kxl
Social Documentary
I've always had 2 different bags -- one with a 21-35-50 (ZM Sonnar), and the other with a 35-50 (ZM Planar). The 2 bodies used to be an R-d1s and a ZI, now they're 2 ZI's.
When I had my R-d1s, the CV 35/1.2 was such a PERFECT lens for it that I hardly used any other lens with it, so whatever 50 was in the bag with that setup mostly stayed in the bag. For me, a 50 on the R-d1s was a bit too long for my style of shooting.
When I had my R-d1s, the CV 35/1.2 was such a PERFECT lens for it that I hardly used any other lens with it, so whatever 50 was in the bag with that setup mostly stayed in the bag. For me, a 50 on the R-d1s was a bit too long for my style of shooting.
helen.HH
To Light & Love ...
slightly off topic though an ELMAR on the RD1
the 35mm elmar...ALL Elmars Rock ...Elmars retain such a BEAUTIFUL Crispness & Detail
the 35mm elmar...ALL Elmars Rock ...Elmars retain such a BEAUTIFUL Crispness & Detail
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kermaier
Well-known
I think TMF Syndrome (Too Many Fifties) is so widespread that the American Psychiatric Association DSM should probably have a section on it. 
My own case has been severe and prolonged. The problem is that there are so many different 50mm lenses available, and many of them are reasonably priced -- how's a gear-head supposed to resist? :bang:
My current stable for the R-D1 (my only Leica mount camera), which is long overdue for reduction, consists of:
Canon: f/1.2, f/1.5, f/1.8, f/3.5 collapsible
Nikkor: f/1.4, f/2
Leica: f/2 Summicron Rigid, f/2.8 Elmar collapsible (1960s M mount)
CV: f/1.5 Nokton, f/2.5 Skopar
(Amazingly, I was able to bring myself to sell the Konica M-Hexanon 50/1.2 Limited, which was just too big for my tastes.)
That makes 10 fifties, 3 of which are Sonnar types and 2 of which are Tessar types. Obviously, I don't need that many for any reason, whether different lighting conditions, compactness requirements, etc.
The ones I use most frequently these days are (in descending order) the Summicron, Nokton, Nikkor f/1.4 and Elmar -- which do, in fact give me a variety of different looks, contrast ranges, sizes and max apertures for different situations. The rest I could probably sell without impacting anything but my lust for fine lenses.
The foregoing notwithstanding, my most-used focal length on the R-D1 is 35mm -- of which I have a few too many as well.
Long story short: Your Sonnar and Elmar give you a nice range of options with top-class quality and distinctive signatures. If budget is not an overpowering factor, you shouldn't feel too bad about keeping both.
::Ari
My own case has been severe and prolonged. The problem is that there are so many different 50mm lenses available, and many of them are reasonably priced -- how's a gear-head supposed to resist? :bang:My current stable for the R-D1 (my only Leica mount camera), which is long overdue for reduction, consists of:
Canon: f/1.2, f/1.5, f/1.8, f/3.5 collapsible
Nikkor: f/1.4, f/2
Leica: f/2 Summicron Rigid, f/2.8 Elmar collapsible (1960s M mount)
CV: f/1.5 Nokton, f/2.5 Skopar
(Amazingly, I was able to bring myself to sell the Konica M-Hexanon 50/1.2 Limited, which was just too big for my tastes.)
That makes 10 fifties, 3 of which are Sonnar types and 2 of which are Tessar types. Obviously, I don't need that many for any reason, whether different lighting conditions, compactness requirements, etc.
The ones I use most frequently these days are (in descending order) the Summicron, Nokton, Nikkor f/1.4 and Elmar -- which do, in fact give me a variety of different looks, contrast ranges, sizes and max apertures for different situations. The rest I could probably sell without impacting anything but my lust for fine lenses.
The foregoing notwithstanding, my most-used focal length on the R-D1 is 35mm -- of which I have a few too many as well.
Long story short: Your Sonnar and Elmar give you a nice range of options with top-class quality and distinctive signatures. If budget is not an overpowering factor, you shouldn't feel too bad about keeping both.
::Ari
helen.HH
To Light & Love ...
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popch
Member
Elmar and Summilux, here.
helen.HH
To Light & Love ...
thinking about it Joe
You have 2 OUTSTANDING 50's .elmar & c sonnar
with Different style Signatures
You have 2 OUTSTANDING 50's .elmar & c sonnar
with Different style Signatures
ferider
Veteran
The longer the lens, the more visible lens signature to me ... which is why I have tons of Teles for film use, Joe; more than 50s, actually.
