Best 50MM For Film

[B-A-C]

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If you want an extremely sharp modern looking lens and f2 is enough for you, I'd not look any further than the 50mm ZM planar. Performance is incredible and its much cheaper than a Leica lens. Performance is breathtaking. Sure, the 50 APO f2 my be a touch better, but at what price?

 

I appreciate this advice. Currently I have the Biogon 35/2 and 35 cron asph. The Biogon is a better lens optically IMO. The cron is also very good and I like its handling and looks better. I would wager the Planar is better than the regular 50 cron optically. Zeiss products and quality control have always been top notch IMO. I'll take the Planar for a spin - just wish they would blacken out that silver ring near the front elements.

[Guest Marc G.]

The Planar has a buttload of distortion compared to other 50mm lenses. about 1.5%. This would bother me a LOT when using film. The 50mm Summicron has 0% distortion, just like your 35 Biogon. The 50mm Summilux ASPH has a negligible 0.5% pincushion distortion.

[MarkP]

- just wish they would blacken out that silver ring near the front elements.

 

Just fit a black Zeiss bayonet lens hood - problem solved.

[MarkP]

The Planar has a buttload of distortion compared to other 50mm lenses. about 1.5%. This would bother me a LOT when using film.

 

 

Regarding distortion, my 1.5/50 ZM Sonnar and 1.4/50 Summilux ASPH (still my favourite 50 and hard to fault) have virtually none. My 1.0/50 Noctilux is probably similar if not a bit worse than the Planar, but as an 'art' lens I can forgive this because of this lens' other advantages.

 

I'd considered the Planar before but was unaware of this degree of distortion. It would indeed bother if using the Planar as a general purpose lens.

 

This is another advantage of the Sonnar apart from it's lovely rendering (both in and out of focus). Also the focus shift will be much less of an issue on film than a digital sensor, the lens is cheap and very compact, and renders beautifully. Any advantages in 'sharpness' that a Planar or Summilux may have will be less of an issue on film where one tends not to pixel peep film.

[smkoush]

I used extensively the current 50mm Summicron (non-APO), 50mm pre-asph Summilux E46 (slide-out hood), and the 50mm Summilux ASPH, all on film (I don't owe a digital M).

 

For anything at f1.4 the ASPH is by far the most amazing lens, wonderful rendering, not clinical and no faults whatsoever in my opinion. Absolutely gorgeous. From f2.8-f8 the pre-asph Summilux is wonderful and I much prefer its rendering (the ASPH becomes too perfect). And that sums it all up (i.e., the summicron is nothing special to me compared to these two).

[B-A-C]

Just fit a black Zeiss bayonet lens hood - problem solved.

 

Appreciate the suggestion Mark. That Zeiss lens hood is just plain big and ugly.

 

You have to give credit to Leica. They pay attention to the details. Their lens hoods fit the M style very well.

[MarkP]

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Appreciate the suggestion Mark. That Zeiss lens hood is just plain big and ugly.

 

You have to give credit to Leica. They pay attention to the details. Their lens hoods fit the M style very well.

 

Hi BAC,

 

I think you should reconsider that position.

 

I actually don't mind the Zeiss vented hoods - I have them for my 1.5/50 C-Sonnar and 2.8/25 Biogon, and had one when I previously had a 4.5/21 C-Biogon. They are very effective and the bayonet mount is excellent - the hood never slips off.

 

Leica have made their fair share of round vented lens hoods and these still command high prices. Be aware that although neat and compact many of the Leica built-in lens hoods are of only marginal effectiveness.

 

Regards,

Mark