The venerable "50"

[sepiareverb]

Three fifties for me currently, I've used and then sold three others in the last year. A 50 is nearly always on a camera I'm carrying, though I often carry two

[Marc-A.]

50mm remains my fave FL, however I'm beginning to appreciate a lot the 35mm FL. Time and work will say.

[dpetrzelka]

pdx138/Kyle -

Can you speak to the focusing action on the Planar ZM?

I've been using the collapsible Summicron 50, and love the FL, but its really slow focusing and large minimum focus limit me on indoor shots of family - my primary subject.

I've had a 25 and 35's, but am trying to get rid of them in favor of learning to use one lens/camera/film combo really well.

From the shots I've seen online the 50/2 ZM Planar is on my short list.

[Bingley]

My first serious camera was a beautiful, big, black Nikon F that I purchased (barely) used around 1970. It came w/ a wonderful 50mm f1.4 Nikkor lens, and I used exactly that combo and nothing else exclusively for the next twelve years. Call it poverty-imposed "one camera, one lens" (I was a student during that period), but I never felt limited. I guess I learned to see w/ that focal length, and although I've flirted w/ other lenses since I seem to return to the 50.

50mm for me is a focal length that covers so much: portraits, street, landscapes. Occasionally I feel the need for something wider or longer, but those are supplements and not the main lens. Also, it is possible to fine wonderful 50s at relatively little cost.

Since jumping on the RF bandwagon, I find myself now owning 4 50s. How did that happen? Doh!

[maiko9]

Thank goodness the 50mm focal length is my favorite, as I do much of my shooting on fixed lens 50's folders. Besides these (which include Tessars (actually 45mm), Xenars, Xenons, Color-Skopars, and Solinars), I have ten 50mm & 55mm Takumars, 4 Jupiters, & a Leitz Elmar for my FSUs. I even use my Takumars (yes, I know it's not really a 50 on the smaller sensor) as the main lens on my DSLR.

[PHOTOEIL]

Over here we call the 50 mm lens for 35 mm film the 'standaard lens', it is my standard tool...

[maddoc]

When I only had my Nikon F3HP it was always the 105/2.5, which I used. I had also the 50/1.4 but it collected dust. Now, with the Leicas, the 50 became my favorite FL again. Having the Summitar, Summilux 50 pre-ASPH, and the Summicron 50mm vs 3, the Summitar is my favorite for its size and rendering. The Hassy only has the (50mm eqivalent) 80mm and for the Rolleiflex it is the 75/3.5 Planar.

50mm rules ! (But so does 21mm ... )

[jbf]

The more and more I shoot the more I fall in love with 50mm as a focal length. Sure, I sometimes suffer from wide-itis, so thats why I bought a 28mm Ultron.

In any case, here's some great photos from Bud Green. His work is stunning.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bud_green/

[pdx138]

Originally Posted by dpetrzelka

pdx138/Kyle -

Can you speak to the focusing action on the Planar ZM?

I've been using the collapsible Summicron 50, and love the FL, but its really slow focusing and large minimum focus limit me on indoor shots of family - my primary subject.

I've had a 25 and 35's, but am trying to get rid of them in favor of learning to use one lens/camera/film combo really well.

From the shots I've seen online the 50/2 ZM Planar is on my short list.

The focus has what I'd call a medium throw - definitely longer than some, but not too much. Enough for accurate focusing, but it never feels like a chore to focus like some lenses. Ergonomically, it is very comfortable to use. I would have preferred a tab to the focusing nub, but that is personal preference.

I think the .7 minimum focus distance is a huge difference over the .9 of older lenses in a 50mm. It turns a 50 into a very capable portrait lens.

One thing I'm learning by limiting myself to a single lens is that the Planar is a little big for a carry everywhere lens. I love it, but for travel I wish I was using a collapsable instead.

All that said, the results are fantastic which is what counts.

[Dektol Dan]

I bought a DR Summicron 50 for my M4. I bought a 2.8 Summaron 35 at the same time. I shot one roll with the Summicron and it's been in storage until two nights ago when I needed something fast for a Cafe Tacuba concert.

I scanned the pictures yesterday. Wow, what a nice lens in low light. I only shoot 50's for the 'look' of the lens, the Summitar being a favorite. I find them still to be a giant pain to work with. They're telephotos to me. I'll stick with the wides.

[dpetrzelka]

pdx138/Kyle-

Can you post some B+W and Color photos from your 50/2 Planar ZM?

Cheers

[pdx138]

Originally Posted by dpetrzelka

pdx138/Kyle-

Can you post some B+W and Color photos from your 50/2 Planar ZM?

Cheers

Sorry, no scanner... I'm working on it though.

[hofrench@mac.co]

My M-Hexanon 50 makes a very capable portrait lens on my M8, which I've just sent off for cleaning.
I've been shooting my Hexar RF exclusively in its place, giving it more use than I have for a good while, perhaps 2/3 of the time with the 50 on board.
It's a lot of fun, and this is a fantastic lens. A sample from rural China shot last week:

[IMG]<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/aglimpseoftheworld/2090360780/" title="Straight Edge by A Glimpse of the World, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2042/2090360780_55d0c8d0bd.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="Straight Edge" /></a>[/IMG]

[Rico]

Originally Posted by pdx138

...
One thing I'm learning by limiting myself to a single lens is that the Planar is a little big for a carry everywhere lens. I love it, but for travel I wish I was using a collapsable instead.

