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Best 50/f1.4 Manual Lens wide open for 4/3 DSLR
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PostPosted: Wed Jul 29, 2009 4:23 pm    Post subject: Best 50/f1.4 Manual Lens wide open for 4/3 DSLR Reply with quote
I am using e420 and I am looking for lenses for portrait and lowlight photography. I am not here for the sharpest lens. I am looking for enough sharpness WIDE OPEN or at f/2. I bought hexanon 40/1.8 and 50/1.4. They are very very sharp at f4 but all are soft wide open. Also there is that dreamy glare around the edges of objects.

I know there are expensive lenses which are sharp wide open. But I can buy 50mm/f2 digital macro for that money. Presently I dont have that much funds. Hence I am searching for something at 100$ to satisfy me.

I have shortlisted some of lenses. They are 1) OM zuiko 50/1.4 sr/no. >1m 2) smc takumar 50/1.4 3) contax zeiss planar 50/1.4 (this costs a little more)

It would be very helpful if someone can suggests something that is sharp wide open. And if say your opinion about the lenses that i have shortlisted. If you can demonstrate your facts with images then I would much appreciate it.

Remember I am interested in the lens performance WIDE OPEN/ F2 (and also around 100$). Hope something will come up. Thanks in advance for your replies and helps.


PostPosted: Wed Jul 29, 2009 4:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
You might want to consider a Minolta Rokkor 50/1.4.
I haven't used one myself, but according to Rokkorfiles (which is a respected source of information) they are sharp wide open. There are two versions.

http://rokkorfiles.com/Battle%20of%2050s2.htm


PostPosted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 3:44 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
One of the consistently sharpest wide open is the Konica Hexanon 50mm F1.7

The Olympus OM 50mm F1.8 is sharper than the F1.4


PostPosted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 6:07 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
dnas wrote:
One of the consistently sharpest wide open is the Konica Hexanon 50mm F1.7


This is not correct as far as I think. I am using 2 hexanon lenses as ZI mentioned earlier. they are very dreamy wide open. May be sharp, but the dreamy edges to the objects are making it very soft. This is the behavior that I dont want in the lenses which I am searching for.

Do anybody have experience with any lenses which doesnt give that dreamy phenomena wide open? I will much appreciate your responses. Thanxxx


PostPosted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 9:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Even the new AF 50/1.4 Sigma, which is considered to be the sharpest 50/1.4 AF lens, has corners significantly softer than centre.

As for old lenses - I think high-quality MC layers, which would perform well in combination with your DSLR, could reduce one kind of soft-effect, which originates from internal reflections and lens-sensor reflections.


PostPosted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 1:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Minolta MD Rokkor 50/1.4 is very sharp at centre, it exceeds 250 lpm @f5.6.
(125-140 lpm @f1.4 by the way, MC Rokkor-PG 50/1.4 scored 110-140 lpm @f1.4)

This is the first made in japan lens which rivals the sharpness of
Leica Summirux-M 50mm (earlier version). Yes this is for Leica range finder
cameras, so comparison is unfair but for the resolution wise talk.

MD Rokkor has two versions, but difference is only filter size. They are
optically same I think.

There are other Rokkor 50/1.4s, but they are older MC versions.


PostPosted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 1:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Leica Summilux 1.4/50 (latesr version). For wide open performance there is no alternative.


PostPosted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 1:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
IMHO

The best lens 50/1.4 on 4/3 less then $100 is CANON nFD 50/1.4




http://oly43club.ru/forum/index.php?showtopic=690


see test on f/1.4

Canon nFD (50/1.4) vs Chinon(50/1.4) vs super Takumar (50/1.4)

http://oly43club.ru/forum/index.php?act=attach&type=post&id=1769


OLYMPUS E-330 + Canon nFD 50/1.4, f/1.4












Full-size photo

OLYMPUS E-330 + Canon nFD 50/1.4, f/ 1.4:

http://oly43club.ru/forum/index.php?act=attach&type=post&id=1770


very good for portraits:







PostPosted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 7:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
VGR wrote:
IMHO

The best lens 50/1.4 on 4/3 less then $100 is CANON nFD 50/1.4



Your images are very good. Enough sharpness what I am looking for. But how can I know the lens is FDn? I think there are several versions of FD lenses. Oldest, 72-78, 78-onwaards. Then as u said FDn. I think FDn got sc coating. And how can I distinguish FDn? Its written only FD in the front element. And thank you very much for your advice and image samples.


PostPosted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 10:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Olympian wrote:
dnas wrote:
One of the consistently sharpest wide open is the Konica Hexanon 50mm F1.7


This is not correct as far as I think. I am using 2 hexanon lenses as ZI mentioned earlier. they are very dreamy wide open. May be sharp, but the dreamy edges to the objects are making it very soft. This is the behavior that I dont want in the lenses which I am searching for.

Do anybody have experience with any lenses which doesnt give that dreamy phenomena wide open? I will much appreciate your responses. Thanxxx


Have you ever used this lens?? (Hexanon 50mm F1.7)

It is sharper than the two Hexanon lenses you have. I have two of the Hexanon 50mm F1.7, and they are both very sharp.

