General MF lens discussion

Ok, so I've got a Spotmatic with a Super Takumar 50 1.4 and 135 3.5 on the way. Along with those, I decided to get a set of tubes because I have read all about the Super 50 f/1.4 not being compatible with the 5D I have.

My question is wouldn't using the 7mm or 15mm tube, in the set, to further place the rear element away from the mirror, allow me to use this combo without either pieces making contact?

If this workaround is feasible, great. If not, I got a decent film setup cheap to run around with, I guess.

It will work if you are going to do close up work, but you will lose infinity focus.

Holding the lens 7mm or 15mm further away than it should be is going to reduce the distance you can focus on.

John

Thanks John. So, does anyone have any idea what my effective focusing range would likely end up? I'm just thinking out loud before I actually have lens in hand and can see the answers to my questions.
Thanks guys!
Jeremy

After a failed experiment with a new Sigma 50/1.4, only to have it's AF waaaay off on my 5D, I've decided to not battle Sigma in trying to get it calibrated correctly. And since my 5D doesn't have micro-adjust, I've decided to return the lens for refund.

The 50L scares me with the shift issue, and is too expensive right now; I can't stand the bokeh or build of the Canon 50/1.4, so I seek a good 50mm MF lens.

Any opinions on the Contax Planar T* 50/1.4? I hear good things about it, and the images I've seen look really nice, with that Contax/Zeiss "3-D pop" thing going on.

There's one at KEH in EX+ condition for $286. Does anyone know if that's reasonable, or if there are good alternatives that are cheaper?

Brett wrote in post #8777881
Any opinions on the Contax Planar T* 50/1.4? I hear good things about it, and the images I've seen look really nice, with that Contax/Zeiss "3-D pop" thing going on.

I just got the 1.7 from Adorama. I *think* that below 2.0 is redundant on 4/3 sensors (I also use it on my Olympus).

I decided to save the $50 and go with the 1.7 since I had to put that towards adapters.

I posted pics in the MF samples area, the Planar T* is awesome!

I can post more if interested. I LOVE it and glad I went with Canon and Olympus since using adapters with those for other mounts is a breeeeeze!

Adorama has a 1.4 for $199... (EDIT: they raised it to $224 - price of this old glass is continuously going up).

Brett wrote in post #8777881
The 50L scares me with the shift issue, and is too expensive right now; I can't stand the bokeh or build of the Canon 50/1.4, so I seek a good 50mm MF lens.

Any opinions on the Contax Planar T* 50/1.4? I hear good things about it, and the images I've seen look really nice, with that Contax/Zeiss "3-D pop" thing going on.

There's one at KEH in EX+ condition for $286. Does anyone know if that's reasonable, or if there are good alternatives that are cheaper?

That's why I have the nifty fifty. I was willing to spend more, but they all suck too!

As for the Contax 50, I beleive that to be a fair price. Might be able to get one for a litle under $250 on ebay if you are patient, but it probably won't be as nice.

Now there are excellent 50's from every brand. SMC Takumar 50 1.4 is considered one of the best at around $100 for a good copy. Olympus and Nikon make great 50's too. Really it is hard to go wrong. I might look at the Leica 50mm Summicron R as well, but its "only" an f2 - although still provides plenty of pop on a 5D.

Is the Zeiss 50mm 1.5/7 not as good as the 1.4? I mean I know it is slower but really almost $100 more for an f/.2 and f/.1 gain?

AudibleSilence wrote in post #8778004
Is the Zeiss 50mm 1.5/7 not as good as the 1.4? I mean I know it is slower but really almost $100 more for an f/.2 and f/.1 gain?

The 1.5 is for rangefinders and does not work on SLR cameras to my knowledge. The 1.7 is VERY good, but a half of a stop is a half a stop. Big deal in certain sitiations, but usually not. Just last night I was shooting some indoor stuff and f1.8 was not enough, but f1.4 was. bang for the buck wise, though, I think the Zeiss 1.7 or SMC 1.4 are probably the best bets.

tkbslc wrote in post #8778025
The 1.7 is VERY good, but a half of a stop is a half a stop. Big deal in certain sitiations, but usually not. Just last night I was shooting some indoor stuff and f1.8 was not enough, but f1.4 was. bang for the buck wise, though, I think the Zeiss 1.7 or SMC 1.4 are probably the best bets.

