50mm - nokton 1.5 or canon 1.4?

morgan · 03-29-2008

I know there's a lot of 50mm talk these days, but I was wondering if people have compared these two lenses? I love how smooth my 35 1.2 is and I'm looking for something in a 50mm that's close to that. I have a J-8 (too contrasty) and a j-3 (which is ok). I wish I could stretch for a lux or even the sonnar, but that can't happen right now. I haven't seen many samples of the canon, and the stuff I've seen from the nokton reminds me of the ultron - a pretty nice modern lens, but nothing super special in the character dept. Thoughts?

raid · 03-29-2008

Have you seen images taken with a Canon 50/1.5? People swear by it. The Sonnar look differs from what you would get with the [excellent] Canon 50/1.4. I was fortunate enough to compare about 20 50mm lenses, and it just showed me that what I already had was sufficient for the type of photos that I am taking. The canon 50/1.2 after being adjusted by DAG is now a superb lens. It also could be a nice complement to your 35mm/1.2 if you need/want a super fast set of lenses. If the 35/1.2 is "your fast lens", then maybe a 40mm/2.8 Rollei may do the job for superior quality performance.

laptoprob · 03-29-2008

Look at my signature! There is nothing like a Sonnar!

morgan · 03-29-2008

I'm trying to stick around $300 or so for this purchase.

Thanks Raid for the info. What did you think about the canon 1.4? I mention this one because I may have the chance for one locally....

Bingley · 03-29-2008

Hi Morgan -- I was just checking in at RFF and saw your thread. The Canon 50/1.4 is reputed to be an excellent lens, quite similar in signature to the Nokton 50/1.5. You might find the following thread useful in answering your question:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/foru...ad.php?t=52871

raid · 03-29-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by morgan

I'm trying to stick around $300 or so for this purchase.

Thanks Raid for the info. What did you think about the canon 1.4? I mention this one because I may have the chance for one locally....

Morgan,
As with all vintage lenses, examples will differ from lens to lens with respect to "perfection". The Canon 50/1.4 that I tested was not up to par, which exited many Canon 50/1.4 owners who immediately made itclear that I had a bad example in my test. It seems that edge to edge sharpness is better for the Canon 50/1.4 than for the Canon 50/1.5,but some people prefer the Sonnar look where the center is tack sharp and the edges less sharp.

Try to buy the Canon 50/1.4 and test it quickly wide open and at different distances. See if you are allowed a one day testing.

Brain Sweeney or DAG could then reshimm the lens if needed.

Mackinaw · 03-29-2008

It depends what you mean by character. Raid and Brian Sweeney have both run extensive tests of several different 50mm lenses. Take a look in the "optics and lenses" category and locate these threads. Plenty of photos here that may help you with your decision.

Jim B.

morgan · 03-29-2008

Thanks Steve. That's a good thread. Raid - I found your samples from the 50mm shoot off in that thread as well. It made me take out my J-3 again to give it a whirl. It's been a while since I've shot with it. I usually shoot with the 35, but I've been trying to mix it up...

raid · 03-29-2008

This thread caused GAS; I just ordered a Canon 50mm/1.4 online!
This is all your fault, Morgan!

Bingley · 03-29-2008

LOL!!! Seems to be a bit of GAS going around

, and I might have succumbed to a Canon 50/1.4 too if I didn't already have a Nokton 50!

Enjoy the lenses, guys, and post pics w/ them!

Mackinaw · 03-29-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by raid

This thread caused GAS; I just ordered a Canon 50mm/1.4 online!

You'll like the Canon 50/1.4. Excellent sharpness with real nice smooth out-of-focus highlights. That, and my new Nikkor 50/2.0, are now my most used 50s'.

Jim B.

kully · 03-29-2008

Hallo Morgan, I have the CV35/1.2, CV50/1.5 and Canon 50/1.4. For me, the 35 and 50 Noktons (not the 35/1.4 Nokteen) look very much alike. I've been looking through 18 rolls worth of slides taken last Autumn with Velvia 50/Provia 400F - colour, and the smoothness you mention seem the same to me, to such an extent that I couldn't tell which one a slide was taken with without having a think back.

