Looking For A Change

[Mesti3K]

Hi,

I'm a long time troller, first time poster here at RFF and just want to first comment on how much I enjoy this website..thanks everyone.

I've decided to buy a full blown RF kit(well one lens anyways😎). Until now I have shot almost exclusively with Nikon MF, b&w film, with my main lens the 50mm AI-s. I have a few other lenses and in color they are OK but not great.

So I'm looking into an Ikon with 50/1.5 Sonnar. My main hope is to gain a bump-up in both contrast and sharpness from the Nikkors as I feel they can be lacking in those areas at times. Especially the contrast. I'm using an FM3a currently and want to stick with an AP camera.

I chose Zeiss for several reasons but I'm open to other lenses and cameras as well. I've taken a look at the ZF and CV F mount lenses but haven't found a whole lot on how they 'act' with b&w film other than what I already know about the *T coating .

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[kshapero]

You made a good choice. Welcome aboard.

 

[35mmdelux]

Consider the 50/2.0 Zeiss as well. Excellent lens.

Welcome aboard!

 

[FrankS]

The latest version, now discontinued, of the Leitz 50mm f2.8 collapsible lens fits your desired characteristics.

 

[mfogiel]

The C sonnar is not what you want, at least not below f 5.6, and it has the focus shift issue which has to be considered, for me it is the best 50mm portrait lens ever made, but not a high contrast bitingly sharp all around lens. This kind of lens instead, is the 50/2 Planar ZM, or, even better, the 50/2 Makro Planar ZF, which you can conveniently place on your FM3A.
Here are shots made with the C Sonnar:

http://www.flickr.com/search/show/?q=makro+planar+50&w=59177039%40N00

here shots made with the 50/2 Planar ZM:

http://www.flickr.com/search/show/?q=planar+50mm+ZM&w=59177039@N00

here shots made with the 50/2 Makro Planar ZF (on a FM3A):

http://www.flickr.com/search/show/?q=makro+planar+50+zf&w=59177039@N00

However, the high sharpness/high contrast philosophy not always brings the most pleasant images in B&W, so once you switch to the RF side, you might also consider a lens like the Rigid Summicron, which is a low contrast, high resolution lens, and renders the greys in a particularly interesting manner. Keep it in mind, that the Rigid or DR Summicron are optically the same, but you cannot mount the DR on a Zeiss Ikon.

Here are the shots with the Summicron:

http://www.flickr.com/search/show/?q=summicron+50mm&w=59177039@N00

 

[kxl]

The C sonnar is not what you want, at least not below f 5.6, and it has the focus shift issue which has to be considered, for me it is the best 50mm portrait lens ever made, but not a high contrast bitingly sharp all around lens. This kind of lens instead, is the 50/2 Planar ZM, or, even better, the 50/2 Makro Planar ZF, which you can conveniently place on your FM3A.

I agree completely. While the ZI is a good choice (I have 2 of them), the Sonnar's focus shift may be bothersome for someone's first foray into the RF world. The Planar makes a lot more sense (I own both the Sonnar and the Planar).

 

[Sam N]

If you're only interested in lens characteristics, I recommend trying different 50mm lenses for your Nikon. The ZF 50s should both be great depending on your needs. The Macro-Planar that Mfogiel mentioned would be a great choice.

If you want a change in shooting / composing style, then I'd say go for the ZI and a ZM 50/2 or 35/2.

 

[35mmdelux]

The Macro-Planar is pricey which is why I suggested the regular Planar. Also, the regular Planar is frequently seen on the resale market at steep discount if that matters to you...

 

[Mesti3K]

I did give some good thought to the Planar. Seems a lot of people like the OOF area too. I'll keep my eye out for one.

@mfogiel: I just can't get the contrast I'm looking for out of the 50AIs so I just figured a flatter image would be in that lens when I needed it. The Makro seems nice though. what do those go for?

Any comments on the CV lenses for Nikon?

 

[kxl]

All the images in the Mexico City gallery on my website were shot with the ZM Planar.

 

[MartinP]

Without a total swap of systems, you could also find a cheapish Nikkor Macro lens from KEH or somewhere like that. It will give you a different 'look', but might not be fast enough to be a general lens.

 

[ZeissFan]

I've never been that impressed with the 50mm Nikkor. For me, it's always been just average but certainly nothing special.

As others have said, the f/2.0 50mm Planar is an excellent all-purpose lens, whether it be for an SLR or for a rangefinder.

You probably could save yourself a lot of money by picking up the ZF version.

If you want to try your hand with rangefinders, that's a different story.

 

[mfogiel]

Mind you , if you want to get sharp, contrasty B&W images, you do not necessarily need a Zeiss lens, although this helps... try to underexpose a film like Rollei Retro 100 or Plus X, and push it a bit in Rodinal - you will get this kind of result:
(this is shot with olympus pen FT and the 60/1.5 lens)

 

[kshapero]

I did give some good thought to the Planar. Seems a lot of people like the OOF area too. I'll keep my eye out for one.

@mfogiel: I just can't get the contrast I'm looking for out of the 50AIs so I just figured a flatter image would be in that lens when I needed it. The Makro seems nice though. what do those go for?

Any comments on the CV lenses for Nikon?

Both the CV 40 pancake and 58/1.4 are awesome.

at ISO 3200

CV 40 wide open at 400 ISO

F4 at 400 ISO

All shot with CV 40mm Pancake

 

[RayPA]

With regard to b&w contrast, I think you'll probably get more contrast control from your choice of film and from the processing (film developing and post-processing).

I use the CV F-mount 40/2 SL Asph. It's discontinued and sold out on CQ. I dont know if the SLII version is the same. I've used mine mostly on my D200. It's a fine lens. I would not characterize it as low contrast, but you can evaluate for yourself from a fairly wide sample..


.

 

[Mesti3K]

Half way there. Picked up a f2/50 Planar from a fellow RFFer.😎