"Fast 50" for my Canon P

[ScottMac]

I'm looking for a fast 50mm, in LTM, and have narrowed it down to a couple of choices. I have found a Canon 50mm 1.2, and a Voigtlander Nokton 50mm 1.5 Aspherical, both for about the same price. I would greatly appreciate your opinions on these two lenses.

[rover]

How about the Canon 50/1.4?

[Ronald M]

I am sure the Nokton is a sharper, more contrasty, flare free lens.

[rover]

I agree, the Nokton is no doubt very good. Design wise it is actually very similar to the Canon 50/1.4. Being a modern lens it will have advantages. The Canon lens though is contemporary to the P and in fact perhaps is the best fast 50 of the 1950s. There have also been a few for sale recently for under $250 which may also be an important advantage.

[caila77]

nikton is very sharp and iti is agreat lens with good bokeh!

[Kim Coxon]

When I did a comparison with the Canon 1.4 and Nokton, there was not that much difference in "look" or optical performance. The Nokton is closer to a 1.6 than a 1.5 and does intrude into the finder on a Canon body. However, it does have 1/2 click stops on the aperture. The Canon is smaller and is much less intrusive in the finder as well as being faste.

Kim

[ScottMac]

How about the Canon 50/1.4?
You're right, I probably should consider the 50/1.4 also.........decisions, decisions...

[RayPA]

You're right, I probably should consider the 50/1.4 also.........decisions, decisions...

...when you get to 50mm RF lenses, making a decision on just one lens is difficult...so many GREAT lenses in this FL.

:)

[ScottMac]

One more question...does the 50/1.2 interfere with the finder on the P? What about the Bessa-T? I may also use the lens on the Bessa, with an adapter, of course.

[rover]

The 1.2 is a wopper of a lens in RF terms. It also should be used with a hood, which will yes block a portion of the viewfinder. The Canon hood for this lens by chance is vented which will help with this problem, but it is rare and expensive.

[BillBingham2]

You could also look at a Nikkor 1.4 in LTM. Great lens (I have it in S mount).

B2 (;->

[ScottMac]

I read somewhere that the Canon 1.2 was soft. Can anyone verify this? I would rather give up a little speed in exchange for a sharper lens. I doubt there is much practical difference in 1.4 and the 1.2 anyway.

[back alley]

the canon 50/1.2 is really too big to carry around as an only 50.
it's sharp enough wide open but not to the edges. but that is what people like about it. stopped down it a fine lens.

i would get a cv 50/1.5, it gets great write ups, is not all that big and would fit on a p just fine. the canon 50/1.4 is also a very good lens.

[ScottMac]

Thanks for all the advice......I think I'll go with the cv 50/1.5.

[venchka]

Another vote for the Nikkor 50/1.4. I use mine on a VI-T with the heavy2star vented 43mm hood. Good combination. Solid as all heck.

And, not rangefinder coupled, but it does focus to 18".