Need a new 50 for M-mount

[froyd]

I need a lens recommendation.

I'm thinking of selling my collapsible Elmar and replacing it with another lens. I do like the performance of the Elmar, but I'm not crazy about the ergonomics, particularly how changing the f-stops also changes the focus unless I lock the focusing tab or hold it steady with one hand.

I would like to replace it with a lens that features tab focusing (preferably the Summicron or 35 Nokton concave type), and preferably a fairly short focus throw. I also would want this lens to have a fairly gentle drawing quality, something similar to the Summaron that I own and love. I'm very well served in the microsharp/saturated/contrasty department by my Contax G lenses, so I'm looking for a less modern look. I'm happy with f2.8 but I would not consider anything slower and I would sacrifice speed for size, i.e. I'd rather have a small 2.8 lens than a large 1.8 or 1.4.

Final requirements: smallish and under $800.

Given the budget, I think I'm in LTM or CV territory. I like CV lenses, but my assumption is that most of them have a modern, quite contrasty look so I'd like to hear if any of their 50s are more delicate than others.

 

[Classique]

Summicron DR has a normal focus throw (180 I think) and Nokton 50mm 1.5 seems to be 90 degrees focus throw. Either lens will be great for your need. The summicron will give you more gentle drawing with enough contrast for color negatives to look pleasant. Nokton will be higher in contrast. Jupiter 3 is also a great lens if you can adjust it yourself or buy one that is already adjusted for leica. If you want even lower contrast, collapsible summicron is great for B&W.

With your budget there are plenty of 50's both modern and vintage that will fit your bill. Of the lenses I have not used but hear good things about: Canon ltm 50's (1.4, 1.8), Nikon Ltm (1.4, 2.0), CV Heliar, M-Hexanon etc. I am sure other members will chime in with their favorite 50's 🙂

 

[teleparallel]

CV 50mm Skopar is f2.5. It's really small, and has a focusing tab. I like it a lot. Nice price also, great image quality, but it does have a modern look. But i don't think it's excessively contrasty.

 

[raid]

I am biased to the Rigid Summicron (same as DR w/o goggles). It can produce magical images on film and with digital cameras.
For $1,000, I would try out the Zeiss 50/1.5. People praise it a lot.

 

[Vics]

I like my collapsible Summicron 50. Seems to fill your bill pretty well.

 

[FrankS]

IMO it's very difficult to beat the value (cost/performance ratio) of the Canon 50f1.8 RF lens in today's market. I prefer my collapsible Summicron 50 for its vintage look, but at 3 times the price or thereabouts ...

This Canon 50 is a lens that I had, sold, and re-bought.

 

[froyd]

I like my collapsible Summicron 50. Seems to fill your bill pretty well.

How does the aperture work on the collapsible Summicron?

Is there a quick way to describe its difference in image rendition from the Rigid/DR Summicron?

 

[froyd]

IMO it's very difficult to beat the value (cost/performance ratio) of the Canon 50f1.8 RF lens in today's market. I prefer my collapsible Summicron 50 for its vintage look, but at 3 times the price or thereabouts ...

Owning a Canon lens... very difficult for me to wrap my head around hat concept having been a life-long Nikon guy😀 My F might burst into flames next time I touch it!

 

[FrankS]

Owning a Canon lens... very difficult for me to wrap my head around hat concept having been a life-long Nikon guy😀 My F might burst into flames next time I touch it!

Do yourself a favour and try to free yourself of this brand bias! I'm mainly a Nikon SLR guy too.

 

[Vics]

How does the aperture work on the collapsible Summicron?

Is there a quick way to describe its difference in image rendition from the Rigid/DR Summicron?

I had a DR and loved it except for its weight, so I traded it off for a 35. I still had the collapsible, so that's what I use now. The DR draws a much crisper image with stronger contrast than the collapsible. The f-stop control and the focusing are unrelated, so changing the aperture doesn't affect focus. At least it doesn't bother me. My M3 is at DAG's just now, so I can't mount it to describe it better. The collapsible is in no way fiddly in use.

 

[JMQ]

or you can opt for a Nikkor 50/1.4 and use it with an Amedeo adapter. Both of these items will still be well within your budget. There is a black S-Mount Nikkor on the classified now (I am not affiliated with the seller).

 

[froyd]

Do yourself a favour and try to free yourself of this brand bias! I'm mainly a Nikon SLR guy too.

I almost did...I was VERY close to have done the unthinkable and gotten my first Canon this fall, an S100 P&S ....but the Sony RX100 save me! And then there was the flirtation with the Canonet...

All this to say, I'm taking the Canon 50 1.8 recommendation very seriously. Price is right, performance seems quite good. I'm off to check Flickr samples for BW rendering.

 

[froyd]

or you can opt for a Nikkor 50/1.4 and use it with an Amedeo adapter. Both of these items will still be well within your budget. There is a black S-Mount Nikkor on the classified now (I am not affiliated with the seller).

I must admit I know nothing about that lens, but it seems rather large and does not have a tab (non a deal-braker, but since there are so many 50s I was hoping to find a better match)

 

[umcelinho]

i love the 50/1.5 Nokton, it's a stellar lens and not that huge if you remove the hood (which is unnecessary really, this thing just never flares).

 

[JMQ]

Perhaps others can weight in, but the Nikkor 50/1.4 is based on the Sonnar design, and so lower contrast but a very good lens (even better if you can get the Millennium Nikkor, right Raid?, but it will be outside your budget). Tom Abrahamsson speaks of sample variability in this lens, so you should ask all the right questions before buying. It does not have a tab, and it is not large. In fact, it is smaller than the Summilux.

 

[raid]

The Millenium Nikkor is an excellent lens. I just tested it in one of my lens comparisons, but I do not own one. It is rather costly, though. Why not get the Zeiss 50/1.5 Sonnar instead if you will spend over $1000?

I say, get a clean Rigid Summicron and enjoy a superb lens.

 

[Godfrey]

I have both the Voigtländer Color Skopar 50mm f/2.5 (ltm) and Nokton 50/1.5 ASPH (ltm) lenses. They are both excellent quality and, while more modern with respect to contrast and sharpness, they both still produce a rendering that reminds me of my 1950s Elmar 5.0cm f/3.5 and collapsible Summicron 50mm f/2 lenses, respectively.

Some of my photos as samples on flickr.com ...

samples - Nokton 50/1.5:
http://www.flickr.com/search/?w=23913128@N02&q=Nokton+50mm&m=text

slide show of above:
http://www.flickr.com/search/show/?q=Nokton+50mm&w=23913128@N02

samples - Color Skopar 50/2.5:
http://www.flickr.com/search/?w=23913128@N02&q=Skopar+50mm&m=text

slide show of above:
http://www.flickr.com/search/show/?q=Skopar+50mm&w=23913128@N02

G

 

[froyd]

The Millenium Nikkor is an excellent lens. I just tested it in one of my lens comparisons, but I do not own one. It is rather costly, though. Why not get the Zeiss 50/1.5 Sonnar instead if you will spend over $1000?

I say, get a clean Rigid Summicron and enjoy a superb lens.

That's one of the most tempting options. A classic combo with the M4 and the Summaron. Seems to have lots of character. Alas, no tab and not tiny. I would just have to man up and deal with the focusing ring.

 

[Vics]

I believe the Rigid does have a focus tab. And it's lighter and a bit smaller than the DR, I think.

 

[raid]

The Summicron is not a large lens.
It is one of the most beautiful lenses that Leica ever produced.