Tessar. Posted July 23, 2021 Share #1  Posted July 23, 2021 Advertisement (gone after registration) I've just sold my 28mm Summaron (settled on an Elmarit ASPH) and looking for a modern 50mm lens with character. This is to use on my M240 and future M10. I've (unscientifically) narrowed my choice down to a 50mm f/2,4 Konica LTM collapsible, 50mm f/2,5 Color Skopar LTM  or, 50mm f/2,8 Elmar-M (last version). The criteria is to get something different, with character and up to about £650, so nothing too exotic.  My thoughts are I really like the rendering of the 50mm Hexanon, but it's a bit bulky for a collapsible and there's a risk the copy I get will wobble and need a re-lube (I had one like this many years ago). The Elmar-M slightly boring, maybe, but is light neat and focusses down to 0.7M. The Color Skopar is anecdotally less sharp but with a nice look, and very well built (and a bit cheaper than the other two)/ Any comments on each lens welcome and any hidden gems that I've missed would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 23, 2021 Posted July 23, 2021 Hi Tessar., Take a look here Friday afternoon 50mm lens inspiration needed.. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
a.noctilux Posted July 23, 2021 Share #2  Posted July 23, 2021 (edited) We are lucky to have choices of plenty 50mm/5cm gems (no need to hide them !): Old Leitz LTM like Elmar 3.5/50 which at first I didn't want for many "false" reasons like 1m MFD, or f/3.5, but when I use them, nothing to complain. To try also 5cm Summar, a bit tricky to find one in good shape as they age not very well (I do use two units with 'perfect glass'). Canon 1.8 or 1.4/50 LTM are not bad, I have them along with 1.2 which is bigger but this fast old lens surprises me as it doesn't hide the 50 framing lines, incredible in whole quality considering their age. M-Hexanon 2/50 is another good choice, for me as good as Leica lenses. I appreciate also my Summarit-M 2.5/50, tiny wonder, this one pushed my second Elmar-M 2.8/50 for trading. ... Voigtlander, Zeiss, etc. And so on ...🙂  Wait ... 150 pages of pictures of 50mm for inspiration ...  Edited July 23, 2021 by a.noctilux Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB_tx Posted July 23, 2021 Share #3  Posted July 23, 2021 With the 3 you list I’d go with the Elmar-M. Mine is an excellent lens, although I prefer my 2.5 Summarit. The Color Skopar I have is tiny and nice, but is a bit soft - yet there is sample variation on the Skopar and some are quite sharp. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessar. Posted July 23, 2021 Author Share #4  Posted July 23, 2021 I'm really looking for something modern so the Summarit-M is definitely of interest if I can find a cheap enough copy - cheapest I found was over £800 so far. I have experience of the M-Hexanon 28mm and 35mm and the focus being off with my M240 at f/4 and f/5,6, so I 'm wary of the 50mm and having to send it off to be calibrated with my M240, is this something you have any experience of? Otherwise the M-Hex 50 would seem to be a contender. I guess the ZM Planar, but is it a bit of a boring/obvious choice? Nokton II f/1,5 a bit expensive and Nokton 50mm f/1,2 a bit big maybe? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Datsch Posted July 23, 2021 Share #5  Posted July 23, 2021 (edited) I am enjoying the Nok ii a great deal, it is my only lens and does a lot of character wide open (see pic) but also does modern and crisp should you wish ... I was swayed by Flavio's review here https://www.47-degree.com/focus-shift/Voigtlander-Nokton-50mm-1.5-II-VM-review And just £150 more is not too crazy in this Leica world ... 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! Edited July 23, 2021 by Datsch 2 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/322943-friday-afternoon-50mm-lens-inspiration-needed/?do=findComment&comment=4243773'>More sharing options...
