Do I really need a 50mm and if so are there any out there

[kenneth]

Or alternatively I could by a second hand IIIF B/Dial + 50mm F2.8 for, as this example from Ffordes Photographic for £599.00 which would give me a 50mm 2.8 Elmar and a second body. What do you think?

[rosuna]

Originally Posted by lct

Ah yes good idea, did you try one Ruben?

Not an extensive test. It is smaller than the Summicron and it seems to be as good as the Summicron.

[brianv]

The lens shown on the IIIf is a Summitar. A beautiful vintage lens, not as sharp as the Summicron and just as big when collapsed. It extends out further when in the taking position.

Some day I'll have to pick up a 50mm F2.8 Elmar. I've got a 1947 coated 5cm F3.5 Elmar that is quite compact, and delivers a beautiful image. Also have a coated Summitar(~1950), several collapsible Summicrons, and a collapsible Nikkor 5cm F2. I made a collapsible I61L/D, but it's for the Contax.

[lct]

Originally Posted by rosuna

Not an extensive test. It is smaller than the Summicron and it seems to be as good as the Summicron.

Thank you Ruben. Looks like the bokeh of the 35/2.5 is smoother than that of the 35/2 asph. Any idea about that of the 50/2.5?

[rosuna]

It is difficult to say.
I need to work with a lens for a period of time in order to know how it behaves...
I think the Summicron 50mm wasn't a great "bokeh maker", isn't?

[lct]

Originally Posted by rosuna

...I think the Summicron 50mm wasn't a great "bokeh maker", isn't?

The current one i don't know but my copy from the seventies (# 11819) has the same kind of bokeh as the 35/2 IV or the 40/2 of same vintage i.e. quite smooth indeed. Here at f/2.

[kenneth]

Thank you for all your input. I have decided to go for a 50mm Summicron rigid

[peter_n]

Excellent choice Kenneth! I find the infinity lock a bit annoying but the lens makes beautiful pictures, especially if you use B&W.

[brianv]

T1 Rigid Summicron Wide-Open:

[brianv]

(Late) Collapsible Summicron, Wide-Open:

[kenneth]

Originally Posted by peter_n

Excellent choice Kenneth! I find the infinity lock a bit annoying but the lens makes beautiful pictures, especially if you use B&W.

There is no infinity lock on the lens I bought. It is the latest incarnation of the of the 50mm Summicron as attached picture

[peter_n]

Ah, there is a version of the lens that was made in the 50's/60's which goes by the name "rigid". The lens is optically identical to the Dual Range (DR) that was made at the same time. Beautiful lenses and I use the rigid. Yes your lens is rigid as distinct from collapsible but it is not a "rigid Summicron" if you follow me...

[lct]

Yes and to make things even simpler there is also the '50 jahre Summicron' which is a current 'cron disguised in rigid

[biglouis]

....of course, you could always consider the CV 50/1.5 Nokton. Draws light like a magnet, wonderful bokeh for subject isolation.... and cheap as chips compared to the Leica offerings......

Brian, 'spylaw', has used one to great effect on his M7, I believe.

LouisB

[kenneth]

Originally Posted by biglouis

....of course, you could always consider the CV 50/1.5 Nokton. Draws light like a magnet, wonderful bokeh for subject isolation.... and cheap as chips compared to the Leica offerings......

Brian, 'spylaw', has used one to great effect on his M7, I believe.

LouisB

My reason for using Leica is for the quality of their optics. Although I bought a Voigtlander 75mm 2.5 heliar that was because I rarely use that focal length but 35mm and 50mm are different. They must be Leica lenses

[biglouis]

Originally Posted by kenneth

My reason for using Leica is for the quality of their optics. Although I bought a Voigtlander 75mm 2.5 heliar that was because I rarely use that focal length but 35mm and 50mm are different. They must be Leica lenses

Kenneth

I know what you mean but I was a real Leica-snob until I had to purchase a lens in a hurry to cover the absence of my 35-lux (which was kept in Solms for 3 months while they coded it). By accident I discovered an excellent 50mm lens.... in fact it was so good I sold my cron APO 75 as it was kinda redundant....

LouisB