I have had the Canon 50/1.4 and liked it quite a bit. The Canon 50/1.5 is lovely too. The Voigtlander 50/2 heliar has a good amount of character. All of them have some degree of focus shift, but haven't been deal breakers for me.
I'd let you borrow the Canon 1.5 or Heliar if you want to give them a try.
nehemiahphoto wrote:
I have a CV 50/1.5 but I am looking for a bit more character for RF film use. My hopes:
1) small size
2) F2 of faster
3) lack of focus shift
4) character — the level of MS optics, Leica 35/50 pre-asph glass.
I have a Noct 50/1, but don’t like lugging around a 6k 50mm with focus shirt and a longer MFD.
No interests in well-corrected modern draws like a 50 Lux FLE/Simera 50/1.4/CV 50/1 or 1.2…
I considered having a Contax 50/1.4MMJ converted to m mount, I think viewfinder blockage is about as bad as the zeiss zm 35/1.4. I know you like the zeiss draw elsewhere, I wonder if that one would fit the bill.
Some possibilities, what I have/use: Summar, Summitar (either early uncoated or newer coated, both exhibit veiling flare) both Summar and Summitar have the classic bloom wide open and graded falloff to edges. Outside the range but worth considering, Elmar 5cm/3.5 (early uncoated) (or one of the FSU clones if on mirrorless, not Leica registration friendly). VM 50/1.5 Heliar (similar rendering to a Summitar but modern coatings, no veiling flare. Without the graded falloff). If you want to go tiny, a 40/2.8 Heliar (also avoids veiling flare, has graded falloff).
I have had the Canon 50/1.4 and liked it quite a bit. The Canon 50/1.5 is lovely too. The Voigtlander 50/2 heliar has a good amount of character. All of them have some degree of focus shift, but haven't been deal breakers for me.
I'll second the vote for the Canon 50/1.4, they don't call it "the Japanese Summilux" for nothing (it actually was released about two years before the first Summilux). I'd say the only downsides are that it's not particularly small, especially with the hood, and the focus throw is long. I don't mind the focus throw since it allows for very precise focus for portraits, but if you have to switch fast between near and far subjects, or subjects that are moving, it's not the best tool for the job.
I haven't noticed any focus shift on film.
Jul 05, 2026 at 07:05 AM
Steve Spencer Online • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: On
Have you considered the LLL 50 f/2 SP II? I like the look of this lens and will probably get the 75 f/2 SP II. I appreciate the even performance across the frame, the low field curvature, and that there are some spherical aberrations. It doesn't seem to have noticeable focus shift from what I can see in the reviews either. The regular version isn't that small, but they also make a version with their copy of the Cron Rigid body that is pretty small. Personally, it would be my choice for a 50 with character, but it might not be your cup of tea. We sometimes have slightly different tastes in character.
@_jim_ I don’t know why I did not think about the 50/1.5 Heliar – – I was on Fred’s review thread, and I have almost purchased it a couple times over the years, but always for digital, never really considered it on film. And I may take you up on the offer to borrow it. Kind of you!
And yes on the focus shift is the tricky part. If not for focus shift, I would just shoot the ZM 50/1.5 or Summarit 50/1.5 and call it a day.
@raizans that is on my radar and a good consideration!
@gammarART I am curious about this lens. Fred said their 35 was really a replica with the aesthetic and barrel design, but not optical draw. To be honest, I don’t really care how lenses look on the exterior, but I would be very interested if the draws like a pre-asph 50 lux.
@RustyRus the cron looks pretty darn modern and clean in terms of high contrast and smooth draw but the photos are nice…but I do think your v3 50 Lux pre-asph it’s probably really what I am after. I just don’t wanna cough up the cash but you are spot on.
@rsolti13 this was not on my radar, but looks awesome. I may do it. Seems challenging to find clean copies, especially a version one….
@fritzx6 for some reason, I’ve never quite gelled with that lens…but I do love lots of CY and G glass. I really want something dinky.
@mapgraphs very helpful—thank you. I need to research these.
