thinking about the cv 50/1.5

back alley · 05-28-2012

i have and quite like the cv 50/2.5...i'm contemplating adding the cv 50/1.5 lens into the mix.
been looking at images from both on flickr but am wondering what others who have used both think of the differences between the lenses and if it's worth having both.

roundg · 05-28-2012

it all depends on whether you need the extra speed. If not, the IQ and signature from this two lens have no difference.

roundg · 05-28-2012

BTW, I sold my CV50 long ago and never look back. It's a good lens, but too big and not rigid build.

back alley · 05-28-2012

the 1.5 seems to have a bit more of it's own look to me, while the 2.5 seems more neutral.

typhillips · 05-28-2012

I have no experience w/ the Nokton. However, as I guy who used slower 50's (Elmar f/2.8, Canon f/1.8, ultimately arriving at Hexanon 50/2) for years and fought the urge to get anything faster, I can say that once I did get a faster 50 I've used it WAY more than I ever would have anticipated. I like it for slow film during the day and pushed Tri-X at night.

Sorry, I know this isn't exactly what you were looking for!

back alley · 05-28-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by typhillips

I have no experience w/ the Nokton. However, as I guy who used slower 50's (Elmar f/2.8, Canon f/1.8, ultimately arriving at Hexanon 50/2) for years and fought the urge to get anything faster, I can say that once I did get a faster 50 I've used it WAY more than I ever would have anticipated. I like it for slow film during the day and pushed Tri-X at night.

Sorry, I know this isn't exactly what you were looking for!

no worries ty.
i too mostly use slower lenses of late but have used the faster variety also.
right now i'm thinking about lenses that i have never tried and if it might impact my images.

f16sunshine · 05-28-2012

But you rarely use a 50...

back alley · 05-28-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by f16sunshine

But you rarely use a 50...

there is that...

i'm trying to use it more...i'm also looking for a 25 to see if that works better for me than the 21.

i can't stop playing around with this stuff...

back alley · 05-28-2012

i'm actuall thinking of only carrying a 25 and the 40 with one body...

any other gear will be purpose carried only.

kshapero · 05-28-2012

I only carry a 21 and a 50. The 50 is a Rigid 'cron.

Bingley · 05-28-2012

The Nokon 50/1.5 was my first rf 50. It's really really good optically, but I did not get on with the large size of this lens, which made my Canon P very unpocketable. So I sold it, and bought a Canon 50/1.8 that I still have. I also have the CV 50/2.5. As good as the Nokton is, I don't miss it. If you shoot a lot at max aperture, then the Nokton merits serious consideration. I rarely feel the need for faster than f2.8 or f2.0, so the Canon and CV lenses are fine.

f16sunshine · 05-28-2012

For RD1.. 21 and 40 are perfect. f2.5/50mm is already an ideal Portrait length to have on standby. Faster 50's working as a "75" on the 1.5 crop are just extra weight. The Nokton 1.5/50 is not a Compact or lightweight "occasional" lens by any stretch. Only my opinion of course....My opinion is that it would be hard to get more traction at 50mm than you have now by moving to a heavier lens. Unless you start shooting more low light work.

Maybe look for a Heliar 50 if you want to try a different look.

GaryLH · 05-28-2012

I tend to use the 50 as a portrait lens on APS-c. So I like fast 50. the 1.5 is a big lens. Bigger than your 40 f1.4, so on a rd-1 could have some viewfinder blockage, but that can be said for all fast 50s

.

Gary

seakayaker1 · 05-28-2012

FWIW: I enjoy the Npkton 50/1.5, easy to focus, well built and very happy with the photographs that can be produced with the lens. I believe it is a very good value, a fast lens that is excellent in low light and I do like the bokeh produced by the lens. A lot of bang for the buck . . . . .

