which Nikkor 50mm lenses are Sonnars?

Hi Raid

Hi Raid

I agree that they are popular and deliver unique images, but optically they are technically obsolete:

from the nikon site, re: 105/2.5:

Compared to the previous model with Sonnar type lens construction, it offers significant improvements in close-range aberration fluctuation, as well as peripheral light, spherical aberration and coma. In particular, it delivers a beautiful balance of focused and defocused (blurred) images, as well as higer resolution with natural gradation. The Xenotar-type lens design with the ideal aberration correction made it the perfect lens for portraits.

raid said:
I agree: 50/2, 50/1.4, 50/1.5.

The Sonnar lenses have proven themselves over the years to be very much in demand. My feeling is that as film got better, so did the Sonnar popularity. A Planar may be sharper, but a Sonnar is ... a Sonnar.
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Ted,
Being "technically obsolete" could be one of the reasons why they are so popular. They are "better lenses" based on other factors. There is a reason why extra sharpness is often referred to as "cold sharp" or "surgically sharp". While being optimized technically, some lenses lose their ..... soul?
 
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Followup on Jon's question and correction to my previous post: the Millenium Nikkor is a re-issue of the 1964 Olympic 50/1.4, both significantly larger than the classic 50/1.4, including a larger rear element. 7 elements, but detailed formula unknown for both, also to Rotoloni. So we don't know if it's a Sonnar or not.
 
Here's my beloved damaged HC f2, exquisite when it behaves. Marked Tokyo.
4902216949_fb798d3210_z.jpg
 
ferider said:
Followup on Jon's question and correction to my previous post: the Millenium Nikkor is a re-issue of the 1964 Olympic 50/1.4, both significantly larger than the classic 50/1.4, including a larger rear element. 7 elements, but detailed formula unknown for both, also to Rotoloni. So we don't know if it's a Sonnar or not.
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Does it have a soul or is it cold? :angel:
There will hide the answer.
 
ampguy said:
I agree that they are popular and deliver unique images, but optically they are technically obsolete:

from the nikon site, re: 105/2.5:

Compared to the previous model with Sonnar type lens construction, it offers significant improvements in close-range aberration fluctuation, as well as peripheral light, spherical aberration and coma. In particular, it delivers a beautiful balance of focused and defocused (blurred) images, as well as higer resolution with natural gradation. The Xenotar-type lens design with the ideal aberration correction made it the perfect lens for portraits.
Click to expand...

Can someone post some Xenotar pics? Any Xenotars available in LTM?
best,
Alex
 
Hi Raid

Hi Raid

could be, but probably mostly nostalgia, like Kodachrome, where even though we know the colors and grain patterns don't reproduce as accurately as newer films, some people will always like them because they remind them of a certain time or memory ...

raid said:
Ted,
Being "technically obsolete" could be one of the reasons why they are so popular. They are "better lenses" based on other factors. There is a reason why extra sharpness is often referred to as "cold sharp" or "surgically sharp". While being optimized technically, some lenses lose their ..... soul?
Click to expand...
 
The Olympic Nikkor and Millenium Nikkor are not Sonnar formula lenses. Neblette, "Photographic Lenses" lists the Olympic Nikkor as having the same block diagram as the Canon 50/1.2, but this must be an error. I have seen (somewhere posted) an X-Ray of the Olympic Nikkor showing it was not a Sonnar, but it was different from the Canon 50/1.2. I have taken the latter apart, and made one from two parts lenses- thanks to Roland for providing one of them.
 
Interesting reading. It mentions how Nikon patents were the product of German-Japanese cooperation and how Germans designers contributed to them. Politics may have more to do than optics in the quality of Japanese Sonnar types. <A HREF="http://old.photodo.com/art/When3.shtml">When Japan took over</A>
 
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ampguy said:
could be, but probably mostly nostalgia, like Kodachrome, where even though we know the colors and grain patterns don't reproduce as accurately as newer films, some people will always like them because they remind them of a certain time or memory ...
Click to expand...

Ted,
I am not a Sonnar fanatic by any means. I sold several lenses, including a Tokyo Nikkor 5cm 2.0 to buy a Leica lens. The Sonnar lenses are a nice alternative.
 
Hi Raid

Hi Raid

I like the Sonnar look occasionally, it's basically a lensbaby or Holga like fun distraction once in awhile.

If we were back in the '30s, and that's about all there were, it might be a different story...

raid said:
Ted,
I am not a Sonnar fanatic by any means. I sold several lenses, including a Tokyo Nikkor 5cm 2.0 to buy a Leica lens. The Sonnar lenses are a nice alternative.
Click to expand...
 
ampguy said:
I like the Sonnar look occasionally, it's basically a lensbaby or Holga like fun distraction once in awhile.

If we were back in the '30s, and that's about all there were, it might be a different story...
Click to expand...

The Nikkor 105/2.5 is razor sharp and it is a Sonnar. It is not even close to a soft lens.
 
fbf said:
Any comparisons between the nikkor 50/2 H.C and zeiss 50/2 opton sonnar T* ?
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I do not have any scanned in with the Zeiss Opton 50/2. I have two of them, one shimmed for a Nikon RF and the other is on the Contax IIIa. "Personal opinion"- very close, the edge goes to the Zeiss. I have 5 of the Nikkor 5cm F2's beween S-Mount and LTM.

I will have to do a "Sonnar formula 50" shootout. I have a number of them. I have an M-Mount adapter with an indexed-cam, thanks to Roland.

I also have a 5cm F1.5 Post-War CZJ Sonnar which is "tweeked" from the pre-war design. And the Carl Zeiss Opton 50/1.5, and later Carl Zeiss 50/1.5. Canon 50/1.5, and of course several J-3's.
 
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