The venerable "50"

[raid]

I have posted these images before, but maybe some of you have not seen them. I had several 50mm lens tests in the past years, and here are some results from one of those tests at 2.0:


1. Collapsible; http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=5297421

2. Rigid; http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=5297418



3. This photo was taken with the Summitar wide open:

http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=5297449

4. Jupiter 3 wide open: http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=5297425


5. Nikon 50mm/2 wide open;

http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=5297453


6. Canon 50mm/1.5 at 2.0 ;
http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=5297431



7. Canon 50mm/1.2 at 2.0: http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=5297434


8. Zeiss Jena 5cm/2 LTM : http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=5297459

9. Canon 50mm/1.8 at 2.0; http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=5297546



There can be variations in the quality of the vintage lenses, but you can see some general features here. Once a vintage 50mm lens has been adjusted [if needed], it can produce sharp results.

 

[Bingley]

Thanks, Raid. The image in your test taken w/ the Canon 50/1.8 suggests why I may hang on to mine. That lens is terrific and a great bargain these days.

 

[raid]

Thanks, Raid. The image in your test taken w/ the Canon 50/1.8 suggests why I may hang on to mine. That lens is terrific and a great bargain these days.

Hi Steve,

With vintage lenses it is sometimes possible that a few lenses are not 100% optimally shimmed, but what I posted above was taken with "good" lenses that have been proven to have good performance. The Canon 50mm/1.8 is my own lens, and I can vouch for it. I have not sold this lens because it is so good and so inexpensive. A sale would not tempt me.

 

[harmsr]

I just might be addicted to the 50 also.

I have the 50 Lux ASPH with the M8, the modern 50 Cron in the LTM special edition for my ZI & iiif, a 50 Coll. Cron for the iiif, 50 1.4 ZF Zeiss for the Nikon D300, and the Zeiss 50 2.0 Macro ZF for the Nikon D300. This is after thinning the line-up.

Basically in RF gear I have a 21, 28, 35, 50, & 90. I find that a 50 stays on one of the cameras much of the time.

On film the 50 is my primary lens. The funny thing is that I still like the 50 even on the cropped sensors of the M8 & D300. I really like how they draw. No gimmicky effects of extending or over compressing the background. It just gives a very natural look, but I can still do shallow DOF work if I want to.

Long live the 50!!!!!!!!!

Best,

Ray

 

[Bingley]

Hi Steve,

With vintage lenses it is sometimes possible that a few lenses are not 100% optimally shimmed, but what I posted above was taken with "good" lenses that have been proven to have good performance. The Canon 50mm/1.8 is my own lens, and I can vouch for it. I have not sold this lens because it is so good and so inexpensive. A sale would not tempt me.

It certainly appears to be a good example, Raid, that you should keep, particularly given your fondness for older lenses. 🙂

 

[Vics]

I, too bounced all around during the great Zoom Scare of the '80s, but in '91 I came to my senses and started back using all primes. Then when all those Nikon lenses got too heavy for me, I started exploring the one lens approach using a 50, which in turn led me to RFs. First a Contax IIIa of my dear departed Dad, then the Leica M3 with the collapsible 'cron. Then I added a DR. My family thinks I'm nuts. I have nine 50mm lenses. Bless me Father for I have sinned...
Vic

 

[raid]

Steve,

I have never regretted to stick with old lenses. They are timeless and they never get "out of date". I don't care for multicoating or super-duper sharpness from corner to corner that shows every mini pimple in everyone's face.

I often just place the lenses on the sofa in front of me, and I play with them during TV commercials.

As for the 50mm/1.8 lens, I certainly will not sell it.

 

[Bingley]

I often just place the lenses on the sofa in front of me, and I play with them during TV commercials.

LOL!!! When RFF'ers refer to their cameras as toys, this must be an example of what they mean...😀😀😀

 

[mike goldberg]

Oh my!...
Guys & Gals, I opened this Thread several weeks ago and forgot all about it 😱 Let me tell you
what I'm excited about. A forum has just opened on doing pix "Close to Home," or within a two minute's walk from where one lives. Although I have a 90 and two 35's for R/F, I think I'm going to do this 'assignment' all in 50mm.

I opened the Thread, because in a year and then some, I've learned to love the 50. Ciao, Mike ;-)

 

[raid]

Mike,
Most of my photos taken the past 4 years have been "close to home", and most images were taken with 50mm lenses.

 

[moonwrack]

I too have come back to 50mm after several years; on Nikon F3's and Leica M6's. It is a very under-rated focal length. However, what's the point in having an interchangeable-lens camera if you do not use more than one lens? With monochrome, a single focal length has more flexibility at the enlarging stage. With colour reversal, alternative focal lengths may be more desirable.

 

[Cale Arthur]

I love this thread, almost as much as i love all of my 50's. 🙂

Though i do occasionally enjoy something wider, i've never needed anything but a good & fast five-o. There's an extremely versatile 'immediacy' to be had at this focal length that i can't quite find elsewhere, and i don't believe i've ever left home w/o one.

--c--