50mm quandary for portraits?

[WillD]

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I've read lots of different reviews of a range of 50mm lenses, but I was hoping some of the forum members could give me their real world opinion on the 50mms they own.

 

I have both an M9 and M6TTL (shooting largely B&W film), along with a 35mm Cron and 90mm Elmarit. The issue is that the 35mm seems very unforgiving for portraits revealing every 'flaw', whilst I love the look of the 90mm but need something a little wider.

 

Was considering the Zeiss ZM Sonnar T, given that I understand it has a very classic look and draws particularly well. Then a friend suggested maybe looking for an older pre-ASPH Lux, but which one? Then I wondered about a Cron.... So much choice!

 

I'd love to hear your thoughts on a 50mm that delivers beautiful portraits?

 

Thanks

[Peter H]

I've read lots of different reviews of a range of 50mm lenses, but I was hoping some of the forum members could give me their real world opinion on the 50mms they own.

 

I have both an M9 and M6TTL (shooting largely B&W film), along with a 35mm Cron and 90mm Elmarit. The issue is that the 35mm seems very unforgiving for portraits revealing every 'flaw', whilst I love the look of the 90mm but need something a little wider.

 

Was considering the Zeiss ZM Sonnar T, given that I understand it has a very classic look and draws particularly well. Then a friend suggested maybe looking for an older pre-ASPH Lux, but which one? Then I wondered about a Cron.... So much choice!

 

I'd love to hear your thoughts on a 50mm that delivers beautiful portraits?

 

Thanks

 

I don't own the Zeiss but from what I've heard about it, and from photos I've seen that were taken with it, I'd say its a lens you should take a very serious look at for the type of photography you're describing.

[nic]

Noctilux, but it is not cheap

[Walt Calahan]

Any 50 mm lens will facilitate quality portraits so long as if is the correct tool to render the vision of the artist.

 

All one has to do is look at Henri Cartier-Bresson's portraiture to see how a 50 mm lens functions.

 

As Salgado said: A lack of this knowledge will be much more limiting than any technical ability.

[delander †]

The 50 summicron at f2 is a lovely portrait lens, as is the 50 summilux ASPH.

 

Jeff

[christer]

I

 

35mm seems very unforgiving for portraits revealing every 'flaw

 

 

Thanks

 

 

I don't know your definition of flaw with regard to portraits made with cameras, but generally "flaw revealing" is not dependent on focal length.

[christer]

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that delivers beautiful portraits?

 

Thanks

 

I don't know your definition of "beautiful portraits", but I think that in these circumstances the light plays a more important role than the lens. And, of course, the photographer's rapport with the model is very important.

[pop]

... "flaw revealing" is not dependent on focal length.

 

It may, however, depend on a particular type or model of lens. OP was not referring to 35mm lenses in general but to his particular 35mm Summicron.

 

In that sense, the ancient 50mm Elmars might fit the bill.

[wda]

WillD, at relatively low cost, a second generation 50mm Summicron (mine is from 1966) should meet your specific requirements very well. Do take a look at Thorsten Overgaard's website. A large number of his professional pictures are taken with such a lens on his M9. (Just search this forum for his contributions)

 

The older lens lacks the so-called clinical performance of modern versions, but gives a lovely rendering which I think is perfect for the type of portraiture you like.

[lct]

Depends upon whom you intend to take the portrait of:

- your marvelous young wife: Summilux 50/1.4 asph (always sharp);

- your superb but not-so-young mother in law: Summilux 50/1.4 pre-asph (softer at f/1.4 & f/2).

[algrove]

Noctilux, but it is not cheap

 

Which Noctilux?

[earleygallery]

A 5cm Summar, if you can find a decent one, which is becoming very hard.

[thomasw_]

I recommend the v2 lux if you have the budget. the zm 50/1.5 is a great portrait lens but it is most I interesting @1,5; as such I strongly recommend a specimen optimized for 1,5. The cron that I love is the venerable DR summicron; though it is critical that you obtain a clean specimen.

 

These are all great lenses. If you are wanting to analyze lens signatures or do some comparing/contrasting I suggest taking a peek at images posted to the m-mount group on Flickr.

 

http://www.flickr.com/groups/m-mount/

 

 

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[NZDavid]

WillD, at relatively low cost, a second generation 50mm Summicron (mine is from 1966) should meet your specific requirements very well. Do take a look at Thorsten Overgaard's website. A large number of his professional pictures are taken with such a lens on his M9. (Just search this forum for his contributions)

 

The older lens lacks the so-called clinical performance of modern versions, but gives a lovely rendering which I think is perfect for the type of portraiture you like.

 

+1. The 'cron rigid is an excellent lens for portraits, especially wide open. The 50mm focal length overall is still very underrated. It is also great for street photography, details, and scenics. The tighter framing encourages a more selective and disciplined approach.

 

Best,

David

David Killick | Freelance Journalist and Photographer

[chris_tribble]

Stick with your 35 and experiment with the CLARITY slider in Lightroom - you'll find that by dropping this to around -15 or -20 you'll give your subjects a very flattering soft glow...

 

Cheaper than getting a new lens!

[erl]

I assume that by wondering about your lens choice, you have already sorted the biggest variables in your portraiture objective. ie. The lighting, your rapport with the subject, the location, whether to shoot B&W or colour, etc.

 

Restricting yourself to 'one' lens is like wearing handcuffs while working IMO. It also stylizes your work, which of course you may want. I suggest in each scenario you consider what best defines the portrait you are undertaking and choose, lighting, lens, location and other variables to suit. There is no rule that states they must be locked in because it is a 'portrait'. Broaden your outlook, and I don't mean use a W/A lens.

[nic]

Which Noctilux?

 

I'm very satisfied with my 0.95

[lars_bergquist]

Don't worry about which lens. Great portraits are made by photographers, not by lenses. If you think that some specific lens will make you into a portraitist – or even a photographer – think again.

 

And any hack can use PhotoShop to add fuzz to a face and remove warts from it. A craftsman, on the other hand, knows how to use his tools to serve his purposes. In the past, the hack's father and grandfather used soft-focus lenses to put the hackery into the picture.

 

The grumpy old man

[Paulus]

The 50 summicron at f2 is a lovely portrait lens, as is the 50 summilux ASPH.

 

Jeff

 

I used about any focal lengt that is possible fort making portraits. Nikon and Leica 300/180/135/90/85/50/35/28/24/21/15. Sometimes combinations. Nowadays I make 90% of my photos with a 50mm.

 

When I bought my first summicron 50 ( canadian ) I was flabbergasted by it's shine. I never had seen such a beautiful tool for taking portraits.

 

There was hardly a different feeling , when I bought the 50mm (IV generation).

 

After I bought the summilux asph 50mm there was no way back. Not only wonderful for taking portraits, (so amazingly sharp!!) but a tool I gladly use for landscapes too.

 

 

When u have the money, buy the asph. When not : the summicron 50 canadian is also wonderful.

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[StephenPatterson]

I love the 50 Summilux ASPH for portraits. As other have noted you can always take away detail and soften up an image, but not all my portraits are of 20 year old supermodels. Come to think of it NONE of my portraits are of 20 year old supermodels. I suppose I need to work on my marketing skills...

 

Anyway, for showing lines, wrinkles and character in portraits you can't go wrong with a 50 Summilux ASPH.

 

Stephen