Nikkor - HC f2.0 50mm samples (finally)

[LeicaTom]

Finally got a chance to shoot something with the Nikkor - HC f2.0 50mm in LTM
this past weekend

Lens was on my Leica IIIC K with Kodak 400ASA Blk N Wht C-41 -
model is my new hairstylist Ali Monroe, she`s really adorable and at 4' 11" she`s like dyamite in a small package! - these were shot at full open f2.0 to f 4.0 /500-1000/sec with NO lens shade

I`m going to run around roll of 400 this weekend with it on the IIIC K again, just for good measure, results are nice I think, similar to a Summitar in feeling, just a little more crisper

Comments are welcomed

Enjoy!

Tom

PS: Special thx to Roland for this lens

[foto_fool]

It was probably something Roland posted that got me interested in the Nikkor lenses (thanks a lot Roland! ). I like how it paints wide open - Sonnar softness. Just got a roll back - maybe this will whet your appetite for that 1.4 you have coming:


Leica IIIf/Nikkor SC @ f1.4/HP5+

[raid]

Here is a color photo taken at 4.0 with my Nikon 50/2.

http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=5288252


Here, at 2.0:


http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=5297453

Here is a focus test photo:

http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=5272765


Here is a photo taken with a borrowed Nikkor 50/1.4 (Millenium)

http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=5311391

[Letien]

This is mine from my new nikkor 50/f2. What is your opinion on the "bokeh". Is it excessive? It's certaintly different than my summicron f2 or canon 1.8.

[digitalintrigue]

Very nice...that settles it, I can't sell my Nikkor.

Now I want an 85/2...

You sure she's only 4'11"?

[LeicaTom]

Originally Posted by Letien

This is mine from my new nikkor 50/f2. What is your opinion on the "bokeh". Is it excessive? It's certaintly different than my summicron f2 or canon 1.8.

Welcome to the Nippon Kogaku LTM club!

Photos look great, nothing`s excessive when it`s shot with a Leica
those photos look great and yes it`s a different feeling than a Summicron or or the Canon, that`s why it`s a Nikkor

I`m happy with the outcome of this lens, next shoot I will test will be color crossprocessed slide film

Tom

[LeicaTom]

Originally Posted by digitalintrigue

Very nice...that settles it, I can't sell my Nikkor.

Now I want an 85/2...

You sure she's only 4'11"?

Yeah don`t sell it!

I have a f2.0 85mm in LTM too, will be testing her soon in some "pinups" for all to see, from what I`ve seen a beautiful working lens, I still want the f1.4 50mm and then that`s it for the Nikkor`s for me, I`ll have what I want to shoot with

Tom

[LeicaTom]

Originally Posted by L39UK

Does anybody know how the 50mm F2 Nikkor - HC collapsible LTM version compares to the results from the later rigid LTM version of this lens and was there any change of design or formula when the rigid was introduced other than the rigid having close focus capabilities.I have a 811xxxx series LTM fit lens circa 1949 in virtually mint condition but due to illness have not had chance to use it yet.Does anyone on the forum use the collapsible version in LTM I would be very interested in their opinion of the collapsible version of this fine lens?.

I do`nt think the design was different or any formula changed when it went to the rigid version, but the Nikon guys would know more about that I think.......

Wish you were closer, I`d offer to test it on one of my
"Half Race" IIIC`s - this would be a kool lens to have, give me a yell if you want to sell or trade and get well and get out and shoot some work with it

Tom

[matt fury]

Why did I look at this thread...I was all prepared to finally sell mine...now I don't even want to think about it!!!!!!!

[raid]

Originally Posted by matt fury

Why did I look at this thread...I was all prepared to finally sell mine...now I don't even want to think about it!!!!!!!

I could say the same, Matt. All you have to do is sit back and wait for another RFF thread in which one of your lenses is being praised. Then you again will feel relief! It is the "Rollaid RFF Effect".

[LeicaTom]

Originally Posted by raid

I could say the same, Matt. All you have to do is sit back and wait for another RFF thread in which one of your lenses is being praised. Then you again will feel relief! It is the "Rollaid RFF Effect".

