Finest Lenses Ever Made?

[Andy M]

Apologies if this looks like a bit of a gear-fetish post, but today I received a Hasselblad 50mm f4 CFI T* FLE.

My comparisons are with Canon's L glass, which I've been lucky enough to own for a number of years, and even compared to Canon's best - the 35L, 85L, 135L etc - this 50mm CFI appears to be exceptionally well made.

I can't yet comment on its optical performance, as I'm yet to receive my films from the developer, but just for 'feel' this lens is

Would be interested to hear others' opinion on their favourite lenses.

[jorgedelfino]

Nikon 105mm f2,5
Canon 70-200mm f2,8 L IS

[Kriss]

My best Lenses:
17-55mm f/2.8 AF-S G ED Nikkor expensive but worth it
20mm f/2.8 Nikkor AF
35mm & 85mm f/1.4 Nikkors MF
20-35mm f/2.8 AF Nikkor amazing on a copy stand
35mm, 65mm, 120mm Micro Nikkors (for Multiphot)
120mm f/4.5 Leitz Milar sharpest lens I ever used
180mm f/2.8 AF Nikkor amazing
600mm f/8 Novoflex slow but amazingly sharp
120mm Macro for Pentax 645
any G-Claron for LF

My worst lenses:
Leitz 60mm f/2.8 Macro bad sample?
24-70mm F2.8 EX DG MACRO Sigma again bad sample?

but in the end if you do not use a heavy duty tripod and mirror lock-up, judging lens sharpness is an academic pursuit at best.

.....

[Christopher]

Canon 70-200 f4 IS
Zeiss 21 by far
A lot of the Leica M lenses. WOW

[David Anderson]

Canon 16-35 2.8 L II  &  85 1.2 L

[Deep]

Zeiss Planar 75/3.5 on my very old Rollei still blows my expectations!
Canon FD 28/2.8, seems humble but can't fault it.  50/1.8 and 100/2.8 very close, 50/1.4 and others all good too.
Canon 24-70/2.8L, for a zoom is exceptional
Olymups ZD 50-200/2.8-3.5 must be the best-kept secret in modern photography.
Good old 50mm Summicron and a 90 (forget which) on an M2 I used borrow both near faultless.

Having said that, I cannot believe how bad so many modern lenses are, even quite pricey ones.  Why do manufacturers not take pride any more?

Don.