New Classic Collection Nickel 50/3.5 and 50/2 Heliars

[philosomatographer]

After about 8 months of use, I can, from my perspective, still assert that the Heliar 50/3.5 is the most consistently spectacular lens for 35mm photography that I have ever used. It's glued to my M3 - may as well have been a fixed-lens camera. It's immediately apparent when printing a negative from this lens, the solidity and "cohesion" of the image, the tightness of the grain around fine detail (evidence of the extremely "relaxed" optical design, minimal random scattering of light), the complete and utter lack of aberration... It's a really special lens.

The connoisseur can clearly see the difference when printing negatives from this lens, vs. most other faster 50mm lenses stopped down.

I have posted this image elsewhere before: Shot at f/3.5, printed to 12x16in - apart from the obvious grain (Fomapan 100), the print stands up to a level of close scrutiny that is unbelievable for a 35mm lens shot wide open.

If you can live with f/3.5, you can do no better than with this lens.

 

[Alnitak]

I love both of these lenses. Right now I have the 50/3.5, but I've had two of the 50/2's: One that came in a kit with my Bessa Anniversary edition (and was collapsible), and for a while I used the Nickel version. The optics in those two are identical. I really like the rendering of the 50/2; it's a tiny bit soft wide open, but not in a bad way, but rather in a classic "glow" way. Here's a bunch of shots taken with this lens on my M9 and also on film with the Bessa and/or an M6:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jhapeman/sets/72157624951974605/

And here's a collection of a few shots at various apertures with the 50/2 Nickel on the M9:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jhapeman/sets/72157626070042399/

Jeff

 

[furcafe]

I have used the 50/2 Heliar on my M9, but don't have very many good examples. I tend to use the M9 for available darkness & f/2 is generally too slow. Lens works fine, though.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/furcafe/tags/cosinavoigtlander502heliarclassic250jahreblack2006/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/furcafe/tags/cosinavoigtlander502heliar10thanniversary2009/

Anybody using the f/2 version on a M9? How do you like it? Any examples?

 

[jsrockit]

Thanks Alnitak.

 

[Calzone]

John,

I have both nickel heliars for you to try. Also from another thread I see you are interested in low contrast glass like my 50 Rigid.

I was looking and comparing negatives, and confirmed the resolution and detail that the 50/3.5 has. A very special lens that I find is moderate contrast, but the 50/2.0 has this smooth OOF rendering and pretty bokeh.

BTW I'm glad I own all three, but the close focus is limited to 1 meter on all three lenses.

Cal

 

[jsrockit]

Cal,

I was going to ask to try your 3.5 and 2.0 soon... the CVs. I'm familiar with the Rigid.

I'm not sure if this Sunday is a good day, but hopefully soon. John

 

[Calzone]

Cal,

I was going to ask to try your 3.5 and 2.0 soon... the CVs. I'm familiar with the Rigid.

I'm not sure if this Sunday is a good day, but hopefully soon. John

For B&W I love both these lenses. Let me know if I should bring them Sunday. Not sure if we will have high contrast summer lighting. Well I believe you will find the 50/3.5 to be eye popping as far as performance. The negatives really stand out because of the detail.

BTW both Nickel Heliars are modified Tessars.

Cal

 

[jsrockit]

Yes Cal... if you have the space in your bag, please bring them both. Thanks.

 

[Calzone]

Yes Cal... if you have the space in your bag, please bring them both. Thanks.

I'll bring them Sunday.

Cal

 

[kshapero]

Is that an infinity lock on the 50/2? or just a focus tab?

 

[Calzone]

Is that an infinity lock on the 50/2? or just a focus tab?

Infinity lock.

Cal

 

[Tom A]

Heliar 50mm f3.5. This was with my last roll of Agfapan 250, Agfa's version of the kodak XX movie stock. Developed in PCK for 7 min. I shot almost 10 000 ft of this film over several years. It was given to me by the local Agfa rep as it was cheaper to give it away than having it shipped east for silver recovery!
The kid had found a great mud-puddle and his mother told him in no uncertain words "A shower before you get into the car!".

 

[Tom A]

Daytona, Florida. Heliar 50f3.5 on a Bessa T. Acros 100 in Xtol 1:3 for 17 min. The petite 50f3.5 is one of the best 50's you can find - and it looks good too, particularly in the Nickel finish.
This was f3.5 and 1/15.

 

[Tom A]

Nickel version of the Heliar 50mm f2.0. Somewhere there are a whole bunch of car-owners going" What the heck happened to my license plate?"
Kodak XX in Vestal's divided D76.

 

[Tom A]

Nickel Heliar 50mm f2.0. Tokyo's Disney World. Neopan 400, HC 110 1:60, 12.5 min.

 

[raid]

Thanks for the posted images, Tom.
I have the older style non-Nickel Heliar 50/3.5 and 50/2.

 

[Tom A]

Raid, I really like the Heliars - and so I should as I have 5 or 6 of them!!! The 50f3.5 is amazing - but we have been a bit spoiled with "speed' in our lenses. There is a "roundness" to the 50f3.5 images that I have never found in other lenses. The 50f2 is smoother than the Summicron's in its rendering - not razor sharp at f2 - but more pleasing - at least in bl/w.

 

[Alnitak]

Nickel version of the Heliar 50mm f2.0. Somewhere there are a whole bunch of car-owners going" What the heck happened to my license plate?"
Kodak XX in Vestal's divided D76.

Great shot. I love this lens--very sharp, and great retro look and feel.

Jeff

 

[philosomatographer]

Daytona, Florida. Heliar 50f3.5 on a Bessa T. Acros 100 in Xtol 1:3 for 17 min. The petite 50f3.5 is one of the best 50's you can find - and it looks good too, particularly in the Nickel finish.
This was f3.5 and 1/15.

Tom, this image illustrates exactly what I love about the Heliar 50/3.5 - lovely!

Since f/3.5 is so slow already, I almost always shoot at at that aperture (unless I really want deep DOF), and it's fabulous. Since this lens is almost diffraction-limited, f/3.5 also provides almost peak performance 😎

 

[kshapero]

Raid, I really like the Heliars - and so I should as I have 5 or 6 of them!!! The 50f3.5 is amazing - but we have been a bit spoiled with "speed' in our lenses. There is a "roundness" to the 50f3.5 images that I have never found in other lenses. The 50f2 is smoother than the Summicron's in its rendering - not razor sharp at f2 - but more pleasing - at least in bl/w.

Great shots, now I'm hungry for the Heliar 50/3.5.