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Canon FD 50mm f1.2 L
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 31, 2022 9:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
caspert79 wrote:
If very narrow DOF is what you're after, you may also consider 58/1.4 lenses. The longer focal length results in very thin DOF as well.

From the ultra fast lenses I owned, the Hexanon 57/1.2 was my probably my favorite. Even better bokeh than the Rokkor 58/1.2 IMO.


I find this lens very interesting. Konica had to accept a compromise in order to accomodate the vast rear element: it´s actually too big for the AR mount and therefore the aperture coupling was built into a cutoff of the rear element.

https://lenslegend.com/konica-hexanon-ar-57mm-f1-2-lens-review/

This review speaks highly of it, and I find it very informative, with good sample images. The 3rd image shows the cutoff in the rear element. However, in some cases, said cutoff can produce goofy results, as shown here on Andreas Buhls website.

http://buhla.de/Foto/Konica/Objektive/e57_12.html

It wouldn´t keep me from buying one, if I can get it for reasonable money. Did you ever encounter that issue, I mean, did that rear element design ever spoil an otherwise good image of yours?


PostPosted: Thu Mar 31, 2022 11:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
stevemark wrote:
I pretty much agree with most points you said, and of course I like my fast lenses because look nice.

That said, "one aperture faster" can make quite a difference. Look at the images below.

S



I didn´t mean to say superfast normals are useless. I exaggerated a bit to make my point, and meant to do so with a twinkling eye. What I wanted to say is, most vintage lenses perform best at f2.8 or f4, and the more you open up, the more compromises you have to accept otherwise in order to get that desired creamy bokeh. If that´s my primary objective in an image composition, I´d rather choose a longer focal length and increase the distance between camera and motive, if circumstances allow that. If not, those lenses have their purpose. Besides other unique image rendering characteristics and the fascination they exert.


PostPosted: Fri Apr 01, 2022 12:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
ZuikosHexanonsandVivitars wrote:

I didn´t mean to say superfast normals are useless. I exaggerated a bit to make my point, and meant to do so with a twinkling eye. What I wanted to say is, most vintage lenses perform best at f2.8 or f4, and the more you open up, the more compromises you have to accept otherwise in order to get that desired creamy bokeh. If that´s my primary objective in an image composition, I´d rather choose a longer focal length and increase the distance between camera and motive, if circumstances allow that. If not, those lenses have their purpose. Besides other unique image rendering characteristics and the fascination they exert.


I completely agree with that. I'm rarely doing reportage work (where shorter focal lengths would be useful), and so I usually prefer a 2/135 or a 2.8/200 over an 1.2/58 or an 1.4/35. However, fast normal lenses can result in very good images, even wide open. Resulting images are more dynamic, more "alive" than those taken with longer focal lengths. I regret that I rarely can use my (super-)fast normal and wide angle lenses - but I really enjoy them anyway.

S


PostPosted: Fri Apr 01, 2022 7:57 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Is the real reason for these wide apertures on old lenses was that it gave a brighter ground glass screen in the pentaprism? Then stopped down a bit gave a fine Images.

Yes you can get a great photo with some wide open, but I feel these were marketing lenses.


PostPosted: Fri Apr 01, 2022 9:41 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
For very shallow DOF images you can also look at focal length and MFD. These parameters have a huge influence.

For example, the Rokkor 58/1.2 has an MFD of 60cm. My slower Voigtlander Nokton 58/1.4 has an MFD of 45cm.

At closest focus distance, the Nokton has a DOF of only 0.44cm, whereas the faster Rokkor has a DOF of 0.69cm. The Canon FD (L), being a 50mm lens with an MFD of 50cm has a minimal DOF of 0.64cm.

Of course, the framing of the subject will be different, but still....
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