AdamF
Member
Hi, any recommendations? All systems included (rf's, fixed rf's, slrs) which one in your opinion is the best in terms of performance/drawing qualities or value?
What's the best 45mm lens? (fixed rf and slrs included)
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vha
Isn't it coffee time ?
45mm Nikkor P.
Been using it for the last 4 years or so, small, well build and the best part : It´s a tessar design 🙂
Looks strange on my D700 compared to other Nikkor stuff, probably better on the FM series. Like it a lot, and you survive excellent that it´s a 2.8.
Been using it for the last 4 years or so, small, well build and the best part : It´s a tessar design 🙂
Looks strange on my D700 compared to other Nikkor stuff, probably better on the FM series. Like it a lot, and you survive excellent that it´s a 2.8.
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awilder
Alan Wilder
Without hesitation the Contax 45/2 G series is the very best period! Then followed by the 45/2.8 AI-P Nikkor or 45/2.8 for Contax SLRs. I suppose the Hexanon 45/1.8 wins for fixed lens RFs followed by a Yashinon 45/1.7.
AdamF
Member
Thanks for fast replies. What about ql19 and hi-matic 7s, how do they compare?
vha
Isn't it coffee time ?
Forgot about the 45mm Planar for Contax G, it´s almost too sharp, if that is possible?
Great optics and a strange system (Not always friend with the AF) But have some great albums in the shelf made with the G2.
Better stop thinking of the great lenses . . . . 😉
AdamF
Member
Yeah, I was thinking about 45mm planar, but I think af is not for me. Is there big gap between nikkor and cz tessar compared to yashica gsn and konica auto s2?
GaryLH
Veteran
+1 on contax g 45. If a 40 is of interest the there is also the Minolta 40f2, Leica 40f2 and the vc 40 f1.4 that u may want to look into. But for 45mm my vote goes to the contax g lens.
Gary
raid
Dad Photographer
For the 45mm focal length: I love the 45/2 for the Contax G1 and G2.
A lens that is close to 45mm is the Pentax 43mm/1.9 Limited for the Leica. It is a wonderful lens, but it is relatively rare and hard to find. I have one,and I love it.
The 47mm Hexanon lens in the Konica RF cameras (III) is awesome.
A group with many options would be 40mm-50mm lenses.
Sonnar Brian
Established
Many Fixed-Lens RF's use 45mm for their standard.
The Minolta Hi-Matic 9 has a 45mm F1.7 that is improved ober the HM-7.
The Konica S-2 has a 45mm/1.8 that is superb.
Likewise, the Yashica GS/GT Series has a 45/1.7 that is beautiful.
Some people have been adopting these lenses to mirrorless cameras, even to Leica Mount.
My Vote: pretty much a toss-up between the three, and I own all 3.
The QL19 and QL17 full-size camera, have 45mm lenses. The F1.9 lenses are 5 element. I am in the process of repairing some fixed-lens RF's. Just fixed a Petri with a 45mm F1.9 on it. Have to test that one as well. My 48mm F1.9 on the Walz 35 is a SONNAR, the only fixed-lens Rangefinder that I know of with a Sonnar.
Wide-Open at F1.9. This is a 7 element, in 3 group, lens.
If this lens were in LTM, it would cost 10x as much as this camera.
The Minolta Hi-Matic 9 has a 45mm F1.7 that is improved ober the HM-7.
The Konica S-2 has a 45mm/1.8 that is superb.
Likewise, the Yashica GS/GT Series has a 45/1.7 that is beautiful.
Some people have been adopting these lenses to mirrorless cameras, even to Leica Mount.
My Vote: pretty much a toss-up between the three, and I own all 3.
The QL19 and QL17 full-size camera, have 45mm lenses. The F1.9 lenses are 5 element. I am in the process of repairing some fixed-lens RF's. Just fixed a Petri with a 45mm F1.9 on it. Have to test that one as well. My 48mm F1.9 on the Walz 35 is a SONNAR, the only fixed-lens Rangefinder that I know of with a Sonnar.
Wide-Open at F1.9. This is a 7 element, in 3 group, lens.
If this lens were in LTM, it would cost 10x as much as this camera.
f16sunshine
Moderator
The contax tessar is great for it's performance and small size. Great detail and Bokeh. Here is an awkwardly taken shot while kayaking. Long Expired film but, I like the look and this demonstrates the character of the lens shot up close. f4 I think here maybe w/o.
f16sunshine
Moderator
On a Fixed RF I will always love the Yashinon 45mm in the Lynx5000/Electro series (I'm almost certain they are the same lens). Here is a B+W from an Elctro GTN.
AdamF
Member
Hm, tossed between nikkor (have nikon f3), tessar (have yashica fr-1), yashica gsn, konica auto s2 and minolta hi-matic 9. Framelines and quietness of rangefinders are tempting 🙂
raid
Dad Photographer
I forgot about the Konica S2 when I suggested the Konica III lens. Yes, the Yashica has a great lens, which I also forgot about.
AdamF
Member
Raid, how do they stack against contax planar? Sadly, I think I'm going to sell my leica m2, I'm too worried about it when I'm taking it outdoors, plus 35mm is too wide and 50mm too narrow for me.
raid
Dad Photographer
Adam,
These lenses have lower contrast than modern lenses, but have very high resolution.
The Yashica has lenses that seems to have higher contrast than the Konica Hexanon (old) lenses.
It is amazing that we can purchase such cameras at such low prices.
These lenses have lower contrast than modern lenses, but have very high resolution.
The Yashica has lenses that seems to have higher contrast than the Konica Hexanon (old) lenses.
It is amazing that we can purchase such cameras at such low prices.
denmark.yuzon
Streetographer
Konica Auto S2, Hexanon 45mm F/1.8
Robert Lai
Well-known
45mm was a very common focal length on fixed lens RF cameras.
The Aires III (and later variants such as the IIIL) have a 45mm f/1.9 6-element double Gauss Planar type design with high resolution and medium contrast. Look up Louis Meluso's posing on photo.net for some outstanding photos made with that camera.
For Tessar lenses, get a real Zeiss Tessar! They come in a tiny package on the Zeiss Contessa: 45mm f/2.8.
The Aires III (and later variants such as the IIIL) have a 45mm f/1.9 6-element double Gauss Planar type design with high resolution and medium contrast. Look up Louis Meluso's posing on photo.net for some outstanding photos made with that camera.
For Tessar lenses, get a real Zeiss Tessar! They come in a tiny package on the Zeiss Contessa: 45mm f/2.8.
rxmd
May contain traces of nut
Then there is the Mir-26 45/f3.5, which covers medium format (being designed for the Kiev) and also serves as the basis for the acclaimed Hartblei 45mm Tilt/Shift and Super-Rotator lenses.
Brian Legge
Veteran
The Lynx 14/e is another rangefinder with a good double gauss lens. I believe its 7 elements. Particularly good if you're looking for a low light 45mm lens. 😉 Granted, it flares like mad if you aren't careful.
I really need to shoot some slower film in it as I've mostly used it in low light situations for the speed, but here are a few shots:
I really need to shoot some slower film in it as I've mostly used it in low light situations for the speed, but here are a few shots:
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rxmd
May contain traces of nut
My 48mm F1.9 on the Walz 35 is a SONNAR, the only fixed-lens Rangefinder that I know of with a Sonnar.
Wide-Open at F1.9. This is a 7 element, in 3 group, lens.
If this lens were in LTM, it would cost 10x as much as this camera.
It's one of my candidates for an eventual conversion order at MS Optical, together with the 35/f2.8 "pancake" from the Olympus XA.
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