it.
cons
-$100-$300 more than the Konica, depending one where you look
-apparently has barrel distortion
-I heard at f1.5, it has focus shift

What are your experiences with these lenses? How is the CV's contrast? Straight out of camera, do the photos turn out flat, dull, or contrasty?
Currently, I'm leaning toward the Konica as, from what I've gathered, it doesn't have as much distortion, and I like how utilitarian it looks. But, perhaps the Voigtlander is superior. I am looking for a decently contrasty lens, that I can pretty much use in most situations. Some might recommend the Canon 50mm 1.4 LTM, but I didn't like how I had to turn the focus ring almost 180 degrees just to close focus, and found the focus ring over dampened, so it wasn't ideal for street to me.

Thanks for any help!

 

[a.noctilux]

Hello,
I use M-Hexanon lenses for a while.
Those are mostly same quality as Leitz/Leica lenses of same specifications.
So M-Hexanon 2/50 is as good as Summicron 2/50 of same period on film and on sensor, I barely see any difference.

I have also some Voigtlander lenses that don't exist in Leica line.
Nokton 1.1/50 was under my expectation, so sold it.
I keep CV 12mm and 15mm.

I would look at Zeiss Sonnar C 1.5/50 if I only use film, some focus shift may not be problems.

Have a look at those threads, here for different opinions on lenses 2/50 and 1.5/50:
https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=113800

https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=113584

https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=85379

https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=49449

https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=148947

https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=122646

 

[Kumachrome]

Thanks for the response! Based on those Hexanon photos, I think I'm sold on it. Great rendering, slightly vintage, but slightly clinical like the Leica lenses I think. A good mix of both.

 

[bennyng]

Some might recommend the Canon 50mm 1.4 LTM, but I didn't like how I had to turn the focus ring almost 180 degrees just to close focus, and found the focus ring over dampened, so it wasn't ideal for street to me.

The thing about vintage lenses is that some may not be in great condition. Unless it has recently received a proper CLA, there is a very high chance the copy that you are inspecting has either a loose/tight focusing/aperture ring and/or the glass is in need to cleaning up. I have had the opportunity to play with a good copy of the Canon 50mm f1.4 LTM and the results are above expectations. However, if the long focus throw is not to your liking, this lens won't cut it for you.

On the subject of the Konica Hexanon 50mm f/2, I have had the chance to shoot with it, and it is every bit as good as the Leica Summicron-M 50mm f/2. Relatively high contrast, but not overly so like the Elmarit-M 28mm f/2.8 ASPH. The excellent built quality of this lens is definitely a point worth taking into consideration.

I have also shot with the M mount version of the Nokton 50mm f/1.5. Built quality is very high, compared to the LTM version of the same lens. If budget is a consideration, perhaps you can consider the LTM version, which focus down to 1m. Erwin Put's original comparison with the Leica Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH was with the LTM version and he spoke highly of this lens. Once again, this lens is out of production for a while. You will need to ensure that the lens is free of haze if contrast in important to you. However, if you shoot mostly B&W, the slight haze have just give you more shadow details.

If you are considering the M mount version of the Nokton 50mm, the Zeiss Sonnar 50mm f/1.5 should also be within your budget. High contrast, but not overly so. Some fall off towards the edge, but may users of this lens claims a 3D or Pop effect. This may work very well for your street portraits. In my part of the world, this lens sells for around the same price as the Nokton. This lens is made by Cosina, so built quality is similar to the normal Voigtlander offering, which is below that of the Hexanon.

Finally, Lomography's Jupiter Plus, which is a 50mm f/1.5 is a recently produced lens. A copy of the original Sonnar, with better materials for the barrel. As with the Zeiss, this formulation has fall off towards the edge. And due to original barrel design, this lens has a throw similar to the Canon 50mm f/1.4 LTM. The lens should be within the price range you are considering too.

Hope these comments are of some use.

Cheers,

 

[skibeerr]

I had both and loved them equally.

Given I could only have one I'd go with the Hexanon because of $.

I had the ltm version of the VC and did not notice focus shift.

 

[mike rosenlof]

I own the Hexanon and like it very much. Kind of like my Hasselblad 80, the photos just look somehow better.

haven't used the Voigtlander.

 

[filmtwit]

What about the Zeiss m Planar?

 

[karlin]

I'v had the nokton 50 in ltm. now my modern 50 is the Hexanon.
you can't go wrong with either. The major factor seems to me the 1.5 vs 2.

good luck
Ophir

 

[Gid]

This might help http://strachan.zenfolio.com/p741443616 In the end I preferred the Hexanon - the best build of them all and great value for money.

 

[Kumachrome]

Thanks for the all of the responses! It has been really helpful. It seems this is a bit of a harder decision than I thought. I'm sure that whichever I go with, I'll love. When I pick, I'll post an update!

 

[Kumachrome]

Gid, according to your test, it would seem the Hex has some great contrast! Very comparable to that of the Cron.

 

[Gid]

IMO the Hex is as sharp as the Summicron, better built, has more contrast and flares less. On top of all that they are significantly less expensive.

 

[lawrence]

IMO the Hex is as sharp as the Summicron, better built, has more contrast and flares less. On top of all that they are significantly less expensive.

Yes, this is something that is rarely spoken of in Leica circules: Summicron 50mm Version 5 has significant veiling flare and was the reason I sold mine. The Planar 50mm is far better in this regard, so do consider the Planar if you can find one at the right price.