Any 50 mm lenses to compliment the 50 Elmar-m

[grahamc]

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9 minutes ago, elixxir said:

That’s why it is really hard for me 🤣

Any exotic recommendations are welcome 😃

My recommendation isn't super exotic I'm afraid, but is the trusted Summicron v4.  I love the focus tab, the rendering (IMO) is quite modern in terms of the crispness of the image and the contrast, however for me it's not 'sterile' at all as some very modern lenses can be.  It's a really impressive lens I have shot some portraits with it and also architecture (well, just city buildings ....even thought architecture is not my usual thing at all ) .  My point is that everything I shoot I'm really impressed with the sharpness and the 'pop' of this lens - it gives me the wow factor each time I download images.   

I have limited experience with the Elmar-M but so far it seems dreamier and lower contrast - so for me I'm happy to have both.   The Summicron v4 was mentioned too many times by Leica users to be ignored that's why I bought it and I've been really impressed.    Although if you are after something truly character-filled it might not be for you. I usually favour more classic rendering so it's a really nice change for me, but without being clinical . 

These images have had grain added because I like a consistent look across film & digital .  The city buildings one was literally a snapshot the day I received the lens .. it's impressed me since day 1 !   if you were after an all rounder or for times that you want a slightly more modern look, it would be really hard to go wrong with the v4 I think. 

 

 

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Edited October 29, 2021 by grahamc

[elixxir]

19 minutes ago, grahamc said:

My recommendation isn't super exotic I'm afraid, but is the trusted Summicron v4.  I love the focus tab, the rendering (IMO) is quite modern in terms of the crispness of the image and the contrast, however for me it's not 'sterile' at all as some very modern lenses can be.  It's a really impressive lens I have shot some portraits with it and also architecture (well, just city buildings ....even thought architecture is not my usual thing at all ) .  My point is that everything I shoot I'm really impressed with the sharpness and the 'pop' of this lens - it gives me the wow factor each time I download images.   

I have limited experience with the Elmar-M but so far it seems dreamier and lower contrast - so for me I'm happy to have both.   The Summicron v4 was mentioned too many times by Leica users to be ignored that's why I bought it and I've been really impressed.    Although if you are after something truly character-filled it might not be for you. I usually favour more classic rendering so it's a really nice change for me, but without being clinical . 

These images have had grain added because I like a consistent look across film & digital .  The city buildings one was literally a snapshot the day I received the lens .. it's impressed me since day 1 !   if you were after an all rounder or for times that you want a slightly more modern look, it would be really hard to go wrong with the v4 I think. 

 

 

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Thank you !!!

 

[Guest]

I was going to say the summicrom v5 but i think the v4 is the same optical design.

My version 5 renders images in a very sharp but beautiful way anyhow in my view.

[grahamc]

44 minutes ago, steve 1959 said:

I was going to say the summicrom v5 but i think the v4 is the same optical design.

My version 5 renders images in a very sharp but beautiful way anyhow in my view.

Yep that's right - they are optically the same by all accounts.  

v4 = very slightly smaller / lighter (not significantly) and with focus tab 

v5 = integrated hood.

I agree there is something really lovely about the rendering.   Side note I can now see how the v4/v5 makes the perfect pair with the Summicron 35:2 v4 ... I think it may have been yourself @steve 1959, amongst others that mentioned that.   In my very untechnical assessment they seem almost identical apart from of course the differences that focal length compression makes 

I'm really glad I got it 

Edited October 29, 2021 by grahamc

[elixxir]

https://m.imgur.com/a/Sc2nxG6
 

Just found the comparison between The clone Elcan and V5

any thought on this?

[a.noctilux]

As exotics lenses, @elixxir

I have fun with other brands (always in 50mm lenses): Jupiter 3 and J8, x3 Canon LTM 1.2/1.4/1.8/50, M-Hexanon 2/50, even some SLR lenses with right adapters.

And many more, it was funny but Leitz/Leica lenses are my favorites, I don't know why.

 

If you can, try out those old Leitz LTM (exotics ? ) Summar 5cm even the lovely Elmar 3.5/5cm can ( could be) surprise you how possible such old lenses can do.

[Guest]

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14 hours ago, grahamc said:

Yep that's right - they are optically the same by all accounts.  

v4 = very slightly smaller / lighter (not significantly) and with focus tab 

v5 = integrated hood.

I agree there is something really lovely about the rendering.   Side note I can now see how the v4/v5 makes the perfect pair with the Summicron 35:2 v4 ... I think it may have been yourself @steve 1959, amongst others that mentioned that.   In my very untechnical assessment they seem almost identical apart from of course the differences that focal length compression makes 

I'm really glad I got it 

🙂Never owned a 35mm V4 so it must have been others  who commented on that.

Edited October 29, 2021 by steve 1959

[earleygallery]

17 hours ago, farnz said:

To potentially complicate matters further there's the original 50/3.5 Elmar in LTM and the later 50/3.5 Elmar-M.

Pete.

They are the same lens though, the M being the same optics as the 'Red Scale' LTM.

