roguewave Posted July 8, 2013 Share #1 Posted July 8, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'm looking to make portraits of some very old persons in NYC. I'd like people's favorite lenses that aren't too clinically sharp, that also have "the glow". Thanks, Ben Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 8, 2013 Posted July 8, 2013 Hi roguewave, Take a look here Best old M lenses. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
smb Posted July 8, 2013 Share #2 Posted July 8, 2013 50mm Summitar which can be adapted to the M. Another lens is the 90mm tele-elmarit 2nd version. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted July 8, 2013 Share #3 Posted July 8, 2013 Hi Ben, Try a 9cm f4 Elmar, or a 5cm f2 Summar, but find one with a good clean front element. Any LTM lens will work, with a suitable adaptor. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted July 8, 2013 Share #4 Posted July 8, 2013 Summilux 35/1.4 pre-asph at f/1.4. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
otto.f Posted July 8, 2013 Share #5 Posted July 8, 2013 35 Summaron, people in their environment Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
michali Posted July 8, 2013 Share #6 Posted July 8, 2013 Ben- my favorite old lens is a 50mm f1.5 Summarit- I have a 1956 model. Here's a shot I took of my very cooperative cat: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m-lenses/253049-view-through-older-glass-56.html#post2365996 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted July 8, 2013 Share #7 Posted July 8, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) Ben, I guess there are many lenses which would serve you well. Personally I favour the 50mm Summicron Version 2 (mid-1960s). Used wide open or fairly wide, you get that glow. Stop it down and the effect is moderated, but still clearly different to the younger versions with clinical sharpness. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
farnz Posted July 8, 2013 Share #8 Posted July 8, 2013 The 75 f/1.4 Summilux wide open, Ben. You of all people will be familiar with the signature because it's essentially the same as the wonderful 80 f/1.4 Summilux-R. Other than that an 85 f/1.5 Summarex, a 73 f/1.9 Hektor or a 90 f/2.2 Thambar if you can find any of them at an agreeable price. In your hands I would expect any of them to sing. Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted July 8, 2013 Share #9 Posted July 8, 2013 Ben, I guess there are many lenses which would serve you well. ... Ditto... choice of focal commands : for classic foreground - face portraits >50mm is always a right choice, and a supercheap Elmar 90 (or a supercostly Thambar... ) is good. Speaking of 50s... I'd give my vote to Summarit. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted July 8, 2013 Share #10 Posted July 8, 2013 1.0/50 Noctilux - amazing lens! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnkunstadter Posted July 8, 2013 Share #11 Posted July 8, 2013 I'd second the recommendations on two lenses mentioned above: 75/1.4 or Summitar. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IkarusJohn Posted July 8, 2013 Share #12 Posted July 8, 2013 Late 50/2 Summitars were coated (mine is 1948, and is coated), and they provide that Leica glow you may be looking for. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted July 10, 2013 Share #13 Posted July 10, 2013 Any summitar, summarit, 3.5 elmar, 90 elmar original design used at f 4.0, will all work. The trick is finding a good clean sample. 99% are fogged internally or need some other repair work. Many are not repairable. I would suggest you use a new lens and apply negative clarity only to the skin in camera raw. This is a negative sharpening/local contrast. Then do your work in soft light like under a porch or in overcast conditions. You will love the effect if you do not overdo it.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orient XI Posted July 10, 2013 Share #14 Posted July 10, 2013 Not any Summarit. Surely you are referring only to the f1.5 50mm lens first made in 1949? I have a 1953 example and it certainly shows "the glow" at full aperture. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ola.fiske Posted July 11, 2013 Share #15 Posted July 11, 2013 I just love the 50 lux type 1 for portraits Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
egrossman Posted July 11, 2013 Share #16 Posted July 11, 2013 75mm Summilux. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB_tx Posted July 11, 2013 Share #17 Posted July 11, 2013 I just love the 50 lux type 1 for portraits I agree - it's like a much improved Summarit 50 1.5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ausgeknipst Posted July 11, 2013 Share #18 Posted July 11, 2013 Not to forget the Summicron 90 pre-asph, a unique lens not only for portraits ... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hiles Posted July 12, 2013 Share #19 Posted July 12, 2013 For tight head-and-shoulders, the 125mm Hektor is very nice indeed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
otto.f Posted July 12, 2013 Share #20 Posted July 12, 2013 75mm Summilux. Although I persist in my view that the Summilux 75 should not be labelled as an old lens, just as the Summicron 35 pre-asph and the last Summicron 50 with separate hood. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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