LTM Nikkor 50mm f/2 or Canon 50mm f/1.8?

[sparrow6224]

Which is generally considered the better lens, and which do you personally consider better? Totally subjective, based on character of given pieces of glass, etc. But is there a general consensus one way or another?

Thanks for replies.

 

[dourbalistar]

For whatever it's worth, the Nikkor is a Sonnar-type design, and the Canon is a Planar-type design.

I find image samples to be helpful, and there are many good examples from both lenses in a Nikkor thread, as well as a Canon thread.

 

[sparrow6224]

Thanks those two threads helpful.

 

[Goody]

At least in the examples I have the Nikkor is more pleasing to my eye -- the Canon (black and silver) is lighter. The Canon has the slightly wanky 40mm threads that some Fuji digital cameras use; the Nikkor is 40.5.

 

[ForestCap]

Nikkors are more expensive than their Canon counter parts. They are more attractive to collectors.

 

[xayraa33]

Get both lenses if possible.

If I only could afford one lens then l would get the affordable Canon f 1.8 lens.

It will do everything a late 1950s to mid 1960s Leitz 50mm Summicron lens will do, and more .

 

[02Pilot]

I own neither one, but assuming similar condition, Planar vs. Sonnar rendering is pretty different. Depends to some extent on what you want to do with it. Based on other Canon and Nikkor lenses I do have, other little things like the direction the aperture ring rotates and the minimum focus distance may influence your preference as well.

If it were me, I'd probably opt for the Nikkor, for the Sonnar formula, the filter size (I have a full set of 40.5 filters), and the shorter minimum focus distance.