[Leica] Nikkor 50/1.4 LTM

[len-1 at comcast.net (Leonard Taupier)]

The article in the Viewfinder is in Volume 29 #2 1996 page 44

Len


On Jan 16, 2007, at 12:43 AM, Peter Klein wrote:

> Peter and Luis:  Both the Nikkor and Canon are Sonnar derivatives.   
> AFAIK, the f/1.5 versions are closer to the original Sonnar  
> design.  Especially the Canon.  Some people think that the 50/1.5  
> Canon is a better Sonnar than the Sonnar, due to coatings and  
> chrome/brass construction.
>
> The f/1.4 versions show the stamp of some new design considerations  
> by the Japanese companies.  The Canon is optimized for the  
> traditional middle distance, middle aperture.  It's higher contrast  
> than the Nikkor.  What's new is the optimizing for contrast of the  
> details you can see, perhaps at the expense of the really fine  
> stuff--what we came to know as the Japanese way, contra Leica.  Now  
> the Nikkor is higher resolution, and optimized for close-in and  
> wide open.  Optimized for photojournalism.  The price you pay is  
> that the corners are always a little unsharp.  Again, contra Leica  
> of that time, but in a different way.
>
> Those Who Supposedly Know Such Things say that the 50/1.4 Nikkor  
> was the best 50/1.4 lens available until the second version  
> Summilux surpassed it in the early 60s.
>
> See Dante Stellas article on the two companies' Sonnar derivatives  
> for details.
> http://www.dantestella.com/technical/nikoleic.html
>
> There is also an old "Viewfinder" article on the Nikkor, which you  
> can read on the LHSA DVD: "Legendary Leica Lenses, the 50mm f/1.4  
> Nikkor," by Dick Gelcreast.  I have a paper copy, but it doesn't  
> have any mention of the issue date.
>
> Several Luggers have used these lenses.  I know Kyle Cassidy used  
> to use a fast Canon 50, I believe the f/1.4, perhaps he can chime  
> in.  Bill Clough has posted many shots with the 50/1.4 Nikkor.
>
> I happily used a 50/1.4 Nikkor for years.  I sold it a few years  
> ago for about $350.  The reason I sold it was that the VC 50/1.5  
> Nokton I acquired was much better wide open.
>
> Here are a few of my shots with the 50/1.4 Nikkor. The first 3  
> (B&W) are wide open or nearly so:
> http://users.2alpha.com/~pklein/currentpics/claire_surreal.htm
> http://users.2alpha.com/~pklein/currentpics/paula_harpo.htm
> http://users.2alpha.com/~pklein/temp/marianne.jpg
> http://users.2alpha.com/~pklein/oldpics/bluebeach.htm (probably the  
> Nikkor, not 100% sure)
>
> --Peter
>
> At 07:39 PM 1/15/2007 -0800, Peter, SF, CA wrote:
>> Returning to the question, is the Nikon LTM also a
>> Sonnar derivative?  Any reason to prefer the Canon or
>> the Nikon, scarcity factor aside?
>
>
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