However, if f2.8 is fast enough, the Elmar-M will do anything you'll ever need, and have plenty of character, all on its own.
Not sure I could distinguish shots of C-Sonnar and Elmar-M taken at f2.8. They are very, very similar.
Roland.
However, if f2.8 is fast enough, the Elmar-M will do anything you'll ever need, and have plenty of character, all on its own.
Not sure I could distinguish shots of C-Sonnar and Elmar-M taken at f2.8. They are very, very similar.
Roland.
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helen.HH
To Light & Love ...
Oh Hello Roland: Question
You don't think the oof @2.8 on the Elmar (more crisp @2.8)
would be a little less creamier & warmer
than the c sonnar
To me the Elmar is Cooler
The c sonnar fatter & warmer
If that makes sense....
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ferider
Veteran
Sold both lenses Helen; color and contrast could be have been different, Helen, didn't look too much for it back then. But the bokeh of the Elmar I had was really good and smooth. Remember that this is the Elmar-M, the second and recently discontinued version of the Elmar.
Good light to you !
Roland.
Good light to you !
Roland.
back alley
IMAGES
part of my thinking...i don't usually find myself needing fast lenses and i have the 40/1.4 if i need one. indoors, the 40 would probably be more useful as a 60 then the 50 would be as a 75.
2.8 and 800 iso works for me and i have had the slow f4 lenses also and never cursed the night.
the neurotic side of me likes kits, small kits and having 25/50 and 15/40 is sounding close to perfect for me.
after trying leicas (m4-p/m3), nikons and contaxes, and the zeiss zm i have settled on the rd1 (for better or worse).
the 15 will never go and i think the 40 is a keeper also. i will be trying the 25 on the rd1 soon (when it arrives) but i think i will like it a touch better than a 28 on the rd1. the 50 is there because i really liked having a 75 when i shot film.
wider than 15 is not for me (24 fov works great for me) and i doubt i will need anything longer than a 75 fov for my style of shooting and what i normally shoot.
also i have the 14-140 zoom for my g1 if needed but that kit (also have the 20) is more for just fun and a more relaxed shoot.
2.8 and 800 iso works for me and i have had the slow f4 lenses also and never cursed the night.
the neurotic side of me likes kits, small kits and having 25/50 and 15/40 is sounding close to perfect for me.
after trying leicas (m4-p/m3), nikons and contaxes, and the zeiss zm i have settled on the rd1 (for better or worse).
the 15 will never go and i think the 40 is a keeper also. i will be trying the 25 on the rd1 soon (when it arrives) but i think i will like it a touch better than a 28 on the rd1. the 50 is there because i really liked having a 75 when i shot film.
wider than 15 is not for me (24 fov works great for me) and i doubt i will need anything longer than a 75 fov for my style of shooting and what i normally shoot.
also i have the 14-140 zoom for my g1 if needed but that kit (also have the 20) is more for just fun and a more relaxed shoot.
squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
Multiple 50's is an affordable way to experiment with different styles and designs of lenses...I've gotten into this myself lately. My main 50 is the adapted CZ Sonnar 1.5, then there's the Nokton 1.1 for even lower light, the Summar (which I bought to go with the M8 which of course is now getting its sensor replaced, yes Joe I know you told me so), and arriving later this week a J8 from Brian and a Canon 1.4 from KEH. A definite range of rendering modes--I guess the J8 and Sonnar are the only redundancy...
back alley
IMAGES
very sorry to hear about the m8 john, what a bummer!
i think my time for experimenting is drawing to a close, believe me, i have tried many bodies and lenses...it's time to get a bit more serious about shooting.
for ma anyway.
andreas.pichler
Established
...some 50ies on the shelf: CV 1,5/50, Jupiter 2/50 from the 80ies, Jupiter 2/50 from the 50ies, Jupiter 1,5/50 from the 50ies.
Reason: Bought on ebay, was not delivered, then bought another one, then was the first one delivered, then I was curios about the modern CV (at the end: to bulky for me).
Finally, I found the 2/40 Summilux, and final finally, I found a 1.4/40 Nokton.
So my former favourite Jupiter 1.5/50 is sitting on the shelf beneath its cousins sometimes, and I prefer one of the 40 mm lenses.
Favourite outfit "to go": Heliar 15 plus Summilux or 40 mm Nokton (...and very often the 1.5/Jupiter in the pocket, because ot its wonderful bookeh).
