froyd Posted February 25, 2013 Share #1 Posted February 25, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) I need a lens recommendation. I'm thinking of selling my collapsible Elmar and replacing it with another lens. I do like the performance of the Elmar, but I'm not crazy about the ergonomics, particularly how changing the f-stops also changes the focus unless I lock the focusing tab or hold it steady with one hand. I would like to replace it with a lens that features tab focusing (preferably the Summicron or 35 Nokton concave type), and preferably a fairly short focus throw. I also would want this lens to have a fairly gentle drawing quality, something similar to the Summaron that I own and love. I'm very well served in the microsharp/saturated/contrasty department by my Contax G lenses, so I'm looking for a less modern look. I'm happy with f2.8 but I would not consider anything slower and I would sacrifice speed for size, i.e. I'd rather have a small 2.8 lens than a large 1.8 or 1.4. Final requirements: smallish and under $800. Given the budget, I think I'm in LTM or CV territory. I like CV lenses, but my assumption is that most of them have a modern, quite contrasty look so I'd like to hear if any of their 50s are more delicate than others. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 25, 2013 Posted February 25, 2013 Hi froyd, Take a look here request for 50mm lens recommendation. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
UliWer Posted February 25, 2013 Share #2 Posted February 25, 2013 ... I'm thinking of selling my collapsible Elmar and replacing it with another lens. I do like the performance of the Elmar, but I'm not crazy about the ergonomics, particularly how changing the f-stops also changes the focus unless I lock the focusing tab or hold it steady with one hand. .... Final requirements: smallish and under $800. Given the budget, I think I'm in LTM or CV territory. ... Obviously you are using the older version of the 50mm Elmar. With the last version - Elmar-M 50mm - changing the f-stops is completely separated from focussing (don't know the English word for "Geradführung"). In your price budget you are certainly in the Voigtländer or maybe second-hand Zeiss territory, which is no bad ground, if you are able to test the example before buying. Even the Elmar-M is usually more expensive second hand - some years ago it wasn't, but... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted February 25, 2013 Share #3 Posted February 25, 2013 A word for the CV 50mm 2.5... Compact and well-made, it should be within your budget. Regards, Bill Sent from another Galaxy Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IWC Doppel Posted February 25, 2013 Share #4 Posted February 25, 2013 I love my 35mm Summaron f2.8 and my 50 Elmar-M f2.8. The 50 is a little more modern in rendering than the Summaron but still has an older classic character. At the price these go for I wouldn't choose anything else, except perhaps a 50 Summicron rigid (the first rigid version), but finding a nice on can be more difficult Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted February 25, 2013 Share #5 Posted February 25, 2013 Bill beat me to it, I was also going to suggest the Skopar 50. Other options might include an older Summicron (possibly if you're lucky) or the Summicron 40mm. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
01af Posted February 25, 2013 Share #6 Posted February 25, 2013 What you need obviously is the Summarit-M 50 mm 1:2.5 lens. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted February 26, 2013 Share #7 Posted February 26, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) As a contrasty and modern-look lens, the Summarit 50/2.5 won't do it IMO and the last Elmar is probably too contrasty for what your're after so my vote would go for the Skopar 50/2.5 as well. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecar Posted February 26, 2013 Share #8 Posted February 26, 2013 As a contrasty and modern-look lens, the Summarit 50/2.5 won't do it IMO and the last Elmar is probably too contrasty for what your're after so my vote would go for the Skopar 50/2.5 as well. +1. If an old lens is acceptable, may I also suggest the Canon 50/1.8 in LTM mount? Earlier versions may be on the heavy side - and you'll need a LTM to M adapter - but if you can find a good copy, it should meet your requirements. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
