menos I M6 Posted February 26, 2010 Share #1 Posted February 26, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) I am interested in getting a very, compact 50mm next to my 50 Lux ASPH for daylight shooting. I am interested in: - best optical performance regarding flare and sagital aberrations wide open - compact size, rigid construction preferred - focus tab I have found no contemporary 50 Elmar 2.8 in the Leica lens line up, but I found 2 different versions at certain online dealers: 1) rigid (preferred) version with focus tab LeiCa � 50mm f/2.8 ELMAR-M ��� ��ͷ ��½�л�-�Ա��� price: apr. 950,- EUR new 2) collapsible version (without focus tab ? ) HKSupplies - Leica 50mm f/2.8 Elmar M in Black Finish price: apr. 800,- EUR new What is the history of these lenses? Where do they fit in the production time line? Can the collapsible version used without limitation on the M8.2 / M9 / EPSON R-D1 (I don't like to play with limitations of being not allowed, to change lenses only collapsed, taping tubes, etc.)? Am I overlooking something, but is this forum missing a genuine "lens forum" aimed at all camera makes and versions, without distincting between lens use on different bodies? I see a lot of threads with moderator comments of moving a topic to a certain Leica body forum? This makes no sense to me, as I use all my Leica M compatible lenses on all bodies of course. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 26, 2010 Posted February 26, 2010 Hi menos I M6, Take a look here Leica 50 Elmar 2.8 samples and differences?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
jamesk8752 Posted February 26, 2010 Share #2 Posted February 26, 2010 The lens in your first photo looks like the Summarit-M 50 rather than the Elmar-M - it appears to have a maximum aperture of f2.5 rather than f2.8. If compactness and rigidity are important, I'd recommend the Summarit. IMO it has better performance wide open than the Elmar, and at 33mm in length, it's shorter than the extended Elmar, which is 38mm long. Bottom line - consider the Summarit-M 50. If you doubt its performance, read what Erwin Puts has to say about it. Regards, Jim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
menos I M6 Posted February 26, 2010 Author Share #3 Posted February 26, 2010 Aah Jim - thanks a lot for your clear eyes ;-) How could I not see that ? Of course, the 50 Summarit looks very interesting, and being a half stop faster than the Elmar doesn't hurt either ;-) How is it about flare resistance (spoilt by the 50 Lux regarding this)? What is the going rate for used ones these days? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted February 26, 2010 Share #4 Posted February 26, 2010 There is a 2nd hand Summarit 50 for sale here : https://www.leicashop.com/vintage/leica-mobjektive-elmar-2850-c-1000_1004_100433.html They say is like new, and you can trust them. Not so easy to find used, I think... a rather new lens. For top compactness, of course, there is nothing like the old Elmar 50 3,5... last versions are still excellent performers, and not costly Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rolo Posted February 26, 2010 Share #5 Posted February 26, 2010 The Elmar-M with just a lens cap, no filter and no lens hood fitted makes for a very compact and pocketable M kit. It fits in a jacket pocket very nicely. When Puts bought his 50mm Lux Asph, he sold his Summicron and kept his Elmar-M. That's what I did as well. No regrets as it offers a completely different alternative to the Lux and for a walkabout lens f2.8 and up-to 2500 iso works well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
menos I M6 Posted February 26, 2010 Author Share #6 Posted February 26, 2010 Thanks a lot for the additional info. It looks, I favor a second hand Summarit (still much more compact and with focus tab ). Are the Elmar collapsable (vintage and modern) usable with the M8/ M9 / R-D1 without restrictions? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cidereye Posted February 26, 2010 Share #7 Posted February 26, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) Thanks a lot for the additional info.It looks, I favor a second hand Summarit (still much more compact and with focus tab ). Are the Elmar collapsable (vintage and modern) usable with the M8/ M9 / R-D1 without restrictions? Seems a lot of debate on this as Leica say not to collapse when mounted on M8/9 in the manual but many owners say it's fine as per :- Ian Bogost - Safe to Collapse I've just received a 1961 Elmar 50mm f/2.8 this morning myself, I like the idea of a compact lens when not in use but think I'll stay on the safe side for now. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
epand56 Posted February 26, 2010 Share #8 Posted February 26, 2010 Not a single problem with this lens. One of my best buy ever. Here you are some exemples: I don't think you will get all this with a Summarit. I sold mine since a long time. Hope this helps. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cidereye Posted February 26, 2010 Share #9 Posted February 26, 2010 Those shots have a lovely look & feel to them Enrico, what version is your Elmar? Can't wait to try mine out now! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted February 26, 2010 Share #10 Posted February 26, 2010 Another vote for the Elmar-M. That little gem must be one of the best buys there is in Leicaland. I think it outperforms the Summarit, it certainly has more character. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted February 26, 2010 Share #11 Posted February 26, 2010 Another vote for the Elmar-M. That little gem must be one of the best buys there is in Leicaland... Agree. Matches very well the 50/1.4 asph BTW. It is a very contrasty lens though so beware of blown highlights with digital. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
