Looking for a Canon 50/1.4 - suggestions?

The 1.4 is more of a modern look than the 1.5. It's very sharp, with a nice bokeh. They are distinctly different lenses.
The Contax is a beautiful machine, if you have a good one. But it is different, and does require some unique handlng (the Contax grip..). I'm a collector, and I love precision, so I can justify them, even if they are underused. I agree on the LTM being mostly fakes, and the real ones are pricey, as well. Simpler to go my route and use them as designed. Besides, the Canon is close enough for gov't work....

Harry
 
januaryman said:
How did I miss that???!!!!! Crap!
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Well, I was on top of that one the moment it went up, the prices on f1.4`s are stable now and with patience you will find one, (took me like 4 months) but I think most will agree, with this lens you need TOP GLASS, damaged stuff is just for paperweights, and these are NOT RARE lenses, they made quite a few, so it`s not a desperate struggle to find them as much as the f1.5 is or a Nikkor f1.4

You`ll find one, just keep looking and don`t take second best with one either....

Tom
 
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harry01562 said:
The price on the 0.95 is a bit much. I'm not too sure about that last one in M mount that just sold. I really can't figure the focusing mount on that, and that's a lot of weight, which is why Canon designed that extra large external mount. Also, the VF on the M's is a bit short for the tiny DOF on the lens wide open. It does work well on the 7's, however.

Harry
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Yes, the f0.95 prices are a little crazy now, funny less then 12 months ago you could find them for $500 or less sometimes, but this mad craze to cut them up to M mount Leica is straining the supply - sadly as I perdict, many will be cut up/butchered for use on M`s etc. and their value will be even higher for ORIGINAL Canon 7 mount versions

The f0.95 and the 7/7s/7sz is a marriage made in heaven, sadly not too many people take the time to figure out and practice perfect

I`ve set my sights on a price (under $700) for me and my goal, it will be hard, but I figure it will have to be private (non internet sale) to get a fair market price on one now
(I wish I could have one in time for the Sebring Historic Races in March - but that`s cutting it darn close) But I think shooting pitcrews working on the vintage racecars (GT40`s/Cobras/Porsches) late at night in B&W will look amazing shot with one - we`ll let`s just see 🙄

Tom
 
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> I did at one time look for a "real"? CZJ F1.5 50mm Sonnar in LTM, but it`s a losing battle with that lens having 98.9% of them fakes

I guess it's what do you mean by fake? To a collector, the optics module from a CZJ in a J-8 mount is obviously a fake. But to a User that likes the "vintage look" that an uncoated CZJ can deliver?

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=53144

How about a shimmed 5cm f2 Sonnar taken out of its collapsible mount and put into a J-8 mount? Not original- no collector value- but as a Shooter?

I'm thinking that a pre-war CZJ 5cm F1.5 might go into a J-3 mount. Some day I'll pick up the parts and try it out.
 
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Brian Sweeney said:
> I did at one time look for a "real"? CZJ F1.5 50mm Sonnar in LTM, but it`s a losing battle with that lens having 98.9% of them fakes

I guess it's what do you mean by fake? To a collector, the optics module from a CZJ in a J-8 mount is obviously a fake. But to a User that likes the "vintage look" that an uncoated CZJ can deliver?

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=53144

How about a shimmed 5cm f2 Sonnar taken out of its collapsible mount and put into a J-8 mount? Not original- no collector value- but as a Shooter?
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Yummy... the signature of the 1.5/2 is close... and knowing Brian's work, this would be a SHOOTER of a lens. Preceding was an unpaid tooting of Brian's Horn (Song?), since he's worked on several of my lenses, including my 1.5.

Anyway, lots better than one of the poor fakes that seem to be the norm. I wouldn't bother shooting one of those, they are "made to fail".

Harry
 
Looking for a Canon 50/1.4 - suggestions

Looking for a Canon 50/1.4 - suggestions

harry01562 said:
Harry
way out of my price range...
======================================


Harry, If I understand today's Washington news, around June, to stimulate the economy, every taxpayer may get $600 if single and $1,200 if married...

If you get the money -- and want to stimulate the economy -- spend it on a Canon or a Leica...
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Brian Sweeney said:
> I did at one time look for a "real"? CZJ F1.5 50mm Sonnar in LTM, but it`s a losing battle with that lens having 98.9% of them fakes

I guess it's what do you mean by fake? To a collector, the optics module from a CZJ in a J-8 mount is obviously a fake. But to a User that likes the "vintage look" that an uncoated CZJ can deliver?

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=53144

How about a shimmed 5cm f2 Sonnar taken out of its collapsible mount and put into a J-8 mount? Not original- no collector value- but as a Shooter?

I'm thinking that a pre-war CZJ 5cm F1.5 might go into a J-3 mount. Some day I'll pick up the parts and try it out.
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Well as I`ve said I`m NOT an expert on what REAL CZJ glass/mount etc. etc. looks like so anything they can fit into a J-3 mount for the Russian`s is fair game....

