50 on the cheap (sic)... Elmars & Planars & Summicrons & Noktons... oh my!

[benkelley]

Well, the last lens I need (right now) for my new M8 is a 50. Yes, yes, I'd love a summilux ASPH of course, but the only way I can afford it is if you'll sell me yours for under $700

I'm looking for some opinions on the Elmar vs. the Zeiss Planar vs. the Rigid Summicron vs. the Nokton... I quite like the compactness of the Elmar, though if I spend a bit less maybe I can afford a CV 75, too. The nice thing about the speedier is the shallow dof, of course. As Sean sadly hasn't finished his oof section in the 50 review, I'm sadly left to meander through flickr's low-res...

The 'pro-est' I'll be using this lens is to shoot some headshots for musicians, mostly classical (for now). B&W and color. I'll also be using it for personal stuff, from portraits to street to naturey goodness.
As of now my M8 line-up is: Zeiss 25, CV 35 Ultron, Leica Elmarit 90 (newest).

Hope that's enough background, and thanks for playing! Any exemplary evidence, as pictures from suggested lenses, is appreciated too-y'all have got some darn tootin' shots!

Ben

[dseelig]

Personally I loved the zeiss 50 f2 for head shots the contrast made for a really nice look for me . It was also much sharper then say the 50 mm nokton I had to sell it you can't keep everything I have a 50 summilux now but I would get this lens again in a second when finances allow .

[luigi bertolotti]

IMHO, the best you can do for the prospected $ is finding a good used Summicron : to me, having a M body and not a single lens with this name, is a pity...

[Eoin]

Older Summicron 50's can be found in the $400 bracket, these are not the latest versions with the built in hoods but rather the ones with clip on. Best ones have the focus tabs and there is some confusion in my mind as to if these are 3rd or 4th generations. Without a doubt a fine little lens, very capable at all apertures. Hard to beat a Leica 50 Summicron so why bother!. Just get one.

[JimP]

I have the Zeiss 50 Planar and have a love / hate relationship with it. Do not get me wrong, It is a great lens, very sharp, good contrast, excellent build quality. But sometimes, especially on sunny days, I pine for a lens with a little less contrast. That would be the only thing you need to give consideration to (IMHO). Contrast is not a right/wrong thing, but a choice.

[glenerrolrd]

Originally Posted by dseelig

Personally I loved the zeiss 50 f2 for head shots the contrast made for a really nice look for me . It was also much sharper then say the 50 mm nokton I had to sell it you can't keep everything I have a 50 summilux now but I would get this lens again in a second when finances allow .

I bought dave's 50 planar and can confirm its an outstanding lens....not at the level of the 50 1.4 ASPH but none of my lenses match that one. This lens is unbelievably sharp ....when you look at a 100% view its still full of detail .

[sean_reid]

My vote for the best fast 50 for the dollar is the CV 50/1.5 Nokton.

Cheers,

Sean

[boilerdoc]

Sean's correct. Bang for the buck is the CV. Used Summicron would be awesome as a used item tho. Big bucks if you go Zeiss or new Leica, even the Summarit. Altho the Summarits look REALLY good - at least I think Sean's getting ready to tell us that - soon. Delicious dilemma!
Steve

[Printmaker]

My 50 DR Summicron lives on my M4 and I plan to get a more updated version for my M8. It is smoother than my Zeiss glass while still being plenty sharp. As tempting as a new Lux might be, I'm not sure I'd use that lens enough to justify the expense. Still, it has a different look than the buttery smooth Summicron - super sharp without the excessive contrast of Zeiss lenses. Take a look at Guy's Lux vs Summarit samples to see what I'm talking about. Or check out http://ralphgibson.com/gallery/ to see what a 50 Lux can do.

Sounds like I'm trying to talk myself into a Lux but I like the smoothness of the Summicron better for portraits. Its just that the Lux has its own style. It might be a better style for shooting musicians and to use in dark clubs. Something to think about...

Tom

[benkelley]

Thanks for all the ideas so far... if it's not the Nokton or the Planar it's going to be used for sure... Maybe the Nokton will be it, but in the end, with the adapter how much will I really save over a used Summicron? And is the half stop worth it... just thinking out loud!