Raid,

Yes, we all have seen what happened to the f1.5 50mm Canon and f1.4 50mm and f2.0 85mm Nikkor`s through the threads of praise at this website they all are now "cult" lenses
(I just received another f1.5 50mm Canon as a barter for a photoshoot this weekend)
so I now I will have 50mm lens overkill and one for color and one for black and white when I load both my half race IIIC`s

Tom

PS: Where are you in Florida anyway? We need to get together and TEST your f2.0 50mm CZJ Sonnar on my "Grey" IIIC K
I`ll bring a "pinup" model

[raid]

Originally Posted by LeicaTom

Raid,

Yes, we all have seen what happened to the f1.5 50mm Canon and f1.4 50mm and f2.0 85mm Nikkor`s through the threads of praise at this website they all are now "cult" lenses
(I just received another f1.5 50mm Canon as a barter for a photoshoot this weekend)
so I now I will have 50mm lens overkill and one for color and one for black and white when I load both my half race IIIC`s

Tom

PS: Where are you in Florida anyway? We need to get together and TEST your f2.0 50mm CZJ Sonnar on my "Grey" IIIC K
I`ll bring a "pinup" model

Hi Tom,
I live in Florida, so most of the time I am in Florida.
I now have a second CZJ Sonnar; one in LTM and one in Contax mount.
I also have a Nikkor 85mm/2.0 (chrome).

Let's somehow meet.

[Didier]

This is indeed an interesting lens. Very sharp, and with pleasing contrast and B&W tonality. I bought one, with very minor haze, from a fellow RFFer last year. Dued to the haze, the contrast in B&W was a bit less than I had expected. The lens did not get so much use, until I made some color portraits. I think this lens, maybe because of it's minor flaw, has an unique color rendering. So my sample is becoming a special purpose lens, and I'm thinking of getting another, clear one (though it's very long focus throw isn't really ergonomic).

This is one of the portraits I made (at f2):



Didier

[LeicaTom]

Originally Posted by raid

Hi Tom,
I live in Florida, so most of the time I am in Florida.
I now have a second CZJ Sonnar; one in LTM and one in Contax mount.
I also have a Nikkor 85mm/2.0 (chrome).

Let's somehow meet.

yeah, I want a CZJ Sonnar in LTM, for shooting, but so many out there are fakes.....
I just wish I would have known about these 20 years ago, while I was offered an original F1.5 50mm from the estate of an ex German Army officer (while I was stationed in Germany) and shunned it because it was`nt a Leica lens

We all have cameras and lenses that got away....that one did with a 1941 Leica IIIC "Red Curtain" camera, we live and learn

Tom

[LeicaTom]

Nice portrait Didier!

The lens that I have *thanks to Roland* has superficial cleaning marks on the front, but the results was still very good I think, my next test is color crossprocessing with it on one of my IIIC bodies

Finding a "clean" and clear f2.0 50mm Nikkor can be a challange, seems just like the f2.0 50mm Summars are, these little lenses really got used heavily in the early 1950`s on the Nicca`s and Tower`s and most of the ones offered for sale do have some sort of wear and tear on them, fog, scratches, cleaning marks etc.

Tom

[raid]

Tom,
I am very fortunate to have picked up a CZJ Sonnar 50/2 that is being veiwed by experts as being genuinely made by Zeiss. It does not make the lens any better, but it feels good to have one!

[LeicaTom]

Raid,

Yes, that`s real luck

Well, I`ll be happy if I even see a real one anytime soon, but I have some people looking in odd parts of the world, so who knows?

Tom

[raid]

As for finding a genuine CSJ 50/2, there is a better chance of finding a genuine CSJ 50/1.5. There were very few 50/2 made by Zeiss in LTM.

[raid]

Take a look at this old thread about my lens:

http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00AwhI

[BillBingham2]

You guys should try the 105/2.5!

B2 (;->

[raid]

Bill,
I have tried the 105mm/2.5 and then I bought one
It is razor sharp, isn't it.