For the mf lens users....

for those using mf prime lens, what is your must have lens, the ones that take your breath away?

Take a look at the carl zeiss lenses. IMHO they destroy many of the canon glass. The MF rings on them feel so buttery smooth.
I ordered the new 50mm f2 makro-planar ZE as a standard prime.

I only have the CZ50/1.7 (I just bought the Zuiko) and it is a remarkable lens, especially how it renders OOF areas. A bit different in that those areas do not seem to lose saturation nor contrast. It's also viciously sharp wide open. A bargain for the price I got it, local purchase, $125cdn including an AF confirm adapter. It's also tiny.

The Zuiko is in transit so don't know.

+1 on the Zeiss 50 mm f/1.7. Sharper, and generaly much cheaper, than the f/1.4-version of the same lens. I´m not so sure about the bokeh, though, I find it sometimes to be a bit distracting. Another gem in the Zeiss range is the 28 mm f/2.8. This one also has a famous "big brother", the 28 mm f/2.0 (aka the Hollywood), which is actually not as sharp (at least according to reviews I´ve read) and insanely expensive. You can find great reviews of MF lenses at www.slrlensreview.com, complete with sharpness measurements and example images.

My list below will clue you in to my luvs...they start at 50mm because at wider FL the 18-55 IS kit proved to be better than the 24/2.8 and 35/2 Nikkors!!! Still, I have a 28/F2 Vivitar I shoot at F2...not only because it's stuck there, but because, again, if I have to stop down, the kit is just fine.
The 180/2.8 ED is very nicely balanced on the 40D/30D and while the former has the MF (EFS) focusing screen the 30D's stock screen works great with the 180...

I'm not a fanatic about any gear, just the gear that works, for me....I wouldn't recommend MF lenses to anyone without reminding them that MF is a skill requiring a lot of practice... but then again so does AF....

But there are so many. If I had to pick just one it would be Leica R 180/2 APO. I'd have trouble just picking out my top 20 though.

Many MF macros are great quality and a good bang for the buck. I have a Vivitar Series 1 90/2.2 macro which has the same optical formula as the Tokina 90/2.2 which is nicknamed the "bokina" for it's smooth bokeh. I think I paid about $100 for mine.

I've also gone to Olympus WA lenses for everything I shoot under 35mm. Great optics and good values.

I just picked up a clubman lens which has an OM mount for olympus. I had the adapter laying around so i thought id try it out. its a 28mm f2.8 in perfect condition. After some rest shots, i would say its TACK sharp at f2.8 and the focus ring is extremely smooth. not a bad deal for about 40 bucks shipped.

Carl Zeiss 21mm F2.8 ZE...

Hard to pick just one. My Contax-Zeiss 28/2.8 is crazy sharp, and so is my new Zeiss ZE 35/2. My Olympus OM 18/3.5 is no slouch either, nor the Oly 24/2.8 or the Contax-Zeiss 35-70/3.4 (getting the picture).

gasrocks wrote in post #9327784
But there are so many. If I had to pick just one it would be Leica R 180/2 APO. I'd have trouble just picking out my top 20 though.

I knew you would say that since it's little brother the 2.8 is simply breathtaking.

The Leica APO 100 macro is absolutely stunning but it's a tough call as to which is best because I have outstanding lenses in various focal lengths.

TS-E 17 F/4L, TS-E 24 F/3.5L Mk II, TS-E 90 F/2.8.

If I had to choose just one, right now: TS-E 24 F/3.5L Mk II.

Alternative: 50L switched to MF .

Kind regards, Wim

argyle wrote in post #9331465
Hard to pick just one.

lol!

I am starting to do more video with my 5D mkII, so Zeiss and MF are the way to go.

dmccabe wrote in post #9332653
lol!

I am starting to do more video with my 5D mkII, so Zeiss and MF are the way to go.

Re: video mode...
The longer the "throw" of the focusing barrel, the more gradual you can shift/follow focus....e.g. for video the Nikon AI is better suited than the AIS...