Krosya
Konicaze
What is your Favorite Fast Fifty mm RF lens? And why?
By fast I mean f1.5 or faster. Would be nice if you could show a pic or two as well to support your point.
By fast I mean f1.5 or faster. Would be nice if you could show a pic or two as well to support your point.
My first thought on this question was that the answer is easy but perhaps not satisfying the intent... since I have just the one Fast Fifty, the Sonnar-ZM. But wait, I also have the Nikkor-S on the S3 but I seldom use it. And, there's the Opton-Sonnar on the Contax, but that's a shelf queen too.
So the easy but unsatisfying reply is: Zeiss 50/1.5 Sonnar-ZM, with two samples below on M2 with Fuji 160. It's a lovely lens!
So the easy but unsatisfying reply is: Zeiss 50/1.5 Sonnar-ZM, with two samples below on M2 with Fuji 160. It's a lovely lens!
coelacanth
Ride, dive, shoot.
I don't have anything faster than F2.0, and F2.8 is the fastest for 50mm so I can't play. 
I had a nice copy of Nokton 1.5 but I couldn't bear with the size.
Elmar-M 50/2.8 fast enough for me.
I had a nice copy of Nokton 1.5 but I couldn't bear with the size.
Elmar-M 50/2.8 fast enough for me.
elshaneo
Panographer
Nowadays, it's definitely the vintage "Zeiss Opton Sonnar 50mm f/1.5" Contax mount which is always on my Leica M2 together with the Amedeo Muscelli's Contax to Leica M adapter
Example: http://www.pbase.com/shanelam/image/120096535
Example: http://www.pbase.com/shanelam/image/120096535
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
Well ... it must be my 50mm f1.2 Canon because it's the only fast 50mm RF lens I have!
My new Zeiss f1.4 Planar has totally blown me away but I can't brag about that because it's 'evil' mount!
My new Zeiss f1.4 Planar has totally blown me away but I can't brag about that because it's 'evil' mount!
ItsReallyDarren
That's really me
Canon 50/1.5
The other 1.5 sonnar formulas from (old)Zeiss and Nikon I've found to work very well close up and wide open. I like the Canon because I've found it to be very good at middle distances and middle apertures. It's hardly noticeable when comparing all three lenses together but I always lean towards the images made with the Canon.
either f4 of f5.6
f1.5
f1.5
The other 1.5 sonnar formulas from (old)Zeiss and Nikon I've found to work very well close up and wide open. I like the Canon because I've found it to be very good at middle distances and middle apertures. It's hardly noticeable when comparing all three lenses together but I always lean towards the images made with the Canon.
either f4 of f5.6
f1.5
f1.5
maddoc
... likes film again.
I have three different FFF RF lenses, Noctilux, Millennium Nikkor-S, Summarit 50/1.5. They are totally different beasts and have their pros and cons, so there is no absolute favorite lens (... albeit the Noctilux comes closest)
Roger Hicks
Veteran
The current C-Sonnar. Reasons: size, image quality ('look'), ergonomics. Over the last 40 years I've had the f/1 Noctilux, f/1.2 Canon, f/1.5 Nokton (original and CV), f/1.5 Xenon and f/1.5 Summarit, and tried the Contax-fit f/1.5 Sonnar and its FSU copy. The only one I still have (and like very much) is the Sonnar. There's a review with lots of pictures on http://www.rogerandfrances.com/subscription/ps firstlook sonnar 50.html.
Cheers,
R.
Cheers,
R.
Sonnar2
Well-known
No "one is best"
Canon 50/1.5 (for general use, and atmosphere), or 50/1.4 (when critical sharpness is more important). My example of the 50/1.4 is so good I never lusted for a C/V 50/1.5.
For close focus atmospheric portraiture (and just here), the Nikkor-S 50/1.4 is even better than the Canon Sonnar.
cheers, F.
Canon 50/1.5 (for general use, and atmosphere), or 50/1.4 (when critical sharpness is more important). My example of the 50/1.4 is so good I never lusted for a C/V 50/1.5.
For close focus atmospheric portraiture (and just here), the Nikkor-S 50/1.4 is even better than the Canon Sonnar.
cheers, F.
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You said "Favorite", so that makes it easier.
My 1953 KMZ Jupiter-3.
Wide-Open
F4
Favorite: because it was a disaster when I got it, took it apart, cleaned and relubed, moved the helical in the mount, shimmed it, took out all the glass and cleaned that, reseated it all. $90 Plus Time. And it does not hurt that "Pixel-Peeping" on the M8 shows it to be as sharp as my Nikkor 5cm F1.4.