philipus Posted February 26, 2013 Share #9 Posted February 26, 2013 I also would have thought the Summarit-M would be too contrasty. I agree re the Canon 50/1.8. There have been some threads recently with photos from that and I think it looks very nice. Can I suggest one of my favourites, the Summitar? A very good and clean copy will fit comfortably within your budget. It has a classic rendering that is not overly sharp or contrasty, very pleasant and gentle. Its aperture ring doesn't rotate when you focus. The focus throw is 180 degrees, perhaps much, but in my experience it is not a problem because the ergonomics of the lens are such that it is easy to focus with the focus ring itself and not the tab (hope that makes sense). Plus the f2 makes it rather fast actually. It is also a small lens that will go well with an overall compact camera kit. You'll obviously need an LTM-M adapter. The Voigtländer ones are nice. Good luck Philip Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted February 26, 2013 Share #10 Posted February 26, 2013 Another suggestion, well within budget for a mint example.....Jupiter 8 | Camerajunky Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpitt Posted February 26, 2013 Share #11 Posted February 26, 2013 I think the Summicron 40C would fit the requirements and will be well below $800 even if you give it a CLA and a coding/modification to bring up 35 mm frames. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
froyd Posted February 26, 2013 Author Share #12 Posted February 26, 2013 Another suggestion, well within budget for a mint example.....Jupiter 8 | Camerajunky Possibly... I think I would like the rendering, but the click-less aperture ring and no tab make it less appealing to me. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted February 26, 2013 Share #13 Posted February 26, 2013 Then you really should look at the Voigtlander Skopar. Seems ideal for your purposes. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted February 26, 2013 Share #14 Posted February 26, 2013 Try a used Zeiss 50/1.5. Some are in your ballpark price level. The 40/2.0 is about $300 less than your price point, but if you want a more current design consider Zeiss too. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted February 26, 2013 Share #15 Posted February 26, 2013 ...and a coding/modification to bring up 35 mm frames. I *wish* people WOULDN'T do that... I have been trying to find an un-buggered example for some time now. Regards, Bill Sent from another Galaxy Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
01af Posted February 26, 2013 Share #16 Posted February 26, 2013 ... and a [...] modification to bring up 35 mm frames.I *wish* people WOULDN'T do that. I have been trying to find an un-buggered example for some time now. Yeah, I feel your pain. Luckily, I have found a sample that hasn't been butchered, as the previous owner always only used it on the camera it was originally made for—the Leica CL. I am using it on an M9 ... and I admit, for a brief moment I did consider filing down the bayonet flange that engages the framelines, as everyone else does. But after having used this fine lens for the first time, it occurred to me that this would be nothing but lens vandalism, and—entirely uncalled-for in the first place. Because when the camera's eye-piece is making just loose contact with your face then the viewfinder's whole field-of-view nicely coincides with the 35-mm framelines (to see the 28-mm framelines, you'd need to press the eye-piece into your eye socket real hard). So—no need to butcher your Summicron-C 40 mm to bring up the 35-mm framelines. With a little practice, you can just use the viewfinder's field-of-view as a whole. As simple as that. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
satijntje Posted February 26, 2013 Share #17 Posted February 26, 2013 Summicron 40mm Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
iedei Posted February 26, 2013 Share #18 Posted February 26, 2013 the best 50 i've ever used is the Super Rokkor 50mm F1.8 in LTM. i paid about $500 for it last year. i have a Summilux 50mm pre-ASPH and barely use it because i love the Super Rokkor so much. Just a beautiful lens......i'm pretty close to selling the Summilux. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
froyd Posted February 27, 2013 Author Share #19 Posted February 27, 2013 the best 50 i've ever used is the Super Rokkor 50mm F1.8 in LTM. i paid about $500 for it last year. i have a Summilux 50mm pre-ASPH and barely use it because i love the Super Rokkor so much. Just a beautiful lens......i'm pretty close to selling the Summilux. Could not find much info on this lens... classic look or modern? Barrel looks similar to a Canon 1.4, but I assume it would be smaller. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
iedei Posted February 27, 2013 Share #20 Posted February 27, 2013 Could not find much info on this lens... classic look or modern? Barrel looks similar to a Canon 1.4, but I assume it would be smaller. it's a Pre-Minolta lens....labeled as Chiyoda Kogaku Super Rokkor. Mine dates from between 1956 and 1958. It's on my M5 in this photo. The M8 has a 40mm Summicron on it (with sort of a large generic hood). 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! Quote 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/199131-request-for-50mm-lens-recommendation/?do=findComment&comment=2254652'>More sharing options...
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