Guest Posted August 4, 2019 Share #21 Â Posted August 4, 2019 Advertisement (gone after registration) On 8/2/2019 at 11:58 PM, Keek said: ...would be the most versatile lens? Â Naughtlux Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 4, 2019 Posted August 4, 2019 Hi Guest, Take a look here Which 50mm.... I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Ouroboros Posted August 4, 2019 Share #22  Posted August 4, 2019 5 hours ago, NW67 said:  Naughtlux I assume you mean a Noctilux of some iteration or other. If you take the most 'versatile' 50mm literally as the only criteria, then the Noctilux f.95 could be the one, but only because it opens up to f.95. There is nothing else to commend as being more versatile than any other 50mm lens. As I've truly never needed f.95, or f1, as I discovered for myself after buying one of the last ones, I'll take the 50mm elmar-m f2.8 on a Leica M any day. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 5, 2019 Share #23  Posted August 5, 2019 1 hour ago, Ouroboros said: I assume you mean a Noctilux of some iteration or other. If you take the most 'versatile' 50mm literally as the only criteria, then the Noctilux f.95 could be the one, but only because it opens up to f.95. There is nothing else to commend as being more versatile than any other 50mm lens. As I've truly never needed f.95, or f1, as I discovered for myself after buying one of the last ones, I'll take the 50mm elmar-m f2.8 on a Leica M any day. You say you’ve never needed 0.95. How do you know that??? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted August 5, 2019 Share #24  Posted August 5, 2019 On 8/2/2019 at 11:58 AM, Keek said: ...would be the most versatile lens? Versatile? What, as an ant burner? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChicagoMatthew Posted August 5, 2019 Share #25  Posted August 5, 2019 I assume you’re being vague on purpose. So I’ll bite. IMO, the 35mm summicron. It’s small and a strong performer. It’s wide, not too wide. It’s can take a tight portrait in a pinch. You could use it in a landscape situation or inside a music venue... personally I use the 35mm summilux FLE, but it’s bigger and the ergonomics are not as good as the cron. But 1.4. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flu Posted August 5, 2019 Share #26  Posted August 5, 2019 Eenie Meenie Miney Mo.... Take your pick, any of these 50's will do just fine! 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!  2 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/299874-which-50mm/?do=findComment&comment=3791578'>More sharing options...
Jul Posted August 5, 2019 Share #27  Posted August 5, 2019 Advertisement (gone after registration) Speed aside, I add some weight for an old Elmar. Pair it with a 21 f/4 Super Angulon in a one body two lens outing and you have one of the most compact kit. When not mounted, it takes avantage of the deep rear cap of the Super Angulon and fit collapsed in your pocket in a few cubic centimetres. When mounted, you can focus it under 0.5m with the SOMKY, use it all along the aperture range with pleasing out of focus area thanks to the 15 rounded blades diaphragm and collapse it when you need to slip the body in coat pocket or anywhere a body with an uncollapsed lens does not fit.  1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
g2van Posted August 5, 2019 Share #28  Posted August 5, 2019 "versatile" seemingly left wide open by OP. For me versatility, has two aspects: - versatile in being easy to carry everywhere: that would be the 50/2.8 elmar-M (newer). It's tiny and sharp. You can take it everywhere easily. - versatile in producing the different "looks" I like: this is where I enjoy/struggle most with M lenses. Every time I go out to shoot, it seems I want both a more classic look with character bokeh as well as modern sharpness/contrast. This is where the 50 Elmar-M fails for me - it's a one look lens. The best most versatile 50 in this category in my experience is the Noctilux f1: wide open it has the signature Noct look which I love (to me, more character than the f.095), at f1.4 it is close enough to the 50 Lux and at f2 onwards, it has the modern sharp look. Of course within this category one has to balance practicality of carrying the lens. So again, this is where the f1 edges the f0.95 especially Noct v3 E60 (with the separate hood) - it's 580g vs 700g and shorter especially when used without the hood. I also liked the Canon 50/1.2 LTM for this aspect of versatility but wide open I prefered the Noct f1 look much more.  