jcrutcher Posted April 7, 2011 Share #461 Posted April 7, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'll post photos later but I have a question. I have 3 LTM's but I do not have an Elmar 50mm 3.5 and I'm thinking I should get one. I have a 35mm Summaron, 50 Summarit, 50 Summitar and 2 Russian 50mm 3.5 collapsible knockoffs. The russian lenses are ok but not great. I like the 3 Leica lenses a lot, the Summaron is sharp and the 50's are fast and have the dreamy look. should I get an Elmar? how will the shots with it look compared to what I have? Camera's are IIIa, IIIb and IIIf RD. Thanks, JIm Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted April 7, 2011 Posted April 7, 2011 Hi jcrutcher, Take a look here LTM users, its time to stand up and be counted!. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
iphoenix Posted April 8, 2011 Share #462 Posted April 8, 2011 Basically the same question and in Australia, Elmar 50's seem to be as scarce as politician's brains. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted April 8, 2011 Share #463 Posted April 8, 2011 Elmars are a challenge and a delight to use; I have two, an ancient 5cm nickel Elmar and a 3.5cm. With the 5cm collapsed, since they appear, to touch at least, almost identical when mounted on my II, they are indirectly responsible for my losing a couple of frames by having not extended the 5cm before use The Elmar can be fiddly to use for those with fat fingers and no fingernails but the joy of seeing the results far outweighs the disadvantages. Should you get one? Yes. Condition of the glass is really the only thing that matters. In performance terms they are of course not up the standard of current lenses but that is part of the charm There is, incidentally, a noticable difference in the rendition and particularly the bokeh between the Elmar and its Ukrainian counterpart, with the Elmar being less harsh and contrasty. Gratuitous photo time: 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! Regards, Bill 3 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Regards, Bill ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/13639-ltm-users-its-time-to-stand-up-and-be-counted/?do=findComment&comment=1639486'>More sharing options...
buranca Posted April 8, 2011 Share #464 Posted April 8, 2011 The Elmar can be fiddly to use for those with fat fingers and no fingernails but the joy of seeing the results far outweighs the disadvantages. Should you get one? Yes. Condition of the glass is really the only thing that matters. In performance terms they are of course not up the standard of current lenses but that is part of the charm My thoughts as well. My first ever shot w/ the Elmar was collapsed -OOPS. They are a delight and I always look forward to using it. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted April 9, 2011 Share #465 Posted April 9, 2011 I was an LTM user, then I wasn't, then I was, then I wasn't, then I was, then I wasn't. And all within the last four weeks! Does that count? Is that a winner in the 'Most LTM in a Month Competition'? That is how hard its been trying to buy an IIIf RDST. The first a private sale and the camera was clearly not in the condition you'd expect for Exc+. The second when a very well known dealer sent a great camera, it just wasn't a IIIf RDST. They were determined to argue the toss and invoke their expertise in Leica's until the serial number and other details caught them out (it was an updated IIIc). The third from another well known Leica expert who accepted with good grace the shutter was sticking. Maybe I'll refine my search, cross out IIIf RDST, and just go with 'any camera that works and fits its description'...... Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlaidlaw Posted April 9, 2011 Share #466 Posted April 9, 2011 Steve, Unless you have to have the slow speeds and the ST, what about a IIF RD. Without the slow speeds, the shutter is simpler and more reliable. My IIF bought new by my father in Brooklyn in 1953, has had only two CLA's in its life and the shutter speeds are pretty much spot on. If you need ST, you can always get an external one like either the Leica, Haka or Hansa ones. Again it is more "schpringenwerk" in the camera body to go wrong. I understood that the IIIG ST was a more reliable mechanism than the IIIF ST but I think they are quite a bit more money, given that there are far fewer of them, since most Leica new camera buyers had changed to M bodies by that time. Wilson Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted April 9, 2011 Share #467 Posted April 9, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Yes, another model is what I thinking of now Wilson. I just decided on the IIIf RDST because it was fancy, but if I can get something in better condition and perhaps more reliable as well that would OK. