I had an OM-1 set, including a later 50/1.4 multicoated lens, 135/3.5, and an Olympus wide. Traded all for a Contax IIa and 50/1.5 Sonnar.What? No love here for the superb — and cheap! — Olympus OM Zuiko 50mm ƒ/1.8?
That lens gets a lot of high marks from reviewers, and can be had for US$20 or so.
Another candidate: the Olympus OM Zuiko 50mm ƒ/3.5 Macro. By at least one test, this is regarded as the 4th sharpest OM Zuiko ever produced — and it can be had for under US$50!
In brief: Easily. The Summicron-M was "threatened" by the Nokton 50mm f/1.2 already - but the Summicron's small size, good sharpness and nice rendering made that match kind of a draw, with the Nokton being the better lens stopped down, but not quite at f/2. The Summicron is a classic with impressive optics for its vintage - but that's it. Truth be told, for most of my shooting, I actually preferred the little old Nokton 50mm f/1.5 already, but I know that that's just me ...So, is the Leica 50 Summicron suddenly feeling threatened or what? You mentioned in the other post that it finds a new place on a secondary camera but do you think, based on these initial impressions, that the Apo will provide enough features, opticala performance and character to take over the duties of a f/2 fifty?
No, I haven't. The Sonnar is a different kind of lens, though - while indeed interesting, this wouldn't be a fair contest. The Sonnar has a unique rendering, but otherwise is a bundle of quirks, loveable though some may find it. But its size and style make it desirable for some - it's just not a universal choice. The APO-Lanthar certainly is.Interesting. Have you used either the Zeiss Planar 50/2 or Sonnar 50/1.5 on your M's? If so, how would they compare to the APO?
How's flare?The APO-Lanthar has two "faults": Swirly bokeh at close distances (but not otherwise nervous or harsh), and quite heavy vignetting wide open. But *that's it*!
I own two Sonnar-type lenses (a surprisingly usable Jupiter-8 L/D and a great Nikkor-H*C 5cm f/2 I was able to source from Brian!) and know exactly what you mean. I'm certainly not against quirky lenses. But that's not the point when talking about the APO-Lanthar. I too like the Nokton 50mm f/1.5, btw. - it's been one of my most-used 50mm lenses so far, in fact, at least on the Ms. Just a nice bag of tricks, and it is sharp where it usually counts.Thank you for your thoughts. I do have my Nokton 50/1.5 and it's a very good and well behaved lens so that I get more tempted by lenses that are, shall we say, a bag of quirks. If I actually had toy money to spare, it would be a hard choice between the APO-Lanthar and the Planar. As it is I am more likely to find a used Sonnar type (be it Zeiss ZM or older Canon & Nikon) because of the special rendering those lenses have. Still if the money and a copy of the APO-Lanthar coincide I'll likely find myself very interested
I’d be interested to see how you get on with the Canon Brian. There’s one going for a giveaway price at the minute which I haven’t succumbed to as like most of us I have enough 50s atm (well maybe…). And on the on the other side of the coin, I went into a camera store today to look at their used gear. There was my Nikon Pancake 50 F1.8 for £120 next to a Noctilux iv 50 F1 which was going for £5,200.I'm glad you got the APO-Lanthar, and agree- it is optically the best lens of all that I own. I learned to turn off the lens profile on the M Monochrom and M9. Not needed!
With that stated- I bought the 50/1.2 Nokton, will be taking it out this week. It's on the M9. I plan on going out with the Canon 50/1.2 and the Nokton. Focus was spot-on out of the box.
For me, it needs to be 50mm WHOA! I have some 70 of them in Leica mount.
I’d be interested to see how you get on with the Canon Brian. There’s one going for a giveaway price at the minute which I haven’t succumbed to as like most of us I have enough 50s atm (well maybe…)
Noted, many thanksView attachment 270879
This one is my third- and this one has perfect glass. It is made in 1957, came with a Vt Deluxe. I had two prior, both had some coating damage to the surface being the aperture. This one is early, maybe Canon changed the lubricants later in the run.
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This lens is amazing, the first F1.2 lens for 35mm cameras. If the glass is clean- grab it and keep it. If the glass has some damage, and the price is right-
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I'd grab it. First 3 shots with perfect glass, the third shot: I built this lens out of two parts lenses, $90 total. Glass behind the aperture was damaged.
I think it's an exceedingly nice and rewarding lens - if you don't crave perfection, that is. I really like the results.I keep seeing things in this thread that make me think I should try to get to know my V1 Nokton 50/1.5 better. Perhaps if I use it for October? Hmm...
Sorry, YMMV. I don't use it, but many swear by it. I actually like the Nokton for its quirks as well ... And they're not too bad at all.Cool. Ok, I'll use it and get better aquainted with it.
Should I use the Summilux asph lens profile?