frank2014 Posted October 29, 2014 Share #1 Posted October 29, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) I am looking for a 50mm lens for my M2 and am quite interested in the Canon 50mm f1.4 LTM which is cheap but has been claimed to be sharp from wide open and have nice bokeh, among the best at the time. After searching the internet I found that there are two types of the lens: an early type I (1957-1958), and a late type II (1959-1972). Please see the page Canon 50mm f/1.4 LTM - The Japanese Summilux. Both types can be found on ebay, with similar prices. Does anybody know if there is a noticible difference in the IQ of the two types? Which one is better? Or do they just produce similar images? With best regards, Frank Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 29, 2014 Posted October 29, 2014 Hi frank2014, Take a look here Canon 50/1.4 ltm: type I vs type II. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
TomB_tx Posted October 29, 2014 Share #2 Posted October 29, 2014 I haven't tried the T1, but have a fairly late T2 that I got for my IIIf. (I found it blocked the VF too much on the Leica LTM cameras, but is fine on the Canon where the VF is farther to the side. Overall I like the Canon 50 f1.8 better on the IIIf.) The size isn't an issue on my M4, so should be fine on your M2. I wasn't overly impressed with the IQ wide open, but stopped down a bit it gets very good. To use at f1.4 I prefer the LTM version of the Voigtlander Nokton f1.5. It is even larger than the Canon, but is my favorite lens for my M5. Should be similar price to the Canon used. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB_tx Posted October 29, 2014 Share #3 Posted October 29, 2014 (edited) Just for comparison, here are a couple of center crops from the Canon 1.4 T2 and the Nokton 1.5. The Canon has NOT had a CLA, so probably has some slight internal haze. The Nokton, being new, doesn't need a CLA. Focus of both was on the "toes" of the doll feet lower right. Both wide open, handheld in dim room light. (Sorry - didn't use my M9 in order to avoid focus accuracy variations.) Canon 50 1.4 T2: Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Nokton 1.5: Edited October 29, 2014 by TomB_tx Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Nokton 1.5: ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/236231-canon-5014-ltm-type-i-vs-type-ii/?do=findComment&comment=2696887'>More sharing options...
frank2014 Posted October 30, 2014 Author Share #4 Posted October 30, 2014 TomB_tx: Thanks for your response and the images.I looked on the ebay and it seems that the Voigtlander is a little bit more expensive than the Canon.It is also a very good lens. It seems that there is very few discussion about the type I Canon 50 1.4. I just wonder if it produces the same images as the type II. Otherwise I should avoid type I when I purchase. Regards, Frank Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
philcycles Posted October 31, 2014 Share #5 Posted October 31, 2014 I been using one for years. I don't know if it's a I or II and I don't care. I have it on an M3 and it delivers great images. Phil Brown Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bideford Posted November 2, 2014 Share #6 Posted November 2, 2014 I have had one for a while and use it on both an M6 and M. It keeps the CV 50mm 1.5 in the drawer (and the CV used to be one of my favorite lenses!). Sharp wide open and smooth oof. A joy to use. James Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank2014 Posted November 5, 2014 Author Share #7 Posted November 5, 2014 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) I have had one for a while and use it on both an M6 and M. It keeps the CV 50mm 1.5 in the drawer (and the CV used to be one of my favorite lenses!). Sharp wide open and smooth oof. A joy to use. James Hi James: Is your canon type I or type II? Type I has only one distance scale (meters). Type II has double distance scales, meters and feet. From the internet I see that the two types have different optical structures so I wonder if there is also difference in IQ and which is better. Regards, Frank Edited November 5, 2014 by frank2014 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank2014 Posted November 5, 2014 Author Share #8 Posted November 5, 2014 (edited) Recebtly the Konica m 50/2 also comes into my mind. The price is about doule of the canon. There are very few reviews on the Konica. My impression is that the Konica is very close to the modern summicron 50/2 (non-ASPH version of course) and the plannar 50/2, all are "modern" types with high contrast and saturate colors. I will mainly shoot film in black and white so I don't know if these modern lenses are good (many says that they are too contrasty for black and white). The plannar has very good reviews, sompe prefer it to the current summicron. But I don't like the distortion. For a prime 50mm lens I prefer very minimal distortions. While for the Konica, people say that it is slightly less sharp than the summicron and plannar, but has better bokeh than the current summicron. I don't know the contrast comparison. If the Konica is more contrasty than the current summicron than it would be bad for me since people already complain about the too high contrast of the current summicron. Regards, Frank Edited November 5, 2014 by frank2014 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bideford Posted November 5, 2014 Share #9 Posted November 5, 2014 Hi James: Is your canon type I or type II? Type I has only one distance scale (meters). Type II has double distance scales, meters and feet. From the internet I see that the two types have different optical structures so I wonder if there is also difference in IQ and which is better. Regards, Frank Hi Frank - mine is a Type II. Sharp at 1.4 and no focus discernible shift as it is closed down. The long throw can take a little getting used to but pays back in spades when focusing close at 1.4. Infinity lock can annoy at first but I take it as a nuance of using a vintage lens. Beware - I found myself not soon after with the 1.2 (which replaced my Nokton 1.1 - lighter, sharper wide open, better oof and again no focus shift). Stumbled recently on a 85mm 1.8 which is astounding. Canon made some excellent Rangefinder lenses! James Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 5, 2014 Share #10 Posted November 5, 2014 (edited) one of my favorite lens(type2).works fine on my m8. it took some time to get the perfekt m-adapter. i tried a used vc-adapter ( frontfokus )and a low budget one... and the cheaper one works perfekt,no focus shift lambda. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Edited November 5, 2014 by Guest Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/236231-canon-5014-ltm-type-i-vs-type-ii/?do=findComment&comment=2701019'>More sharing options...
