The highest quality for cost 50mm's

[gavinlg]

Nice catch Gavin and lovely model!
I hope you are still tuned here to this thread. Curious about your sigma 1.4/50 for eos
I was thinking of adding one as I move to AF for My 5Dii kit rather than only adapted lenses.
Did you send your copy for AF calibration or was that an early sample issue?
There is far too much to read about online to draw a conclusion.
Thanks!

Hi Andy - thanks for the compliments!
There have been 2 production models of the Sigma 50mm f1.4 - one was the original finish version with the old style sigma crinkle finish (which I never liked) and the later ones have a new smooth/matte style finish. Make sure you get the later finish as it wears much better.
My sigma 50mm was bought locally and worked perfectly first time around. AF is quite reliable - about the same as canon L primes, though a little more 'chattery'. Because I use mine on my 5d (classic) I can't tune the AF - but I don't need to.

I suspect there would be some out there that are a little 'off' in focussing, but I've actually had a really good run with sigma lenses. I can wholeheartedly recommend the 50mm in particular - it's really quite an extraordinary lens, so smooth and consistant. I doubt any lens would be far enough 'off' that AF tuning on the 5d2 couldn't fix it...

 

[Dirk]

Man, there are so many great and cheap 50's out there. Some of my favorite manual focus SLR lenses: SMC Takumar 55mm 1.8; Nikkor 50mm/2.0; Konica Hexanon 50mm 1.7 (old version); Yashica ML 50mm 1.9 (old version). Take your pick. However, my new favorite, considering price, is the new Nikkor 50mm Af-S 1.8G. That one almost makes me forget my 50mm Summicron-M tabbed version. Fantastic bokeh, contrast and a Zeiss-like 3D rendering at something like $220 new. Wow.

 

[fireblade]

the old Nikkor 50mm f1.2
..@1.2

 

[sparrow6224]

Fireblade that is just an outstanding photograph. I have the 50/1.2 and it exceeds all expectations.

 

[segedi]

gavinlg - Very nice shot! I have a Sigma on the way; should have it on Wednesday and can't wait! Sold a Canon 1.4 a few months back and have been waiting for the right, used Sigma to replace it with.

I have to say that my favorite 50mm is the latest Summilux for M mount though. I like the Zeiss planar, but it doesn't seem to perform as well at f/2 than the Summilux at f/1.4. Best bargain? Not hardly, but a fantastic lens. I'd sell any of my other 50's without regret, but the Summilux would be difficult to part with.

 

[maddoc]

Highest quality for cost of the 50mm lenses that I own are my 50/2.0 Nikkors, both in F- and S-mount.

 

[ornate_wrasse]

I absolutely love using the Carl Zeiss Jena 5cm/1.5 Sonnar lens that I bought from Brian Sweeney for around $250-$300. It's a most amazing lens and I love the images I get from using it with either my M3, M6 or RD-1.

It's a truly great performer.

Ellen

 

[Rezultz]

I've starting looking for a good copy CZ Sonnar 50/1.5 on the auction site, but found little info on what adapter is needed. Are there Contax Rangefinder to Leica M adapters? How do you guys use these old Contax Sonnars on your M's? Thanks.

 

[rover]

I've starting looking for a good copy CZ Sonnar 50/1.5 on the auction site, but found little info on what adapter is needed. Are there Contax Rangefinder to Leica M adapters? How do you guys use these old Contax Sonnars on your M's? Thanks.

http://www.amedeo.muscelli.net/

 

[rlouzan]

Any Nikon, Canon, Zeiss, Olympus 50 - 60mm macro lens.

 

[Ezzie]

My vote would be the Kowa SETR 50 f1.9. You can get them for less than $20. Brilliant little lens, reputedly a Planar type lens, 6 elements in 4 groups. Probably still cheap because of the poor reputation of the Kowa leaf shuttered SLRs.

 

[fireblade]

Fireblade that is just an outstanding photograph. I have the 50/1.2 and it exceeds all expectations.

from one Vince to another, Thankyou...it is a brill lens.

 

[wjlapier]

Nikkor 50/1.4 S Mount

Nikkor 50/1.4 S Mount

I still have this Nikkor 50/1.4 S mount I don't use as much as I should. Paid about $225. Amedeo adapter about $200. Shot with Leica MP at f/2.

Second shot with DR Cron I paid about $500 for--with eyes. Prices have gone up alot on this lens. I found this lens to be plenty sharp wide open. I can't remember f/ but shot with M3.

 

[Frontman]

I have a lot of 50mm lenses... My favorite SLR lens is the Oly Zuiko 50/1.8, followed by the Nikkor 50/1.2 AIS. I have 50mm lenses from Canon and Minolta, but I don't like them as much.

For rangefinders, I like the DR Summicron, it works better than my other Leica 50's (Summitar, collapsible Summicron, Summilux), even though it has some haze inside. I also love the Canon 50/1.2 LTM lens. Besides taking great pics, it looks beautiful when mounted on an M camera.

I haven't found any disappointing 50mm lenses, the worst could be described as "very good", most were excellent, and a few are superb.

This week I am shooting with a recently-purchased Canon 50/1.4 on a Canon 7, I don't expect to be disappointed.