Tessar. Posted July 23, 2021 Author Share #6  Posted July 23, 2021 Looks interesting, are you able to post anything taken at f/4 or smaller?   I do have the Nokton Classic II 35mm f/1,4 SC. Is the 50 sharper than the that in the edges and corners? >>And just £150 more is not too crazy in this Leica world ... Very true! Looking at pics from the Hexanon LTM, what I really liked about the rendering is that it just looks so "relaxed" and natural.  Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessar. Posted July 23, 2021 Author Share #7  Posted July 23, 2021 Advertisement (gone after registration) Sorry, I hadn't noticed you meant the 50mm f/1,5 II I was thinking of the f/1,2 when I read your post. I do have a question about this lens though (the f/1,5). I bought and sent back the Ultron 35mm f/2 II (Chrome version) because the focus helical kept binding and a couple of times jammed. Is the 50 smooth to focus? Does it feel good mechanically?  Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
didier Posted July 23, 2021 Share #8  Posted July 23, 2021 The Elmar-M is great : contrasty with character, and excellent close-up performance if it is a criteria. A little gem, easy and nice to use ! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianman Posted July 23, 2021 Share #9 Â Posted July 23, 2021 2 hours ago, a.noctilux said: To try also 5cm Summar, a bit tricky to find one in good shape as they age not very well (I do use two units with 'perfect glass'). +1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessar. Posted July 23, 2021 Author Share #10  Posted July 23, 2021 I can't say I haven't looked at samples from those lenses (Summar, Summitar and collapsible Summicron), and they are tempting on a budget, along with the Canons, Nikkors and Topcors of the 50s and 60s. I discounted the f/1,5 Summarit as I had one previously. I have had the Elmar-M before too but that was when I was using film and an M2 and M4-P.  Thanks for the responses so far. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted July 23, 2021 Share #11 Â Posted July 23, 2021 A vote for the Summarit. Save pennies by getting the first version f/2.5. Identical optically. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Datsch Posted July 23, 2021 Share #12  Posted July 23, 2021 1 hour ago, Tessar. said: Is the 50 smooth to focus? Does it feel good mechanically? Feels great to me, smooth and just a little stiff -- like a good butterscotch Angel Delight ... I tried a secondhand 50 lux and found it too loose for my taste, probably great if you are all about speedy shots or street or suchlike, you could click clack from one extreme to another in an instant. The 50 Nok 1.5 ii suits me more as I like to take my time and do more considered shots. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
didier Posted July 23, 2021 Share #13 Â Posted July 23, 2021 1 hour ago, ianman said: +1 +2 Â Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gobert Posted July 23, 2021 Share #14  Posted July 23, 2021 Reviews of the 50mm f/2,8 Elmar-M are quite good, not to say impressive. Although, being in the possession of 3 fifties I don’t own it (why not? I don’t know; may be I will some day). 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Datsch Posted July 23, 2021 Share #15  Posted July 23, 2021 1 hour ago, Tessar. said: Looks interesting, are you able to post anything taken at f/4 or smaller?   I do have the Nokton Classic II 35mm f/1,4 SC. Is the 50 sharper than the that in the edges and corners? I don't know about the 35mm and this is a crop so doesn't help with your edges question but it is f4 ... 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/322943-friday-afternoon-50mm-lens-inspiration-needed/?do=findComment&comment=4243861'>More sharing options...
lct Posted July 23, 2021 Share #16  Posted July 23, 2021 1 hour ago, didier said: The Elmar-M is great : contrasty with character, and excellent close-up performance if it is a criteria. A little gem, easy and nice to use ! +1. The CV 50/2.5 is somewhat soft by comparison. The Summarit 50/2.5 (no experience with 50/2.4) is a superior lens optically but with less character than the Elmar-M. Matter of tastes anyway. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted July 23, 2021 Share #17  Posted July 23, 2021 26 minutes ago, Gobert said: Reviews of the 50mm f/2,8 Elmar-M are quite good, not to say impressive. Although, being in the possession of 3 fifties I don’t own it (why not? I don’t know; may be I will some day). I do. And the reviews are not wrong. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessar. Posted July 23, 2021 Author Share #18  Posted July 23, 2021 Thanks for reminding me of the 50s thread. Unfortunately a lot of the pics I like are from the Noct or Summilux Asph, oh well. The v5 Summicron does pretty well too. The 50 f/1,5 Sonnar pics look pretty good, actually very good, but I don't want the focus shift. Some of the Elmar shots look great too. From what I've seen the Nokt 1.5 II could be an option apart from the £800 price and none available used yet. Maybe the M-Hex could be a Summicron substitute? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
a.noctilux Posted July 23, 2021 Share #19 Â Posted July 23, 2021 (edited) Sorry to say that Summicron 50mm has no substitute, even by another Summicron. I use some units since decades, and never found substitute of Summicron (which one ? we have many versions !). Â I begin with my first Leica M lens version IIIÂ or (II) in Wiki 1968-1979 and not yet "replaced" after using/trying dozens of 50mm. To be fair, rendering of M-Hexanon 2/50 are crisper than the Cron III ( but lack of Summicron's family subtle/roundness/etc. ). As I wrote so often, only the user can decide which lens(es) suits best and only after using the lens(es) a good while. Opinions from other users are only opinions to begin with. The best lens can become boringly good or best tool at most. Edited July 23, 2021 by a.noctilux 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herr Barnack Posted July 23, 2021 Share #20  Posted July 23, 2021 @Tessar. If you can find a copy of the 50mm f/2.4 Summarit, by all means grab it! This little jewel is a seriously good lens that is overlooked by many. I suspect that the reason Leica retired this lens was because it was eating in to the sales of the 50/2 (non-APO) Summicron.  Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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