richfx Posted December 15, 2014 Share #11 Posted December 15, 2014 one of my favorite lens(type2).works fine on my m8.it took some time to get the perfekt m-adapter. i tried a used vc-adapter ( frontfokus )and a low budget one... and the cheaper one works perfekt,no focus shift lambda. I believe your lens is mounted incorrectly. The locking infinity focus tab should be at appr. 7 o'clock when looking at the lens from the front. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeswe Posted December 15, 2014 Share #12 Posted December 15, 2014 I believe your lens is mounted incorrectly. The locking infinity focus tab should be at appr. 7 o'clock when looking at the lens from the front. yep, if the lens was seated fully in the adapter at the time of the the picture then something is wrong. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 15, 2014 Share #13 Posted December 15, 2014 (edited) I believe your lens is mounted incorrectly. The locking infinity focus tab should be at appr. 7 o'clock when looking at the lens from the front. yep,you are right,it´s an old pic. i had a little trouble with this (faulty vc) adapter so i had to change it. now everything fit´s perfect;) i love this lens;) lambda. Edited December 15, 2014 by Guest Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
richfx Posted December 16, 2014 Share #14 Posted December 16, 2014 yep,you are right,it´s an old pic.i had a little trouble with this (faulty vc) adapter so i had to change it. now everything fit´s perfect;) i love this lens;) lambda. I agree - it really is a very nice lens. I think I prefer it to the Nikkor 50mm 1.4n LTM, although I expected the Nikkor to outperform it. Still sorting both out in my mind. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeswe Posted December 17, 2014 Share #15 Posted December 17, 2014 ... although I expected the Nikkor to outperform it. why? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lenshacker Posted December 17, 2014 Share #16 Posted December 17, 2014 I've owned both the Type 1 and Type 2, never noticed a difference in performance between them. I've compared both with my Nikkor 5cm F1.4, the Nikkor was sharper but has much more field curvature. I sold my Type 2 after buying the Cosina/Voigtlander 50/1.5, Black, Leica thread mount. Picked that lens up for $300 on getdpi. Both are classic double-Gauss designs, the Voigtlander adds aspheric optics. It is sharper, has much the same look. A word of warning about the Canon lens- the surface behind the aperture blades is subject to coating damage and etching from oil on the blades outgassing. Mine were perfect, but I disassembled and cleaned that surface when bought and after 3 years. Make sure you have an inspection and return period when buying one. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
james.liam Posted October 24, 2016 Share #17 Posted October 24, 2016 (edited) Resurrected this moribund thread to glean some info. I've been thinking about a Canon (v.1 vs v.2) vs. Nikon 50/1.4 LTM and want to see what the resident cognoscenti have to say. Found an earlier chrome Nikkor but don't really know much about them. The later version Canon in good condition are becoming harder to find. It will be used exclusively on a Monochrom. Edited October 24, 2016 by james.liam Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Jim Posted January 22 Share #18 Posted January 22 Hi I just found a copy of this lens with the serial number 22529 which I understand would be a Type 1 but it has the focusing scale in both ft & m. Now of course I’m a bit worried that someone has mixed and matched ! Any idea ? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
frame-it Posted January 22 Share #19 Posted January 22 10 minutes ago, Big Jim said: Hi I just found a copy of this lens with the serial number 22529 which I understand would be a Type 1 but it has the focusing scale in both ft & m. Now of course I’m a bit worried that someone has mixed and matched ! Any idea ? as someone mentioned earlier On 11/5/2014 at 12:58 PM, frank2014 said: Type I has only one distance scale (meters). Type II has double distance scales, meters and feet. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Jim Posted January 23 Share #20 Posted January 23 (edited) 5 hours ago, frame-it said: as someone mentioned earlier Thanks yes I saw that info (as detailed below) but I wanted to check how reliable this info is ? For example I just found this 24000 serial number with both M and ft: https://oneofmanycameras.com/products/canon-50mm-f1-4-ltm-leica-m-1 As mentioned mine is 22000 and has M and Ft. But I’m nervous it’s been mixed and matched. Canon introduced Type I of its lens in 1957 and its production ran until the following year (serial numbers 10000-29390). Type II was introduced in 1959 and was produced until 1972 (serial numbers 29681-120705). Type I and Type II lenses use the same optical On the Type I lens, the distance scale is represented in meters only, Type II the distance scale is represented in both meters and feet. Edited January 23 by Big Jim Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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