Let's Talk 50mm: A Tale of 3 50s

[venchka]

I have:

1. Nikkor 50/1.4. Late black ring. In my possession and virtually unused since 1975 (+ or -)

2. Leitz 50/2.0 Dual Range Summicron. 1961. Complete with case. Mint.

Topic for consideration:

Mid to late run Leitz 50/1.4 Summilux. Updated, non-ASPH version. Replacement for 1 & 2 above.

The burning question: Sell my two classic 50s for an equally classic 50mm Summilux?

 

[ferider]

The Lux beats both lenses for infinity shots, (journalism type) wide open - it was made for this. Very sharp in the center (at f2, the DR and Lux are rather similar), resistant to coma and flare with infinity highlights in the dark. The Lux is weaker than both of the other 2 lenses close up and personal. Some funky veiling flare, loss of sharpness, etc., in other words, Leica "glow" 🙂

Bokeh of both Nikkor and DR (the real Leica "bokeh king", IMO) can be better than the Lux in some situations, and both have a little (not much) less distortion than the Summilux.

I have all three (except my Nikkor is a very early NKT copy), and they are my favorite 50s of everything I've tried. All three keepers.

BTW, a clean DR can fetch around US 600-700, the late, black rim clean Nikkor easily more than 400. A clean v2 Summilux (E43) should run you around US 800.

Roland.

 

[venchka]

Thanks Roland. I like the D.R. so much, I can't see myself parting with it.

Pondering.

 

[sanmich]

Thanks to Roland, I have a DR, and I was amazed to see that resolution wise, it outperforms anything else I have (including a ZM planar). I still have to put it seriously to use....
The Nikon 1.4 and 2 have always been tempting because of their ability to be modify to reach 0.7m but I really can't justify going after one...

BTW, how is the 1.4 nikon performing?
Does it show any significant distortion?

 

[raid]

The rigid Summicron is as sharp as the DR. I love using this lens.

Thanks to Roland ... I now have a 75mm Lux. I could see how much he likes this lens.
Thanks to Brian ... I now have several CZJ 5cm lenses. Each is very special.
Thanks to ebay and RFF ... I have over twenty 50mm RF lenses.

 

[ferider]

Thanks to Roland, I have a DR, and I was amazed to see that resolution wise, it outperforms anything else I have (including a ZM planar). I still have to put it seriously to use....
The Nikon 1.4 and 2 have always been tempting because of their ability to be modify to reach 0.7m but I really can't justify going after one...

BTW, how is the 1.4 nikon performing?
Does it show any significant distortion?

Hi Michael,

the 1.4 NKT has a beautiful Sonnar signature, is sharp close up, and like other Sonnars, has very little distortion. On the downside, it vignettes wide open at infinity, and looses resolution towards the corners very quickly. Stop it down a little (half stop ?), and the vignetting disappears.

Roland.

 

[venchka]

Or shoot in situations where it doesn't matter........

Distance to subject: 4'-5'. Light: Arc welding and 4 pole mounted generator fed portable construction floods. M5 | Nikkor 5.0cm/1.4 | BW400CN

I can count threads in the shirt in the original file.

I need to get out more at night.

 

[ampguy]

Hi Wayne

Hi Wayne

I haven't owned either #1 or #2, but I would do the trade for an exc. condition (definitely rebuilt or CLA'd) pre asph lux 50/1.4.

I've had many opportunities to acquire #'s 1 and 2, and the size and speed of #1 makes it appealing. To my eyes, a DR looks no better than a proper coll. cron, it's just bigger.

#1 can have some low MBS scores wide open, if you ask around or look on say flickr, #2 again, looks good, almost as good as a properly cleaned and rebuilt coll. Cron, the type that HCB used.

I have:

1. Nikkor 50/1.4. Late black ring. In my possession and virtually unused since 1975 (+ or -)

2. Leitz 50/2.0 Dual Range Summicron. 1961. Complete with case. Mint.

Topic for consideration:

Mid to late run Leitz 50/1.4 Summilux. Updated, non-ASPH version. Replacement for 1 & 2 above.

The burning question: Sell my two classic 50s for an equally classic 50mm Summilux?

 

[filmfan]

I would say get the 'lux. More for reasons of simplification than anything...

 

[venchka]

Perhaps. I also own an LTM body. The LTM Nikkor comes in handy on the Canon body teamed with a 28mm or 90mm on the M body. More reason to keep the two 50s I have. I really am fortunate to own two very good examples of two very desireable lenses.