55mm 1.4 - Rikenon or Revuenon - advices needed

PhantomLord · Joined: 08 Apr 2013 Posts: 472 Location: Szczecin, Poland

Hello,

I would like to buy 55mm 1.4 lens and have found the seller who sells them for around 50Euros, however I could not decide which should I buy (or maybe none of them):
Lenses are as follows:

- Ricoh Rikenon

- Auto Revuenon Version 1

- Auto Revuenon Version 2

- Auto Chinon MC (which looks almost the same like Revuenon Version 2)

- Super Reflecta (which looks like the Rikenon)

Could you please help me with choice?
I look over mflenses and internet looking for samples and found that Rikenon is quite nice lens and Revuenon and Chinon are not bad, however there are several versions, ones better than another.
I tend to gravitate to Rikenon, because I have Auto Revuenon 55mm 1.7 which is nice, but I don't know...something missing for me and I prefer my Porst Color Reflex 50mm 1.7.

I'm looking for 1.4 because of taking photos in low light situations and I would like lens to be:
- sharp at full open (doesn't have to be razor sharp full open, just sharp as I know it is difficult to find razor sharp lens full open, especially on 1.4)
- colourful (Revuenon 1.7 renders colours quite cool while Porst seems to be more colourful)
- not to much CA at full open

Still, 5 lenses to choose from, looking for your advices and experiences with these lenses.

stingOM · Expire: 2012-12-27

I used to have the Rikenon 55/1.4. It is very sharp WO and you won't be disappointed with it.
However it flares easily so it is best for low light use rather than trying to use it in daylight, unless you stop down and use a good lens hood.

TrueLoveOne · Expire: 2013-12-24

I have some of them, and i have sold some again as well. There is however one which i cannot part from, that is a real keeper imho.

Which one? The Rikenon 1.4/55 !

Differences may not be that big, but for me the Rikenon "has something".... can't tell you what it is exactly though.... Wink

PhantomLord · Joined: 08 Apr 2013 Posts: 472 Location: Szczecin, Poland

Thank you all for response, well then Rikenon it is Smile

.
I hope it will arrive quickly and I will share with you some pictures and its' performance.

Best Regards
Mateusz

Pancolart · Expire: 2013-11-18

Again the case where single coated lens seems "better" then later MC when used on digital.
Lenses you show are optically all Tomioka clones but old Rikenon really excels (properly used, avoiding direct light).
Nevertheless Revuenon/CHINON with MC has one of the smoothest focusing i have ever tried. And gives top results on NEX.

PhantomLord · Joined: 08 Apr 2013 Posts: 472 Location: Szczecin, Poland

Well I bought Rikenon and must say! It's superb!
Even wide open it's sharpest than any other of 50ish I have, colours are vivid and contrast is just like should be.

I'll post some photos taken with this lens but first I prepared small comparison of my 50ish lenses which I post in another topic.

Thank you guys for good words after Rikenon, in my opinion, money well spend.

mo · Expire: 2016-07-30

I have a few of the Auto Rikenons and they all have that little extra something...makes them addictive. Laughing

I would not be surprised if you buy some more. Very Happy