New Classic Collection Nickel 50/3.5 and 50/2 Heliars

[jarski]

am having 3.5 as well, really like it as well, though its in storage box right now. my only complaint is hard to find lens caps, when one does not want to use the hood.


Barnack Lenses by Jarno Nevala, on Flickr

[jsrockit]

Originally Posted by jarski

my only complaint is hard to find lens caps, when one does not want to use the hood.

Since the hood was small... I would just unscrew the hood and cap and put the whole thing in my pocket.

[jarski]

Originally Posted by jsrockit

Since the hood was small... I would just unscrew the hood and cap and put the whole thing in my pocket.

there are moments when its nice to have the hood. but sometimes small cap would be better. but dont see myself parting from this lens ever btw. here's a set from Madrid shot with M8 and this lens.

[jsrockit]

I meant to say I just use the hood and the cap as my cap... I treat the whole combo as a lens cap when I don't need the cap (just unscrew the whole piece and put it in my pocket). However, I always thought the hood made it better ergonomically speaking (adjusting aperture).

[kshapero]

I am happy with filter and hood, but does the hood really reduce flare?

[seakayaker1]

Originally Posted by jarski

there are moments when its nice to have the hood. but sometimes small cap would be better. but dont see myself parting from this lens ever btw. here's a set from Madrid shot with M8 and this lens.

. . . . . enjoyed the photographs from Madrid. Certainly a nice lens and would not mind having the opportunity to take one out for a stroll at some point in time. One never knows when GAS will strike . . . . .

[Tom A]

My two Nickel Heliars. Great lenses and they look good too. Performance is top notch
Old shot with Tuulikkis digital Lumix.

[Calzone]

Originally Posted by Tom A

My two Nickel Heliars. Great lenses and they look good too. Performance is top notch
Old shot with Tuulikkis digital Lumix.

I own a matching pair also. Mighty good looking I say. Also love the 3.5 for street. With its skinny lens barrel the focus is very fast. For me it adds a different kinda speed, even though its a slow lens.

Cal

[Bingley]

How does the rendering of the Heliar 50/3.5 compare to that of the CV Skopar 50/2.5? What would the Heliar provide in terms of optical performance that I'm not already getting from the Skopar?

[philosomatographer]

Originally Posted by Bingley

How does the rendering of the Heliar 50/3.5 compare to that of the CV Skopar 50/2.5? What would the Heliar provide in terms of optical performance that I'm not already getting from the Skopar?

Not a lot, simply because all modern 50mm lenses are fantastic.

The 50/3.5 is "the best" on paper though, with extraordinary resolution if your technique is good, and it combines that resolution with a gentle, rounded rendering that is very unlike the often brutal or harsh "edginess" of other modern lenses.

If you shoot ISO100 or 400 film, you'll practically never see this extra resolution, only the "character" of the Heliar, which is significantly different from other 50's indeed. If you shot on a tripod with Pan F or Adox CMS20, then the Heliar will reward you with medium-format-class image quality and beyond.

I would not pay $600 or $700 for a new Heliar 3.5, but I am very happy with mine that I got second-hand for half that (with one of those nasty little anniversary-edition Bessa camera bodies attached ).

Under the circumstances where I typically use this lens (hand-held, slow shutter speed) like the image below, the extra qualities of this lens is almost totally bogus.

Heliar 50/3.5, Kodak TMY400-2, Leica M3

This lens has the smoothest bokeh of any 50mm for small-format on the planet:

Heliar 50/3.5, Kodak TMY400-2, Leica M3

[raid]

I have the non-Nickel version of the two Heliar 50mm lenses. I like them both.
The "problem" is that there are many excellent 50mm lenses available.

[kshapero]

Originally Posted by raid

I have the non-Nickel version of the two Heliar 50mm lenses. I like them both.
The "problem" is that there are many excellent 50mm lenses available.

Yes and I'd like to have them all. LOL.

[Archiver]

I totally agree about the unique rendering, and about the situations in which the Heliar 3.5 will display its characteristics. I have to be shooting at close range in daylight or near a window to take advantage of how it renders. Indoors it makes the M9 jump to ISO 1600 or worse. Otherwise it is too slow and I ought to be using a faster 50. But the rendering is lovely and very organic, even on digital sensors like the M9 and GXR.

[julescasablancas]

I'm loving my Heliar f2








It has a classic rendering but without the flare. And a hint of that Zeiss look to it.

[philosomatographer]

For the connoisseur of out of focus rendering, the Heliar 50/3.5 remains completely unsurpassed in my opinion, even with the harshest of out-of-focus highlights:

(Leica M3, Heliar 50/3.5, Kodak TMY400-2)

[Chrisrw]

I am due to get mine in the mail Monday afternoon. These pics are getting me real excited. The only problem is that now I also want the 50/2 :-)

[philosomatographer]

Originally Posted by Tom A

My two Nickel Heliars. Great lenses and they look good too. Performance is top notch

Tom, does the f/2.0 version have any of the magic of the 3.5? Or do you feel the Heliar design was over-stretched to f/2.0? The f/3.5 has the most incredibly "solid", composed rendering - optically perfect, but with a tonal smoothness usually found in softer lenses.

How do you feel about the f/2.0 version?

[larmarv916]

Tom....I did not know there was a BLACK F2 Heliar...as on Camera Quest site there is no mention that there is one ?? Would be nice to know, and ask Steven about that possibility.

Originally Posted by Tom A

The f2 is collapsible - just as the m-mount one. We talked about this in Japan last March and Mr Kobayashi likes collapsibles. I had suggested that he make it as a rigid - but it would involve a redesign of the whole mount and subsequent higher price.
With my black one, I just leave it out and if I get one of Nickel ones - it would be left out too. I have the negfiles to prove that you can forget to pull it out and you get lot's of "bokeh" and not much else.

[jsrockit]

There are black and chrome heliars that came with a body:

http://dacnard.wordpress.com/2011/07...ion-1756-2006/

[philosomatographer]

Grand Central

(Heliar 50mm f/3.5 wide open, Leica M3, Kodak TMY400-2)