request for 50mm lens recommendation

[froyd]

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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.

[UliWer]

...

 

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...

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[bill]

A word for the CV 50mm 2.5... Compact and well-made, it should be within your budget.

 

Regards,

 

Bill

 

Sent from another Galaxy

[IWC Doppel]

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

[earleygallery]

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.

[01af]

What you need obviously is the Summarit-M 50 mm 1:2.5 lens.

[lct]

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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.

[Ecar]

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.

[philipus]

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

[earleygallery]

Another suggestion, well within budget for a mint example.....Jupiter 8 | Camerajunky

[dpitt]

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.

[froyd]

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.

[earleygallery]

Then you really should look at the Voigtlander Skopar. Seems ideal for your purposes.

[algrove]

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.

[bill]

...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

[01af]

... 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.

[satijntje]

Summicron 40mm

[iedei]

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.

[froyd]

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.

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[iedei]

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).

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