B-A-C Posted February 4, 2014 Share #1 Â Posted February 4, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hallo Zusammen, Â In your opinion - what is the best 50mm for street and landscape use in a film M body? I am open to all brands but prefer Leica. I'm thinking a late model Summicron. Â Something else that has me wondering - would the 50 Summicron APO show any improvement over the non-APO on film? With Ektar 100 let's say. Not that I can ever afford it. I am curious if newer lenses help on film at all. Â Thanks, Â BC Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 4, 2014 Posted February 4, 2014 Hi B-A-C, Take a look here Best 50MM For Film. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
pfhrased Posted February 4, 2014 Share #2 Â Posted February 4, 2014 Do some research on flickr to look at what characteristics each lens you have in mind shows on film and digital - then pick one. There's no best lens. Modern lenses will work just as well as historical models, but have different character. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephen.w Posted February 4, 2014 Share #3 Â Posted February 4, 2014 At 50mm, you are spoilt for choice. With the exception of the newest Noctilux and Summicron, all the 50mm M-mount lenses were designed in the days before digital M cameras. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
colmac Posted February 4, 2014 Share #4 Â Posted February 4, 2014 Stephen, Â Don't forget the Summarit 50 which is small and relatively flare free I gather (use a Mandler cron myself). The choice of lenses is indeed extensive. Refer to the latest Leica Pocket Book that unfortunately doesn't list the APO cron - just missed it. Â Col Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizard Posted February 4, 2014 Share #5 Â Posted February 4, 2014 ...Something else that has me wondering - would the 50 Summicron APO show any improvement over the non-APO on film? With Ektar 100 let's say. ... Â I still use film almost exclusively (and own way too many 50mm lenses, amongst them the Summilux asph, the non-asph Summilux and the latest non-APO Summicron. Of course you will see differences on film, too, sometimes even significantly so. But it all depends: On a small print, differences are hard if not impossible to tell. On a slide if projected large differences are readily apparent. Â Cheers, Â Andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted February 4, 2014 Share #6 Â Posted February 4, 2014 No such thing as 'best', it depends what you deem most important - speed, size, higher/lower contrast, and of course your budget. Â That said you can't go wrong with the Summicron as an excellent all rounder. The APO is a specialist lens and only worth considering if you absolutely need or can make use of it's qualities (and if you can find a copy that's not faulty!). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianUK Posted February 4, 2014 Share #7 Â Posted February 4, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) ...In your opinion - what is the best 50mm for street and landscape use in a film M body? I am open to all brands but prefer Leica. I'm thinking a late model Summicron... Â What do you mean by 'best', B-A-C? Â Imagery? Size? Cost? Weight? Handling? Age? There is no 'best'. Â Only you can determine what features and qualities suit your needs, based on a balance of the lenses capabilities. That said, any Summicron in good condition will deliver... Â And don't discount the Elmar-M 50mm f2.8, if you have no need of a f2 or f1.4. If you're interested I've just published a review of this lens on my website. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted February 4, 2014 Share #8 Â Posted February 4, 2014 Something else that has me wondering - would the 50 Summicron APO show any improvement over the non-APO on film? With Ektar 100 let's say. Not that I can ever afford it. I am curious if newer lenses help on film at all. Â There is little point in chasing outright resolution with 35mm film, it is a depreciating benefit ratio unlike digital where the latest lens can possibly match the latest sensors. Â So you are right to think a later model Summicron will be good enough, it is an excellent lens, a datum point for 50's. There are others to recommend if you would like a 'characterful' (quirky) lens, but the Summicron at least gives you a comparison to judge others by, so its a good place to start. Â Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