epand56 Posted February 26, 2010 Share #12 Posted February 26, 2010 Those shots have a lovely look & feel to them Enrico, what version is your Elmar? Can't wait to try mine out now! Cidereye, I think it is the last version, around 1996. Is the one with the screw hood, the same as in the pictures of the OP but in silver. I I wasn't a greedy man, I could sell all my lenses and keep this one only... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
menos I M6 Posted February 27, 2010 Author Share #13 Posted February 27, 2010 So - the common opinion goes into the Elmar direction. For an uneducated, is there a good comparison/ writeup/ history of the Elmar, as there are so many versions over such long production time. So are we positive, all (?) Elmar versions can be colapsed on the M8/9? How about the EPSON R-D1? Oh and beautiful photographs with great subject isolation, which surprised me actually for a 50mm @ f2.8 (smooth and yet detailed, sharp focus). It looks indeed like a winner. The Summarit looks more tempting to me, because of the focus tab, smaller size in useable mode and marginally more speed, by not growing bigger. The price differential of a used small second 50mm though favors a Elmar clearly for half the cost. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
michali Posted February 27, 2010 Share #14 Posted February 27, 2010 So are we positive, all (?) Elmar versions can be colapsed on the M8/9? How about the EPSON R-D1? I bought a mint 1995 50mm Elmar in January for approx. $900. It is fully collapsible on both the M8 & M9 no problems. I can't comment about how it works on the Epson R-D1. Here's a sample with this lens. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/113772-leica-50-elmar-28-samples-and-differences/?do=findComment&comment=1240952'>More sharing options...
menos I M6 Posted February 27, 2010 Author Share #15 Posted February 27, 2010 Wow Mike, what a wonderful shot! How did you manage, to come so close? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted February 27, 2010 Share #16 Posted February 27, 2010 ...So are we positive, all (?) Elmar versions can be collapsed on... R-D1?... No problem with pre-1994 versions as the diameter of the tube's bottom is smaller than that of later versions. In 1994, the first 'new' Elmar was launched with the M6J. Its bottom hits slightly the roller cam of the body when collapsing it, at least on my R-D1 & R-D1s. Later Elmars show no problems with some bodies. See http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=86531&page=2. But it is not my case i must say so i take this precaution. YMMV. IQ wise there is something special in the Elmar's rendition. It is one of the few Leica lenses giving so much contrast, sharpness and color saturation with such a smooth bokeh. Excellent for short distance shots as well. I like much my Cron and Lux asph for instance but you would take my Elmars from my cold dead hands. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mobeyone Posted February 27, 2010 Share #17 Posted February 27, 2010 I have just bought an Elmar off ebay and was a little apprehensive about its use with the 8 but looks like it will be a good buy! Is it any good in low light? and anyone with anymore examples of the two? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
UliWer Posted February 27, 2010 Share #18 Posted February 27, 2010 If you want to compare the different versions of the 50mm-Elmar with M-mount, this could give you an idea: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-sammler-historica/116514-welches-50er-objektiv.html#post1237063 The older 2.8/50 version can't hold against the last version; the 3,5/50 is the much underrated alternative. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
UliWer Posted February 27, 2010 Share #19 Posted February 27, 2010 No problem with pre-1994 versions as the diameter of the tube's bottom is smaller than that of later versions. ... There is no real difference: none of the collapsible lenses would touch the shutter, as the tube's diameter is always bigger than the shutter space. But all of them could collide with the sides of the "throat", so one should never mount or unmount the lens collapsed. You can find more examples here: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m9-forum/102865-screwmount-elmar-50mm-m9.html#post1084360 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
UliWer Posted February 27, 2010 Share #20 Posted February 27, 2010 Two quick examples for comparison with the M8: 1. Version (1962) at 2.8: Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 2. Version (1995) at 2.8: Perhaps you can notice that the high contrast of the last version increases the risk of burnt out highlights; so I better had reduced the exposure for the 2. version. Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 2. Version (1995) at 2.8: Perhaps you can notice that the high contrast of the last version increases the risk of burnt out highlights; so I better had reduced the exposure for the 2. version. ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/113772-leica-50-elmar-28-samples-and-differences/?do=findComment&comment=1241210'>More sharing options...
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