Carl Zeiss Jena 50mm f/1.8 Pancolar

[richardHaw]

https://richardhaw.com/2024/04/13/repair-carl-zeiss-jena-50mm-f-1-8-pancolar/ 

[MEPER]

It could be interesting to see a comparison with AIS Nikkor 50/1.8 (non-pancake) if you could take two identical images.
E.g. like the image with the light bulbs in a row where the background fades out into blur.   

[richardHaw]

From my recollection, the Pancolar is superior, in sharpness, colors, rendering, contrast and blur. The Nikkor is better for the discs because of the iris blades. It is also more resistant to ghosts and flare.

[MEPER]

Ok, also even sharper!
I think I have two of the Nikkors (are they called "long nose"?) and one of the pancake.
Never used the "long nose".
 
When I have have used old 50mm Nikkors it has mostly been the Nikkor-H 50/2 which has very good sharpness.
Probably Nikon has never been known to make lenses with nice bokeh compared to Leica or other brands.

Maybe the 105/2.5 was the first lens showing good blur and maybe also the 180/2.8 and 85/1.8 (nice bokeh according to my taste).
Then the noct came later. I have no experience with the older Nikkor-S 55/1.2 and Nikkor-S 58/1.4?