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted April 19, 2011 Share #468 Posted April 19, 2011 Finally, I got a IIIf RD that matches its description and works! Having been very unimpressed with the goods offered by very well known dealers I eventually bought #4 through Ebay. I didn't really need the 5cm Elmar that came with it, but both it and the camera are superb, AND the body has had a full service by Malcolm Taylor in January. Body 1954 and lens 1951. Now I just need to find my lens hoods and filters, I know they are in a box somewhere..... Steve 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/13639-ltm-users-its-time-to-stand-up-and-be-counted/?do=findComment&comment=1650425'>More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted April 21, 2011 Author Share #469 Posted April 21, 2011 Smart looking example! Why didn't you need the 5cm 3.5, have you already got one? Just that if you haven't used this lens before, you are in for a real surprise! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted April 21, 2011 Share #470 Posted April 21, 2011 I'll post photos later but I have a question. I have 3 LTM's but I do not have an Elmar 50mm 3.5 and I'm thinking I should get one. I have a 35mm Summaron, 50 Summarit, 50 Summitar and 2 Russian 50mm 3.5 collapsible knockoffs. The russian lenses are ok but not great. I like the 3 Leica lenses a lot, the Summaron is sharp and the 50's are fast and have the dreamy look. should I get an Elmar? how will the shots with it look compared to what I have? Camera's are IIIa, IIIb and IIIf RD. Thanks, JIm Personally,I think you don't NEED an Elmar (of course,HAVING one is another matter: it's simply mandatory for one who has 3 LTMs ) : imho, the reason is the Summarit... me too have one, in VG conditions, and I have always observed (> 15 years of use...) that, globally, it's the 50mm most comparable to the Elmar Red Scale at similar apertures; clearly there is also the form/weight factor and the capability of Elmar to be collapsed... but if I were you... I thought more to an Elmar 90 (easy to find, and cheap even if VG) or to the Summaron 2,8 cm (very fine lens, but a bit costly) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted April 21, 2011 Share #471 Posted April 21, 2011 Smart looking example! Why didn't you need the 5cm 3.5, have you already got one? Just that if you haven't used this lens before, you are in for a real surprise! The reason I was looking for a body only in the first instance was that I already have a 50mm Summitar, but you are dead right James, the 5cm Elmar has a beautiful character. The first film I put through was a quick test so 400 ISO wasn't ideal for looking at subtle lens qualities, but I put the Elmar on my M9 to have a close look and think I'm going to like it very much. It certainly makes for a compact outfit. Anyway, I'm taking the M adapters off my CV21mm, 35mm Jupiter, and CV75mm so I have a good range to fit in a camera bag. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted April 21, 2011 Share #472 Posted April 21, 2011 Good move. The CV 75 goes so well on a Barnack: 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! Regards, Bill 2 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Regards, Bill ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/13639-ltm-users-its-time-to-stand-up-and-be-counted/?do=findComment&comment=1651911'>More sharing options...
Xmas Posted April 22, 2011 Share #473 Posted April 22, 2011 Hi 2 off IIIc Leicavit Summitar + barndoor Summicron + barndoor Elmar '49 + FISON n x FILCA Lots of CV MC lenses for dull days, FSU, Nicca, and Canon gear, I use LTM 50% of time, an average of 1x 36 frame cassette a day. Noel Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roland L. Posted April 23, 2011 Share #474 Posted April 23, 2011 I only have two (plus one 0-Series replica) Leica die Kamera der Zeit von roland.lechler auf Flickr 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcrutcher Posted April 23, 2011 Share #475 Posted April 23, 2011 This was shot with a 1940 IIIb with a 1952 Summicron 50mm Collapsible. Portra 400. Good Bokeh for such an old rig. "] 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomas_schertel Posted May 1, 2011 Share #476 Posted May 1, 2011 The day before yesterday I bought my third screwmount Leica, it is a III g: 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! yours sincerely Thomas 1 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! yours sincerely Thomas ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/13639-ltm-users-its-time-to-stand-up-and-be-counted/?do=findComment&comment=1660961'>More sharing options...
jcrutcher Posted May 6, 2011 Share #477 Posted May 6, 2011 Here are my babies. IIIf with Summicron "] IIIa with Summitar "] IIIb with Summaron "] At Easter I took this shot of my wife with the IIIb and 50mm Elmar red scale. Kodak Portra 160 with drug store developing. "] Sorry for the long post. Jim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacksparrow Posted May 7, 2011 Share #478 Posted May 7, 2011 My baby... still trying to get pictures focused though :-) 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! 1 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/13639-ltm-users-its-time-to-stand-up-and-be-counted/?do=findComment&comment=1666448'>More sharing options...
Guest Kolame Posted May 17, 2011 Share #479 Posted May 17, 2011 I'm from the evil-side. I've got a Bessa R. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest thremur Posted June 29, 2011 Share #480 Posted June 29, 2011 My new acquired IIIc with matching Summitar. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now