nikon vs canon 50/1.4

[loneranger]

I'd like some help choosing between one of these two lenses, Nikon 50 1.4 in LTM mount, and Canon 50/1.4 ltm. I'll be shooting them wide open, so I am interested in contrast and sharpness wide open. I shoot mostly color. I would apreciate any comments or info. thanks

 

[loneranger]

One more question, is $275 a good price for Nikon 50/1.4, clean glass but some oil on diagphragm?

 

[NIKON KIU]

One more question, is $275 a good price for Nikon 50/1.4, clean glass but some oil on diagphragm?

Sounds like a half way descent price to me.
Most all have a little oil on the iris.
Is the Aperture ring chrome or black?

There are many many threads regarding these two lenses, do some home work(reading).


Kiu

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I have both lenses in LTM. My Nikkor is sharper wide-open than the Canon. It is also a much smaller lens, the Nikkor uses 43mm filters and the Canon uses 48mm filters. Depending on what camera you plan on using it on, the VF might be blocked by the Canon. On a Barnack Leica, about 1/3rd of the finder is blocked.

I use the Canon on a Canon VI-T without problem. The Nikkor is well suited for the Leica CL, IIIF, and other smaller cameras as well as the larger ones.

 

[jonmanjiro]

There was some sample variation between the four Nikkor-S 5cm f1.4s (all S-mount) that I've owned. One was a real dog, and the other three were quite good, but one stood out from the other two when shot wide open and close up. Probably more to do with what happened to the lenses in the 50 or so years since they left the factory (disassembled for cleaning etc.) than how they left the factory though.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I've had 12 Nikkor 5cm F1.4's, still have 11 of them... I lose count They have all been good. I've repaired the aperture mechanism on one, and did a bit of cleaning on another- but none required shimming. I have one Canon 50/1.4 now, had one before that. Both are good and could not tell the difference between them.

Now- J-3's... Sample variation. After Shimming and cleaning...

http://ziforums.com/album.php?albumid=97

http://camwk.com/album.php?albumid=47

 

[raid]

You can't go wrong with either lens.

 

[ALEXFLEX]

The two should not be missed, if possible

 

[loneranger]

I finally made the plunge, and bought both. thanks for all the good advise.

 

[like2fiddle]

I'm very happy with my Canon 50/1.4, but have heard many good things about the Nikkor. If all else was equal, and I had a choice, I'd opt for the smaller lens.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I finally made the plunge, and bought both. thanks for all the good advise.

Yes, a difficult decision but one that I often arrive at myself.

 

[NIKON KIU]

I finally made the plunge, and bought both. thanks for all the good advise.

Now you get to compare them and let the rest of us know of your findings.

Kiu