So the 50 Elmar and Noct f1 v3 are my only 50 lenses. In this regard, as a stable of 50s, I also consider them versatile - I have a tiny all day lens and I also have a double look lens. I can take both on a trip and use the Elmar all day and the Noct in the evenings. I have used the Noct all day on occasions but would prefer not to have it on all the time and that's where the tiny Elmar comes in.    2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrp Posted August 5, 2019 Share #29  Posted August 5, 2019 The current Summilux is as close to the best rendering / sharpness as you’ll get for many / most applications. And it’s portable.  No need to fiddle around with a lot of esoterica. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChicagoMatthew Posted August 6, 2019 Share #30  Posted August 6, 2019 21 hours ago, ChicagoMatthew said: I assume you’re being vague on purpose. So I’ll bite. IMO, the 35mm summicron. It’s small and a strong performer. It’s wide, not too wide. It’s can take a tight portrait in a pinch. You could use it in a landscape situation or inside a music venue... personally I use the 35mm summilux FLE, but it’s bigger and the ergonomics are not as good as the cron. But 1.4. I realize I didn’t read the title of this post before I started pushing the 35mm! Sorry!! I will amend my previous post and say, the modern 50mm asph summicron or the APO. Honestly, across the range I would say summicrons take the versatility award... a balance of size and performance. The APO is the champ in that regard... and the price champ. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
a.noctilux Posted August 9, 2019 Share #31  Posted August 9, 2019 On 8/5/2019 at 6:27 AM, Flu said: Eenie Meenie Miney Mo.... Take your pick, any of these 50's will do just fine! 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!  Flu, are those 50mm Apo-Summicron your lenses ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rent Posted August 9, 2019 Share #32 Â Posted August 9, 2019 Go out and take some more photos, guys! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
a.noctilux Posted August 9, 2019 Share #33  Posted August 9, 2019 3 minutes ago, rent said: Go out and take some more photos, guys! Why go out ? Nothing to photograph outthere 😵. I'm using my gear for "studio" and answering here in LUF to relax myself. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
spydrxx Posted August 9, 2019 Share #34 Â Posted August 9, 2019 Versatile? The one you have with you when you need it, obviously! Without further discussing your needs, especially as they relate to your definition of versatility, nobody can give you a meaningful answer. So, I'll chime in with a favorite...a 50 Summicron...any vintage. Based on size, weight, performance, construction. 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flu Posted August 11, 2019 Share #35 Â Posted August 11, 2019 On 8/9/2019 at 4:06 AM, a.noctilux said: Flu, are those 50mm Apo-Summicron your lenses ? Yes, these are my lenses and my photo of them together. I first shot the moon with a tele, then displayed it on an iPad, placed the 7 lenses on top of iPad to take this photo. I don't own or know how to photoshop, so this is my ghetto way of doing it LOL! 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rent Posted August 11, 2019 Share #36  Posted August 11, 2019 4 hours ago, Flu said: Yes, these are my lenses and my photo of them together. I first shot the moon with a tele, then displayed it on an iPad, placed the 7 lenses on top of iPad to take this photo. I don't own or know how to photoshop, so this is my ghetto way of doing it LOL! Oh wow! 7?! I didn’t know there are this many variation of the APO 50! Which one is your favorite? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicaalex Posted August 11, 2019 Share #37  Posted August 11, 2019 I went for the summicron type III which is not that much loved by many - but it‘s cheaper than others. Still I knew I would get a 35 Summilux so it was a great option to save some money. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted August 11, 2019 Share #38  Posted August 11, 2019 (edited) • Edited August 11, 2019 by lct Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB_tx Posted August 11, 2019 Share #39  Posted August 11, 2019 39 minutes ago, leicaalex said: I went for the summicron type III which is not that much loved by many - but it‘s cheaper than others. Still I knew I would get a 35 Summilux so it was a great option to save some money. I used the type III for over 40 years, and added a new type V (or IV depending on how you count) after getting an M9. Very hard to tell any difference in pictures. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted August 11, 2019 Share #40  Posted August 11, 2019 55 minutes ago, leicaalex said: I went for the summicron type III which is not that much loved by many - but it‘s cheaper than others. Great lens indeed. Was my first Leica lens in the seventies. Was also the last Summicron 50 with a removable optical cell if memory serves. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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