HC 3.5/50 II

QDFB · May 01, 2011, 08:19:23 AM

It is a complete redesign of the original 50mm F/3.5. I took delivery on mine a few days ago and I can confirm it is significantly sharper accross the frame, but especially at the edges, when compared to the original version.

Physically it looks identical, save for a discrete "II" after the "HC 50".

worthy upgrade.

Quentin

Fotograf · May 06, 2011, 12:44:39 AM

Got mine today - HOLY SHIT !

I never had before a lens with such a front focus: open soft at focused distance of 50 meters but sharp at 10 meters !!!

But what was more disappointing: at f11/f16 the 50mm II was as sharp as my 50-110mm (which really is a perfect sharp lens) even in the edges of full frame (60 mpx) - absolutely no advantage for the 50mm.

QDFB · May 09, 2011, 05:48:53 AM

You must have a duff copy. I don't have any issues with mine.

Fotograf · May 18, 2011, 04:14:45 AM

Today I got the 50mm back (repaired). Autofocus is much better now, but not hitting the perfect distance always, I think the 50-110@50's autofocus is a little bit better.

Sharpness in the center is already open good and at 5.6 excellent, also the corners are really good from 8 to 16. Compared to the 50-110@50 the same sharpness is achieved one stop earlier, but final sharpness is very similar (center and corners). The contrast - so far my testing - is remarkable better with the HC 3.5/50 II.

I will follow up with some test pic

JV · September 01, 2011, 10:10:20 AM

Just wondering whether there was some more follow-up on this after 4 months of use...

Ralf Mueller · July 03, 2012, 01:55:34 AM

Hmmh, no images taken with the HC 3.5/50 II ?

Mine has become the most used lens on my HB and is rock solid (so to speak)

Cheers,
Ralf

hamishhamilton · January 10, 2013, 12:03:09 PM

Just got one and it is amazing. Awesome contrast, extremely sharp wide open and more than I could ask for.

Giorgio · September 28, 2013, 05:20:20 AM

Hey,
Please post samples shot with the HC 50II , I for one am looking for images shot with this new lens.
Thank you...

bdp · October 01, 2013, 01:47:17 PM

I love this lens. Borrowed one for an interiors shoot and it is such a nice focal length with the 40MP chip, so now I own one. Can't comment on the corners on the wider chips, but on the 31 and 40 it is very sharp.

Ben

Giorgio · November 04, 2013, 07:36:22 AM

Thanks Ben!

I am seeing the bike wheel slightly out of round, I am assuming a full frame is being shown shot vertical from your camera?

Which camera did you use?

Any more images?

bdp · November 04, 2013, 08:29:24 AM

Hi Giorgio,

Yes, it's a full frame vertical shot. the bike was leaning against the wall so I suppose that may make it look a little odd. It was shot with the H5D-40.I'll see if I have any more images from that shoot to post.

Ben

NickT · November 04, 2013, 08:38:43 AM

You're up early Ben!

bdp · November 05, 2013, 08:23:14 AM

Yep, that's my morning routine - check news, forums, photorumors.com etc over a coffee!

tino999 · May 19, 2014, 11:24:49 PM

Anybody able to compare it with the 35-50mm at f4.5(or whatever is the open aperture on the zoom)?

Giorgio · May 20, 2014, 01:58:51 AM

Hey Tino,

I had the 35/90 zoom and now own the new HC50II lens.

No comparison the HC50II is a better lens for me, and as wide as I ever need to go. Also a consideration was the fact that the zoom does not cover my camera sensor (60) edge to edge.

But I shoot people as my subject matter so your needs may vary.

Every time I get to use my HC50II I smile, nice lens.