I havn't used the Canon 50/1.4 enough to have an opinion on the intricate differences compared to the Nokton, but I have been suprised by it's lovely colours / contrast and lack of flare, I it expected to have a much more olden days character (/flaws). I bought this for my IIIa thinking it's smaller size would be better - but no, it's not all that smaller than the Nokton when you put a 48>>49mm stepup and filter on it. I also find myself preferring the short-throw focus of the 50 Nokton compared to the longer Canon throw.

So, the Canon isn't different enough from the Nokton, and is now for sale and I've got a 50/1.5 on the way to replace it.

If you want the look of your 35/1.2 in 50mm I would go for the 50mm Nokton, remember that these share the same 52mm filter size and you can exchange hoods too.

kully · 03-29-2008

Did I hear "GAS attack"? Look out for a gorgeous as new Canon 50/1.4 with caps and 48>>49mm stepup in the classifieds next week.

Although your GAS is giving me GHS (Gear Hoarding Syndrome), I'm interested to hear why some hypothetical person might have a 50 Nokton _and_ the Canon

Bingley · 03-29-2008

Hi Kully -- Congrats on getting the Canon 50/1.5! I predict you will love this lens -- it is v. different than the Nokton, particularly wide open. Nice to have BOTH of these lenses: old school Sonnar design v. new school sharp edge to edge wide open. Hypothetically speaking, that is....

raid · 03-29-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by morgan

Thanks Steve. That's a good thread. Raid - I found your samples from the 50mm shoot off in that thread as well. It made me take out my J-3 again to give it a whirl. It's been a while since I've shot with it. I usually shoot with the 35, but I've been trying to mix it up...

Morgan,
I also have taken out the J-3 for more photo adventures than I have been doing in the past. My J-3 was "put together" by Brian Sweeney, and it is very sharp.

raid · 03-29-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bingley

Hi Kully -- Congrats on getting the Canon 50/1.5! I predict you will love this lens -- it is v. different than the Nokton, particularly wide open. Nice to have BOTH of these lenses: old school Sonnar design v. new school sharp edge to edge wide open. Hypothetically speaking, that is....

I don't want to cause anger at my home, so the Canon 50/1.5 is on my next target list. The J-3 will have to do for right now as my 1.5 Sonnar lens.

morgan · 03-29-2008

Let me know how the 1.4 is Raid! I'm hoping to get to see the local one in a few days. You nabbed that one at KEH, didn't you? I was eyeing that one as well.

raid · 03-29-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by morgan

Let me know how the 1.4 is Raid! I'm hoping to get to see the local one in a few days. You nabbed that one at KEH, didn't you? I was eyeing that one as well.

Morgan,

Yes, I bought the one at KEH, hoping that it turns out to be a good one. I saw it, and five minutes later I bought it.

morgan · 03-30-2008

Well, congrats! Let me know how this one works out for you. It looked in decent shape.

ferider · 03-30-2008

I find the Canon 50/1.4 and the 50/1.5 Nokton to have a very similar signature. I've tried several Nokton's but always went back to the Canon, smaller, faster (almost half stop actually), and better built. The Canon has a very modern signature - sharp corner to corner. I have a hard time distinguishing it at f2 from a Summicron on an 8x10 print.

Roland.

raid · 03-30-2008

This is all good to know about. I will sell my extra sharp ZOOMZ J-3 since the Canon has a similar speed.

bippi · 04-02-2008

Hi,

Sorry for a newbie question but these canon lenses are not rangefinder
coupled are they?

jmilkins · 04-02-2008

I was really surprised by the canon 50/1.4. I too was expecting a few "flaws" despite reading that it was well regarded - "some people say one of the best 50 LTMs" as per our Bartender.

Here's my favorite shot from the first roll with it and new P at f4.