A great 50mm lens for color

Jamie Pillers · 06-17-2008

I'm thinking of purchasing a 50mm lens for use on my Bessa 3A. I use color film exclusively and occasionally convert the image to B&W on the computer. I currently have these CV lenses: 25mm Color Skopar, 40mm Nokton, and 75mm Heliar. I'm thinking of adding a 50mm lens. I'd like to spend no more than $600. I like colors to look "natural"... not vivid or over saturated. And a solid 3D kind of look (Is that created by "contrast"?).

Any suggestions? Leica? CV? Konica Hexanon? Canon? I'm stumped at the moment. Most of the suggestions I read here on RFF are written by folks interested in B&W images, not color.

raid · 06-17-2008

There are many excellent 50mm lenses around, but the all time classic is a Summicron. You will not be disappointed by getting any of the different versions.

gertf · 06-17-2008

The Zeiss ZM Planar 50mm is no slouch either.

I have the ZM Sonnar and it's great for both B&W and colour. If you can get one for that price, go for it.

If not, Tony Rose at popflash.com has the ZM Planar for $691

maddoc · 06-17-2008

I never owned the Zeiss Planar 50/2.0 (so I can only comment on photos I have seen on the net) but from what I have seen this lens delivers very well balanced colors.

Jamie Pillers · 06-17-2008

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'm going to start looking around for a deal on a used Summicron or Zeiss Planar. As you know, the hunting is half the fun.

Jamie

sienarot · 06-17-2008

While I haven't had a chance to use the ZM 50mm Planar (I bought one, I just need to go pick it up next time I'm up at my uncle's), if it's anything like other Zeiss Planar's I've used before in other formats, you're in for a treat if you're shooting colour. The photos I've seen on here and Flickr seem to tell me it's a winner.

meven · 06-17-2008

The Heliar Classic 50/2 is also a good choice and a lot cheaper. I like the way mine renders. Some say it has a 3D effect. Colour rendition is not bad either and the build quality is fantastic.

I can't comment on the Planar, I never used it but from what I can gathe here and on Flickr it seems to be an exceptional lens

There is one for sale now in the classified.

triplefinger · 06-17-2008

My favorite is my ZM planar. Extrordinary.

infrequent · 06-17-2008

the poor man's summicron -- the hexanon 50/2.

pvdhaar · 06-17-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by infrequent

the poor man's summicron -- the hexanon 50/2.

No, no, no.. the Hexanon is the smart man's summicron.

And it's good, very good for color.. especially when it comes to skin tones. I'm always amazed at the delicacy of the Hexanon's rendering between F2 and F4. Load up with Reala and you've got a superb portrait setup.

Of course, you can put a roll of Ultra behind that lens and have your retinas peel off when your in F8-F11 territory.. Very useful for landscapes..

infrequent · 06-18-2008

@pvdhaar - right on about reala between f2 and f4! but i have never ventured beyond f5.6. time to cross that road.

noimmunity · 06-18-2008

since you have the CV 75, one of the unsung heroes of the CV lineup, you should make sure to get a 50 that allows close focus. Partial to Zeiss color, I would put in another vote for the Planar, since it focuses down to 0.7, closer than the C Sonnar. Both will give a "solid 3D kind of look"...

minoltist7 · 06-18-2008

I like ZM Planar in color, even I don't have one.
pics of RFF member Avotius convinced me in that

Jodorowsky · 06-18-2008

What about a 1990's Summilux? I'm fishing around RFF trying to get some info; the consensus from my two replies seems to be to go for it; any opinions? And what's the top price you'd pay?

kshapero · 06-19-2008

The C Sonnar 50/1.5

CV Heliar 50/2

kshapero · 06-19-2008

Whoops, I just realized you wanted a lens for color.

David Murphy · 06-19-2008

Any Summicron will blow you away with its performance and your budget will allow you to buy all but the latest versions.

Jamie Pillers · 06-19-2008

Thanks everyone. Today I purchased a CV 50/2 Heliar. I'll post some images when I get a few. I'm hoping it'll give me the soft color images some reviews said it would give. We'll see.

erikhaugsby · 06-19-2008

People talk about Summiluxes, Zeisses, and other assorted premium glass. In my opinion, one need venture no further than Leica's own 50mm f/2 DR: old-world feel regarding contrast, but sharp! and with color rendition as good as any non-ASPH design.
And a good copy shouldn't set you back more than $400.

wlewisiii · 06-19-2008

Well, from that perspective, Eric, there is one even better lens. The 'Cron is a good lens, but I sold mine. The Sonnar is great; I still have them but then I'm Contax mount only these days. No, the best hasn't been mentioned yet - the Canon 50/1.8. That lens set the standard to beat for gauss based designs in normal lenses and is only rarely & expensivly beaten. Easy to find for $100 - $150 it is in the top 5 lenses of all time.

Yes, it really is that good. When I say "all time" I mean compared to the 1902 Tessar, 1924 Ernostar, Dallmeyer's 1866 Rapid Rectilinear & Petzval's 1840 lens. This was the first gausian design that was able, thanks to Canon's insanely hard lens coating, to live up to it's optical potential. Since then the gausian design (especially in the Planar format) has become the predominate lens design and it's quite the adventure when Zeiss brings out a new Sonnar instead...

William