paul_m__austin_ Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 I've been shooting with a Canonet, but have recently decided to step it up a notch and get an interchangable lens rangefinder. I could use some help picking out a 50mm lens, and of course I'm on a budget. I've read a lot of great stuff about the Voigtlander 50/1.5 Nokton, but I can't find much about the Heliar. I'm aware of the obvious differences between the two, and I'm aware that there are some affordable used Leica lenses too. I would like to hear from anyone who has any experience with this V/C Heliar lens. How does it compare to the Nokton or the older Summicrons that might be somewhat near this price range? How is the sharpness wide open? Thanks for your comments. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicaglow Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 Paul, I've been trying to figure out which "normal" lens to get as well. There is some good info on Steve's site: http://cameraquest.com/voigtlen.htm. Everyone says there are Leica lenses in this price range, but I'm not seeing them. The only Summicron's are the 40mm C. I've used the CV cameras and WA lenses some years ago and thought the image quality was superb. I've not used the normal lenses though. I'm thinking of the 40mm f/1.4 Nokton myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_m__austin_ Posted March 9, 2007 Author Share Posted March 9, 2007 Hi Michael. Stephen's website is great. In fact I emailed him to ask about this and he was kind enough to respond and tell me that the Heliar is a sharp lens, it is especially flare resistant due to fewer elements, and that he prefers it's bokeh over the Nokton. He also suggested I search around here and Rangefinder Forums, but I haven't been able to find anything except speculation. No one seems to have any real experience with it. Hopefully we can find someone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lsm Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 i was thinking to buy a 50mm f1.5, anyway 50/2 Heliar is not bad at all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b_algood Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 I have this lens with the 250 Jahre set, and it is a great lens, sharp with excellent contrast..stays on my R3M most of the time. Just shot a roll with the lens on today..the bokeh is smooth also, just a very nice small normal FL lens..get one you'll love it..Bill ~<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karl_graf Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 The 50/2 Heliar is a good lens but not a great lens. I had one and sold it after a few months of use. I kept the body. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwebster Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 Lovely shot Bill - great light and wonderful separation of subject and background. Certainly nothing to complain about there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prof-K Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 Do a browser search in the <a href="http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?forumid=28">Cosina Voigtlander Bessa forum</a> at RFF. Lots of images made with this lens are posted. Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kentish_townie Posted March 10, 2007 Share Posted March 10, 2007 Once the Heliar is closed down a stop or so I think it's virtually as good as any other 50mm lens. Personally speaking, I don't think it's that particularly great wide open. However, I see that Camerquest is now selling it for $400 which makes it very tempting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frederick_muller Posted March 10, 2007 Share Posted March 10, 2007 You should be able to get a decent 50mm collapsible summicron for that price. I fondled a 50mm collapsible heliar and a 250 jahr set, and I was sorely tempted because it is a very cute lens. But the reviews I had read, and the sample pictures I had seen on this site (do a search on Heliar and you will find them) did not impress me enough. For me it's an easy choice between a collapsible Heliar and a collapsible Summicron. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b_algood Posted March 10, 2007 Share Posted March 10, 2007 Paul, as some have said wide open very good, stopped down excellent I have no problems getting results like this.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff_drew4 Posted March 10, 2007 Share Posted March 10, 2007 In the FWIW column, I have debated this type of situation for months too. I use a 50mm "normal" lens quite often. You may want to be patient and shop around. I was able to buy a mint+, latest model Elmar 50mm f/2.8 from a quality seller on Ebay; for under $500. The Elmar 50mm is optically as good as the Summicron 50mm (the sharpest of all 50mm) from the mid-range apertures to smaller. Wide-open, at f/2.8, the Elmar has proven to me that it is as good or better than any others I've used! Given my 4 decades of photography and literally dozens of 50mm lenses, that's not hyperbole! Many others have sung praises of the Elmar 50mm and think it is a "sleeper" for popularity which explains its bargain price. Comparing a new Heliar vs. Elmar 50 and costs, please consider the Elmar as a contender. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan_wilder1 Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 The current 50/2.8 Elmar-M focuses down to 0.7 m and at that distance, it's at least as good as the 50 Summicron and sharper than my 50/1.4 asph. Summilux (at 0.7 m) until around f/5.6. The Heliars only focus down to 1 m. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kivis Posted April 13, 2015 Share Posted April 13, 2015 <p>I find the Heliar really just right for my purposes. They are hard to find, but highly recommended IMHO.</p> kivis Cameras, lenses, and fotos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johan_niels_kuiper Posted July 29, 2016 Share Posted July 29, 2016 <p>The folks back in 2007 must have had a dud, this is a great lens. In fact, I bought back my earlier copy from the shop after two years, I kept missing it.</p> <p><img src="https://c3.staticflickr.com/9/8822/28015511954_de7a43e9bc_c.jpg" alt="" /></p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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