Nikkor HC 50 f2 ltm - WOW

[L Collins]

Recently picked up a ltm nikkor hc 50mm f2, circa early 1960s. Incredible lens. Sharp as a tack wide open. Beautiful build quality.

I understand this lens was a desired shooter vis a vi that era's Summicron, but don't know much more about it. Can someone tell me more about the lens?

 

[furcafe]

Probably made in the mid 1950s, not early '60s.

There have been several threads about the 5cm/2 Nikkor-H, e.g.,

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=90034

Bottom line is that it's a Sonnar formula, based on the Carl Zeiss Jena 5cm/2 Sonnar for Zeiss Ikon Contax RFs.

 

[VTHokiEE]

I plan on grabbing one of these some day, unfortunately I haven't found one at the right price. AFAIK, the handling is the reverse of other lenses, does this bother you at all? I would love to see more shots with it if anyone wants to post them.

 

[goamules]

See the other post, linked above (Deja Vu, almost the exact same title even).

 

[furcafe]

Unlike the Nikon RF versions (which are based on the Contax RFs), the focus direction on LTM Nikkors is not reversed from Leica. The aperture ring, however, is, but that's really not a big deal (for me, anyway) even when using an M6 TTL, etc. w/the matching arrow/dot meter interface.

AFAIK, the handling is the reverse of other lenses, does this bother you at all?

 

[Red Robin]

I was lucky to find one at a super price on that big action site. Had a bad case of haze on the back glass. Took it apart, an easy job, followed directions from web site, now, HA! More champagne on my beer budget. Use it often now.

 

[LeicaTom]

I have a very hard time taking it off my Leica M8, it's going to the car show tomorrow moring..........it is really is one of the greatest of the "Japanese Sonnar" legacy lenses!

Tom

 

[Ade-oh]

It is a great lens. I got one for very little - a bit over £100 IIRC - off Ebay and had it cleaned up by Peter Grisaffi at CRR. The glass looks like new and it's sharp as a tack, albeit quite heavy.

 

[tennis-joe]

It is one of the best around that I use all of the time. I use it on my M3's, Bessa R, IIIG, and III. I also use it on my Nicca/Tower cameras also where they probably came from.
J