B-A-C Posted February 4, 2014 Author Share #9  Posted February 4, 2014 What do you mean by 'best', B-A-C? Imagery? Size? Cost? Weight? Handling? Age? There is no 'best'.  Only you can determine what features and qualities suit your needs, based on a balance of the lenses capabilities. That said, any Summicron in good condition will deliver...  And don't discount the Elmar-M 50mm f2.8, if you have no need of a f2 or f1.4. If you're interested I've just published a review of this lens on my website.  Brian - yes I'm looking for all around. As of now I'm using 35 only, so I'm looking for a 50 that can deliver nice bokeh as well. I prefer used for pricing but I want the lens to be in solid mechanical condition. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Marc G. Posted February 4, 2014 Share #10 Â Posted February 4, 2014 bokeh, allrounder. this screams Summilux ASPH to me Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
philipus Posted February 5, 2014 Share #11 Â Posted February 5, 2014 I have the Summilux Asph and consider it to be the best lens I've ever used. I also have a 50 Summicron III which I like a lot. Sure it doesn't have the flare resistance of the Asph but it is sharp and constrasty and tiny. The extra stop of the Summilux is of real benefit for film photography but the small size of the Summicron is very valuable for a very light weight kit. If i could only have one lens though it would be a Summilux. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfhrased Posted February 6, 2014 Share #12 Â Posted February 6, 2014 Brian - yes I'm looking for all around. As of now I'm using 35 only, so I'm looking for a 50 that can deliver nice bokeh as well. I prefer used for pricing but I want the lens to be in solid mechanical condition. Â If bokeh is your primary character goal you cannot go past the current generation of summilux - nothing beats it. That said, the CV 50 1.5 is pretty close, and much cheaper. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted February 6, 2014 Share #13 Â Posted February 6, 2014 The OP did say "nice bokeh as well" and at f/2 (which still gives very shallow DOF) and above the bokeh of a Summilux isn't much different to a Summicron. If the OP wants a lens for street and landscape and intends to shoot everything wide open (and accepts the increased focusing difficulties of f/1.4 for street action) then the considerable price increase in buying the larger Summilux for possibly an unusable one stop gain is absolutely worth it. Â Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
billo101 Posted February 8, 2014 Share #14 Â Posted February 8, 2014 50 Summicron Wetzlar 6-elements or Rigid 7-elements. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
james.liam Posted February 8, 2014 Share #15  Posted February 8, 2014 You might also consider the new Voigtländer 1,5/50 ASPH. It most resembles the pre-ASPH 50 Summilux in its rendering. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith (M) Posted February 13, 2014 Share #16 Â Posted February 13, 2014 My 'go to' 50mm lens for film use is the C-Sonnar f1.5. Lots of character, creamy bokeh, 1/3rd stops & 46mm filter thread. Â Â Sent from my iPad Mini using Tapatalk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted February 13, 2014 Share #17  Posted February 13, 2014 You might also consider the new Voigtländer 1,5/50 ASPH. It most resembles the pre-ASPH 50 Summilux in its rendering.  Can you expand on this a bit? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
james.liam Posted February 13, 2014 Share #18 Â Posted February 13, 2014 Can you expand on this a bit? Â More classic, softer look wide open, contrast also a tad lower. That's what it reminds me most of. Â All tightens up very nicely by f/2. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
batmobile Posted February 14, 2014 Share #19 Â Posted February 14, 2014 If you want an extremely sharp modern looking lens and f2 is enough for you, I'd not look any further than the 50mm ZM planar. Performance is incredible and its much cheaper than a Leica lens. Performance is breathtaking. Sure, the 50 APO f2 my be a touch better, but at what price? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith (M) Posted February 14, 2014 Share #20  Posted February 14, 2014 As mentioned in post #15, I favour the Zeiss C-Sonnar 50mm for film but I also have the Planar 50mm which I turn to for digital use.  If you want an extremely sharp modern looking lens and f2 is enough for you, I'd not look any further than the 50mm ZM planar. Performance is incredible and its much cheaper than a Leica lens. Performance is breathtaking. Sure, the 50 APO f2 my be a touch better, but at what price?Below is a very quick example, hand-held with only desk-top illumination to show the smooth transition of the Planar at f2, with focus on the (empty) whisky glass. The second image is taken shortly afterwards with the C-Sonnar 50mm @ f1.5. You takes your choice... 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/221456-best-50mm-for-film/?do=findComment&comment=2532506'>More sharing options...
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