Which nikkor fast 50?....

[F16SUNSHINE]

Not the top performer. I want character.
My LTM Nikkor 1.4/50 and 1.8/35 both have wonderful glow and subtle smooth drop off when opened up.
The corners are soft and dark it looks perfect for what I want.
There is a need to get a bit closer at times so I'm looking to a reflex companion.
I just got a nikon fm2n and would like a 50 to shoot lo-fi b&w.
What do you much loved niknutz suggest ?
Is there a non noct f1.2/58 or ???

[Attila]

I did like all Nikon lenses, 1.2, 1.4,1.8,F2.0 all were just great. No matter AIS, NON-AI . My AI 1.4 was a dog , I guess that was only my bad luck.

Carsten have NON-AI 1,2 I had AIS 1.2 both are affordable and great lens.

[ManualFocus-G]

I've got a non-AI 55/1.2 and it's a cracker

http://forum.mflenses.com/nikkor-55mm-f1-2-k-pre-ai-t31757,highlight,%2Bnikkor+%2B55mm.html

[berraneck]

I pretend you know these pages:

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/50mmnikkor/index.htm

from what I experienced after getting 50&55mm f/1.2 zuikos, I'd go for some f/1.2 version

[F16SUNSHINE]

You see the "glow" and overall dreamy look in this frame.
Can this be found in any of the reflex lenses?

NK Nikkor 50mm f1.4 ltm

[Attila]

In my experience if you shoot same subject same time with SRL or RF lenses you can't see much difference. RF is better than SLR is quiet a myth or not much better than SLR just much more expensive if come from a well known brand.

[eggboy]

I've a pre-AI Nikkor-S 55/1.2 and a pre-AI Nikkor-S.C 50/1.4. They are both wonderful, but the 55/1.2 gives the Minolta 58/1.2 a run for the money...I have that also.

You can see lots of samples in the galleries here and on the web.

For me, the 55/1.2 really shines (literally, due to its softness and aberrations...) when you move in close.

I've just started organizing and uploading samples on a per lenses basis...and the Nikkor 55/1.2 is the first gallery I'm working on. Samples are here:
http://eggboy.smugmug.com/Manual-Focus/Nikon-Lenses/Nikkor-55mm...

[aleksanderpolo]

I have the Nikkor LTM 50/2 which probably has similar glow to your 50/1.4 Also owned 50/1.2 (Ai+Ais) and 50/1.4 (Ai), in my limited experience and humble opinion, I only see this kind of glow in Summicron DR. Um, I thought the Nikkor LTM 50/1.4 focus down to ~30cm even though there is no rangefinder coupling beyond 0.7m?

[martinsmith99]

I've owned 2 Nikkor 50/1.4s and yet to see anything special about them.

[F16SUNSHINE]

Thanks for the suggestions.
Eugene I think I will try a 55 1.2 S. It looks pretty low-ish contrast and vignettes a bit nicely from samples I have seen here and there online.
The pics on your smugmug actually look much more modern. I'm guessing you give a contrast boost as i would also do for Digital workflow.
One of the reasons I'm using film. When I want low contrast B+W, Digital just looks wrong.

@ Polo
I had that f2 lens as well. The 1.4 and f2 do render very similarly so now I just have the f1.4 (an extra stop and one less lens to keep track of ).
You are right the f1.4 has the un-coupled close focus ability.
The problem is when using the M5 first you have no focus un-coupled (I'm shooting human subjects) second, is framing in such close range.
A reflex view is much easier and more accurate inside one meter