The 50/1.5's

[espressogeek]

I am looking to find information about and a comparison of the CV Nokton 50/1.5, the ZM 50/1.5 and the Leica 50/1.5 summarit . Are all of these " sonnar " type designs? How do their " signatures " compare to each other? Do any of them have significantly inferior bokeh and if so why?
Just curious as i am considering buy any of the above listed and/or the canon 50/1.5 .
Thanks so much.

 

[back alley]

the zm and the canon are sonnar design.
i don't think the others are.

 

[espressogeek]

How could the ZM sonnar not be a sonnar design?

 

[back alley]

i said the zm and the canon WERE sonnars.

 

[OldNick]

From my experience with the Summarit years ago, I would recommend you choose one of the others. It is very soft focus wide open, and quite frequently found with haze. I also had mechanical problems with my sample.

Jim N.

 

[Huck Finn]

The Zeiss is the only Sonnar design among the three you mentioned. The Canon Serenar is of course also a Sonnar design.

The Nokton is a modern design using an aspherical element.

Due to patent restrictions, Leica could not have its own Sonnar, so they used a Xenon design from Schneider for their fast 50 in the '30s. The Summarit is essentially the same design with the addition of coatings in the.

 

[Ronald M]

Summarits are variable. Some good. Others report problems. Mine is as good as other f 1.4`s of the era.

 

[Avotius]

im not a big fan of the summarit, contrast is too low for my taste. The new sonnar seems pretty nice, the old sonnar is a nice little lens but not the sharpest thing you can get. In my personal opinion the nokton and the new sonnar have a very different look, the sonnar seems to take very clear and dynamic images, while the nokton seems more flat by my eye.

 

[espressogeek]

Nokton flat huh? I really have not seen many great pictures taken with either the new sonnar or the nokton. I suspected the formula might be similar with both lenses but I am probably incorrect. Anyone have a good series with the new sonnar?

 

[telenous]

I am far from being an optical engineer but the optical designs of the Sonnar ZM and the Nokton, as evidenced in the Zeiss and Cosina websites, look very different. (I looked for that some time ago because I also wondered if the Sonnar was an optical derivative of the pre-existing Nokton).

 

[payasam]

Agree with Jim N. about the Summarit. The example I had gave nothing but flare, and its focussing barrel seemed like an oval in section.

 

[ampguy]

I like the Summarit 1.5 for color and b&w. I wish someone with a XOONS shade for this would sell me one cheap 😉

 

[espressogeek]

Wow, so many mixed review of the summarit. I can more pictures from that than most of the older lenses that are not summiluxs or summicrons. I really like the look of the samples but it seems like hit or miss.
I have seen a handful of snaps from the nokton but , while sharp, they dont jump out at me.
I have only seen one good sample from the new sonnar. I LOVE the look of the 35mm biogon I have and I think I would be happy with the new Zeiss glass but I would like to see more of it.

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

For some excellent samples of the Canon 50/1.5 LTM, check out kevin m's gallery and recent threads on RFF and photo.net.

 

[espressogeek]

Yea, i like the look of that lens. I am keeping my eyes open for one.

 

[alexz]

So, guys, what would be your consensus (or rather subjective opinions) would you have to chose between Nokton 50mm/1.5 Asph. and Zeiss ZM Planar 50mm/2 (bearing in mind f/1.5 isn't really necessary for your needs) to put it on Bessa R3A ?

Alex

 

[Huck Finn]

I'd vote for the Planar.

 

[Captain]

Nokton flat huh?

Nonsense the Nokton is anything but flat. Its one of the best in Voigtlanders optical lineup. All things considered however, the size of the Nokton is a concern and as such I would go with the ZM Sonnar.

 

[LazyHammock]

I'd vote for the Planar also. If you don't need the extra speed this is a great lens. I really like the out of focus areas when you open it up. Here is a link to a recent Planar pic at F2.
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=47013&cat=500&ppuser=1572
This is a flatbed scan of a print - I didn't quite get the contast right before i posted but it gives a good idea of what the lens can do.
Cheers,
Nick

 

[raid]

Not to side-track your discussions on the new lenses, but here is a link on some testing of vintage 50mm lenses. It includes three 50mm/1.5 lenses (J-3, Summarit, Canon). It is interesting to see the differences between vintage and modern lenses.

Raid

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=428878#post428878