How does the Heliar f2.0 stack up against the 50mm Summicron?
I own a 50 Rigid Cron and 50/2.0 Rigid Heliar. I say the lenses are differant enough to keep both.
I love the 50 Rigid Cron because it is like two lenses in one. Wide open and stopped down one stop it is a great portrait lens because of the softness in the corners, but it is a really sharp lens in the center. To me this is how the world appears to me and how I see. This effect seems to become more prevelant as I age. Stopped down at F4.0 or more the softness in the corners is gone. I like shooting this lens on overcast days and for lower contrast on my negatives.
Much of what I like in the Rigid Cron is present in my Nickel Rigid Heliar: the soft corners wide open and stopped down one stop, but sharp all the way across by F4.0; the smooth transition betweed sharp and OOF; and pretty pretty bokeh.
The differances that distinguishes the Heliar are: moderate contrast while the Rigid Cron is low; flare resistance where the Cron is full of surprises; and the Heliar performs well under harsh/high contrast lighting with low coma. Also under dim/flat lighting the Heliar produces a negative that almost looks like it was shot under a strong key light in an amazing way. In many ways the Heliar is a better lens, but I love my Rigid Cron for it's personality.
The softness that some posters suggest is likely due to the way the Heliar renders. The transition between softness and sharpness is very diffused and I beleive some posters interpet it as being soft, but I find it pleasent. To me, this is the signiture of the Rigid Heliar.
Perhaps other posters who call the 2.0 Heliar soft are use to the edgy sharness of ASPH while I'm a guy who appreciates the old/retro look (hard edged vs. blending).
CV did a great job of mixing and combining the old and the new. While not over-built and as heavy duty as a Rigid Cron I like the build quality and the half-stop detents. The focus and handling is also fast.
At F4.0 the differance in my negatives in contrast can help determine which lens was used, the look is kind of similar, but wide open or just one stop down the looks are pretty differant. Both have this OOF rendering that is lovely, very smooth, but distinct. That is why I am glad I have both.
Calzone