@bjhurley I think you’re pretty spot on Brad—as usual. This is great thought. I think I’ll start looking around and see what copies I can find.
@Steve Spencer Hey Steve! Not familiar with your the smaller cron version, but will definitely research. All things being equal, pretty even resolution across the plane is actually a nice thing and reminds me a lot of older Minolta. But I do want some character in the bokeh and lower contrast wide open. When I compare my MD Minoltas to 80s Leica lenses, one of the biggest differences is Minolta have better resolution across the field, even wide open while Leicas tend to be a bit higher contrast essentially but fall off significantly more in resolution. That could be due to constraints of rangefinder versus an SLR lens. Regardless, thanks for the rec!
Might be a tough find and it is costly, but the omnar bertele fits the bill they fixed the focus shift for the sonnar, it is f2, E39 small, film use is great, I recently got one… but it is currently unavailable to order and it is wait if it is, and it is Leica glass priced. If you can find it and want to pay the entrance cost it covers your want list
Jul 05, 2026 at 10:42 AM
Steve Spencer Online • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: On
nehemiahphoto wrote:
Hey Steve! Not familiar with your the smaller cron version, but will definitely research. All things being equal, pretty even resolution across the plane is actually a nice thing and reminds me a lot of older Minolta. But I do want some character in the bokeh and lower contrast wide open. When I compare my MD Minoltas to 80s Leica lenses, one of the biggest differences is Minolta have better resolution across the field, even wide open while Leicas tend to be a bit higher contrast essentially but fall off significantly more in resolution. That could be due to constraints of rangefinder versus an SLR lens. Regardless, thanks for the rec! ...Show more →
It looks like they still have some for sale. I do think from the reviews the lens is both low contrast wide open and it definitely has some character in the bokeh.
nehemiahphoto wrote:
I have a CV 50/1.5 but I am looking for a bit more character for RF film use. My hopes:
1) small size
2) F2 of faster
3) lack of focus shift
4) character — the level of MS optics, Leica 35/50 pre-asph glass.
I have a Noct 50/1, but don’t like lugging around a 6k 50mm with focus shirt and a longer MFD.
No interests in well-corrected modern draws like a 50 Lux FLE/Simera 50/1.4/CV 50/1 or 1.2…
I'm too embarrassed to tell you how many 50-ish lenses I own, but the Nikkor-S 5.8cm f1.4 Nippon Kogaku non-ai is my favorite in that focal length. It has character and charm. It's not too heavy or expensive. It tics the boxes for my taste in oof area preferences. 20 inch mfd - only 6 iris blades and seven elements in six groups. Apparemtlyy it was Nikon's first Gauss type, because rhe Sonnar formula couldn't do the back focus necessary. Some claim it is a modified Xenar. That's all French to me I just look at the results, and know what I like. Don't know if you can adapt it to your RF, but I'm sure it won't disappoint.
EDIT: Sorry about this - I saw this on the Film forum and didn't notice it was cross posted to the Leica forum. However, Nikon did make LTM lenses from the same period. The Nikkor-S.C 50mm f1.4 is a Sonnar lens you may like.
nehemiahphoto wrote:
I have a CV 50/1.5 but I am looking for a bit more character for RF film use. My hopes:
1) small size
2) F2 of faster
3) lack of focus shift
4) character — the level of MS optics, Leica 35/50 pre-asph glass.
I have a Noct 50/1, but don’t like lugging around a 6k 50mm with focus shirt and a longer MFD.
No interests in well-corrected modern draws like a 50 Lux FLE/Simera 50/1.4/CV 50/1 or 1.2…
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raizans wrote:
Light Lens Lab 50mm f/1.9 "Rigid-ZS6" seems close to what you’re looking for.
My pick would also be the new Rigid-ZS6 "low contrast version", but since I know you like fast glass, if speed is the priority, go with the MS Optics 50mm f/1 ISM all the way.
I just look at the results, and know what I like. Don't know if you can adapt it to your RF, but I'm sure it won't disappoint.