Smaller 50mm lens for Canon P

[re_visible]

Hey all!

After a short experiment with DSLR, I switched back to a LX3 and Canon P combination.
I only need a 50mm lens for the P, and currently use a CV Nokton f1.5.

The lens is superb, no objections on build quality and optical performance.
But there is one thing...

It is too big.

It just feels wrong, having the lens in the 50mm frame. It makes the camera bulky, and started leaving it at home because I didn't want to bring along a bigger bag.


So please, what would be a smaller but comparable lens, like down to f2, and up to some 300$?

Bokeh quality is more important than contrast.
And sharpnes... well i find the f1.9 Serenar sharp enough, but unfortunately I cant use it on my P.

An yeah, if you have such a lens, would you like to trade for the Nokton?
🙂


Thanks!

 

[mr_phillip]

Your experience mirrors mine exactly. The Nokton was a really nice lens, but way too cumbersome on the P. I use a Leica Summitar now (a coated ten-blade version from 1946). I love the compact collapsable lens, and it has a unique signature that I adore. It's bokeh is pretty sweet too, and it'd be easily in your budget. Here's a couple of examples:

 

[pagpow]

Why not a nice Canon 50 1.8, the lens the camera came with and highly reputed. Quite a bit smaller that the Canon 50mm 1.4.

 

[januaryman]

Why not a nice Canon 50 1.8, the lens the camera came with and highly reputed. Quite a bit smaller that the Canon 50mm 1.4.

You took the words out of my mouth! A great little lens, inexpensive, high quality.

 

[Rogrund]

Perhaps a Canon LTM 50/1.8? Here is a recent thread. I got mine for just over $100.

 

[novum]

I have a Canon P, had the Nokton 50/1.5, and now use an M-Rokkor 40/2. Not a 50, but it sure is compact. I miss the Nokton, but you're right, it's a big 'un.

 

[Rogrund]

pagpow & januaryman: you guys beat me to it! 🙂

 

[jmcd]

The Voigtlander 50/2.5 is a great lens and it is tiny. Handles very well, also.

 

[kermaier]

If you like a Sonnar look, you can probably get a Nikkor 50/2 in LTM in your price range. (I think I saw one in the classifieds this week.)

Otherwise, the Canon 50/1.8 can't be beat for the money (or, arguably, for significantly more money).

::Ari

 

[wlewisiii]

Canon 50/1.8 as well. One of the all time greatest lenses.

William

 

[sirius]

The Leica Summitar (LTM) has a very unique signature and is a beautiful lens on the canon P. I had a P and a canon 50 f1.8 and I liked the Summitar much better. The mid-tones were nicer from the leica glass.

 

[re_visible]

So the Canon 50mm/f1.8 seems to be nice/best choice

But that collapsable Summitar, is it OK on a P?
The Cannons 50mm/f1.9 won't retract and I'm afraid it might damage the cam.
I guess that would be even smaller than the Canon...


The pics sure look great.

 

[photo4ls]

Earlier this week someone had the Summicron
50 DR @ $325 US for sale in the classifieds which
would be another good choice. Check w/KEH also
they have good prices on the Canon 50 f1.8
somtimes. Got mine from them listed as Bargain
and it was in very good condition and I have had
no problems.
Nelson

 

[Mablo]

Canon P and Leica Summitar is a perfect combo:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3647/3349250865_0b7bda5fa8_b.jpg

The Summitar lens collapses nicely into the camera body if needed. Mine is from -49 and produces lovely pics.

Canon RF bodies are rather heavy and as such suffer from heavy lenses like Canon 50mm f/1.2 or the early chrome versions of 50mm f/1.8

 

[mr_phillip]

But that collapsable Summitar, is it OK on a P?
The Cannons 50mm/f1.9 won't retract and I'm afraid it might damage the cam.

Nah, the Summitar collapses into the P's body without any issues. It looks right at home there too.

I had the Canon 50/1.8 for a time, but liked the look and tonality of the Summitar so much more that the Canon just never got used. Good lens for the money though.

 

[re_visible]

Guys, you are just great!
Thanks for all your suggestions!
I checked some example pics online and I really like the Summitar.


So will be looking for a nice Summitar but if a great and cheaper Canon f1.8 comes along...


And i've got to get rid of the 4 weeks old Nokton now.
Back to digital for some product shots...

 

[raid]

I will be getting back soon a cleaned Canon 50/1.8 from Eddy Smolov. Send me a pm if you are interested in it.

 

[januaryman]

Buy both! I have 7 in the 50mm range - Zeiss, Industar, Jupiter, Fed, Canon. You can't have too many. 😉

 

[Bingley]

I'm another Canon P user who had a Nokton and ultimately sold it b/c of the large size. And what did I replace it w/?......... Canon 50/1.8! Here are some sample shots...

At f.11, cropped:

Wide open:

B&W:

 

[vrgard]

Nice shots, Steve! You really make that Canon 50/1.8 look good.

-Randy