Distagon 50mm F4 history

[visionaryelitist]

Was wondering if someone could throw some light on the history and various versions of the distagon 50mm F4. Am i correct in thinking there have been four versions - C, CF CF FLE and CFI FLE?? Can anyone ellaborate further please?

 

[JAT]

I believe that you are very correct ... I use the CFi50 FLE for the time being ... and am very happy with it

 

[wbulte]

C and CF (non-FLE) are the same optical design.

 

[visionaryelitist]

how do you distinguish a CF FLE from the non FLE design? Is it just the extra focus distance ring?

 

[ulrik]

how do you distinguish a CF FLE from the non FLE design? Is it just the extra focus distance ring?

You might also distinguish by weight and size but using the extra focus ring is already safe enough.

Ulrik

 

[blowupster]

Was wondering if someone could throw some light on the history and various versions of the distagon 50mm F4. Am i correct in thinking there have been four versions - C, CF CF FLE and CFI FLE?? Can anyone ellaborate further please?

And later ZV !

Witch I do have only the ...hood !

 

[visionaryelitist]

is there an advantage with the CFI? is it only the contacts and does it feature the same optical design as the CF FLE??

 

[Victorh]

The CFi lens does not have databus contacts only CFE lenses have databus contacts and a leaf shutter.

The Distagon 50 started life in a silver barrel, was upgraded with T* coating in the early seventies, became a black barrel lens with T* in 1975 changed with the same optical formula into a CF version and became floating elements at the end of the eighties.
In 1998 the FLE lens got a wider barrel and changed to B70 size for hoods, filters and caps.

Floating elements gave the lens a much better performance not only for close range.


Vic.

 

[visionaryelitist]

Thanks everyone.