in search of the best 50. looking for suggestions

so i really want to invest in a nice 50 that i will enjoy for a long time to replace my 50 1.8, i dont want to spend much more than $700 honestly but am open to all suggestions.

i am currently interested in anything new/old, autofocus or manual.

i have these in mind from suggestions:

Zeiss 50 1.4 Planar ZE (new or used, older or newer copy)
Zeiss 50 f2 makroplanar (used)
Sigma 50 1.4 (not preferred but am willing to buy)
Zuiko 50 1.4
Super Takumar 50 1.4
SMC Takumar 50 1.4
Canon 50 1.2L (if there are even cheap used ones)

any other outstanding 50's out there that i am missing and should considering trying to find? this is not the which is better canon vs sigma

I went through a "50 phase" a while back myself. I'm not a a huge fan of super thin DOF, so I didnt feel like bucking up for the 50L.

Quite honestly, I liked the Canon 50 1.4 when I had it - the IQ was just fine. If I were to spend about the same on a 50 down the road, I'd pick up the Sigma over the Canon for the better build quality and smoother bokeh. Dont be so scared of Sigma lenses...Ive owned plenty of them and they're just fine. In you're that worried about the rare event you get a lemon, just buy from a reputable dealer that will exchange for you and be done with it.

However, if you can spend a little more I cannot recommend the 50 MP enough. The microcontrast from that lens is fantastic and the macro feature is surprisingly useful. The one thing that bothers me about it is that there can be some nasty CA if the conditions are right.

But, if I had a 7D instead of a 5D, I would probably be inclined to stick with AF to get what I paid for out of the 7D. Plus, MF might be difficult at f/2 on your 7D since you cant replace the focusing screen.

As an Outstanding 50mm, I vote for the Zeiss 50/2 Makro Planar.
Now you didn't state what would be yor primary application, but this lens is very sharp both close up and at landscape distances with terrific contrast and color. If you can find a ZE version it will be auto aperture. Several posted examples in the lens sub forum and on zeissimages.com, search by lens.

These two come to mind.

leica r 50mm 2.0 summicron - About $300 used.

Nikkor 50 1.2 AIS - I have this lens - It is hard to work with wide open (thin DOF), but by f2 the lens is quite nice. About $350 used. This is a sample with the Nikkor

Zeiss 50mp is a no brainer. The shots are stunning

yea i would throw down for a zeiss 50 MP if i wasnt soo stretched for money. but it is something that i know would be a great purchase down the road. i do have my eyes on the cheaper zeiss 50 1.4 though as possibly my first zeiss lens that i owned rather than having to rent all the time

im not familiar with the older MF lenses so im glad to get some good suggestions for something that would make for a good purchase. i wouldnt be surprised if in the future i was the owner of several different 50's as i do like that focal length and there are so many different ones out there

The Zeiss 50 f2 makroplanar (used) would be my option from those listed. The Leica 50 R Summicron as mentioned would get a look in too.

any difference between the SMC takumar and the super other than im guessing the coating. i dont see too much info on either and from what i have read both are good lenses. and might be a nice affordable start for me as far as using some of the nicer 50's out there, obviously its not at the top of the list but i think its on it at least

Laudrup wrote in post #13177553
The Zeiss 50 f2 makroplanar (used) would be my option from those listed. The Leica 50 R Summicron as mentioned would get a look in too.

+1, The best 50 I have owned or used hands down!

I have owned and used many ~50's .. it's my fav focal length on a FF 5D

Canon 50 f1.2 (lost at a photoshootops
Canon 50 f1.4 (returned defective.. no bad picture quality but fragile..i broke ring 1st day.. felt cheap)
Leica R Summicron 50 f2 (still have..not all that excited about it though)
Sigma 50 f1.4 (slight focus shift issue around MFD but none further away.. so sharp and smooth otherwise)
SMC/Super Takumar 50 1.4 (not bad, but hits mirror)
Olympus OM Zuiko 55mm f/1.2 (unique soft and dreamy look @f1.2)
Minolta MC Rokkor-PG 58mm f/1.2 (killer bokeh and sharp! but hits mirror)

...and the one that stays on my camera the most is the Zeiss 50MP love it.. MFD is so close.. lens is so sharp ... colors and contrast are to die for..

I did really like the Canon 50 f1.2 as well but just couldn't justify re-buying it with the number of 50's I already have.. mine did not shift and was sharp..

Ill add, since I saw your comments about trying the Zeiss 50 1.4 as an alternative to the Makro Planar, that my advice would be "dont do it". That particular lens is not significantly better than any of the AF 1.4 varieties, at least not enough to justify double the money.

as far as the takumars and the minolta 58mm do they hit the mirror on all cameras or is it only on FF. because im not 100% knowledgeable about this stuff but i did read something about how old adapted lenses do that on FF but i saw no complaints about them on crops. also thanks for the added suggestions. greatly appreciated.

Brian_R wrote in post #13179203
as far as the takumars and the minolta 58mm do they hit the mirror on all cameras or is it only on FF. because im not 100% knowledgeable about this stuff but i did read something about how old adapted lenses do that on FF but i saw no complaints about them on crops. also thanks for the added suggestions. greatly appreciated.

I think it's entirely an issue with FF only as I can't recall hearing a complaint on an aps-c sensor. I have a few taks and other assorted MF 50s and some hit the mirror while others don't. This is only when at infinity too. And as for the multi-coating on the taks, it results in better flare control and higher contrast.

zeiss 50 2.0 MP for sure

only reason i own the sigma 50 1.4 is because i need at least one lens in that range with AF. otherwise id get the zeiss

yea i dont know how to feel about a lens that my mirror will hit when i take pictures. that just sounds like bad news and something breaking