Thinking about getting a Nikon S2

[Kodachromeguy]

Nikon S3 with 5cm F1.4 Nikkor-SC, wide-open.





The Nikkor 5cm F1.4 was introduced in 1950, competed with the Summarit 5cm F1.5. The Summilux came out years afterwards, closer to the Double-Gauss "Olympic" Nikkor 50mm F1.4 brought out in 1963.

Was the original Nikkor 5cm ƒ/1.4 a Sonnar type of optical design? And was the Canon 50mm ƒ/1.5 intended to compete with this 5cm Nikkor? I am impressed with the innovation that the Japanese optical companies displayed in the 1950s and 1960s.
(P.S., great portraits of a cheerful little girl.)

 

[__Brian]

These are Sonnar formula lenses, the Nikkor 5cm F1.4 being the first "faster than F1.5". The Canon 50/1.5, Nikkor 5cm F1.4, and (rare) Nikkor 5cm F1.5 are all Sonnar formula lenses. The Nikkor 5cm F1.5 was actually designed in 1937.

First shot in B&W, "The Look", my daughter biting into a cookie and me saying "OUCH!" from behind the camera.
The second- she had created a masterpiece.

 

[Huss]

Cute kids! My 50 1.4 (5cm?) was sharp in the middle, super smeary on both sides at infinity



https://www.flickr.com/gp/39133227@N08/14Q225

 

[__Brian]

The Sonnar has high field curvature- almost like a Sine Wave running through the field.
Very low astigmatism.

It works better for portraits, where the field curvature can be harnessed to keep features in focus. For Landscapes- stopping down is required. Many people state it is "center sharp", which is true looking at flat surfaces. The area of "best focus" just is not flat.



I just happened to find a graph in a 1940s Optics Book that someone at work was throwing away. The book uses the term :"Circle of least Confusion". Applies to much more than just optics.

 

[Huss]

I understand field curvature, that affects many lenses including modern ones. But field curvature would account for out of focus results, not smeary results. Toward the sides and edges it looks like a lomo lens. Which some may like.

 

[__Brian]

The top of the plot shown would explain smearing- light rays coming in from different angles across the surface of the lens fall in different planes. Field Curvature depends on the angle and point that the light entered the lens.
It's a rollercoaster.

 

[David Lindquist]

Cute kids! My 50 1.4 (5cm?) was sharp in the middle, super smeary on both sides at infinity



https://www.flickr.com/gp/39133227@N08/14Q225

Donner Lake, very nice regardless of any lens faults.

David