Many people say it is one of the sharpest 35mm lenses ever made. Search on the internet....


PostPosted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 8:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Olympian wrote:
VGR wrote:
IMHO

The best lens 50/1.4 on 4/3 less then $100 is CANON nFD 50/1.4



Your images are very good. Enough sharpness what I am looking for. But how can I know the lens is FDn? I think there are several versions of FD lenses. Oldest, 72-78, 78-onwaards. Then as u said FDn. I think FDn got sc coating. And how can I distinguish FDn? Its written only FD in the front element. And thank you very much for your advice and image samples.



http://oly43club.ru/forum/index.php?showtopic=690


PostPosted: Thu Aug 06, 2009 12:16 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Sharp wide open in a 50mm f/1.4 lens is not so easy to find, even at high prices.
It's easier if we accept to talk about "sharp enough"...


PostPosted: Thu Aug 06, 2009 9:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
This pic is taken Olympus e-420 and CZ Planar 1.4/50. No af confirm adapter i like it is very difficult to fokus?


PostPosted: Sat Aug 15, 2009 1:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
dnas wrote:
Olympian wrote:
dnas wrote:
One of the consistently sharpest wide open is the Konica Hexanon 50mm F1.7


This is not correct as far as I think. I am using 2 hexanon lenses as ZI mentioned earlier. they are very dreamy wide open. May be sharp, but the dreamy edges to the objects are making it very soft. This is the behavior that I dont want in the lenses which I am searching for.

Do anybody have experience with any lenses which doesnt give that dreamy phenomena wide open? I will much appreciate your responses. Thanxxx


Have you ever used this lens?? (Hexanon 50mm F1.7)

It is sharper than the two Hexanon lenses you have. I have two of the Hexanon 50mm F1.7, and they are both very sharp.

Many people say it is one of the sharpest 35mm lenses ever made. Search on the internet....


I concur, the Hexanon 50/1.7 is sharper than either of the other Konica lenses you mention. The older ones also have half stops. The older ones are a little better built and the front element is recessed a little more.


PostPosted: Thu Dec 17, 2009 7:00 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
koji wrote:
Minolta MD Rokkor 50/1.4 is very sharp at centre, it exceeds 250 lpm @f5.6.
(125-140 lpm @f1.4 by the way, MC Rokkor-PG 50/1.4 scored 110-140 lpm @f1.4)

This is the first made in japan lens which rivals the sharpness of
Leica Summirux-M 50mm (earlier version). Yes this is for Leica range finder
cameras, so comparison is unfair but for the resolution wise talk.

MD Rokkor has two versions, but difference is only filter size. They are
optically same I think.

There are other Rokkor 50/1.4s, but they are older MC versions.


Actually there are 3 versions, the MC-Rokkor PG (55mm filter) is the sharpest wide open with good bokeh, there is a MD version (55mm filter) that is know to have superior bokeh, but it's less sharp wide open.
There is a newer MD version with 49mm filter that is different but I'm not familiar with its perfomance.


PostPosted: Thu Dec 17, 2009 8:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I miss VGR shots Embarassed


PostPosted: Thu Dec 17, 2009 1:02 pm    Post subject: Elicar 28/f2 Reply with quote
after fastest OM 50/1,4, u might considered Elicar 28/f2...i use this on my E520


PostPosted: Thu Dec 17, 2009 3:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Great shoot Declan!
I miss his works too....


PostPosted: Thu Dec 17, 2009 7:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
As the (deeply deeply sadly addicted) owner of 51 'normal' lenses, and three 4/3 cameras (Panny L-1, Oly E-1 and a battered E-500 that's a bit ill and needs life support) I'd go for:


The Planar 50mm F1.7 I find it sharper wide open than the f1.4 (MM) which I also have, and which is heavier and much more expensive - and who gives a flying *** about .3 of an aperture stop, well really... lol

The Rokkor 50mm F1.4 (have seven of these and they are all superb - almost Leica like)

Zuiko 50mm F1.8 (yes I agree with the poster who says it's sharper than the F1.4 as I've tried both)

The 50mm F1.7 Konica - a real (and so cheap) gem.. you can get them for 'nothing' attached to grotty Konica T4's and TC's...

and for 42mm screw fits:

The legendary 50mm F1.4 SMC Super duper Takumar...

The Yashinon DSM 50mm

Well that's my 10 cents worth...



Doug.


PostPosted: Fri Dec 18, 2009 12:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I can mostly talk about the S-M-C Takumar 1.4/50mm
I believe that there will be one ot the other lens that may be sharper wide open, specially when focused to infinity
it is better when focused rather close and it has very good bokeh - for portraits I recommend this lens wholehearteldy!


( @ f1.4 on *istDs )

( many of the portraits taken with this lens I had shown in this forum already, so anybody interested please check them out here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kuuan/sets/72157605746644529/ )

cheers,
kuuan


PostPosted: Fri Dec 18, 2009 1:28 pm    Post subject: OM 50/1,4 Reply with quote
Like the speed & bokeh




i like the skin tone either


PostPosted: Fri Dec 18, 2009 1:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
sorry if its to big
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