JMHO

some samples photographs taken with the Nokton 50/1.5 can be found here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/2667261...7624154693002/

helenhill · 05-28-2012

one of the Best 50's out there...has a similar feel to the 50 pre asph lux wide open
You are Quite Right in saying it has more of a signature 'Look' than Neutral

Can't say I ever took a bad shot with the Nokton and its size is not soooo BIG, though I never used its hood / its quite an attractive lens in Build
You might just LOVE IT !

one of my favorite shots with the nokton 1.5

Sparrow · 05-28-2012

What Helen said; and as you say more of it's own look at the side of the colour-skopar's neutrality ... dead easy to focus ever at full aperture, I should use it more, but tend to go for the Rigid for monochrome or the Colour-Skopar for colour when I go out ... I'll not ever sell it though

Sparrow · 05-28-2012

... and another

BobYIL · 05-29-2012

I have the Nokton. It has better sharpness at first two apertures than the C-Sonnar 50/1.5 and the Summilux-pre (which I sold after testing it against the Nokton). No focus shift at all, dead locked! However with f2.8 on, the C-Sonnar is my favorite; it's such a special lens.

My suggestion: If hi-speed is your criteria, then go with the Nokton. If IQ is what you look for, I do not think you can find a more "plausible" one than the Planar 50/2.

Some characteristics. First the Summilux-pre v.1:

Summilux-pre v.2:

Nokton 50/1.5 with Erwin Puts' comments:

seakayaker1 · 05-30-2012

. . . . . sample . . . . .

MP with Nokton Asph 50mm f1.5

Bingley · 05-30-2012

Helen, Stewart, Seakayaker... Beautiful shots, d**n you! I might have to buy this lens again....

tuanvinh2000 · 05-30-2012

i have an rd1s and tried a lux 50 pre-asph. i dont like the size of fast lenses in general and speed doesn't matter if you shoot digital (esp only 1 stop). i ends up with a 50 cron but a 50 planar would be just as good (couldn't find one locally). i think the nokton 40 shares a very similar look from online samples. Perhaps some software editing would bring out the certain look you like

joeswe · 05-31-2012

I would say buy one try it out, if you don't like it you will probably be able to sell it without a loss. My 2 cents: I owned the Nokton 50 alongside the Summilux v.2 for a while an decided to sell the Nokton in favor of the Lux. The main reason was I didn't come to terms with its ergonomics. While I liked the relatively short focus throw (nice in situations where you have to focus quickly) of the Nokton, I didn't like its size (finder blockage, even more pronounced with the hood) and the aperture ring which IMO is not well designed, as it is too close to the focus ring and moves at the slightest touch. More than once, I accidentally moved the aperture ring while focusing, only to notice it after I had taken the shot. Very annoying and the main reason I sold the lens. But of course this is highly subjective.

furcafe · 05-31-2012

This closely tracks my experience. Optically, I think the CV 50/1.5 Nokton is a great performer, which makes it probably the best bargain lens out there when it comes to LTM or M-mount fast 50s. I could actually live w/its relatively large size (partily because it's actually quite light in weight), but the loose aperture ring was a bit of a pain. FYI, the Nikon RF (S mount) version seems to be better made & has a tighter aperture ring, which is why I have that version now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeswe

I would say buy one try it out, if you don't like it you will probably be able to sell it without a loss. My 2 cents: I owned the Nokton 50 alongside the Summilux v.2 for a while an decided to sell the Nokton in favor of the Lux. The main reason was I didn't come to terms with its ergonomics. While I liked the relatively short focus throw (nice in situations where you have to focus quickly) of the Nokton, I didn't like its size (finder blockage, even more pronounced with the hood) and the aperture ring which IMO is not well designed, as it is too close to the focus ring and moves at the slightest touch. More than once, I accidentally moved the aperture ring while focusing, only to notice it after I had taken the shot. Very annoying and the main reason I sold the lens. But of course this is highly subjective.

roundg · 05-31-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeswe

I would say buy one try it out, if you don't like it you will probably be able to sell it without a loss. My 2 cents: I owned the Nokton 50 alongside the Summilux v.2 for a while an decided to sell the Nokton in favor of the Lux. The main reason was I didn't come to terms with its ergonomics. While I liked the relatively short focus throw (nice in situations where you have to focus quickly) of the Nokton, I didn't like its size (finder blockage, even more pronounced with the hood) and the aperture ring which IMO is not well designed, as it is too close to the focus ring and moves at the slightest touch. More than once, I accidentally moved the aperture ring while focusing, only to notice it after I had taken the shot. Very annoying and the main reason I sold the lens. But of course this is highly subjective.

Exact same track. I sold my Nokton and keep my Summilux 2. Of coz, 3years ago, Summilux V2 is still very affordable.