Light/Compact 50 alternatives

[B-9]

I know I know,

I always have to go against the grain on things.

I'm thinking there has to be a smaller alternative to the Nikkor 50/1.4 (2.0)

Looking into the VC 50/2.5, looks very compact, and with identical optics to the excellent ltm lens.

Also drawing on past knowledge of the excellent Zeiss Tessar 50/2.8, which is a really affordable option that is also very compact (collapsible) and they did make an aluminum 3.5 version? Which I can imagine shaves some weight as well.

The slower maximum aperture, maybe even stopped down, should allow for clean shots without to much fuss ide think (feel free to correct me here)

No need for fast glass, just wanting a good all around body cap lens to set and forget! Call me crazy if you must!

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

I'm going with the VC 50 Nokton f/1.5. Compared the latest great 50s on SLRs, it's small.

 

[WJJ3]

I recently bought the f2.8 Elmar V1, and am really happy with it so far. It is very compact and ergos are fine. It has a long focus throw so apart from pre-focused shots, it is a little slower to use than modern lenses.

I know I know,

I always have to go against the grain on things.

I'm thinking there has to be a smaller alternative to the Nikkor 50/1.4 (2.0)

Looking into the VC 50/2.5, looks very compact, and with identical optics to the excellent ltm lens.

Also drawing on past knowledge of the excellent Zeiss Tessar 50/2.8, which is a really affordable option that is also very compact (collapsible) and they did make an aluminum 3.5 version? Which I can imagine shaves some weight as well.

The slower maximum aperture, maybe even stopped down, should allow for clean shots without to much fuss ide think (feel free to correct me here)

No need for fast glass, just wanting a good all around body cap lens to set and forget! Call me crazy if you must!

 

[B-9]

Did I mention (some may not have noticed the subforum) this is for a Nikon SP,

The options are limited!

a 28 Nikkor would be great! But not within my immediate budget, plus ive found 50/75/85 to be my preferred perspectives for 98% of my photo's.

 

[ferider]

That's tricky for Nikon rf mount. Contax vs Nikon matters even for a slow 50.

I would just go ahead and buy the 50/2.5 color skopar, great lens and I see several on eBay for less or around us 300.

Roland.

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

One of the 3.5cm f/2.5s? Maybe even the W-Nikkor?

It's certainly compact.

 

[WJJ3]

Did I mention (some may not have noticed the subforum) this is for a Nikon SP

Indeed it is! My bad 🙂

 

[splitimageview]

The 50/2.5 will save you 1 gram over the Nikkor 50/1.4. 🙂 At least from what a net search reveals.

Black 35/2.5 Nikkor would save about 40 grams.

The lightest 50 appears to be the Nikkor f/2.

 

[B-9]

Weight is not the only issue,

The Nikkor 50's just protrude so far especially with a hood.

I found a "new" 50/2.5 voigtlander, I'll prolly go that route over a 35/2.5 Nikkor.

Time to think, more comments welcome!

 

[splitimageview]

Get a smaller hood? Doesn't seem like this is worth the effort unless you really want the 50/2.5. 🙂

 

[B-9]

.... Doesn't seem like this is worth the effort unless you really want the 50/2.5. 🙂

Sometimes you just need a little push! Right? 😉

Edit: I wish someone would just tell me to pony up for the Heliar 50/3.5 I really lust for.... baby steps! haha

 

[filmtwit]

I own a few 50mm's for the nikon rf's (S2 and S3).
Here's what the Skopar looks like on S2 with and without hood.

hope this helps

 

[jonmanjiro]

I wish someone would just tell me to pony up for the Heliar 50/3.5 I really lust for.... baby steps! haha

IIRC the S-mount Heliar sticks our further than any of the S-mount 50mm Nikkors. If it was me I'd get a Nikkor 50/2 and just stick a UV filter on it and forget the hood. Hard to beat that for light weight and compactness, and I never felt the need for a hood with that lens anyway. The Skopar 50/2.5 is a really good lens though.

 

[Ronald M]

Last versions of collapsible 50 & 90 are light and small and optics are first class .

 

[B-9]

Jon,

The Heliar is one of those lenses Ide really like to try, so ide totally throw out compact and light.

The 105/2.5 is heavy, and big, but it's soooo good 🙂 this is when you really could use a accessory grip to balance the camera. (I made one a little while back for a S2, long gone, but I do have a pattern somewhere... I think..)

I just wanted to talk Lenses, so yes, this is a silly thread.

How about the 21 VC!? Who uses one of these regularly?

 

[Tom A]

I regularly use the VC 50mm f2.5 on, usually on a S3 or S2. Small, compact - and the hood does not protrude much. Almost pocketable. Very high image quality too.
The VC S Skopar 21mm f4.0 works very well, sharp and with good contrast, but of course requires an aux. finder. I also have the old Zeiss Biogon 21mm f4.5 (for the Zeiss Contax) and it is still one of the best 21's around. Minimum distortion, really only bettered by the M version of the Zeiss C Biogon 21mm 4.5. The The old Zeiss 21f4.5 is heavy, the apertures are virtually unreadable (tiny black numbers on bright chrome) and the focus is equally unreadable. No hood for it - at least I have never seen a hood in 50 years of using these lenses!

 

[kermaier]

Was the Nikkor-Q.C 5cm f/3.5 ever made in S-mount, or only in LTM?

I have one of the rigid version in LTM (it also came in a collapsible), and it's quite compact and well-made. It's a touch longer than the CV 50/2.5 LTM, but somewhat narrower, and comparable in weight (just by hefting both in my hand).

It's a 4-element lens, but I haven't seen an optical diagram anywhere, so I don't know if it's a Tessar formula.

 

[Highway 61]

If it was me I'd get a Nikkor 50/2 and just stick a UV filter on it and forget the hood. Hard to beat that for light weight and compactness, and I never felt the need for a hood with that lens anyway.

This is all true, if the Nikkor 50/2 is a late chrome version or the black version.

The early chrome version (easy to recognize thanks to the knurled finish of the front name ring) is one of the heaviest 50s out there... 😉

 

[wes loder]

Was the Nikkor-Q.C 5cm f/3.5 ever made in S-mount, or only in LTM?

I have one of the rigid version in LTM (it also came in a collapsible), and it's quite compact and well-made. It's a touch longer than the CV 50/2.5 LTM, but somewhat narrower, and comparable in weight (just by hefting both in my hand).

It's a 4-element lens, but I haven't seen an optical diagram anywhere, so I don't know if it's a Tessar formula.

Very, very fewer of the 5cm f3.5 Nikkor Q's were ever made in S mount. Probably only 113. All but 12 were sold with Nikon I's. The lens is a Tessar formula, but copied the Elmar version (i.e. the diaphragm is between the first and second element, instead of between the second and back component.)
It came only in a collapsible mount, so it is compact, but is also one of the rarest of Nikkors. WES

 

[jonmanjiro]

This is all true, if the Nikkor 50/2 is a late chrome version or the black version.

The early chrome version (easy to recognize thanks to the knurled finish of the front name ring) is one of the heaviest 50s out there... 😉

Ahhhh yes, very good point! Those early chrome lenses weigh almost as much as boat anchors! I was subconsciously thinking of the late all black version because that's the only version I'd personally buy 😱