The year is 1954....

[sparrow6224]

Just curious what very well informed people think, I've never seen the question put broadly to cover all contenders: the year is, let's say, 1954. Which of the available fast 50mm do you want to be shooting (leaving aside whether you like the camera that might necessarily be attached), ie, which is the best optically? Here's a list of the lenses I know but no doubt there are others:

Carl Zeiss Jena 50/1.5 sonnar (pre-war)
Carl Zeiss-Opton/Carl Zeiss 50/1.5 Sonnar (post-war, west)
Carl Zeiss Jena 50/1.5 Sonnar (post-war, east)
Nikkor S/ Nikkor SC 5cm f/1.4
Canon 50/1.4
Canon 50/1.5 sonnar
Leica Summarit 50/1.5

And what about the 50 mm F2's?
Zeiss Jena pre-war
Zeiss Jena postwar
Zeiss Opton postwar
Summicron rigid M mount
Summicron collapsible LTM
Summar
Summitar
Nikon
Canon 50mm f/1.8 (no other Canon 50 competes)
Rokkor 50mm f/2

Again, feel free to nominate other lenses you know about. I'm curious to see what people say....

[sparrow6224]

PS If you know all the lenses in a given category DO feel free to rank them.

[Sparrow]

IIRC the first fast 50 was from Voigtlander, the original Nokton 50mm f1.5

[rover]

Originally Posted by Sparrow

IIRC the first fast 50 was from Voigtlander, the original Nokton 50mm f1.5

Wasn't the Nokton developed, in part, to replace the 1.5 Sonnar for the never made Contax IVa. Zeiss was making the Sonnar in the 30s.

[Sparrow]

Originally Posted by rover

Wasn't the Nokton developed, in part, to replace the 1.5 Sonnar for the never made Contax IVa. Zeiss was making the Sonnar in the 30s.

em, not sure ... something I read but I can't remember where, Roger will know

[rover]

I was compelled to go to the bookcase. On the Trail of the Contax Volume II. When Zeiss acquired Voigtlander in 1956 they did adapt the Nokton with a Contax mount at least as a prototype and it survives in photographs mounted on the prototype of the Contax IV. The Nokton was developed by Voigtlander prior to 1956 though.

[Sparrow]

That would be around the same time as the Prominent then ... when was the first Sonnar 1.5 released?

[dave lackey]

Easy. The Summarit 1.5 not only because it is the only M lens I have but I have used it exclusively and am very comfortable with it now after several years.

Do I need any others?

No.

Would I like a 75 Lux? Yep! And a 90 Cron... but not another 50.

[rover]

Originally Posted by Sparrow

That would be around the same time as the Prominent then ... when was the first Sonnar 1.5 released?

According to Hans-Jurgen Kuc's Contax Chronology on page 10 in Vol 1,

1932.... The Sonnar lenses were especially designed for use with the Contax; their fast speeds of f/1.5 and f/2 make the camera even more attractive.

[rover]

OK, since I am hooked now....

The 50mm f2.0 Nikkor-H was introduced in 1953, there were previous versions. Various versions of the 50mm f1.4 Nikkor-S were also in the market in 1954. (thank you Robert Rotoloni)

Quick checking in Peter Dechert, the Canon 50/1.8 was introduced in 1951 to replace the 1.9. In 1952 the 50/1.5 was introduced.

[rover]

I don't have time to go through Marc James Small and Non-Leitz Leica Thread-Mount Lenses. Lots and lots if you want to go there by 1954.

[sparrow6224]

Yes, I forgot the Canon 50/1.5 sonnar....

[Mackinaw]

The Canon 50/1.4 was introduced in 1957.

JIm B.

[digitalintrigue]

Any coated Sonnar 1.5 for moi

[digitalintrigue]

Maybe a Tower with a 50/2 Nikkor from
Sears. With FedEx delivery.

[bowieknife]

have a Zeiss Jena Biotar 58mm f2 from 1952 in LTM : nice & rare

[Bingley]

Was the rigid summicron available in 1954? I thought it came later.

[Roger Vadim]

1954 - take the best of the bunch: Zeiss Opton Sonnar - don't like no copies

[digitalintrigue]

The Nicca and Nikkor: excellent combo. I thought FedEx was about 70 or 71?

[sparrow6224]

I forgot the Canon 50/1.4 wasn't until 1957. So say it's 1957. It's not a matter of what you might have had if you lived in Chicago and drove a bread truck etc etc. I mean, of that era's lenses, prior to the Summilux, what was optically the best of the fast 50s, and what was (in your opinion obviously) the best of the 50/2's. That's really all I meant. Now. Wasn't there also a Tower from Sears with an LTM lens of some kind?

[Marijn]

Since this post made me realize that I own, depending on how I count, 8 to 10 of the lenses listed, as well as couple that are not listed, maybe it is time to stop lurking and chip in.

When it comes to sharpness, the rigid Summicron truly is in a league of its own. This is one of the lenses that made Leica's reputation for optical excellence, and for good reasons.

If one stop faster is required, I would be torn between the f/1.4 Nikkor and the Oberkochen f/1.5 Sonnar. Both are a step up optically from the pre-war Sonnars, while maintaining their character. The coating quality on the Zeiss Oberkochen optics was (and, impressively, often still is) excellent.

Do not ask me to pick one on the basis of subjective qualities such as character or handling, since I would be taking away the only excuse I have for owning this many (and having one more in the post, on its way to me)!

[thompsonks]

On the Fast 50 list I'm unfamiliar with the Canon Sonnars, but the only lens on the list I wouldn't want is the Summarit. IMO the smoothness of Sonnar bokeh is captivating, and the sharpness is impressive. I recently acquired a 1938 uncoated 1.5 Sonnar, and its resolution, at least at the center, seems 'just right.'

My two Sonnars are optimized for f1.5 at close distances. I read that the Nikkor version of Sonnar was originally calibrated that way, but mine seems to have been adjusted to the contemporary standard of optimal resolution at f2.8.

I like the older lenses for their bokeh and their 'eye-like' representation of sharpness. I have newer lenses like the 35 Lux FLE, but find their resolution almost annoying: when pores and beard stubble and the like are so prominent, the image asks the viewer to concentrate too much on minor surface details. To my eyes the older lenses give more impression of contour/depth.

[Crazy Fedya]

Post war Sonnars f/2 and f/1.5 without a question. Own 'em and love 'em.

[filmtwit]

Oddly enough I'm fairly happy with the 50mm f2 Super Rokkor in ltm, though I think it's from later in the 50's. But the 50mm f1.4 Nikkor-sc in ltm is still my overall favorite

Originally Posted by sparrow6224

Rokkor 50mm f/2

Again, feel free to nominate other lenses you know about. I'm curious to see what people say....

[bean_counter]

We're spoiled today; as mentioned above, back then you were often limitted by local availability. My father was drafted into the army for '53/54, stationed in the middle of nowhere. He knew of the Nikon and Canon RF's, but had never seen one nor did he know anyone with one (and Japanese goods were generally derided at that point in history). Same with Sears offerings, unknown. Too much risk on a corporal's budget to take a leap.

He ended up trading for a 2nd hand ('51 PX Germany purchased) IIIf and Summitar from another soldier. Price was right, he liked the speed and rendering, but most importantly it was a known commodity.