Best 50mm SLR lens

[Nick De Marco]

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I use a Canon 5D Mk II (in addition to Leica M6 for film) and generally have a preference for third party manual focus lenses. I just set up a little test of 50mm lenses to see which does best - in my opinion - at various apertures. I shot with the Yashica f1.9, Canon f1.4, Leica Summicron f2 and Olympus Zuiko f1.8, plus the Contax Zeiss f1.4 wide open only.

 

If you are interested in my own comparisons - remembering I am no expert and it's only a mater of personal taste - have a look here

 

Finding the Best 50 Photo Gallery by Nick De Marco at pbase.com

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[innerimager]

I'll have a look but will say that you left off what I consider the best SLR 50- the Zeiss 2.0 makro-planar. The combination of factors 1. absolutely dead sharp wide open 2. close focusing ability 3. marvelous bokeh makes it perhaps my favorite 50 over my leica rigid summicron, and lux asph. The noctilux has it's own place in my heart. .....Peter

[kdemas]

Peter brought up an excellent point, the 50mm Zeiss 2.0 MP is one fantastic lens. I have it for my D300 and the results are superb.

 

I am also partial to the N mount Contax Planar 1.4, especially for B&W. I would love to try the Leica Summilux 2.0 but I have only a small R system without this lens.

 

Kent

 

I'll have a look but will say that you left off what I consider the best SLR 50- the Zeiss 2.0 makro-planar. The combination of factors 1. absolutely dead sharp wide open 2. close focusing ability 3. marvelous bokeh makes it perhaps my favorite 50 over my leica rigid summicron, and lux asph. The noctilux has it's own place in my heart. .....Peter