thinking of trying manual on my 450D

[rx7speed]

just made tax time and so I'm debating buying a few manual lenses as it seems the quality of many of them is quite good and can be had for lens then the equiv AF lens. and so now I have a few choices that Iw as hoping you all might be able to help me with.

I currently have the 50mm 1.8 canon lens and was hoping to maybe try a manual version of this lens that is a bit better when more open. it seems this lens is iffy at anything less then 2.8

the ones I've noticed so far are the
SUPER TAKUMAR 1.4 50mm
also the takumar 1.8 55mm
zeiss pancolor 50mm 1.8
helios 44-2 58mm 2.0

any opinions on any of these and how they compare to the canon 1.8. alsowhat would you say is a fair price on them.

[martinsmith99]

I have the Canon 50/1.8 and I can honestly say you will be blown away by the sharpness of the Takumars. I have had the SMC 55/1.8 and now have the S-M-C 55/1.8 and it's way sharper than the Canon at 1.8. The Canon only catches up at F4. 20-40GBP 50/1.4 maybe twice that.

The Helios is pretty good too. I have the 44M which is sharp when stopped down a bit, decent bokeh. But a real bargain. 1-15GBP

Another lens which surprised me was a Pentacon 50/1.8. Check that the diaphragm works properly and is free of oil. 10GBP

I have no experience (yet) of the Pancolar but I would imaging it is good. My CZJ 35/2.4 & 135/3.5 are superb. 100GBP & 50GBP respectively.

I must admit I find 50mm a bit long for normal use on a crop body.

Sorry about prices in GBP but I have no idea of the exchange rate of £ to $.

[rx7speed]

no problem with the GBP it can easily be converted

still not able to make up my mind on which to grab but I'm sure I'm at least getting one. for the price I might get two part of the reason I want to go this route. just need to learn how to MF better with the modern focus screens.

if you had to pick though which would be the one you would go for?

just out of curiosity wasn't the 1.8 Takumar more or less packaged as a kit lens with many camera's?

[Bruce]

The Helios lens on your list is more of a character type lens. Something of an aquired taste is needed to be happy with this lens choice. I dont know of your 50mm 1.8 canon lens but I suspect this and helios are two different animals.

in other words everybody makes a good 50mm except Helios, Helios makes a lovely 50mm

[patrickh]

The Tak 50/1.4 and the Pancolar 50/1,8 will both blow the Canon away.


patrickh

[F16SUNSHINE]

Welcome to the group.

Tak 1.4/50
Yashica ML 1.7/50
Pancolar 1.8/50

Any of the above are really inexpensive (ML 1.7/50 under $20 at times). Any of them will turn your canon AF into a door stop.
Search for samples in the gallery.

Cheers
Andy

[bawang]

Welcome and enjoy your stay here.

From the list you gave, I would definitely suggest the Takumar 1.4/50. They are sharp, well built and SUPER smooth. Preferably, get the Super-Multi-Coated instead of just Super Takumar.

The others are no slouch neither. I have tried them all and still keep them since each has a different character. But since you already have a f1.8, might be fun to play with f1.4

Peace and Cheers.

[F16SUNSHINE]

I would also suggest a chipped adapter to start with.
You will get the "blip" in your VF when focused on an object.
Very handy to help get started.