My 1953 KMZ Jupiter-3.
Wide-Open
F4
Favorite: because it was a disaster when I got it, took it apart, cleaned and relubed, moved the helical in the mount, shimmed it, took out all the glass and cleaned that, reseated it all. $90 Plus Time. And it does not hurt that "Pixel-Peeping" on the M8 shows it to be as sharp as my Nikkor 5cm F1.4.
Krosya
Konicaze
Interesting to see what everybody likes and why.
Myself - I have used many and still cant decide which is my favorite. In the past I used to have: Summarit and hated it. Canon 50/1.2 - and loved it (kidna miss it), J-3 - also a good lens. Now I have several others - M-Hexanon 50/1.2, Nokton 50/1.5, Nikkor LTM 50/1.4 and Canon 50/1.5 - and just cant decide which I could call my favorite. Each has something that the other one doesnt - at least to my eyes- and I just keep going through stages where I favour one or two over others and than it changes after a month or so. I was thinking to sell a some of them, but since 50mm is my favorite FL and I like fast lenses - it seems that I will never be able to pick just one.
Presently, I sort of favour Nokton and Canon 50/1.5's:
Canon 50/1.5:
Nokton 50/1.5:
Myself - I have used many and still cant decide which is my favorite. In the past I used to have: Summarit and hated it. Canon 50/1.2 - and loved it (kidna miss it), J-3 - also a good lens. Now I have several others - M-Hexanon 50/1.2, Nokton 50/1.5, Nikkor LTM 50/1.4 and Canon 50/1.5 - and just cant decide which I could call my favorite. Each has something that the other one doesnt - at least to my eyes- and I just keep going through stages where I favour one or two over others and than it changes after a month or so. I was thinking to sell a some of them, but since 50mm is my favorite FL and I like fast lenses - it seems that I will never be able to pick just one.
Presently, I sort of favour Nokton and Canon 50/1.5's:
Canon 50/1.5:
Nokton 50/1.5:
tooffy
Established
I agree totally with you, Krosya. I love 50mm's too. My current favourite is Tanar 5cm f1.5.
Tanar5cmf1.5 @f1.5
tbarker13
shooter of stuff
I guess I only have one option to toss out, but I really like it.
It's a 1953 J3.
Here's a shot, at 1.5 or 2.0 from a recent studio session. Apologies to those who have already seen it elsewhere.
I may one day get another fast 50, but for now, I think this does what I need it to, and it makes a great vintage companion for my Zeiss Planar.
It's a 1953 J3.
Here's a shot, at 1.5 or 2.0 from a recent studio session. Apologies to those who have already seen it elsewhere.
I may one day get another fast 50, but for now, I think this does what I need it to, and it makes a great vintage companion for my Zeiss Planar.
back alley
IMAGES
only have one fast 50, the zm 1.5 sonnar...
Nando
Well-known
My favourite the 50mm Summilux-M ASPH.
tbarker13
shooter of stuff
only have one fast 50, the zm 1.5 sonnar...
Really nice image....
back alley
IMAGES
thanks tim...
squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
Nowadays, it's definitely the vintage "Zeiss Opton Sonnar 50mm f/1.5" Contax mount which is always on my Leica M2 together with the Amedeo Muscelli's Contax to Leica M adapter
No question, me too. Though mine is a somewhat later CZ version (no separation as yet, knock wood). I'm pretty capricious when it comes to "favorites" but this has been my favorite pretty solidly for the 8 months or so that I've had it. All it took was one roll and I was sold. It renders amazingly on slide film and does well on the M8 too. Film samples:
john_van_v
Well-known
I got bokeh to die for with mine through pine forest, but I never got it to focus right. Its good to hear yours has such excellent glass.
ferider
Veteran
I have three 50s left, my favorites from everything I tried: DR Summicron, 50/1.4 Nikkor Tokyo, Summilux v2 pre-asph.
Impossible to decide which of the two fast ones I prefer. One has a very classic signature, beautiful wide open and close-up for portraits, the other one is a more modern and great all-rounder, with some weaknesses for close up and in the bokeh department.
Roland.
Impossible to decide which of the two fast ones I prefer. One has a very classic signature, beautiful wide open and close-up for portraits, the other one is a more modern and great all-rounder, with some weaknesses for close up and in the bokeh department.
Roland.