nokton 50 1.5 VS other 50 similar

[georgef]

Sorry about the "VS" thing, I hate those... 🙂 I am looking to get a fast 50 to use on my RD1 and was wondering how the CV 1.5 fares, and what would be comparable in the LEICA camp. There are some "guidelines" to what I am looking for:

A fast 50, no less than 1.8

Price in the 200-350 range new or used; I know its a short leash, but that's my budget on this right now 🙂

It has to be sharp; by that, I mean a sharp design; I have used a number of fast 50;s, including the serenar 1.2 which I loved but it was soft. I need a "descriptive" lens here, rather than a "rendering" lens if you know what I mean about the character of it.

Easy focusing ring; I found some of them (like the serenar 50 1.8, elmar collapsible) to be a little tricky to focus.

thanks in advance for your input.
cheers.

 

[kbg32]

The 50/1.5 Nokton is a great lens. You can't go wrong for the price.I really like this lens and I generally hate 50s. It produce beautiful files with my M8 and on film - crisp, sharp, and I really like the bokeh.

 

[Ray Nalley]

The Nokton stays on my M most of the time. Very sharp. Excellent value.

 

[kshapero]

The Nokton stays on my M most of the time. Very sharp. Excellent value.

that's about it for the money.

 

[35mmdelux]

not many options for $200-350, even the Nokton will cost you more. At this price range I think I would prefer the VC 50mm f/2.0 Heliar.

 

[tomasis]

Try Nokton. For such little money I'd do.

 

[ferider]

The Nokton for this budget, or if the version you tried was chrome, maybe a black Canon 50/1.8 since handling is different ?

Thinking outside the box, maybe a 40 Nokton will do too ? Much better lens than the 50, IMO.

Cheers,

Roland.

 

[georgef]

thanks guys...I will probably up the ente a bit to get the 50, but I have continuously seen LEICA 50s go on fleabay for that price, its just that with so many types out there, I am not sure which one to look for.

Roland, I had both the Mc and SC versions of the 40 1.4 and as much as I love that lens it is not long enough for me. My other option is theheliar 75 2.5 but I think the bokeh of the 50 1.5 will be more pronounced than the 75 2.5...maybe I am wrong?

 

[ferider]

The 75/2.5 is cool, too, George.

BTW, I just put up a chrome 50 Nokton in the classifieds/Trade section, if you are interested.

Roland.

 

[sevres_babylone]

You're welcome to try mine out. I also have a couple of Sonnars (Zeiss and Canon). But I'm not selling any of the three. I think the Nokton may be the Rodney Dangerfield of fast 50's.

A couple of shots from the Nokton:

 

[Krosya]

there is a Jupiter -3 50/1.5 - very good if you get a good one.

 

[georgef]

You're welcome to try mine out. I also have a couple of Sonnars (Zeiss and Canon). But I'm not selling any of the three. I think the Nokton may be the Rodney Dangerfield of fast 50's.

A couple of shots from the Nokton:

Thanks Jack, I think I will take you up on that offer; sent you a PM. How do you compare the nokton to the sonnars, especially the canon?

Roland, I sent you a PM regarding your nokton -couldn't find the ad 😕

 

[pgmj]

The 50 Nokton has two disadvantages; weight/size and close focusing limit of 0.9m. Except for those factors it is an amazing lens. It has outstanding performance at all apertures. Very sharp, nice colors and very appealing OOF rendering, imho.

 

[Beetle]

there is a Jupiter -3 50/1.5 - very good if you get a good one.

Russian QC 🙂

This lens looks really nice, especially the OOF rendering. I'll get one I think.