The King of **50mm** Bokeh

[mark-b]

Everyone's got their opinion of which lens is bokeh king of the 35mm focal length realm. Now I'd like to know what you consider is king of bokeh for the 50mm
focal length.🙂

 

[ferider]

There really is no question in my mind: DR Summicron. And I've tried a lot and love classic Sonnars.

The only other lens that comes close is the ZM C-Sonnar. But, compared to the DR, it has some strong disadvantages in usability.

Roland.

 

[rover]

My thoughts are similar, Rigid Summicron (same glass as the DR) and Nikkor 50/2 (Sonnar) come to my mind immediately.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

This is of course, a very personal thing. Bokeh "likes and dislikes" cannot be described using scene metrics. Although, I could try to dig out some old FORTRAN code that performed such tasks in the early 80s.

1956 KMZ Jupiter-3, wide-open at F1.5.

Modified for close-focus to 0.8m.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

The Type 1 Rigid Summicron and DR Summicron have the same Optics Module.

This is with the Type 1 Rigid Summicron, wide-open at F2.

The DR Summicron cannot be mounted on an M8 or M9. But if you get a "junker" Type 1 Focus Mount, you can transplant the optics into it.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Collapsible Summicron, wide-open at F2:

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Uncoated 5cm, F1.5 Sonnar, modified to LTM, wide-open on the M8.

 

[ferider]

My wife wax-painting Easter eggs, taken with the DR:

 

[Phil_F_NM]

+1 for the DR Summicron. After that, it comes down to the effect that I'm wanting. I love my Canon 50mm f/1.4 for its rendering wide-open, but at the same time, I really like the Jupiter 8 as well. Right tool for the job.
If it came down to me owning only one though, it would be the DR Summicron.

 

[jmkelly]

There are a lot of variables here. Depending on the OOF content and the lighting, one of several different lenses will give better or worse effects, according to my personal esthetic. I agree with Roland about the DR Summicron - this lens gives me the largest percentage of "pleasing" shots. I also love my very early Summilux, but percentage-wise it doesn't match the DR. I really love my Sonnars and have close to every flavor - and I've noticed that even duplicates of the same lens have slightly different rendering. The comparative OOF of the Sonnars can be a bit jangly with certain kinds of bright background highlights relative to the DR.

 

[AhShun]

My thoughts are similar, Rigid Summicron (same glass as the DR) and Nikkor 50/2 (Sonnar) come to my mind immediately.

Owned both Rigid and Nikkor.
Now, Rigid in hand but the Nikkor sold, that's my choice^^

 

[K14]

I'd say there are many. My old coated Summar:

 

[Sonnar Brian]

'37 Sonnar, wide-open

Type 1 Rigid, wide-open

5cm f2 Sonnar "T" in LTM, wide-open.

Just had to be different. But kept the test target constant.

 

[ferider]

How about just picking a single personal favorite, Brian ?

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Easy if someone had asked which is the lens with the worst Bokeh.

"Astignar" 50mm/f2, wide-open, in LTM. The Jester of Bokeh.

For personal favorite- the uncoated Sonnar 5cm F1.5.

 

[tightsqueez]

Hey now! I happen to love the look of the "Beast" aka "Astignar".

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I'm glad it found a good home. Proves Bokeh is Subjective.

The ultimate Franken-Lens. Half Sonnar-Half Xenon, set in an I26 Mount and RF coupled...

Wait until the next one creeps out of the optics lab...

Actually- one of my hybrid J-3's has the smoothest Bokeh that I've seen...Made from a couple of lenses, swapping elements around...

 

[kzphoto]

People swear by that DR summicron. I've yet to use one, but I love the rendition on my 50mm pre-ASPH lux.

 

[biakalt]

I love my Summarit bokeh

 

[mark-b]

Easy if someone had asked which is the lens with the worst Bokeh.

"Astignar" 50mm/f2, wide-open, in LTM. The Jester of Bokeh.

For personal favorite- the uncoated Sonnar 5cm F1.5.

That's certainly different, and I like it. Edgy and dynamic. No creaminess, but then the subject matter won't showcase any of it if it's there.