Tiny 50mm f2 lenses recommendation

[Infantasy]

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Like to seek a tiny 50mm f2 lenses for travel and street photo. I own some other 50mm lenses including ZM50 f1.5, DR50 f2, Elmar 50 f3.5 already but want one tiny with good performance. Have considered the LLL Elcan replica but some reviews commented its resolution degraded substantially when focus from medium to far distance. Any suggestion?

[frame-it]

9 minutes ago, Infantasy said:

 Any suggestion?

https://wiki.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/Summicron_(I)_f%3D_5_cm_1:2

[dpitt]

Best performance non collapsible =  Leica Summicron 50 v4 (is the same optical formula as the v5, but lighter and smaller without built in sun hood)
Most compact 50 is the Summicron 50 collapsible. It is not far of compared to the v4, but v4 has better contrast and sharpness wide open and overall more modern look. It renders more greenish where the 50v4 renders more orange tinted like most modern Leica lenses.

If it does not have to be 50mm, then the Summicron 40C is the most compact summicron. Performance in between the 50v1 and 50v4. It is the roughly the same size as the v1 in collapsed state. Only the 35mm Summicron is smaller by a few mm.

Look here for exact sizes and weights:

https://wiki.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/M_Lenses_x_Focal_Length

[farnz]

You haven't mention the camera it's for so if your looking for 50/2 on a full frame camera then you have excellent advice above.

However if it can be '50mm effective field of view' on an APS-C or micro four-thirds camera then there are other options.

Pete.

[Infantasy]

My camera is M10P. It seems that the size of all 50mm lenses has limited compactness except the Elcan. Thanks for your advices anyway.

[f8low]

I don’t have first hands experience but maybe the more modern Elmar 50 2.8 would qualify?

[newtoleica]

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How about the 50 APO summicron? 

[pedaes]

20 hours ago, Infantasy said:

good performance.

If its M mount then the Zeiss 50mm/f2 Planar is a stellar lens and as small as you will find relative to performance.

[Ouroboros]

You can’t go wrong with either a 50mm elmar-m f2.8 (still a relative bargain for a Leica lens) or a 50mm summicron v5.

[evikne]

5 minutes ago, newtoleica said:

How about the 50 APO summicron? 

Yes, the OP didn't mention a price. 😉

[pedaes]

1 hour ago, evikne said:

Yes, the OP didn't mention a price. 😉

Besides price, it doesn't meet the "tiny" criteria. If OP is fixed on f2 as post that takes out some options.

[adan]

Realistically, IF you insist on 50mm - and f/2.0 - and reasonable image quality - and as small as possible - and covers the image are of an M10 sensor - you are fighting against the laws of physics.

By definition, a 50mm lens must have an optical center that is about 50mm from the image plane (your M10 sensor). And unless the lens is a single element (glorified magnifying glass), even more length for the additional elements that correct the image quality.

By definition, a 50mm lens with an aperture of f/2 (focal length divided by two) has to have a minimum internal diameter of at least 25mm - and usually even more, for the elements in front of and behind the aperture, to avoid vignetting. Plus whatever metal makes up the surrounding barrel that holds everything together.

Leica or otherwise, you won't find any 50mm f/2.0 lens from any camera maker that is actually any smaller than the three mentioned in posts 1/2/3: ELCAN, Summicron Collapsible, or Summicron v.4.

[Infantasy]

Initially, I am looking for the replica Elcan which tiny enough but the IQ seems not suitable for travel, so I look for alternative. If it is physically limitation and no such lenses available in the market, I would stick to using my DR for travel. 

[hansvons]

The V4 Summicron is the tiniest 50mm Leica offering (non-collapsible) and fits snugly into @adan comment on lens physics constraints. It’s a stellar lens and can be found in the Canadian version for 1k euros. 

[Knipsknecht]

If f2.4 would still be enough I would recommend the 50mm Summarit. Tiny but with a very nice rendering. Only possible downside - if it's important for you -, this lens cannot be bought brand new as it has been discontinued.

[tsleica]

LLL Elcan...period.

Or skip f2 and get the modern Elmar-M f 2.8 which is stunning.

[Pyrogallol]

40mm Voigtlander Heliar, available in screw or bayonet. Take the hood off and it’s even smaller.

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[Biotar]

What about the Heliar 2/50? - its collapsible and 2.0

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[horosu]

The Summit 50/2.5 is the tiniest ....just as small as a Elmar-M collapsible, but in its collapsed state.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[Greenhilltony]

The LLL Elcan does show softness in corners until stopped down to F5.6. But from my experience, it is still a capable lens on M10-P, which has a 24MP sensor. It’s a design of only 4 elements.

 The summicron 40/2 and its Minolta alternatives are better in IQ and you can use it as a 50mm because they bring the 50mm lines naturally on M10-P. However you have to crop a bit to get the real 50mm fov. For me, the actual using experience of 40mm is more like a 35mm. YMMV.