Why no more "standard" lens from Cosina?

[Fujitsu]

Starting with the M8 and now with the M9 the used market for M lenses looks pretty thinned out. I find it almost impossible to get a used 50 Summilux (pre asph) at a reasonable price.

I have considered a Voigtländer 50/1.5 as well but its gone from almost all European retailers.

Why is it that Cosina sells four (!) 35mm lenses today (35/2.5, 35/1.4 SC and MC, 35/1.2) but only one 50mm (1.1) that is a special interest item. (The limited edition nickel heliars I dont count.)

 

[coelacanth]

I'm a 50mm fan myself so I hear your pain. I think one reason is that there are so many 50mm LTM & M lenses out there of course including quite now-reasonably-priced Leica glasses in used market. 35mm and wider angle lenses, especially those from Leica are still very expensive and hard to reach for many people. I think Cosina saw a better market in that range. And seeing that universal wide angle viewfinder they released recently (and those RF-less wide angle friendly bodies they had), I think Mr. Kobayashi LOVES wide angle lenses. 😉

 

[ferider]

Try a clean Canon 50/1.4 before prices for that one rack up further .....

The 50/2.5 is still available. I'm convinced, sooner or later we'll get a new CV 50/1.4. Then again, when people are willing to shell out 1500+ for a "bokeh king", 1200 or more on a 50 Summilux pre-asph doesn't seam unreasonable.

Roland.

 

[Leigh Youdale]

I think Mr. Kobayashi LOVES wide angle lenses. 😉

I think that might be a large part of the reason - plus the large number of heritage 50mm M-mount lenses around. Have you considered the Nokton 40/1.4 or are you quite fixed on the idea of a 50mm lens?

 

[pagpow]

Cameraquest shows six 50mm lenses -- including the ones you don't count -- many sold out, but not all.

Might the following be affecting the situation:

1) film folks are interested in 35's as "normal"
2) digital cropped sensors suggest greater demand below 50mm and
3) CV new lenses have greater price advantage in "non-standard" lengths?

 

[JohnnyT]

That is a loss, right... But the case previously mentioned is clear : there is a lot of good 50mm out there... Anyway, we can still find a lot of CV 50 1.5, no?

For my part, I would wish a CV 35mm for my APS-C sensor in SLR. I love my little 40mm, but sometime I need something less "tele" than my 40mm...

Can you make the 35mm 1.2 in SLR pleeeeaaaaaaase? You would make my day...

 

[thomasw_]

....I'm convinced, sooner or later we'll get a new CV 50/1.4......
Roland.

Yes, and let us hope it is a sonnar something like the old Nikkor but with current coatings; i think it would sell well as a character lens.

 

[semilog]

ZM 50mm Planar or Sonnar, both manufactured by Cosina.

What was the question again?

 

[Keith]

ZM 50mm Planar or Sonnar, both manufactured by Cosina.

What was the question again?

That's a good point ... hard to fault either of the two Zeiss offerings. The rock solid performance of the Planar and the quirkyness of the Sonnar should keep any 50mm fan happy! 😛

I'm only just starting to come to grips with my C Sonnar optimized for f1.5 ... soft when you expect it to be sharp and sharp when you're expecting it to be soft occasionally. It's a hell of a lens and I haven't used any other M mount 50mm since I bought it! 🙂

 

[Fujitsu]

ZM 50mm Planar or Sonnar, both manufactured by Cosina.

What was the question again?

True, however I had the Voigtlander line in mind. Never liked the idea of paying twice as much for a "Zeiss" lens from the same factory the Voigtlanders are built but maybe thats just me...

I used the C-Sonnar briefly about one and a half years ago btw. and wasnt overly impressed. Some say it draws "retro" at f1.5, I say its plain soft, and that at a premium price.

 

[semilog]

Most 50/1.4 designs are soft wide open. Probably the only real exception is the Leica Summilux ASPH. That's why many of us prefer f/2 normals of the Summicron and Planar lineages.

 

[stupid leica]

I would like Cosina to release a 50/2 or 50/1.4 that follows their current styling- so a 50/2 that is basically a visual rip on a 50cron, or a 50/1.4 that mimics the 50lux. The 50/1.5 was rather big.... the 50/2 Heliar is a great lens, but is a limited production.

 

[David Murphy]

Well I've not been following Summilux prices that closely, but I never seen one at a reasonable price (new or old)! They are unreasonably expensive if its just 35mm photography with a decent 50mm one is after. Of course I have no doubt they are outstanding lenses in all respects - I do own a DR Summicron and based on its quality and performance I can imagine how fine the next step up in M primes must be.

 

[semilog]

I do own a DR Summicron and based on its quality and performance I can imagine how fine the next step up in M primes must be.

Two things. First, the DR is one of the greatest lenses ever computed and manufactured. The next step "up" is small, and in some cases (mainly in B&W), it's actually a small step down. Second, the Gen IV (tabbed) is optically identical to the current version, and they are not (all things considered) that expensive. I paid $450 for mine in EX condition in 1998. Accounting for inflation, they are about the same now.

 

[semilog]

I would like Cosina to release a 50/2 or 50/1.4 that follows their current styling- so a 50/2 that is basically a visual rip on a 50cron, or a 50/1.4 that mimics the 50lux. The 50/1.5 was rather big.... the 50/2 Heliar is a great lens, but is a limited production.

Why bother? Cosina already manufactures the ZM Planar 50/2, by all accounts one of the best 50's ever produced, and the CV collapsible, which might just be the best 50 ever produced [Erwin Puts] [PopPhoto]. The 50 Summilux ASPH might be even better (and it's certainly faster), but it's comparatively huge, heavy, and expensive (none of which stop me from wanting one).

 

[stupid leica]

Why bother? Cosina already manufactures the ZM Planar 50/2, by all accounts one of the best 50's ever produced, and the CV collapsible, which might just be the best 50 ever produced [Erwin Puts] [PopPhoto]. The 50 Summilux ASPH might be even better (and it's certainly faster), but it's comparatively huge, heavy, and expensive (none of which stop me from wanting one).

The ZM 50/2 is ugly and has the ZM "nipple", vs a proper tab. And it has a blue dot. Those are reason enough for me to not want one. Optically- yes it kicks ass. It is just an externally ugly lens.

The 50/3.5 collapsible is optically perfect, but- oh yeah it's a f3.5!

 

[semilog]

And it has a blue dot.

Picasso never had a red period, and Yves Klein never patented a shade of red.

Thus, blue is a better color than red and the Planar is a better lens than the Summicron*.

*Note: I own the current-fomula Summicron. I think the Planar is probably an even better (more pleasing) lens. I am wondering if the Summicron would be better if retrofitted with a blue dot.

 

[stupid leica]

Then sell me your Cron for a "less than ZM Planar" price.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Most 50/1.4 designs are soft wide open. Probably the only real exception is the Leica Summilux ASPH. That's why many of us prefer f/2 normals of the Summicron and Planar lineages.

The 50mm f1.5 Nokton was sharp wide open. I had one and regret selling it. My Olympus 50mm f1.4 for the OM system is the last version that is known for sharpness and its is VERY sharp wide open.

 

[semilog]

The 50/3.5 collapsible is optically perfect, but- oh yeah it's a f3.5!

What fraction of your best images shot with a 50 -- not your total output, but your best images with a 50 -- were shot at apertures wider than f/3.5? When I asked myself this question, the honest answer was "not many." Most are at f/2.8-8. Looking at great pictures by my favorite photographers (e.g., Paul Strand), the answer is usually the same -- and the images would not be improved by wider apertures.

Fast lenses are overrated. If you want shallow DOF, get a holga. 😛