[earleygallery]

16 hours ago, elixxir said:

That’s why it is really hard for me 🤣

Any exotic recommendations are welcome 😃

It depends what you mean by 'exotic' - if the Elmar is your 'everyday' lens then maybe something that gives a different rendering, like a Noctilux or a Summar?

[farnz]

11 minutes ago, earleygallery said:

They are the same lens though, the M being the same optics as the 'Red Scale' LTM.

I think they were the same computation (4 elements based on the Cooke Triplet with one cemented group) but according to Hove there were different coatings and minor cosmetic differences such as fonts, triangle, diamond markings etc.  

The reason I mentioned the ELMAM (11610) is that when holding them side-by-side on your hand they look quite different.  I'm convinced that my ELMAM M-mount version produces pictures with a bit more contrast than my red-scale screw-mount version although of course that might be down to age - 1936 versus 1956.

Leitz saw fit to give is a separate name and number too so perhaps that counts for something.  I know when I was looking for my ELMAM a few years ago there weren't too many around then.

Pete.

[earleygallery]

1 hour ago, farnz said:

I think they were the same computation (4 elements based on the Cooke Triplet with one cemented group) but according to Hove there were different coatings and minor cosmetic differences such as fonts, triangle, diamond markings etc.  

The reason I mentioned the ELMAM (11610) is that when holding them side-by-side on your hand they look quite different.  I'm convinced that my ELMAM M-mount version produces pictures with a bit more contrast than my red-scale screw-mount version although of course that might be down to age - 1936 versus 1956.

Leitz saw fit to give is a separate name and number too so perhaps that counts for something.  I know when I was looking for my ELMAM a few years ago there weren't too many around then.

Pete.

Massive cosmetic differences, the M mount f3.5 looks the same as the f2.8 M mount Elmar. As an aside, I did a test of my red scale lens and my 2.8 some years ago and thought the 3.5 was actually a better lens until you get past f4.

[elixxir]

Thank you for all recommendations

I might go with the new 50 cron v5 in silver chrome.

Is the chrome version still made out of brass?

[a.noctilux]

9 minutes ago, elixxir said:

Thank you for all recommendations

I might go with the new 50 cron v5 in silver chrome.

Is the chrome version still made out of brass?

I think so, my two Summicron (one M model 50th anniversary, the other LTM heavier) 50mm are very heavy, must be brass under the coating, and not aluminium

 

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[Aryel]

On 10/29/2021 at 12:55 AM, elixxir said:

The rigid Summicron is really an interesting lens but I couldn't find one in a good condition and the price is going up like crazy these day so it's not my option

Based on this, I’d suggest to take a look at the v1 collapsible. You can also take an opportunist approach and take whichever you can find at a good price and in good condition. Try it and eventually sell back if you do not like it. 

[a.noctilux]

Aryel gave good advice for Summicron "I",

I have warnings for choosing this old collapsible (mine is in it's seventy years, from 1951), I think I'm lucky to have it in such good condition and it gives pleasing pictures.

More than I could tell, those I've seen were very 'older-in-conditions' , scratched glass, sliding in/out too loose or too difficult (even when they said "CLAed".

I've seen this one (on line here, in Paris) nice price, but glass can have some haze: have a look in this picture

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[otto.f]

On 10/28/2021 at 6:55 PM, elixxir said:

I mainly shoot portrait and some street photography

Personally I have no need to add another 50 to my Elmar. For your purposes, street and portrait, I have the Summicron 35 iv and the Summilux75. If I ever want to scratch the itch that the little dent on the back lens of my 35 is giving me, I would seriously think of the CV 35. It’s also sturdier than the Canadian Summicron iv and if that would be the king of bokeh the Ultron seems to be the queen, as far as I can judge from the internet. 

[otto.f]

On 10/29/2021 at 2:48 AM, farnz said:

the later 50/3.5 Elmar-M

As far as I know the exact name of the older ones is not 50 Elmar-M but just Elmar.

[otto.f]

On 10/29/2021 at 4:23 AM, grahamc said:

the trusted Summicron v4

If you want to go that way, elixxir, I recommand this one. The separate hood is much more effective against flare than the built-in from the v5, I know from testing myself. I found it also a bit more crisp, but that could be because of individual copies within type.

[lct]

56 minutes ago, otto.f said:

As far as I know the exact name of the older ones is not 50 Elmar-M but just Elmar.

That's what i thought too but Leitz catalogues say "Elmar-M". The suffixe "-M" is not engraved on the lens though i guess but i have no experience with Elmars (or Elmar-Ms) 50/3.5.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[farnz]

1 hour ago, otto.f said:

As far as I know the exact name of the older ones is not 50 Elmar-M but just Elmar.

You're quite right, Lot, and mine has just "Elmar" (with no -M) engraved on the front ring although it is visibly in M-Mount of course. 

I believe its official Leica name was "ELMAM" and I suspect that 'Elmar-M' has been used colloquially to distinguish it from the LTM version.

Pete.