What 50mm lens to get?

R

ReelFilmGeek

Well-known member
I have a Canon T2I and my current Super takumar 50mm 1.4 that i got a while back for cheap but it's not in the best condition (focus ring sticks in some places) and its kinda dirty (What is the best way to clean this lens safely, it was never that clean when i got it :\) and I was thinking of selling the lens and getting a different 50mm. I was currently looking at the Nikon Nikkor AF 50mm 1.4 since I place on changing some of my lenses to nikon (they seem more future proof then most other lenses, plus i got a N6006 that i will be using for film photography). Is it worth changing my 50mm to a different one, what are some other good 50mms?
 
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I started out with a vintage Nikon 50mm 1.4 about 2 years ago. Nice lens and they were selling for about $100-150. If you plan on using several Nikon lenses, it certainly makes sense to have a Nikon 50mm 1.4.

Another vintage 50mm 1.4 to consider is the Zeiss Plannar T, especially in the C/Y (Contax Yashica) mount. I found mine for about $300. I like it better than the Nikon. The feel of the focus wheel is excellent and the C/Y mount version is so much cheaper than the new Zeiss lenses. It's one of my favorite lenses and is a nice companion to my Zeiss 85mm 1.4.

However you really can't go wrong with Nikon and they are much cheaper than the Zeiss lenses. It depends on what you are shooting and what your budget is.
 
Canon/Sigma will give you the best quality under $500, but if you want to spend more then you will be looking at some other Zeiss lenses. Personally though I love the look of Nikkor lenses even though the Canon's are sharper, Nikon just has a certain image I love.
 
great lens too, but much more expensive (the Rollei is not mine, but I think the go for under $100 on ebay)
 
The Nikkor 50mm 1.2 AIS is a really nice vintage prime. You can find some good deals on ebay for under 400$. If you want to spend a little less money pick up the canon 50mm 1.8. It's not the best constructed lens but it is tack sharp and you can get it used for under 100$.
 
(the canon 1.8 is on my tests too; it is indeed pretty sharp, better than most of the 50mm primes I've tested; but bokeh is far from stellar, at f/2.8 it is the worst in the table) (it has AF, though, and that can be handy for stills)
 
Prices have gone up on all older lenses! At one point they were dirt cheap, but with every post online about how lens X is the bomb, it drives the cost way up.
 
David W. Jones said:
Prices have gone up on all older lenses! At one point they were dirt cheap, but with every post online about how lens X is the bomb, it drives the cost way up.
Click to expand...

I got in at the right time, before the wave. I own the following Takumars

28mm 3.5
35mm 3.5
50mm 1.4
55mm 1.8
135mm 3.5
135mm 2.5
200mm 4.0

I'm missing an 85mm just because they are so pricey I haven't wanted to pop on one, using a Vivitar from the same era for that focal length that actually has excellent IQ.

I probably have $400 TOTAL in those lenses. I bought them when they were going for $30 to $50.
 
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