jaapv Posted June 4, 2012 Share #1 Â Posted June 4, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) This thread was moved out of the Photokina thread for being OT. Some posts have been slightly edited without changing the content for clarity. Â Â If you want a sloppy-feeling lens you should try the Elmar-M 2.8/50 collapsible. Â Late edit - as a first post this seems a bit absolute, please consider that this is a spit thread and some posts are out of context. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 4, 2012 Posted June 4, 2012 Hi jaapv, Take a look here The Elmar feel (Split thread). I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
johnloumiles Posted June 4, 2012 Share #2 Â Posted June 4, 2012 If you want a sloppy-feeling lens you should try the Elmar-M 2.8/50 collapsible. Â Obviously I'm not the only one that feels that the Smmarit's are good but not great in terms of build quality. In their defense though I don't think anyone here shares the same views as Ken Rockwell when it comes to the lenses. They are exactly what they were supposed to be. Â I also have a 50 Elmar and I think it it's the finest lens I own and if I had to pick one that would be it, leaving the 35mm Summilux ASPH behind. The colors and contrast are perfect and I think it helps prove simple is better. In terms of build quality I find it up to the standards as any other M lens. Focus is a short throw and buttery smooth and the aperture is just the right amount of tension between stops. Obviously it's collapsible so if you pour sand over it you're more in trouble but thats the only flaw I see. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted June 4, 2012 Author Share #3  Posted June 4, 2012 Obviously I'm not the only one that feels that the Smmarit's are good but not great in terms of build quality. In their defense though I don't think anyone here shares the same views as Ken Rockwell when it comes to the lenses. They are exactly what they were supposed to be. I also have a 50 Elmar and I think it it's the finest lens I own and if I had to pick one that would be it, leaving the 35mm Summilux ASPH behind. The colors and contrast are perfect and I think it helps prove simple is better. In terms of build quality I find it up to the standards as any other M lens. Focus is a short throw and buttery smooth and the aperture is just the right amount of tension between stops. Obviously it's collapsible so if you pour sand over it you're more in trouble but thats the only flaw I see. Mine isn’t that way- I wish it were, because it is an excellent little lens in my experience. I would’t part with it. Maybe I should send it to Solms. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted June 4, 2012 Share #4 Â Posted June 4, 2012 I have both 50/2.8 and 35/2.5 lenses, i like both but my samples of the Elmar 50 have no sloppy feeling at all. They are made the same way as earlier Elmars were, feel solid like a tank and have a smoother damped focus ring than that of the Summarit. The plastic focus tab of the later looks cheap as well but aside from that both lenses are the best slow 35 and 50 i've ever used so far. FWIW. I own two of the Summarits (35 and 50) so I'm not 'snobbish' about them in the slightest but I'm surprised you think that they don't have a different, slightly looser (arguably cheaper) feel about them. If you want a sloppy-feeling lens you should try the Elmar-M 2.8/50 collapsible. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnum Image Posted June 4, 2012 Share #5  Posted June 4, 2012 Mine isn’t that way- I wish it were, because it is an excellent little lens in my experience. I would’t part with it. Maybe I should send it to Solms.  Possibly you should, I know the sample I got was almost unused so who knows how the lens will hold up over time. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted June 4, 2012 Author Share #6 Â Posted June 4, 2012 I have both 50/2.8 and 35/2.5 lenses, i like both but my samples of the Elmar 50 have no sloppy feeling at all. They are made the same way as earlier Elmars were, feel solid like a tank and have a smoother damped focus ring than that of the Summarit. The plastic focus tab of the later looks cheap as well but aside from that both lenses are the best slow 35 and 50 i've ever used so far. FWIW. My 1960-ies Elmar has not got that sloppy feeling. It is the modern Elmar-M. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted June 4, 2012 Share #7  Posted June 4, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) My 1960-ies Elmar has not got that sloppy feeling. It is the modern Elmar-M. No sloppy feeling from either by far. This is true for both the Elmar 50 from 1994 with focus tab and the latest version without tab. Here samples from 1968 and 1994. 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/181064-the-elmar-feel-split-thread/?do=findComment&comment=2031706'>More sharing options...
