Sam N
Well-known
ANY system you say? How about the Olympus 45/1.8 or the Pana/Leica 45/2.8 Macro for micro four thirds?
What's the best 45mm lens? (fixed rf and slrs included)
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Roger Hicks
Veteran
The 45/47 Hexanons wipe the floor with any Tessar or Tessar-type I've ever encountered, despite being a stop (or more) faster. But then, I've never understood Tessar-worship. The slow ones (f/6.3) are stunning but I've never been impressed with the faster ones: I've had plenty, and still have two for 35mm from major manufacturers, an actual Tessar on a Contaflex and a Tessar-type GN-Nikkor. The only fast Tessar I like is my 300/3.5, a great portrait lens on 5x7 inch.
Cheers,
R.
Cheers,
R.
KarlG
Established
If any system, I'll put a vote in for the Zeiss Biogon 35mm f/2.8 (or f/2.0) used on the Leica M8 (46.55mm equivalent focal length). 🙂
AdamF
Member
So if I understand correctly the lens on konica auto s2 is much better then modern contax tessar? I know a guy who had planar 50mm 1.7 for contax and he loved it but when he tried tessar he said it was even better.
I forgot to mention, any FILM system 🙂 Digital is not for me, at least while film is still out there.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Dunno: I have never tried either the Auto S2 (I've used only non-auto Konicas) or the recent Contax Tessar. But the latter is still a Tessar. There's a limit to how much you can get out of the design, especially at high speeds (and f/2.8 is fast for a Tessar).
With the exception of the 150/6.3 I've never seen the 'Tessar magic' that so many praise, and as I say, I've had plenty. Some, I'm sure, see what they want to see (the same is true of Sonnars), but equally, every now and then there's a version of a classic design that is inexplicably 'magic' (such as, for me, the 50/1.5 C-Sonnar); and besides, what's 'magic' to one may be ordinary to another.
Cheers,
R.
AdamF
Member
So are there cameras with 45mm and 47mm hexanons other than konicas auto?
btgc
Veteran
In some markets (typically - Germany) there were sold Revue cameras, which often were rebadged Konicas - SLRs and to name a rangefinder, Revue Auto S22 is Konica Auto S2. KAS2 were sold also as some variety of Ward (U.S.).
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Oh yes. At the very least, IIIA (my brother's camera, the first Konica I ever tried) and SIII (which I gave away a while back). A couple of friends also had Konicas in the 70s and 80s, but I can't remember what models they were. There's a review of the SIII at http://www.rogerandfrances.com/subscription/konica sIII.html
Cheers,
R.
btgc
Veteran
Having owned both cameras I'm pretty sure they are different lenses. Yes, they share focal length and optic scheme but are not same. Not that this is something important, but...just for the record, as you English say.
Sonnar Brian
Established
I seem to recall that the Konica S3 had a 38mm F1.8 on it. It was nice, but the Minolta 7S-II with it's 40mm F1.7 was better. The Minolta Hi-Matic E has a very sharp 40mm F1.7 on it. But- these are not 45mm lenses. The Canonet QL17 GIII has a 40mm f1.7, but not as good as any of these -unless you cherry pick from 10 of them.
Tessars are great when stopped down. A Planar beats them everytime. Tessars are small, light, and much less expensive to make. Most fixed-lens RF's with an F2.8 max aperture have Tessars, the exception being Olympus 42/2.8 which is a five-element design. It shows in the images. The Olympus 42/1.7 (EDIT: not an F1.8) is a 7-element lens. Again- not 45mm lenses.
Tessars are great when stopped down. A Planar beats them everytime. Tessars are small, light, and much less expensive to make. Most fixed-lens RF's with an F2.8 max aperture have Tessars, the exception being Olympus 42/2.8 which is a five-element design. It shows in the images. The Olympus 42/1.7 (EDIT: not an F1.8) is a 7-element lens. Again- not 45mm lenses.
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Red Robin
It Is What It Is
Nice thread, but for me the "best" 45mm lens is, for now, a Minolta Super Rokor M-39 that I keep on my Canon IIs2. To be sure I do have others, mostly fixed lens. I'm sure they are fine, it's that I don't use them, Just don't seem to get around to them.
zuikologist
.........................
Did you mean 42/1.7 on the Oly 35SP? Excellent lens, but not 45mm.
The SMC Pentax-FA Limited 43/1.9 is a cut above...
I love the Rokkors in the various Himatics, but the 43 LTD is an exceptional modern lens.
I love the Rokkors in the various Himatics, but the 43 LTD is an exceptional modern lens.
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
Olympus 35 SP:
* wide open, dark place, handheld 😀
Alternatively, I'd give a nod to Ultron 40/2, I've used the Nikon mount version, it's superb.
* wide open, dark place, handheld 😀
Alternatively, I'd give a nod to Ultron 40/2, I've used the Nikon mount version, it's superb.
Sonnar Brian
Established
That was it! I repaired am Olympus SP bought for $15- the spring for the advance clutch was hair-thin and broke. I replaced it with one from a Minolta shutter assembly, much thicker. The lens on the Olympus was 1st rate, one of the best on a fixed-lens RF that I've seen. I just got an Olympus "tower" 35-S working, will have to try it, a 4.8cm f2.8.
Unbelievable nerve!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Olympus-35-...743398012?pt=Film_Cameras&hash=item415d9c4a7c
His does not even work!
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kdemas
Enjoy Life.
I have three 45mm lenses and I love them all though they are all quite different.
45/2.8 Contax Pancake.
Extremely compact, super little lens. Pretty much a classic Tessar design with nice *T coating. Rubber grips on the focusing rings can come loose when the lens is hot.
45/2.8 Nikkor P. Though pricey I really enjoy using this lens. Beautiful OOF renderings, a bit contrasty but in a way I like. One awesome looking lens as well in my opinion, build is superb.
45/2 Zeiss G mount. Simply the "sharpest" lens I own or have used, a real razor blade that you need to be careful with if taking portraits (Same with the 90mm Sonnar). It shows ALL the little flaws in whatever subject it's pointed at. Fantastic lens.
Someone (Vijay) brought his 40/2 VC on his Nikon body and I have to say that lens was beautifully built. Focusing was incredibly well damped, very impressive.
45/2.8 Contax Pancake.
Extremely compact, super little lens. Pretty much a classic Tessar design with nice *T coating. Rubber grips on the focusing rings can come loose when the lens is hot.
45/2.8 Nikkor P. Though pricey I really enjoy using this lens. Beautiful OOF renderings, a bit contrasty but in a way I like. One awesome looking lens as well in my opinion, build is superb.
45/2 Zeiss G mount. Simply the "sharpest" lens I own or have used, a real razor blade that you need to be careful with if taking portraits (Same with the 90mm Sonnar). It shows ALL the little flaws in whatever subject it's pointed at. Fantastic lens.
Someone (Vijay) brought his 40/2 VC on his Nikon body and I have to say that lens was beautifully built. Focusing was incredibly well damped, very impressive.
Peter_Jones
Well-known
All this talk of the Konica S2 - I'll have to run some film through mine. 🙄
If only it were easy (and cheap) to convert FLRF lenses to "M" 🙁
If only it were easy (and cheap) to convert FLRF lenses to "M" 🙁
raid
Dad Photographer
hausen
Well-known
AM regularly stunned by 45/4 on my Xpan.
bwcolor
Veteran
One of the best lenses that I've used .. Contax G 45mm.
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