I have five 50's across three systems, most recently the classic Elmar 50/2.8. I had thought the collapsible feature was a gimmick until the lens was mounted. Wow! The profile is streamlined, aiding general portability. Plus, it looks darn cute.

[pdx138]

Originally Posted by Rico

I have five 50's across three systems, most recently the classic Elmar 50/2.8. I had thought the collapsible feature was a gimmick until the lens was mounted. Wow! The profile is streamlined, aiding general portability. Plus, it looks darn cute.

Yup, I think I'm eventually going to get one of those - Actually, I want the current one. I have not found myself wanting faster the f2 with a 50, so between the Planar for general use and the Elmar for travel, I think I will be set on 50s (not counting the others I have in screw mount already...).

[raid]

I have posted these images before, but maybe some of you have not seen them. I had several 50mm lens tests in the past years, and here are some results from one of those tests at 2.0:


1. Collapsible; http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=5297421

2. Rigid; http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=5297418



3. This photo was taken with the Summitar wide open:

http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=5297449

4. Jupiter 3 wide open: http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=5297425


5. Nikon 50mm/2 wide open;

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


6. Canon 50mm/1.5 at 2.0 ;
http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=5297431



7. Canon 50mm/1.2 at 2.0: http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=5297434


8. Zeiss Jena 5cm/2 LTM : http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=5297459

9. Canon 50mm/1.8 at 2.0; http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=5297546



There can be variations in the quality of the vintage lenses, but you can see some general features here. Once a vintage 50mm lens has been adjusted [if needed], it can produce sharp results.

[Bingley]

Thanks, Raid. The image in your test taken w/ the Canon 50/1.8 suggests why I may hang on to mine. That lens is terrific and a great bargain these days.

[raid]

Originally Posted by Bingley

Thanks, Raid. The image in your test taken w/ the Canon 50/1.8 suggests why I may hang on to mine. That lens is terrific and a great bargain these days.

Hi Steve,

With vintage lenses it is sometimes possible that a few lenses are not 100% optimally shimmed, but what I posted above was taken with "good" lenses that have been proven to have good performance. The Canon 50mm/1.8 is my own lens, and I can vouch for it. I have not sold this lens because it is so good and so inexpensive. A sale would not tempt me.

[harmsr]

I just might be addicted to the 50 also.

I have the 50 Lux ASPH with the M8, the modern 50 Cron in the LTM special edition for my ZI & iiif, a 50 Coll. Cron for the iiif, 50 1.4 ZF Zeiss for the Nikon D300, and the Zeiss 50 2.0 Macro ZF for the Nikon D300. This is after thinning the line-up.

Basically in RF gear I have a 21, 28, 35, 50, & 90. I find that a 50 stays on one of the cameras much of the time.

On film the 50 is my primary lens. The funny thing is that I still like the 50 even on the cropped sensors of the M8 & D300. I really like how they draw. No gimmicky effects of extending or over compressing the background. It just gives a very natural look, but I can still do shallow DOF work if I want to.

Long live the 50!!!!!!!!!

Best,

Ray

[Bingley]

Originally Posted by raid

Hi Steve,

With vintage lenses it is sometimes possible that a few lenses are not 100% optimally shimmed, but what I posted above was taken with "good" lenses that have been proven to have good performance. The Canon 50mm/1.8 is my own lens, and I can vouch for it. I have not sold this lens because it is so good and so inexpensive. A sale would not tempt me.

It certainly appears to be a good example, Raid, that you should keep, particularly given your fondness for older lenses.

[Vics]

I, too bounced all around during the great Zoom Scare of the '80s, but in '91 I came to my senses and started back using all primes. Then when all those Nikon lenses got too heavy for me, I started exploring the one lens approach using a 50, which in turn led me to RFs. First a Contax IIIa of my dear departed Dad, then the Leica M3 with the collapsible 'cron. Then I added a DR. My family thinks I'm nuts. I have nine 50mm lenses. Bless me Father for I have sinned...
Vic

[raid]

Steve,

I have never regretted to stick with old lenses. They are timeless and they never get "out of date". I don't care for multicoating or super-duper sharpness from corner to corner that shows every mini pimple in everyone's face.

I often just place the lenses on the sofa in front of me, and I play with them during TV commercials.

As for the 50mm/1.8 lens, I certainly will not sell it.

[Bingley]

Originally Posted by raid

I often just place the lenses on the sofa in front of me, and I play with them during TV commercials.

LOL!!! When RFF'ers refer to their cameras as toys, this must be an example of what they mean...

[mike goldberg]

Oh my!...
Guys & Gals, I opened this Thread several weeks ago and forgot all about it Let me tell you
what I'm excited about. A forum has just opened on doing pix "Close to Home," or within a two minute's walk from where one lives. Although I have a 90 and two 35's for R/F, I think I'm going to do this 'assignment' all in 50mm.

I opened the Thread, because in a year and then some, I've learned to love the 50. Ciao, Mike ;-)

[raid]

Mike,
Most of my photos taken the past 4 years have been "close to home", and most images were taken with 50mm lenses.