Standard lens comparison

[flavio81]

I have had so many 50mm lenses that i think i should do a quick review:

Canon:
FD 50/1.8: Sharp and without defects.
FD 50/1.4: As sharp and contrastier, although bokeh is not super pretty
FD 55/1.2 SSC: Sharp and gorgeous bokeh. My favorite Canon standard lens.
EF 50/1.8 MK1: Sharp even wide open and good for all-around use, good bokeh.
EF 50/2.5 Macro: Zero distortion and smooth bokeh. Very good lens.

Nikkor:
-H-C 50/2: just bought... under review!
-S 50/1.4: warm and contrasty but field curvature is strong, so wide open performance not that good.
-S 58/1.4: perfect bokeh. I love this lens
All three above have some distortion.

AI 50/1.8: ultra sharp, low distortion, but somehow it gives a "harsh" look.

Rangefinders:

Agfa Solagon 50/2.0: Creamy bokeh and sharp. Close to perfection.

Retina-Xenon 50/2.0: Sharp but not so grrat bokeh.

Yashinon-DX 45/1.7: Creamy bokeh and sharp.

 

[markbarendt]

Here's some nikon info.

http://www.naturfotograf.com/lens_surv.html

 

[benjiboy]

It's not what 50mm lens I shoot with that preludes me from being a brilliant photographer.

 

[flavio81]

I have had so many 50mm lenses that i think i should do a quick review:

Canon:
FD 50/1.8: Sharp and without defects.
FD 50/1.4: As sharp and contrastier, although bokeh is not super pretty
FD 55/1.2 SSC: Sharp and gorgeous bokeh. My favorite Canon standard lens.
EF 50/1.8 MK1: Sharp even wide open and good for all-around use, good bokeh.
EF 50/2.5 Macro: Zero distortion and smooth bokeh. Very good lens.

Nikkor:
-H-C 50/2: just bought... under review!
-S 50/1.4: warm and contrasty but field curvature is strong, so wide open performance not that good.
-S 58/1.4: perfect bokeh. I love this lens
All three above have some distortion.

AI 50/1.8: ultra sharp, low distortion, but somehow it gives a "harsh" look.

Rangefinders:

Agfa Solagon 50/2.0: Creamy bokeh and sharp. Close to perfection.

Retina-Xenon 50/2.0: Sharp but not so grrat bokeh.

Yashinon-DX 45/1.7: Creamy bokeh and sharp.

Forgot to add, and in line with what Benjiboy said: All lenses listed above are good, and as many of us have said, the real limiting factor is the photographer, not the lens.