Ratman Posted March 28, 2011 Share #1 Posted March 28, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) This is my first post on this, or any other, forum and the truth is I don't understand how a forum works or even how to find out how it works. I joined this one so I could ask a real question that I almost feel guilty about posing. The subject has probably been worked to death in the past. I can almost hear the old timers going, "Oh Gawd, not THAT again!" OK, here's the deal. I bought a Leica M2, along with an 50mm Elmarit f2.8 lens a number of years ago. Both were in excellent condition and I was pretty happy with my purchases. After a while, I decided to get a 90mm f2.8 Elmarit telephoto lens, which turned out to be a great decision. After using the latter lens for a while, I realized the 50mm Elmarit somehow seemed kind of clunky. It just wasn't quite as smooth as it seemed like it ought to be. A little bit of play in the diaphragm ring put my teeth on edge and I largely stopped using it. When I took the time to really think about it, that seemed like a dumb decision. Casting about for an option, I figured, 'I know! I'll trade my 50mm lens for a 35mm lens and have the perfect two-lens outfit!" So I did. I traded the 50mm Elmarit for a 35mm f2.8 Summaron lens. Great Lens! Perfect outfit - right? Wrong. Turns out I just don't see the world in a wide-angle way. I'm too shy to get close to strangers for street photography, and just can't seem to get the hang of wide-angle landscapes or portraiture. So, I need another 50mm lens. I have retired since all of the above transpired, and I can no longer afford to buy a 50 mm Summicron. I'm not willing to buy another 50mm f2.8 Elmarit, so . . . here's my actual question: What about the 50mm Elmar f3.5 as a user lens? Which version should I buy? Should I buy one at all? What are the Elmar's strengths (other than the cool factor) and what are its weaknesses? What are some possible sources for such a lens, and what would be a reasonable price for a good one? What else do I need to know about the lens? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 28, 2011 Posted March 28, 2011 Hi Ratman, Take a look here About the 50mm Elmar f3.5. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Ratman Posted March 29, 2011 Author Share #2 Posted March 29, 2011 Like I said, I don't know how the forum works. I need to edit my original message but don't know how. I'm replying to myself, hoping I can make the necessary correction this way. The lens I originally purchased, and later traded in for the 35mm f2.8 Summaron, was the collapsible 50mm f2.8 Elmar, not Elmarit (I don't even know if there is such a thing as a 50mm Elmarit). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
masjah Posted March 29, 2011 Share #3 Posted March 29, 2011 Hello Ratman, and welcome to the Forum. As you say, you're not familiar with the "subject matter structure" with regard to the various sub-Forums. You may not get many replies with your post being where it is, and, were I you, I'd ask a moderator to move the post to somewhere like the Customer Forum. Hope this helps! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted March 29, 2011 Share #4 Posted March 29, 2011 Yes, you need to get this moved to the Customer or Collectors forum. FWIW the 5cm or 50mm Elmar is a great lens, a tad sharper in my experience than the 2.8 version until about f5.6. There is the earlier screw mount version, a tiny lens which I love, but not so practical if you use filters regularly, and a fiddly aperture 'ring' around the front of the lens. If buying, try to get a 'red scale' version which was slightly improved. The later version looks just the same as your old 2.8 Elmar, and came in screw and M ount, same barrell design just different lens (it's the same as a 3.5 Red Scale). You could also consider a Voigtlander Skopar if budget is an issue. I suggest you stick to buying from a trusted dealer, to ensure you get a decent example. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted March 29, 2011 Share #5 Posted March 29, 2011 I can speak for the Voigtlander lens; the 50 2.5 is a solid performer. The "ultimate collapsible" is the 50mm f2.8 Elmar-M, but if you are on a budget then it may be a step too far. The 5cm 3.5 is as James says a decent lens - I have an early nickel version on my II and even that - 80-ish years old - can still cut the mustard today. Here's an example shot with that 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! Regards, Bill 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/147509-about-the-50mm-elmar-f35/?do=findComment&comment=1628883'>More sharing options...
wizard Posted March 29, 2011 Share #6 Posted March 29, 2011 What about the 50mm Elmar f3.5 as a user lens? Which version should I buy? ... What else do I need to know about the lens? Welcome to this forum. The Elmar 50mm f3.5 lens is a wonderful lens even today. In M-mount, however, these lenses are quite rare (they were only slightly cheaper at the time than the f2.8 version, so most people bought the latter), which means you will have to pay a premium today. Of course, you could also buy the screw mount version (there a lots of them available) and use an adaptor ring, but as was mentioned before by earleygallery, the aperture ring of that version is awkward to use. How about a collapsible Summicron 50mm lens? A good one should be available for roughly 300 Euro in M-mount, and it is an even better performer. Cheers, Andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted March 29, 2011 Share #7 Posted March 29, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Check out Red Dot - they have a 5cm 3.5 M, (as well as early and later model 2.8's) and a Red Scale screw mount. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andym911 Posted March 29, 2011 Share #8 Posted March 29, 2011 here some pics taken with the 3,5 elmar you mention.it is a screw mount lens which i use with an adapter for the m2. a top lens in my opinion.get it! regards andy http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/people/169290-adventure-boy.html Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted March 29, 2011 Share #9 Posted March 29, 2011 Lots of luck finding a collapsible 50 2.0 in good condition. If you do, you will find the 50 2.8 you had a better lens anyway. I gave mine away to my son. 50 3.5 are good lenses. Mine is the final RedScale screw mount version which I wanted for a screw mount camera. I adapt it to M`s and it has a great cool factor. Diaphragm hard to adjust if you have fat fingers. It is the smallest 50 Leitz ever made. The recently discontinued 50 2.8 that appeared around 1995 or 2000 is the best of the collapsible lenses. The lesson is do not let go of equipment until you are satisfied with the replacement. Undoutedly your 50 2.8 needed a relube and clean up and would have been as good as new. A decent looking one is newer worn out. It is close to impossible to wear one out. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xmas Posted March 29, 2011 Share #10 Posted March 29, 2011 Hi and welcome to the forum. If you need a 5cm then you can get one that is cheap but takes photos or dear. The Ukranians made Elmar copies and Sonnar (f/2) copies, if you can find one in good condition they work really well, & are cheap, LTM only. Nikon also made a Sonnar clone a collector however. Cosina did a f2.5 lot more expensive but more modern multi coated, they did a f/1.5 which for the speed is also cheap. The f/2.5 is small and easy to use. Again LTM only. The Elmars design runs from 1930 to 1994, the early ones are priced as collectors, unless you are lucky, the last series nearly cost effective, superlative performance. You need to be careful about wear and optical damage. The early Elmars are unusable for some people unless you get the aperture adjustement ring, so yo can change aperture with the hood in place. The last f/3.5s '52-'58 have a conventional aperture ring that is easier to use. All the Elmars need a hood, except perhaps the post '94 model. Lots of choice. Noel Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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