jaapv Posted June 4, 2012 Author Share #8 Â Posted June 4, 2012 Those are both Elmars, so I am not surprised.My Elmars are fine as well. Neither is the Elmar-M which I am talking about. Redesigned mount without the bevel, redesigned optics with different glass types, different coatings and most importantly aperture moved to the optical centre. Optically considerably improved but mechanically unfortunately of lesser standard. From 1996 (originally as a special lens for the M6J but continued as a normal lens afterwards) till 2008. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted June 4, 2012 Share #9 Â Posted June 4, 2012 No no the 50/2.8 from 1994 is an Elmar-M as well. The last version is the same lens w/o the focus tab of the former. Edit: The M6J is not from 1996 but 1994. The only Elmar from 1994 is the one with the M6J. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted June 4, 2012 Author Share #10  Posted June 4, 2012 No- it is a different lens. It does not even look like it.     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/181064-the-elmar-feel-split-thread/?do=findComment&comment=2031739'>More sharing options...
lct Posted June 4, 2012 Share #11 Â Posted June 4, 2012 ...mechanically unfortunately of lesser standard... in no way. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted June 4, 2012 Author Share #12 Â Posted June 4, 2012 No no the 50/2.8 from 1994 is an Elmar-M as well. The last version is the same lens w/o the focus tab of the former.Edit: The M6J is not from 1996 but 1994. The only Elmar from 1994 is the one with the M6J. That is correct. The Elmar M was supplied as a set with the M6J originally but as a separate lens from 1996. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted June 4, 2012 Author Share #13 Â Posted June 4, 2012 in no way. Care to try mine out? It is from 2007. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted June 4, 2012 Share #14  Posted June 4, 2012 I have all those lenses Jaap. You won't redo history will you? 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/181064-the-elmar-feel-split-thread/?do=findComment&comment=2031746'>More sharing options...
jaapv Posted June 5, 2012 Author Share #15  Posted June 5, 2012 The lens you show is still not the redesigned lens with the straight barrel. As I said, if you have the previous mount you should have no complaint. If Leica supplied the old type mount with the M6J I am happy to concede that, being in good company (EP) with my misconception but it is still not the latest version I mean and I am not the only one complaining about that version...    About 3 years ago I bought a new Elmar 50 Collapsible by mail order from overseas. It was a nice little lens but the aperture ring felt like it had been made by Holga. It was loose, vague and floppy. I was going to send it back but I went down to see the ever helpful people at Arta Photo in Nice. I got them to get another new Elmar 50 out of its box and it was just the same.   Wilson  Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted June 5, 2012 Share #16 Â Posted June 5, 2012 Again i have all those versions: from 1968, 1994 and 2004. They all show the same quality as one can expect from a Leica lens. The current Summarits (at least mine) just look a bit below. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted June 5, 2012 Author Share #17 Â Posted June 5, 2012 Which makes me repeat my earlier post, " maybe I should send it to Leica as my focussing and aperture ring feel loose and cheap" . Wilson describes it well:"like it was made by Holga" Certainly totally different from my 1960ies and 1980ies Elmars. I understand from your posts that that need not be the case. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted June 5, 2012 Share #18 Â Posted June 5, 2012 You should not generalize from so few experiences. If you have a doubt about this superb little lens why don't you do a poll? The LUF is the last place where i would have expected to hear such a rumor. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted June 5, 2012 Author Share #19  Posted June 5, 2012 You should not generalize from so few experiences. If you have a doubt about this superb little lens why don't you do a poll? The LUF is the last place where i would have expected to hear such a rumor.I don't see anything else on this forum but generalisations:D:p. Yes - I would like to hear from other owners, but I get the impression there are not that many around. These are the lenses I am comparing . Sorry for the less-than-optimal (early morning- eyes gummed up;))shot.   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/181064-the-elmar-feel-split-thread/?do=findComment&comment=2031913'>More sharing options...
Magnum Image Posted June 5, 2012 Share #20 Â Posted June 5, 2012 As a stated earlier it is my favorite lens. I shoot upwards a lot to incorporate big skies and there is no better lens in terms of color and smooth gradation then this gem, the blues are so deep and saturated. It also is the sharpest lens I own or have used and when shooting portraits I reach for it first. Â I'm guessing it was a causality of the 50 Summarit which is a shame. I've heard good things about the former but it's hard to imagine its bests the Elmar-M. I sold my Summicron v3 to buy the Elmar and while I regret not holding on to that lens I doubt I would use it much. Â So there's my vote, I feel like I'm talking about my girlfriend I'm gushing so much! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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