Yes, I've read similar. The 1.7 is supposedly the "budget" version of the 1.4. The stop-down factor also makes me want the 1.4. My interest in the Contax came from example images that show that "pop" that I don't see with other 50mm lenses, that seems to be a CZ attribute. I've also seen a lot of examples of very sharp images at f/1.4. I really wanted whatever I bought to be 1.4 or faster, so I was leaning towards the CZ.

Is this the SMC you mentioned?
KEH link.

I don't see any examples of the Leica you mentioned on KEH.

Brett wrote in post #8778362
Yes, I've read similar. The 1.7 is supposedly the "budget" version of the 1.4. The stop-down factor also makes me want the 1.4. My interest in the Contax came from example images that show that "pop" that I don't see with other 50mm lenses, that seems to be a CZ attribute. I've also seen a lot of examples of very sharp images at f/1.4. I really wanted whatever I bought to be 1.4 or faster, so I was leaning towards the CZ.

Is this the SMC you mentioned?
KEH link.

I don't see any examples of the Leica you mentioned on KEH.

Yeah that is the lens. There is also a version with newer styling that has the same optics but a different body. That is the SMC version where it is not spelled out. I think the one you linked to is the most desirable as it has a better build.

The Leica may be hard to find and honestly, if you want F1.4, it might not be worth it. It will cost as much or more than the CZ 1.4 anyway. Its really good glass though. There are a few on ebay, just make sure it is Leica or Leitz R mount - the other leica mounts don't adapt well.

Thanks for all the advice. This manual focus glass is all new to me, at least in this iteration of my photography bug.

I read about the SMC possibly having mirror interference issues with the 5D, so I think that scares me enough to not go with it.

Now, about adapters...

Hey Brett, I've been hunting a 50mm mf as well for my 5D. What I have come across recently is the Yashica ML 50 f/1.4/1.7 lenses are supposed to be very comparable to the Planar's, just much cheaper. I just watched a f/1.7 go unbid at ebay for $47.50. There is also a f/1.4 with a buyitnow price of $99. And those go up to about $150. I am going to be watching these a little more to see what they are going for, but they do look promising.

As for the Tak's on a 5D, everything I am finding says that they interfere with the mirror. I have one coming either today or tomorrow with a 135mm f/3.5 and also a set of tubes, so we will see just how it all goes. Here is a link to what has been found to be compatible with the 5D. She is mighty picky as to what can be adapted. It does show some variants of the Tak's to work, but it is hit or miss.

Hope this helps.
Jeremy

Brett wrote in post #8778937
Thanks for all the advice. This manual focus glass is all new to me, at least in this iteration of my photography bug.

I read about the SMC possibly having mirror interference issues with the 5D, so I think that scares me enough to not go with it.

Now, about adapters...

Wish I could help you on 5D compatibility, but I use a crop camera. As far as adapters, I have always used chipless cheap $10 adapter from ebay and they work great. A chunk of machined aluminum or brass is pretty easy to make, so I don't know why you would spend more, honestly.

Man, I need to get some more MF glass. I am down to one (my NIkon 100mm) I sold my 135 and 200 because I never used it, and I gave my other stuff to my sister who is starting out. I just bought a nifty fifty again, but am already remembering why I sold it last time. Slow AF, crap build, crap bokeh... Remembering all these good 50mm lenses is making me want a good f1.4. Maybe a Nikkor 50mm 1.4 AI or a Zuiko MC 50mm for me this time.

And I also just ordered a few Fotodiox adapters. Quite cheap really.

Come on... what are you guys chicken?
The fix for lenses that hit 5D's mirror:

http://www.16-9.net/5d_mirrorshave/

Has anybody done this?


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