Recommendations for a fast 50.

[helen.HH]

1.5 Nokton YOU got bored with...acquired USED $280.00

1.5 Nokton YOU got bored with...acquired USED $280.00

🙂

 

[Thardy]

Is no one speaking of the Jupiter 3 because it costs only about a tenth of $1,000? It isn't new, but undoubtedly it is a Sonnar. I have an evil looking one which has worked well after Kim Coxon fixed it, and there are members who have examples on which Brian Sweeney has worked.

Similarly, I guess the Jupiter 8 isn't fast enough at f/2, but then it only cost about $60. I got one and actually used it with good results. The low price keeps me from complaining about what everyone always complains about on the Inet, such as focus shift, bad flare, bad boka, bad build quality, too heavy, low contrast, etc... The only thing that's annoying is the lack of click stops for controlling the aperture. But then it's only $60 so I don't complain.

 

[ray*j*gun]

Another vote for the 1.5 Nockton.

 

[Thardy]

Interesting here is a 7 page thread about the $1000 Ho-hum 1.1 Nokton.

Here's a 16 page thread of Nokton 1.1 images, bad boka and all.

 

[venchka]

Or how about an abacus designed Nikkor 50/1.4? Relatively small-43mm filters. Solid as a brick-chrome over brass. Coupled focus to approx. 2.6' or 0.8m. The scale is unclear on this because it's marked at 2.5' but the rangefinder disengages just short of 2.5'. Uncoupled focusing to 18". Focus throw: Less than 180 degrees from infinity to minimum coupled focus. The David Douglas Duncan seal of approval. Less than half your budget. If you hate it, sell it on and try something else.

 

[Pherdinand]

it's a bit surprising for me to read the so negative opinions on the nokton 1.1 now, while still remembering all the praise it got after it was released (by well established photographers and camera users)

what's going on?
only the first batch was up to par?

 

[sanmich]

Keith

The canon 1.4 is an outstanding lens, and quite cheap at that.
The build is better than the CV lenses I have.
It has a long throw, but on a smaller diameter than the 1.2, which I suppose will make the focusing faster.

I know it is not sexy or exotic, or even decently expensive, so, apart of a few of us that continue to praise it's qualities, it doesn't take a large share of the gear-passion over this forum, but it really deserve more attention.

Its price also makes it a lens you don't usually need to sell something to get it and try it.

only drawback (for me): 1m min focus dist.

good luck

 

[niels christopher]

I recently sold my pre-asph Summilux v.II, mainly because of the long focus throw.
It's rendering was outstanding, razorsharp even wide open, but it took me ages to focus, which really annoyed me. 🙁

I will probably get a vIII, someday. 🙂

 

[35mmdelux]

🙂

Ouch, name names Helen. Great shot -

 

[ferider]

it's a bit surprising for me to read the so negative opinions on the nokton 1.1 now, while still remembering all the praise it got after it was released (by well established photographers and camera users)

what's going on?
only the first batch was up to par?

It's clearly out of the OP's budget. Which is why I didn't mention it. Keith stated as constraints: < 1k, short focus throw.

 

[helen.HH]

Ouch, name names Helen. Great shot -

35mmdelux: Thank You !
Ahhh,I'm just Teasing Keith about the 1.5 he once Had...
I quite LIKE it !!!
Tres Different fom my retro Leica Glass


😀

 

[f16sunshine]

Don't sell your Hex 2/50 Keith. Not for only one stop anyway. It's a known commodity. Sharp flare free shift free performance in a tidy package. Trading it for one stop and a whole list of potential pitfalls........not good. 😉

 

[nicography]

The pre asph Summilux is a Gem ...ver 2
you can probably find one @Igors cameras for 795. to 1000.00
I recently acquired a 1.5 nokton which I am ENJOYING

here is the pre asph lux

Hi,

From the lens itself, by looking at the exterior, how do I determine if it is a version 2? I have been looking for a decent and inexpensive Summilux-M 50mm f1.4 on ebay, and none of the auctions indicates which version is the lens.

thanks in advance,

Nico

 

[Keith]

Don't sell your Hex 2/50 Keith. Not for only one stop anyway. It's a known commodity. Sharp flare free shift free performance in a tidy package. Trading it for one stop and a whole list of potential pitfalls........not good. 😉

I agree with all you say about the Hex and f2 is OK most of the time ... BUT ... I seldom use it as I find it a little sterile.

