Sonnar 50mm f/2 collapsible: opinions?

GeneW

GeneW

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I recently picked up a Kiev 4a with Jupiter 8m that's quite a decent lens (other than being prone to flare in direct light). At the same time I had an opportunity to pick up a 1938 CZJ Sonnar 50/2 collapsible so I went for it. I haven't had a chance to use it yet. Any opinions on this glass? If you've used it, what kind of 'signature' would you say it has? A bit softer than more recent glass? Prone to flare? (It's uncoated). Good for colour at all? Good for 50mm portraits? Street photography?

Just curious if anyone has experience using one.

TIA,

Gene
 
A very good lens overall, but as all uncoated lenses, really benefits from use of a hood. While not as prone to flare as other contemporary lenses due to the lens design, it will flare modeartely given the chance.

On the other hand, it delivers rich colors and good contrast. Also, famous for the characteristic bokeh rendition. I have a few of these, and find that it is virtually indistinguishable from the rigid 1.5 Sonnar.

Yes, the lens would be a bit softer than modern lenses (especially at the corners of the frame), but it is particularly well-suited for portrait use and as a general purpose lens (but use a hood)
 
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What the dexdog wrote. If you've never shot w/a good uncoated lens before, you may be surprised how good they are w/both B&W & color, which often takes on slightly subdued tones (great for taming the excesses of the more extreme films like Velvia).
 
dexdog, furcafe, thank you. You've confirmed what I thought should be the case. Although it has a 40.5mm filter size, I'm unable to screw in my Heavystar 40.5mm lens hood. Maybe it's slightly stripped.

Gene
 
Could be the hood, not the lens. 1 drawback to Heavystar's low, low price is the rather "variable" quality & tolerances, e.g., 1 of my wide 40.5mm Heavystar hoods doesn't work w/most of my lenses, so I just got another (which works fine). I guess you do get what you pay for (or less).

GeneW said:
dexdog, furcafe, thank you. You've confirmed what I thought should be the case. Although it has a 40.5mm filter size, I'm unable to screw in my Heavystar 40.5mm lens hood. Maybe it's slightly stripped.

Gene
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GeneW said:
dexdog, furcafe, thank you. You've confirmed what I thought should be the case. Although it has a 40.5mm filter size, I'm unable to screw in my Heavystar 40.5mm lens hood. Maybe it's slightly stripped.

Gene
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Here is another thought. I have come accross this and here is what I found out. Some Sonnars (and their copies - I have a ZK lens from 1948 that could actually be a Zeiss glass and made by Zeiss workers) have a bit smaller thread for filters. I know at least 2 sonnar owners and me with my ZK lens that had to get a filter ring adapter from 40mm to 40.5mm and then everything works great.0mm is odd size and 40.5 is very popular one so getting this adapter ring is helpful if you like the lens. I think HeavyStar sells these as well for about $8-10. Was a worthwhile investment for me. Just old cap doesn't fit anymore, so had to get that as well in 40.5mm size.
Hope this helps.
 
Brian Sweeney said:
Wide-Open, on the IIIa, with Kodak C41 process B&W film.

190882158_2ad53749a3_o.jpg


Joe's favorite picture of Nikki.
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still is!!
 
FrankS said:
Post some pics of your own, Gene, when you have some results.
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Frank, I didn't have a hood that would fit, so the Sonnar flared pretty badly, but I liked a couple of the images anyway. I've since discovered, thanks to the forum here, that a 40mm hood I have fits like a glove.

Mom and Child taking the connecting walkway under the bridge in Port Credit:

462154705_4917931731_o.jpg


A couple of young ladies enjoying a moment in Starbucks. Bad flare here, and APX400 is awfully grainy, but despite the problems I rather like this one:

462177159_89bf945c7e_o.jpg


Gene
 
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