If someone is looking for a 1.5/50 Nokton or a Jupiter 2/50: Drop me line, I will send some test shots and a price estimation.
Cheers,
Andreas
Reason: Bought on ebay, was not delivered, then bought another one, then was the first one delivered, then I was curios about the modern CV (at the end: to bulky for me).
Finally, I found the 2/40 Summilux, and final finally, I found a 1.4/40 Nokton.
So my former favourite Jupiter 1.5/50 is sitting on the shelf beneath its cousins sometimes, and I prefer one of the 40 mm lenses.
Favourite outfit "to go": Heliar 15 plus Summilux or 40 mm Nokton (...and very often the 1.5/Jupiter in the pocket, because ot its wonderful bookeh).
If someone is looking for a 1.5/50 Nokton or a Jupiter 2/50: Drop me line, I will send some test shots and a price estimation.
Cheers,
Andreas
gilpen123
Gil
Summarit 50 1.5, Canon 50 1.4 (sold), Hex 50 2.0, just arrived Cron 50 latest version now thinking of a Lux pre asph. My mainstay with the RD1 is the 40 1.4 Nokton IMO useful for most instances.
fotomeow
name under my name
Five years ago I never would have imagined I would have 3 50mms with plans to buy more. Im shooting an M6 and RD1s, so I love testing the lenses against each other on both the flim and digital camera. The RD1 makes it too easy to do lens tests, the immediacy of the results keep my attention...that said
My first 50 in the Cron f2 v.4........
Second = Cron collapsible from 1953
Third = post-war Summitar, but is fogged and desparately needs a CLA
4th: Nokton 1.5 on order........
4th and a half: the Cron 40mm which turns out 60mm on the RD1.
-->At this point Im loving the variety of lens signatures and re-fine-tuning my eye to image results...With the Cron 50/2 v4 as my first and only 50mm for 4 years, I never realized how good a lens it is in its own right.
Also, since Im mostly shooting with 50mm lenses these days, I would like to settle with 3 50mms:
the first one will be the "go to" lens when I can only take one with me and will get proper results in a variety of situations (eg a moderate-high level contrast and resolution);; the second will be an older Leica with medium contrast & resolution with good character and the potential for welcomed Flare;; and the third will be a more modern lens with higher contrast and resolution.
Ive seen that a fair number of shooters have both the CV f1.1 and the f1.5, which interests me. In general, I had read in several forums that they are pretty similar in nature but the 1.1 has a heftier price tag. Can anyone elaborate on this?
My first 50 in the Cron f2 v.4........
Second = Cron collapsible from 1953
Third = post-war Summitar, but is fogged and desparately needs a CLA
4th: Nokton 1.5 on order........
4th and a half: the Cron 40mm which turns out 60mm on the RD1.
-->At this point Im loving the variety of lens signatures and re-fine-tuning my eye to image results...With the Cron 50/2 v4 as my first and only 50mm for 4 years, I never realized how good a lens it is in its own right.
Also, since Im mostly shooting with 50mm lenses these days, I would like to settle with 3 50mms:
the first one will be the "go to" lens when I can only take one with me and will get proper results in a variety of situations (eg a moderate-high level contrast and resolution);; the second will be an older Leica with medium contrast & resolution with good character and the potential for welcomed Flare;; and the third will be a more modern lens with higher contrast and resolution.
Ive seen that a fair number of shooters have both the CV f1.1 and the f1.5, which interests me. In general, I had read in several forums that they are pretty similar in nature but the 1.1 has a heftier price tag. Can anyone elaborate on this?
gohaj
Well-known
have a few 50mm lenses though some sold...
Nikkor 50/1.4
Nikkor 50/2
Canon 50/1.5
Canon 50/1.2
VC 50/1.1
VC 50/3.5
Topcor 50/1.5
Tanar 50/2
Fujinon 50/2
Summicron 50/2
Zeiss (contax rf) 50/1.5
Zeiss (contax rf) 50/2
Jupiter 8 50/2
err... not sure if it is the complete list or not.
Nikkor 50/1.4
Nikkor 50/2
Canon 50/1.5
Canon 50/1.2
VC 50/1.1
VC 50/3.5
Topcor 50/1.5
Tanar 50/2
Fujinon 50/2
Summicron 50/2
Zeiss (contax rf) 50/1.5
Zeiss (contax rf) 50/2
Jupiter 8 50/2
err... not sure if it is the complete list or not.