What I would consider which isn`t a fake but real - is a lens that was really made in Jena, pre 1944 and originally in LTM mount and only the hardcore CZJ collectors can tell the difference

I`ve been 100% happy with my "Japanese Sonnar" clone that`s why I really didn`t persue the Sonnar LTM`s 🙂

Tom
 
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Tom- I have several of the Japanese Sonnar's in LTM, the Canon 50/1.5, Nikkor 5cm F2, and 5cm F1.4. I love them. But I've gotten some of my best pictures with the uncoated CZF 5cm F2 on the Contax. And "somehow", I've ended up with three of them. The latter one for the meeger price of $25. And a J-8 mount for $10... What's a lens hacker to do???
 
Besides blocking the view, it requires the external mount to be attached to the camera. That needs a parts 7series that has a lens mount, and the skill to do the attaching and checking for focus, etc. Too much for my simple talents.

The P really isn't a good vehicle for the 0.95. The other big problem is the relatively short RF, because of the TINY DOF at closer distances.

Harry
 
L39UK said:
Hi Tom,
Regarding the Canon P , I believe that the Canon P can have the Canon 7 lens flange fitted in place of the normal P screw lens flange so that it can use the Canon 0.95 lens.
Does anybody on RFF have a Canon P, or know of anyone that has had this conversion done and who did the conversion and does it work OK ?
I am sure it would be of interest to many forum members.
Regards,
William
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There was a thread some time ago, with pics of one that had the changed mount. A large lens, indeed. I don't remember who did it, but I think it was the owner of he camera, who was a RFF member. If he's still around, I'm sure he'll post about the work.

As you can see by my avatar, I own the lens, and the 7-series bodies to use it with... that's really the best working scenario, IMHO. Besides, I really like the handling of the 7s that I use as a shooter. It doesn't have the pure looks of the P, but it was a real solid Canon competitor to the M3. The mystique won...

Harry
 
Canon 7 flange to Canon P would work, but are`nt we ALL forgetting the SLOW SPEED DIAL?

f0.95 will NEVER clear that

LOL!!!

I just worked out a deal for a lovely 7s just a few hours ago, so I`m on the right track now......f0.95 50mm and f2.0 100mm lenses here I come!!!!!!! 🙂

Tom
 
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Canon P doesn't have a slow speed dial.

I just got a Canon 50/1.4 on eBay from $161. I wasn't trying hard, so I put in a what the heck bid. That's when I get a good buy. The harder you try, the worse the deal. It has some cleaning marks, I'll know in a week if it's an OK lens.
 
John Shriver said:
Canon P doesn't have a slow speed dial.

I just got a Canon 50/1.4 on eBay from $161. I wasn't trying hard, so I put in a what the heck bid. That's when I get a good buy. The harder you try, the worse the deal. It has some cleaning marks, I'll know in a week if it's an OK lens.
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Congratulations John, you stole that lens. I was one of the bidders. Enjoy it!
 
> Canon 7 flange to Canon P would work, but are`nt we ALL forgetting the
> SLOW SPEED DIAL?

It's been said, but Canon dropped the slow-speed dial with the Canon VI. The Vt and L1, L2, and L3 (and "deluxe" variants?) were the last to have the slow-speed dial and spinning shutter speed dial. The Canon P is "basically" a simplified VI-L.
 
Oppss!!! No Slow Speed dial

OK I was thinkin VT (sorry) I`ve never owned a P before - I figure that the P to 7 flange would work, but it would weight a ton!
(I`ve seen someone did a Leica IIIG to M mount conversion as well - so hybird flanges are nothing new in the RF world)

Everyone I`ve talked to about the 7/7s/7sz and f0.95 combo really like it and when the lens is adjusted properly the focus is dead on - I have a beautuful 7s now, I just have to find the f0.95 for it 🙂

Tom
 
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John Shriver said:
I just got a Canon 50/1.4 on eBay from $161.
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Wow! Another decent deal, looks like the f1.4`s are the "in" lens now and still a good price, that`s bound to change when the majority figure out how good it really is and then there`ll be a RUSH on them just like it was with the f1.2`s

Happy Shooting

Tom
 
I'll report that the 50/1.4 I got on eBay for $161 was exactly as described. About a dozen light cleaning marks on the front element, and maybe a few really small ones on the back element. Perfectly harmless, no performance impact, but destroys any "collector" value.

The lens is smaller and lighter than I expected. The Canon hood (bought separately) is intrusive in the Canon 7s finder.

As I noted, getting the good buys on eBay takes patience. You also have to be good at reading the sellers, figuring out if they are straight shooters or not. By now, jiri_e has a very fine reputation, so his lenses cost more. This seller isn't a big camera seller, so I was taking a calculated risk, and it came out fine.

The big risks are the occasional sellers who say it's "perfect". Not likely. Disclosing flaws is a good sign.
 
John Shriver said:
...This seller isn't a big camera seller, so I was taking a calculated risk, and it came out fine.

The big risks are the occasional sellers who say it's "perfect". Not likely. Disclosing flaws is a good sign.
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John:

After losing the first lens to you, I was able to get another from Jiri who I've purchased from before. He has always been honest and above board. He states that he has a three day return policy and does in fact honor it. My experience with him is that, if anything, he exaggerates perceived flaws.
 
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