Tom, thanks for the link. I've seen some of his pictures before, and they are great. Never been to the site, though, and I thought the picture of Olympia stuck in one of the nudes galleries was pretty funny. Chuckle chuckle... Now I'll just have to figure out what kind of gallery I'll have to set up to fit this picture I took of a Barnett Newman... Maybe I should get a website together first...

How contrasty is the Nokton, anyway'?

And nobody has weighed in on the Elmar yet. A forgotten lens?

Ben

[gtmerideth]

Try a Canon 50/1.4. fast and cheap. I have a beautiful copy if you become interested.
gary

[cbretteville]

Originally Posted by benkelley

And nobody has weighed in on the Elmar yet. A forgotten lens?

Forgotten, not at all. I use mine all the time. Also it mkaes for a great travel lens as it is so small and compact. I've posted this one before, but I like it a lot.

L1002271 web.jpg

M8. 50 Elmar-M at f4, 1/3000 sec, -2/3 EV.

- Carl

[4X5B&W]

Another vote for the Canon 1.4....just got one and really like the "look" of the lens.

[teehas53]

Originally Posted by sean_reid

My vote for the best fast 50 for the dollar is the CV 50/1.5 Nokton...

I have to agree here. Very well suited to the M8s characteristics overall (not too contrasty, and extremely sharp.) Kind of a chameleon too - pleasantly smooth & creamy wide open, but really snappy by about f2.8. With a Milich adaptor, coded like a 50 Lux, the results are superb.

T

[andym911]

And nobody has weighed in on the Elmar yet. A forgotten lens?

Ben[/quote]


Elmar is not forgotten at all...still my favourite 50mm ...here a thread I started some time back.....
http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-...poor-mans.html

[johnastovall]

I really like the Nokton 50/1.5. Here's an example from the M8.

[Bernd Banken]

Originally Posted by benkelley

Well, the last lens I need (right now) for my new M8 is a 50. Yes, yes, I'd love a summilux ASPH of course, but the only way I can afford it is if you'll sell me yours for under $700

I'm looking for some opinions on the Elmar vs. the Zeiss Planar vs. the Rigid Summicron vs. the Nokton... I quite like the compactness of the Elmar, though if I spend a bit less maybe I can afford a CV 75, too. The nice thing about the speedier is the shallow dof, of course. As Sean sadly hasn't finished his oof section in the 50 review, I'm sadly left to meander through flickr's low-res...

The 'pro-est' I'll be using this lens is to shoot some headshots for musicians, mostly classical (for now). B&W and color. I'll also be using it for personal stuff, from portraits to street to naturey goodness.
As of now my M8 line-up is: Zeiss 25, CV 35 Ultron, Leica Elmarit 90 (newest).

Hope that's enough background, and thanks for playing! Any exemplary evidence, as pictures from suggested lenses, is appreciated too-y'all have got some darn tootin' shots!

Ben

Benjamin,

here is a pic of Jan, a member in the german forum. His job is artist (music) photography with DMR and film Leicas.
He can give you lots of hints for headshots in clubs, bars and other places where music is performed.

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-...l-legende.html

Bernd

[grober]

I have 3 fifties: Summar (from the 1930s, just for fun!), CV Heliar (bought new, OK but don't use it much) and a clean CV Nokton (bought gently used.)

Yes, I'd like to have a new Summilux too but since I don't use the 50mm all that much -- not to mention don't have the cash! -- the Nokton is an irrefutably good performer given its tiny investment cost.

And how much longer will CV make this fine fifty? I haven't a clue.

-g

[thompsonkirk]

Re: Tom's reference to Ralph Gibson: Remember that the many shots in his gallery from his books were made with a film camera, so his point-of-view doesn't compare to a 50 Summilux on M8. The M8 equivalent is 35, with the 50 functioning as a film-camera 65.

Also, re: lens contrast: Gibson loves high contrast, but remember (again) that many of his 'classic' shots were made with lenses now 35 years old. Having used Leitz lenses from the 60s & 70s on various film Ms, I'm sort of appalled by the overwhelming contrast of newer lenses. If you care for shadow detail more than contrast, consider the used-lens option?

Kirk

[benkelley]

Thanks everyone for all the recommendations... I've got a Nokton on the way! Seemed the best choice for now, as it sounds versatile, being fast and sharp, and of course, properly priced (for me). So thanks again!

Ben