Super Rokkor 50 f1.8 ltm or Fujinon 50 f2 ltm

[Imakebadphotos]

Yes, the lens designs are different. OP, there are also image threads here on the forum for the Canon 50/1.8 and the Canon 50/1.4. Hopefully that can give you an idea of what the lenses are capable of, and the image quality.

thanks for the tread links!

 

[Peter Jennings]

wow it is easy to get lost down the rabbit hole for this lens system.

We've all been there. Enjoy the journey!

 

[astrobuoy]

I came across this test a few years ago comparing a few of the lenses mentioned here (namely the canon 50/1.4, 50/1.8, and super rokkor 50/1.8): https://lensqaworks.com/2018/05/01/...per-rokkor-50mm-f-2-0-vs-minolta-md-50-f-1-4/

 

[ACullen]

Don't know about the Rokkor 50/1.8 ltm but I do have a nice little Rokkor 45/2.8 ltm lens that I enjoy a lot. Of course it isn't as fast as the f/1.8 lens but it is small, light and very easy to handle. It also takes great pictures as do most Rokkor lenses in my opinion.

Yes the Super Rokkor 45/2.8 LTM is a nice and very compact lens. The front rotates with focus but images are pretty nice. Swirly wide open. One lens not mentioned is the Topcor S 5cm/f2 . Excellent in all respects.

 

[Ccoppola82]

Are you referring to the chiyoda kogaku super rokkor 50 1.8? If so, it actually surprised me with how good it is. VERY contrasty lens, well built, and small for a 1.8

 

[james.liam]

I came across this test a few years ago comparing a few of the lenses mentioned here (namely the canon 50/1.4, 50/1.8, and super rokkor 50/1.8): https://lensqaworks.com/2018/05/01/...per-rokkor-50mm-f-2-0-vs-minolta-md-50-f-1-4/

The writer's conclusion seems to be that while he ranked them, they weren't that far apart. No standout.

 

[IEDEI]

i love my Super Rokkor 50 F1.8 sooooooo much.

I also have a mid 1970s Summilux 50mm and have always seemed to prefer the Super Rokkor. Have used both of them consistently alongside each other and have consistently reached for the Super Rokkor. Literally my favourite lens....a joy to use.

 

[Teemō1]

The Super Rokkor is an amazing lens. Good flare resistance, moderate contrast and good colour. It's deadly in the centre - way more so than later SLR Rokkors. Performance is good across the frame when stopped down but the coma never really goes away and therefore limits resolution. I am keen on a Fujinon and Topcor 1.8 to compare, but I suspect they will all be quite similar. Besides, those lenses are even rarer and therefore more unaffordable, for now.

I have an old album here and have since shot the lens much more. Here is another image shot wide open on Fuji C200, unedited. The preview here is a bit more compressed, so you are better off clicking the image to open it directly:

 

[james.liam]

I have to say that I've never been crazy about the colors these lenses render. They were designed with B&W in mind and there's always something "off" to them. One's aesthetics will of course vary. Perhaps why the over-saturated Kodachrome was so beloved.

 

[Teemō1]

I have to say that I've never been crazy about the colors these lenses render. They were designed with B&W in mind and there's always something "off" to them. One's aesthetics will of course vary. Perhaps why the over-saturated Kodachrome was so beloved.

Depends which lenses, and the definition of colour being referred to. Lateral chromatic aberrations are basically non-existent on a lot of these old lenses, to a similar degree as a lot of simple 3-4 element telephoto lenses from around the same period. Longitudinal CA is not the worst either.

Colour balance is not easily judged now as glass and coatings deteriorate over time. The single-coated lenses, if not the coating then the type of glass itself began to become UV-absorbing or reflecting post-war which was the main problem encountered by colour film. This Super Rokkor however, is multi-coated and perfectly suitable for colour photography. Any colour balance won't be too far from a neutral warm or cool unless the lenses contain radioactive glass which deteriorates, but even a basic single coating definitely helps to control contrast and therefore saturation too.

A lens designed for high quality black and white images still needs to be corrected for multiple colours, depending on the monochrome film available at the time. 😉

 

[Imakebadphotos]

Depends which lenses, and the definition of colour being referred to. Lateral chromatic aberrations are basically non-existent on a lot of these old lenses, to a similar degree as a lot of simple 3-4 element telephoto lenses from around the same period. Longitudinal CA is not the worst either.

Colour balance is not easily judged now as glass and coatings deteriorate over time. The single-coated lenses, if not the coating then the type of glass itself began to become UV-absorbing or reflecting post-war which was the main problem encountered by colour film. This Super Rokkor however, is multi-coated and perfectly suitable for colour photography. Any colour balance won't be too far from a neutral warm or cool unless the lenses contain radioactive glass which deteriorates, but even a basic single coating definitely helps to control contrast and therefore saturation too.

A lens designed for high quality black and white images still needs to be corrected for multiple colours, depending on the monochrome film available at the time. 😉

I really appreciate your insight on this lens. I live how it renders a image wide open. This week I was fortunate enough to find a super rokkor for a good price. Although it has a cleaning marks, I dont think its going to be a problem. Cant wait to shoot with it!

 

[Teemō1]

I hope to see some of your images with it! I'll be getting some more of my own developed soon.