Geting to Brian's idea of actually quantifying the attributes I see as ideal ... here goes:

I don't get on well with long focus throw lenses ... I've missed quite a few shots faffing about with focus on the canon 1.2 when speed was important.

Flare ... the Canon's gentle flare from front lighting I can deal with but now and then it does something really strange when artificial overhead light strikes the front element. You finish up with crescents in images and although the hood helps it doesn't totally prevent this.

It doesn't need to be sharp, sharp, sharp! One thing that has never bothered me about the Canon is it's lack of sharpness in the corners and slightly soft look over all.

Slight vignetting doesn't bother me.

I shoot mostly black and white and like my images to have fairly strong contrast so a lens needs to perform well in this area.

I don't mind a large lens ... the size of my 35mm Nokton has never detered me from using it or regarding it as my favouritre 35mm!

I'm not a fan of lenses that won't focus below 1 meter ... 0.7 minimum is a lot more usable for me.


I like the idea of a Nikor Millenium and Amadeo adapter but I supect I would finish up with a fairly long focus throw and 1 meter minimum focus ... is this correct Jon?

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Okay. No Noktons from the 21st Century on your list. Helen likes your old one, so nothing wring with it.

You just want Vintage, different, good build quality, and a short focus throw.

I also have the Canon 50/1.4, great all around lens. Not as sharp wide-open or as contrasty as my Sonnars. I used it a lot on Vacation, and it is a fine lens. It is big, using 48mm filters, and has a long focus throw. Close focus on mine is 3.5ft.

Nikkor 5cm F1.4 in LTM is your choice. The full throw of the focus is to 18", so the distance from 3ft to infinity is shorter than most lenses of its era. And the build quality is 1st rate. Old School Brass. Sharp, contrasty, optimized for close-up and wide-open.

(EDIT: Posted this simultaneously with Keith. And reading his comments, I would still suggest the Nikkor)

1950 Nikkor, wide-open at F1.4.

Millenium Nikkor on the S3-2000, wide-open.

Focus throw on an Amedeo adapter would be 260 degrees from 3ft to infinity.

Focus throw on the LTM Sonnars and J-3's is short, ~150degrees.

The original Nikkors can be modified to focus down to 0.7m. Make a cutout on the threads so the RF follower can move into the lens, not be blocked by the threads. The J-3 can be modified to get down to ~0.8m. Remove the close-focus stop, and file down the threads.

 

[f16sunshine]

In that case you should avoid a CZ Sonnar or Nikkor with adapter. The focus with those adapters is a fiddly unless you use them often. Certainly not better than the Canon 1.2/50. I would suggest trying the new c sonnar. It really fits your requirements best.

 

[niels christopher]

Hi,

From the lens itself, by looking at the exterior, how do I determine if it is a version 2? I have been looking for a decent and inexpensive Summilux-M 50mm f1.4 on ebay, and none of the auctions indicates which version is the lens.

thanks in advance,

Nico

Hi Nico,
If you scroll down this page of Ken Rockwells review, you will find a table with several Leica 50mm listed chronologically. There are also photos of the different versions, so you can have a look at them. 🙂


Greetings, Niels

 

[Sonnar Brian]

So Keith, why not visit DC and play with these lenses....I've got all mentioned except the Summilux. And we could find one close by...

 

[TWoK]

Isn't the difference between the V1 and V2 50 Lux mainly the change from an 1m to a .7m MFD?

 

[Sonnar Brian]

The V1 Summilux was essentially a Summarit with hard coatings. 1-2-2-1-1 configuration.

The V2 Summilux, according to the Rockwell page, was a complete change beginning in 1961.

The optical formula of the 1961 lens according to Rockwell's page is here:
http://www.kenrockwell.com/leica/images/50mm-f14/cross-section.gif

it is a 1-1-1-2-2 configuration.