Which 50mm lens for vacation?

[tripod]

On the heels of Raid's 50mm lens thread:

I'm heading to France this summer and have my gear sorted out, except for which compact 50mm lens to take.

It'll be going on a Konica Hexar RF body with B+W film. My choices are:

FED 50f3.5 coated
Elmar 50f3.5 uncoated
Summar 50f2
Summitar 50f2
Summicron (collapsible version) 50f2
CV50f2.5

Speed is not an issue because I'll have a faster CV40f1.4 lens along. I'm also taking along a MF folding camera for sharp detailed results capable of significant enlargement.

So maybe I'm looking for an "old world" look. The CV50 lens does not fit this effect, but it would be the most convenient to use since it is not collapsible and so resistant to flare that a hood would not be needed.

Compactness IS an issue, so the Summarit and '69-'79 Summicron stay home.

 

[Nokton48]

I'm getting ready to pick up one of the collapsible 50mm Fed lenses. I already know if you get a good one (I'll buy from Fedka) then it is fabulous. I've also been looking at the Elmars(s) but I think I'll go for the Fed. Great vintage "look" to the views.

I have 50mm CV Nokton for something modern, and the 50mm f1.2 Canon for something old, this may be "just right" for alot of my uses.

 

[tripod]

Writing out the question helps clarify my thoughts on this. Now I'm thinking the modern CV50 for convenience, AND the uncoated Elmar for the vintage look. The Elmar adds negligable bulk and weight, and provides a sig. different look.

 

[lkgroup]

I just got back from a Vacation and took my 50 CV 2.5 Skopar as my only 50mm. I am glad I did, the negs were very nice. I left home a 50 1.5 Nokton and a 50 F/2 Summitar. I like both lenses but couldn't take everything.

Leo

 

[back alley]

if i were heading to europe i would take & carry my complete cv kit.
but then i would off on my own, no family etc. and just carrying the camera bag. and that kit is a feather weight.

 

[raid]

On the heels of Raid's 50mm lens thread:

I'm heading to France this summer and have my gear sorted out, except for which compact 50mm lens to take.

It'll be going on a Konica Hexar RF body with B+W film. My choices are:

FED 50f3.5 coated
Elmar 50f3.5 uncoated
Summar 50f2
Summitar 50f2
Summicron (collapsible version) 50f2
CV50f2.5

Speed is not an issue because I'll have a faster CV40f1.4 lens along. I'm also taking along a MF folding camera for sharp detailed results capable of significant enlargement.

So maybe I'm looking for an "old world" look. The CV50 lens does not fit this effect, but it would be the most convenient to use since it is not collapsible and so resistant to flare that a hood would not be needed.

Compactness IS an issue, so the Summarit and '69-'79 Summicron stay home.

Since you have a 35mm/1.4 lens already with you, leave your 50mm lens behind. If you insist on taking a 50mm lens with you, choose the one you find most appealing for B&W work. I would not take the Summar for its lack of flare resistance. I am not a fan of CV lenses, so I would leave the CV 50mm/2.5 behind, but you may like the look from CV images. It would be a more modern and more contrasty look than what you would get with the Elmar.

It is then the Summitar. The 2.0 is great to have,and the overall performance of clean Summitar with B&W is hard to beat. Either the Summitar or the collapsible Summicron.

The Elmar can always be thrown in for a few specialimages with the uncoated one.


Have a good trip.

 

[maddoc]

My choice would be the Summitar. I was on a short trip last weekend, brought only my M3 and the DR Summicron, something like a "vintage photo travel" 🙂.

 

[Bingley]

Yay! The first "what lenses shall I take on vacation" thread of the season! I love these threads. Thanks for starting this one.

If I were in your shoes, and planned on taking the CV40/1.4, I would take the Elmar as my 50, particularly since (as you note) compactness is an issue. That would be a terrific pairing, IMHO.

 

[tripod]

Steve, I thought at the beginning of your post you were going to rip me.

I'm going to have to do some quick comparison tests (I hate tests) with my 50mm lenses to directly compare their results, and use that info to choose.

 

[kshapero]

I took a ZM C Sonnar 50/1.5 on vacation in New England last summer. I had a ball.

 

[Bingley]

@tripod: No, no, no. I was being sincere. I really DO like these threads. AND, I have a vacation coming up in June (road trip to the Pacific Northwest). I'm already hard at work testing which of my 50s to bring...

 

[raid]

Actually, I was "first"! I had such a thread a few weeks ago. Yippeeee!
I am famous.

 

[Bingley]

Raid -- How did I miss it?! BTW, I loved the threads you started last year on your trips to Portugal and Germany... very enjoyable reading!

 

[raid]

Raid -- How did I miss it?! BTW, I loved the threads you started last year on your trips to Portugal and Germany... very enjoyable reading!

Thanks.
I hope to bring some good images back from this summer's trip.

 

[back alley]

if you have the 40 do you really need a 50?

 

[bmattock]

if you have the 40 do you really need a 50?

You kidding me? If they made a 41, 42, 43, 44, etc, we'd all be arguing about the relative merits of each and own several copies just to be certain.

The answer to "how many lenses do you need?" is simply "how many you got?"

 

[-kk-]

my vote will be for the summitar or collapsible cron. cant beat that old world look/feel, esp if you're going to the old world 🙂

 

[aizan]

leave the 50s, take the 40.

 

[tripod]

When we're talking about a special trip (for me) and something as small as a RF lens, I'd rather have it with me and not need it, than to leave it at home and then find out that there was a use for it. Within reason of course. I'm not taking everything.

 

[ferider]

Leave the 50 at home, take the 40, add a wide angle (28 or wider). Always nice to have.

Best,

Roland.